Production Switchers

We have a Carbonite switcher and use RenewedVision's ProPresenter for Lower Thirds. We purchased the ProPresenter AlphaKey module and a Blackmagic UltraStudio 4k. I setup the ProPresenter to send a key and fill so the Carbonite can use those for the alphakey overlay. I'm a newbie when it comes to broadcast and lower thirds so please excuse my ignorance.

It seems to be working pretty well except for black. Apparently, true black is the transparency color, so if we use black fonts for our lower thirds, they become transparent even though the black font is a layer on top of a colored background. Any suggestions of how we can use black in our lower thirds? I see news organizations seem to be able to use any color they want and it will not become transparent.

Hi Rob,

Sounds like you are performing a Self key rather then taking the alpha channel. You need to assign the alpha channel input as the Key source for the fill channel. You can do that easily via Dashboard in the input config menu, or from the panel Choose menu>config>input then scroll to the input for the fill channel and set the key channel with the second scroll knob.

Once the alpha is associate, simply press autoselect as the key type and choose the fill source - the key will then be selected automatically.

Nigel

#Carbonite

I have Input 6 set as my Fill (named Titler). I have Input 12 set as my Key (named Titler K). In Dashboard, I have Input 6 (Titler) AlphaSource set to Input 12 (Titler K) as Linear.

On the console, I have Key4 set to use Input 6 (Titler) and is set to AutoSelect for the Key Type.

#Carbonite

On a side note...I put the Fill and Key sources to display in a MultiView so I can see what is getting sent to each input. They are EXACTLY the same. Should they be the same?

#Carbonite

Ok so here is a simple way to make sure the Key source is good, Select the key channel as a background source on Program or Preview and look at it with all keys off.

The fill Area should be solid white and the Keyed out area solid black. any grey areas will be transparent area of the key. Sounds like your key channel is incorrect if you are seeing background through solid areas of the fill.

#Carbonite

That must be the issue right there. I'm getting the exact some thing from both the key and fill. That makes sense. I'll talk to RenewedVision, then, to see what I'm doing wrong with ProPresenter and my Blackmagic UltraStudio.

Thanks for the FAST responses!

#Carbonite

Rob, let me know if I can help any. I am using the exact same setup with an iMac, Blackmagic Ultrastudio 4k, the Alpha Keyer Module, into our Ross Carbonite. You do have to set up the key relationships between the two inputs, but after that, it's pretty flawless.

Joseph

#Carbonite

Thanks, Joseph. I have a forum topic open with RenewedVision, as well, at http://forums.renewedvision.com/showthread.php/17147-Alpha-Keying-to-a-Ross-Carbonite-Switcher.

I believe I have the key relationship fine. I used a MultiView to see what I'm getting from PP5/BlackMagic and both the key and fill are exactly the same. So, I think that is the issue. Did you have any problems with that?

Pictures of what each signal looks like is at https://plus.google.com/photos/117800989173369319602/albums/6117668189042735121

#Carbonite

Rob:

Your key signal is incorrect it should be white where your lower third is located and black on the top half that's all and grey where you desire transparency.

#Carbonite

And, sorry for not responding sooner - missed the notification.

#Carbonite

Rob, have you tried setting the blend in ProPresenter (Preferences > Advanced) to 100% (far right) and unchecking additive blend? Mine is set to 100% (far right), external key, no additive.

#Carbonite

Thank you. I'll try that.

#Carbonite

OK, I now have it set to [I]Far Right[/I][I] for the Blend, [I]External Key[/I][/I] and Additive Blend [I][I]unchecked[/I][/I]. I am still getting the same results, even after closing and restarting ProPresenter.

#Carbonite

I'm working with RenewedVision as it appears it is a ProPresenter issue. I used the BlackMagic Live Key and it seems to be working properly.

#Carbonite

Joseph...just so you know, we found it was that I had PP5 setup as 1080p, instead of 1080i. I changed that and now it works!

#Carbonite

I saw that - noticed it was different than mine (1080i 59.94) but didn't think that mattered... good to know! So - to be clear - you are now using ProPresenter 100% and not BM live key?

#Carbonite

Yes. Just used BM to test. When it worked there we new it was PP5.

#Carbonite

Hey guys! I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to accomplish the same thing with similar equipment if we can resurrect this thread (or point me elsewhere): Carbonite Solo, ProPresenter 7, BMD Decklink Duo 2 (outputting key & fill from ProPresenter).

We currently send an SDI feed from ProPresenter as an input/source in the Program feed. We also use custom/aux keys (1 & 2) for the convenience of manually switching between Program and ProPresenter output to our projectors when needed (and I'd like to retain this ability). However, I'd like to add text alpha key to our Carbonite for clean lower thirds and text overlay on our Program feed.

I suspect we will need one input for Key and another one for Fill. Can we utilize the current ProPresenter input for Fill? Our inputs are maxed out, but I could sacrifice one input for Key if we can utilize the ProPresenter input for Fill.

I am beginner when it comes to the Carbonite Solo UI, input assignment, and key settings so you have your work cut out for you. :)

What's my next step, how do you recommend I proceed? Thanks!

#CarboniteSolo

#ProPresenter

------------------------------
Wyatt Klein
Media Director
Generations Church
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2015 15:04
From: Rob
Subject: Alpha Keying with ProPresenter+AlphaKey Module and Carbonite

Yes. Just used BM to test. When it worked there we new it was PP5.

#Carbonite

Hi Wyatt!

We use Propresenter 7 with a Decklink Quad with a Carbonite Black+ switcher doing the exact same thing you're wanting to accomplish. So we use our Pro7 output for fill (also as an actual source on the M/E bus) as well as a second output for alpha (or what you are calling key). In your screen config in Pro7 there's an option for Alpha key and in there you would select external key. In the carbonite you would configure which ever DSK you want to use the Pro7 source as your fill and the second output from Pro7 as your key. Feel free to shoot me an email at jrichmond@ccclife.org if you need more help and I can send you pics of our setup

------------------------------
Jeremy Richmond
Broadcast Video Director
Christ Community Church
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2023 11:47
From: Wyatt Klein
Subject: Alpha Keying with ProPresenter+AlphaKey Module and Carbonite

Hey guys! I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to accomplish the same thing with similar equipment if we can resurrect this thread (or point me elsewhere): Carbonite Solo, ProPresenter 7, BMD Decklink Duo 2 (outputting key & fill from ProPresenter).

We currently send an SDI feed from ProPresenter as an input/source in the Program feed. We also use custom/aux keys (1 & 2) for the convenience of manually switching between Program and ProPresenter output to our projectors when needed (and I'd like to retain this ability). However, I'd like to add text alpha key to our Carbonite for clean lower thirds and text overlay on our Program feed.

I suspect we will need one input for Key and another one for Fill. Can we utilize the current ProPresenter input for Fill? Our inputs are maxed out, but I could sacrifice one input for Key if we can utilize the ProPresenter input for Fill.

I am beginner when it comes to the Carbonite Solo UI, input assignment, and key settings so you have your work cut out for you. :)

What's my next step, how do you recommend I proceed? Thanks!

#CarboniteSolo

#ProPresenter

------------------------------
Wyatt Klein
Media Director
Generations Church

Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2015 15:04
From: Rob
Subject: Alpha Keying with ProPresenter+AlphaKey Module and Carbonite

Yes. Just used BM to test. When it worked there we new it was PP5.

#Carbonite