scripts4

I’ve updated the scripts again to use the environment variables.  I’ve also created scripts that will let you use a keypad to set the playlist index.

001_PlaylistPlayback
As before, this will begin playback of the video file in the playlist at the current index.

002_ReturnScreensToNormal
As before, this will stop playback, and return outputs of the ATEM to defaults specified in the script.

003_Initialize
This script will create/set the environment variables to defaults and create the playlist file if it doesn’t exist at c\jmfolder

004_UpdateKeypadBuild
Duplicate this script for each number on the keypad and modify the number at the top of the script to represent the number on the keypad the script is assigned to on your XKEYs device.

005_ClearBuild
This script will clear the number that the above 004 scripts have been “building” with each keypress.

006_WriteBuildToIndex
The “enter” key for your keypad.  This script will change the playlist index to the number that has been built using the 004 build scripts.  It also clears out the build so you’re ready to start building your next number.

So, the way this should work: when you press 1 and then 4 on the keypad, followed by the “enter” key (WriteBuildToIndex) then the next time you press play (PlaylistPlayback) the video number 14 in your playlist will play.

scripts4

Here is a keypad that could be used to control all your playback from caspar and the playlist:

Working for a church, I love open source (free) software that works really well and makes my life easier.  Super is one of those programs.  If you do any kind of media/video work on a PC, you should become familiar with Super.  It will encode video from one format to another.  While sometimes it can be a bit finicky, especially if your source video is of strange codec origins, usually a bit of trial and error will produce satisfactory results.  If you don’t have Adobe’s flash encoder, Super is a great way to encode flash video.  In fact, I use Super as the last step in generating my tutorials to create the flash file that you view online.

Check it out, Super.

(Just a word of warning, the Super website is a pain, you’ve got to click through several pages to get to the actual download page.)

The answer is, farther than you probably think.  While the IEEE1394 standard only specifies cables up to 15ft (4.5m) there are ways that you can extend that length.

I’ve succesfully run firewire up to 198ft using two in line repeater amps like this and three cables like this. You need to use high quality 6 pin firewire cables throughout because  Pin 5 & 6 carry power to the repeaters.  You also need to be plugged in to a device that can provide power on the line.

I ran this setup for years connecting a couple Canon XL1s cameras to a datavideo SE-800 mixer.  (Note that the mixer does not provide power on it’s DV inputs, so there was a firewire hub between the mixer and the first long cable.)