Production Switchers

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

Hello there Danny.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've tried PNGs (with transparency) but it just doesn't work. I get either a white or black background where there should be transparency.
I tried loading some samples from the dashboard software and trasparency works. But I can't create my own files.
I've searched the "Help" tab as well. Maybe I am missing the info I want?!

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Do you mean the sample files? I thought doing the same but can't find a way to access them!

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

Good day, Chris. There are several reasons why .png files you're creating are not be keying properly so you'll have to check a few things. First, I believe you said you're working on a Carbonite Black switcher. If that's true, remember that the switcher uses two MediaStores for keying. If you load the .png into MediaStore 1, the alpha or key channel should automatically load into MediaStore 3. (MediaStore 2 & 4 are also paired in the same way.) So if you open the Media Manager tab in DashBoard, you should see the "tree" on the left side. There should be a folder of Samples, with subfolders for different frame sizes. Open the appropriate subfolder and load a keyable graphic to MedisStore 1 or 2. You should see the key load to the paired Store. Next, try setting up a key on the switcher. Select the MediaStore fill channel as the key source and be sure Auto-Select is chosen as the key type. Put the key over a different source and you should see a proper key. If you are, then the switcher is keying correctly and the problem may be in the way the .pngs are being created in the first place. Media files with alpha should have a 32-bit depth; you can check that by looking at the file attributes in Windows. If the file is 24-bit, there is no alpha attached. You can also perform a simple check in Windows by opening the .png in a program like Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. For example, create a new PowerPoint deck in the same size as your .png file and add some some text or a full frame picture as a background. Then insert the .png file. If it has a proper alpha channel, it should key over the background. Again, if it doesn't, the file doesn't have an alpha channel. 

You could also attach one of the problem files and we can take a look at it. 

Good luck. 

Hello there Danny.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've tried PNGs (with transparency) but it just doesn't work. I get either a white or black background where there should be transparency.
I tried loading some samples from the dashboard software and trasparency works. But I can't create my own files.
I've searched the "Help" tab as well. Maybe I am missing the info I want?!

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Do you mean the sample files? I thought doing the same but can't find a way to access them!

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

Thanks Tedd for dropping a reply.

I will have to test things again doing what you said maybe later today if I got the chance.
As for the file I am trying to push, yeah I am exporting as PNG 24 bit with alpha which creates a 32 bit file (since the last 8 bits are the alpha channel).
I am attaching the file (it's the station's logo) just to clear things up in case I am missing out something while I am creating it.

Thanks in advance!

Good day, Chris. There are several reasons why .png files you're creating are not be keying properly so you'll have to check a few things. First, I believe you said you're working on a Carbonite Black switcher. If that's true, remember that the switcher uses two MediaStores for keying. If you load the .png into MediaStore 1, the alpha or key channel should automatically load into MediaStore 3. (MediaStore 2 & 4 are also paired in the same way.) So if you open the Media Manager tab in DashBoard, you should see the "tree" on the left side. There should be a folder of Samples, with subfolders for different frame sizes. Open the appropriate subfolder and load a keyable graphic to MedisStore 1 or 2. You should see the key load to the paired Store. Next, try setting up a key on the switcher. Select the MediaStore fill channel as the key source and be sure Auto-Select is chosen as the key type. Put the key over a different source and you should see a proper key. If you are, then the switcher is keying correctly and the problem may be in the way the .pngs are being created in the first place. Media files with alpha should have a 32-bit depth; you can check that by looking at the file attributes in Windows. If the file is 24-bit, there is no alpha attached. You can also perform a simple check in Windows by opening the .png in a program like Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. For example, create a new PowerPoint deck in the same size as your .png file and add some some text or a full frame picture as a background. Then insert the .png file. If it has a proper alpha channel, it should key over the background. Again, if it doesn't, the file doesn't have an alpha channel. 

You could also attach one of the problem files and we can take a look at it. 

Good luck. 

Hello there Danny.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've tried PNGs (with transparency) but it just doesn't work. I get either a white or black background where there should be transparency.
I tried loading some samples from the dashboard software and trasparency works. But I can't create my own files.
I've searched the "Help" tab as well. Maybe I am missing the info I want?!

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Do you mean the sample files? I thought doing the same but can't find a way to access them!

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

Good day again. Thanks for the file. I confirmed that it is keying properly so I'm guessing the problem lies in the key setup on the switcher. I'd suggest you go through the steps again to be sure you're not missing something. Not to restate the obvious, confirm that the switcher is running in 1080 mode since the file is 1920 x 1080. Load the file onto a USB thumb drive, then plug the drive into the USB port on the Black frame. Using DashBoard or the panel itself, browse through the USB until you locate the logo file, then load it into a MediaStore. Again, if you have DashBoard running, you should see the alpha in the paired Store. On the switcher, set up an Auto-Select key with the MediaStore as the key source. That should do it. 

Let us know if you continue to have issues. 

Good luck. 

------------------------------
Tedd Tramaloni
Ross Video

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 05:25
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Thanks Tedd for dropping a reply.

I will have to test things again doing what you said maybe later today if I got the chance.
As for the file I am trying to push, yeah I am exporting as PNG 24 bit with alpha which creates a 32 bit file (since the last 8 bits are the alpha channel).
I am attaching the file (it's the station's logo) just to clear things up in case I am missing out something while I am creating it.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 04:45
From: Tedd
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Good day, Chris. There are several reasons why .png files you're creating are not be keying properly so you'll have to check a few things. First, I believe you said you're working on a Carbonite Black switcher. If that's true, remember that the switcher uses two MediaStores for keying. If you load the .png into MediaStore 1, the alpha or key channel should automatically load into MediaStore 3. (MediaStore 2 & 4 are also paired in the same way.) So if you open the Media Manager tab in DashBoard, you should see the "tree" on the left side. There should be a folder of Samples, with subfolders for different frame sizes. Open the appropriate subfolder and load a keyable graphic to MedisStore 1 or 2. You should see the key load to the paired Store. Next, try setting up a key on the switcher. Select the MediaStore fill channel as the key source and be sure Auto-Select is chosen as the key type. Put the key over a different source and you should see a proper key. If you are, then the switcher is keying correctly and the problem may be in the way the .pngs are being created in the first place. Media files with alpha should have a 32-bit depth; you can check that by looking at the file attributes in Windows. If the file is 24-bit, there is no alpha attached. You can also perform a simple check in Windows by opening the .png in a program like Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. For example, create a new PowerPoint deck in the same size as your .png file and add some some text or a full frame picture as a background. Then insert the .png file. If it has a proper alpha channel, it should key over the background. Again, if it doesn't, the file doesn't have an alpha channel. 

You could also attach one of the problem files and we can take a look at it. 

Good luck. 

------------------------------
Tedd Tramaloni
Ross Video

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 03:23
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hello there Danny.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've tried PNGs (with transparency) but it just doesn't work. I get either a white or black background where there should be transparency.
I tried loading some samples from the dashboard software and trasparency works. But I can't create my own files.
I've searched the "Help" tab as well. Maybe I am missing the info I want?!

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Do you mean the sample files? I thought doing the same but can't find a way to access them!

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece

Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2023 15:52
From: Danny
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

------------------------------
[Danny] [Skarka] Ross Pilot since Synergy
[Producer, Director, Technical Director]

Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2023 10:53
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece
------------------------------

Thanks for the fast replies and the effort checking my file.

The only mistake was that we were loading the file in MediaStore 4 ignoring the part that MediaStores work in pairs.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious which we didn't think about.
So at the moment we can't make this work as intended since we already have a use and need 3 MediaStores, which leaves us with only one MediaStore to work with.

I appreciate the help and info.
Consider this resolved.

Kind regards,
Chris Makris.

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 06:01
From: Tedd
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Good day again. Thanks for the file. I confirmed that it is keying properly so I'm guessing the problem lies in the key setup on the switcher. I'd suggest you go through the steps again to be sure you're not missing something. Not to restate the obvious, confirm that the switcher is running in 1080 mode since the file is 1920 x 1080. Load the file onto a USB thumb drive, then plug the drive into the USB port on the Black frame. Using DashBoard or the panel itself, browse through the USB until you locate the logo file, then load it into a MediaStore. Again, if you have DashBoard running, you should see the alpha in the paired Store. On the switcher, set up an Auto-Select key with the MediaStore as the key source. That should do it. 

Let us know if you continue to have issues. 

Good luck. 

------------------------------
Tedd Tramaloni
Ross Video

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 05:25
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Thanks Tedd for dropping a reply.

I will have to test things again doing what you said maybe later today if I got the chance.
As for the file I am trying to push, yeah I am exporting as PNG 24 bit with alpha which creates a 32 bit file (since the last 8 bits are the alpha channel).
I am attaching the file (it's the station's logo) just to clear things up in case I am missing out something while I am creating it.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 04:45
From: Tedd
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Good day, Chris. There are several reasons why .png files you're creating are not be keying properly so you'll have to check a few things. First, I believe you said you're working on a Carbonite Black switcher. If that's true, remember that the switcher uses two MediaStores for keying. If you load the .png into MediaStore 1, the alpha or key channel should automatically load into MediaStore 3. (MediaStore 2 & 4 are also paired in the same way.) So if you open the Media Manager tab in DashBoard, you should see the "tree" on the left side. There should be a folder of Samples, with subfolders for different frame sizes. Open the appropriate subfolder and load a keyable graphic to MedisStore 1 or 2. You should see the key load to the paired Store. Next, try setting up a key on the switcher. Select the MediaStore fill channel as the key source and be sure Auto-Select is chosen as the key type. Put the key over a different source and you should see a proper key. If you are, then the switcher is keying correctly and the problem may be in the way the .pngs are being created in the first place. Media files with alpha should have a 32-bit depth; you can check that by looking at the file attributes in Windows. If the file is 24-bit, there is no alpha attached. You can also perform a simple check in Windows by opening the .png in a program like Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. For example, create a new PowerPoint deck in the same size as your .png file and add some some text or a full frame picture as a background. Then insert the .png file. If it has a proper alpha channel, it should key over the background. Again, if it doesn't, the file doesn't have an alpha channel. 

You could also attach one of the problem files and we can take a look at it. 

Good luck. 

------------------------------
Tedd Tramaloni
Ross Video

Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 03:23
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hello there Danny.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've tried PNGs (with transparency) but it just doesn't work. I get either a white or black background where there should be transparency.
I tried loading some samples from the dashboard software and trasparency works. But I can't create my own files.
I've searched the "Help" tab as well. Maybe I am missing the info I want?!

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

Do you mean the sample files? I thought doing the same but can't find a way to access them!

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece

Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2023 15:52
From: Danny
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hi Chris,

I use a Carbonite Ultra and Touchdrive so this info may be different than what you are looking for. Media items can be TGA, PNG, and JPG. For transparencies, you'll want PNG. Confirm the media has transparency. Make sure they are in the correct aspect ratio (1920x1080 or whatever aspect you are using). 

In my Carbonite's Dashboard app, there is a "Help" tab at the bottom that has most of the needed info for things, but it lacks some needed detail. It can be more of a notepad than a manual but it's a good place to start and it's handy. 

I hope this helps. 

(I've also downloaded an image from the supplied media that comes with the switcher and looked at the specs to make sure I was using the same thing)

------------------------------
[Danny] [Skarka] Ross Pilot since Synergy
[Producer, Director, Technical Director]

Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2023 10:53
From: Chris
Subject: Media players and Transparency

Hello everyone.

I am new to this community.
Did a small search but couldn't find an answer so excuse me if I rushed to make a post.

I am  trying to load some image files in media players on Carbonite Black and I can't get those files to show the included transparency.
Some of the samples stored inside Carbonite do work well and show with their transparent background.
I am wondering which file types and specs I should import so that I can just load them in a media player and have them played with transparency as intended.
I've searched the manual but I just can't seem to find relevant information...

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Chris Makris
Tech at TV station
Star Central Greece
------------------------------