Tai, in your own experience, if one were to only have two CG outputs, would you set up all partial-screen graphics (like bugs, OTS's, lower thirds, etc) on one framebuffer within one layer with transition logic so everything can interact with each other, and any fullscreen graphics like mugshots, bullet points, transitions and show opens on the other framebuffer (varying layer order), and then possibly set these desk monitor graphics on one of the two framebuffers in a higher layer but have them in their own AUX channel on the board? Pardon my ignorance, this project is sightly hurting my brain because they've set this up in a very convoluted way, slapping band-aids on problems and calling them solutions, but it's only creating more problems down the road.
One other solution would be to set up a whole new workflow in itself, like using OBS and such, but that would be adding another workflow to this crew's already overloaded capacity. I'm not doubting the production crew, they're very passionate individuals and some are very professional, but either direction I go, it would seem to have to involve a lot of coordination and communication on all parts, which has been problematic in the past.
As far as the hardware goes, I have my doubts there as well because I designed a scene in XPression that, based on the time of day, it will play out the correct show opener video. If the producer needed to immediately follow up the show open with a "We beging this show with a [BREAKING NEWS ALERT]/[[WEATHER ALERT], they can do so in the template I've created. So instead of having 10+ different scenes in XPression for each show, there's one scene that does it all. However, when I run the scene, I notice the performance spikes drmatically and lags the computer. This is some of my visual logic there, and it's pretty intense but, it works flawlessley. Visual Logic for Dynamic Show Open Scene Based On Time:
Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2024 23:09
From: Tai Newman
Subject: New Desk Monitor Graphics/Transitions Question
Tough situation to walk into, sounds like you really need to clear up one of the frame buffers of graphics to dedicate to the video screen then.
The right way to do it is go through all the graphics templates and put them all on Frame buffer 1, which will likely mean in some instances having to re-build existing transition logic to prevent conflicts between scenes. The production will need to be made aware of the time "cost" in doing this. If it's how you say and a bit of a frankenstein project, this could take some time.
Also probably good to check the hardware can take the load of doing "all the things" at the same time. Hate to do all the work and then locking up the workstation.
If the production is inclined to throw money at the problem, consulting the sales team about upgrading to a third frame buffer of CG would be another option.
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Tai Newman
Xpression operator/designer
Melbourne Australia
Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2024 12:07
From: Phillip Seitz
Subject: New Desk Monitor Graphics/Transitions Question
Apologies for the late response, I had typed out answers to your questions and realized I never hit send.
Some scenes have transition logic, but I would say the majority do not because my predecessors did not understand how to properly create and excecute them, nor understood their purpose.
They are using the Carbonite switcher that has two effect memory banks (SW Ver: 13.0.4.17417)
We are using XPression Studio clip server/browser to play videos and news packages and such.
I am using XPression Designer v10 build 5250 with DataLinq Support. All rundowns are created through the AP ENPS MOS interface.
I do apologize for the vague post, but I wasn't quite sure what all info was needed, but looking back, your response makes sense.
Currently, the way the director(s) explain it to me, they have certain graphics and elements appearing in certain framebuffers and layers, but they don't work together very well (which is why I know there is even less transition logic than I haoped for). Live stingers, live bugs, name keys and lower thirds are all on the same framebuffer but different layers, and fullscreens, OTS's, etc or on the second framebuffer (graphics computer only has two framebuffer outputs). This information isn't helpful because it's all convoluted anyways but, it shows the disarray of our production workflow.
This all sounds like it's going to need an entire overhaul, which is what I was concerned about.
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Phillip Seitz
Creative Services Director
WEVV-TV | Allen Media Broadcasting Group
Evansville, Indiana
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2024 19:21
From: Tai Newman
Subject: New Desk Monitor Graphics/Transitions Question
For your set up with two channels of CG, can the production handle having all the show graphics in CG 1, while CG 2 takes the monitor graphics? Do the current scenes use transition logic?
If so, changing the later priority and outputs should be a relatively simple task (if lengthy depending on how many templates you have). However, without seeing how these scenes interact with each other, its hard to say in this instance if that works for your production.
Next question, what vision switcher is the production using? Is there an EVS or Mira? can either take the monitor graphics and save your two channels of CG?
What is your Xpression version? does it come with Clip browser and Clip server? Is this via a Mos workflow or custom dashboard or just straight out of the Xpression Sequencer?
Knowing these answers will help guide those in the community to providing the best solution(s)
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Tai Newman
Xpression operator/designer
Melbourne Australia
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2024 17:36
From: Phillip Seitz
Subject: New Desk Monitor Graphics/Transitions Question
Hello everyone,
Our news studio recently upgraded to a new desk featuring two 16:9 monitors integrated into its front. We're exploring the possibility of dynamically displaying graphics on these monitors, specifically transitioning between topics visually during wide camera shots of the desk between stories. The concept is to enhance our storytelling by integrating desk graphics seamlessly into the broadcast.
However, I'm facing a technical constraint that I need advice on. Our current setup includes only two CG outputs, which are already allocated for lower thirds, bugs, and over-the-shoulder (OTS) graphics, stingers/transitions, etc. Incorporating desk monitor graphics as envisioned would require an additional CG output, which we do not have.
Our project's setup, inherited from previous team members, lacks a sophisticated approach to transitions and visual logic-essentially, it's been a series of quick fixes rather than strategic solutions. I'm concerned about the feasibility of implementing our idea without compromising our existing graphic elements due to the limited outputs available. Furthermore, the signal being sent to the monitors is 16:9, but the monitors streach out out to 32:9. I basically have to create a video that is 3840x1080, squeeze it into 1920x1080, and then the hardware stretches it back out.
Does anyone have experience with integrating additional graphics into a broadcast with limited CG outputs? Any advice on managing transitions or restructuring our setup to accommodate these new graphics without losing functionality for our lower thirds and other elements would be greatly appreciated.
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Phillip Seitz
Creative Services Director
WEVV-TV | Allen Media Broadcasting Group
Evansville, Indiana
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