NewTek Tricaster TCXD850 User manual

Revised –Oct. 22, 2010
TriCaster TCXD850, TriCaster TCXD300,TriCaster DUO, TriCaster, TriCaster PRO, TriCaster PRO FX, TriCaster STUDIO,
TriCaster BROADCAST, 3Play, SpeedEDIT, DataLink, LiveText, LiveControl, VT, VT[3], VT[4], VT[5], Video Toaster, Toaster,
Inspire 3D, 3D Arsenal and Aura are trademarks of NEWTEK. LightWave and LightWave 3D are registered trademarks of
NEWTEK. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

TRICASTER™ TCXD850

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1About This Manual................................................................................................................3
2Introduction ..........................................................................................................................5
2.1 Overview........................................................................................................................5
2.2 Startup Screen................................................................................................................5
2.3 Live Desktop...................................................................................................................6
2.4 Features.........................................................................................................................7
2.4.1 Physical ..................................................................................................................7
2.4.2 A/V Input and Output.............................................................................................8
2.4.3 Monitoring .............................................................................................................8
2.4.4 Video Processing ....................................................................................................9
2.4.5 The Switcher ..........................................................................................................9
2.4.6 Transitions............................................................................................................10
2.4.7 Overlay.................................................................................................................10
2.4.8 Record and Stream...............................................................................................11
2.4.9 Audio Mixer..........................................................................................................11
2.4.10 Integrated Media Players .....................................................................................12
2.4.11 Keying, Virtual Sets and Virtual Inputs ..................................................................13
2.4.12 Streaming.............................................................................................................13
2.4.13 Graphics ...............................................................................................................14
2.4.14 Edit.......................................................................................................................14
3Setting Up ...........................................................................................................................15
3.1 Command and Control .................................................................................................15
3.2 Activating & Authorizing Windows™ ............................................................................16
3.3 TriCaster License and Registration................................................................................17
3.3.1 Online Registration...............................................................................................17
3.3.2 Registering by Telephone .....................................................................................18
3.4 Input Connections ........................................................................................................18
3.4.1 Connect A/V Sources............................................................................................18

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3.5 Genlock Connection......................................................................................................20
3.5.1 Genlock Connection..............................................................................................20
3.6 Output Connections .....................................................................................................21
3.6.1 A/V Output...........................................................................................................21
3.6.2 HD and SD ............................................................................................................22
3.6.3 Connecting Devices ..............................................................................................23
3.6.4 Supplemental Video Outputs................................................................................24
3.7 Tally Lights...................................................................................................................25
3.7.1 External Connections............................................................................................25
3.8 Starting a Session.........................................................................................................26
3.9 Configure Video Output................................................................................................29
3.9.1 SD Analog Configuration.......................................................................................29
3.10 Configure Multiview Output ........................................................................................31
3.11 Configure Video Input ..................................................................................................32
3.12 Configure Audio ...........................................................................................................33
3.13 Configure Genlock........................................................................................................35
3.14 Networking ..................................................................................................................36
4Live Production Walkthrough .............................................................................................39
4.1 Creating a Session........................................................................................................39
4.2 Importing Content........................................................................................................40
4.3 Monitoring...................................................................................................................41
4.3.1 Program Output ...................................................................................................41
4.3.2 All Monitors .........................................................................................................42
4.3.3 Switcher Monitors................................................................................................43
4.4 Audio Mixer .................................................................................................................44
4.4.1 Mute, Mono and Balance .....................................................................................44
4.4.2 Pan.......................................................................................................................47
4.4.3 Talk ......................................................................................................................48
4.4.4 Follow ..................................................................................................................48

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4.5 Network Sources ..........................................................................................................49
4.5.1 iVGA Clients..........................................................................................................49
4.5.2 LiveText™ .............................................................................................................50
4.6 Switching .....................................................................................................................51
4.6.1 Switcher Rows......................................................................................................51
4.6.2 Transitions............................................................................................................52
4.7 Record and Grab ..........................................................................................................53
4.7.1 Record..................................................................................................................54
4.7.2 Grab .....................................................................................................................55
4.8 Media Players ..............................................................................................................56
4.8.1 DDR 1 and 2 .........................................................................................................56
4.8.2 Stills .....................................................................................................................61
4.8.3 Titles ....................................................................................................................63
4.9 Overlay ........................................................................................................................65
4.10 LiveMatte.....................................................................................................................70
4.11 Virtual Inputs ...............................................................................................................72
4.11.1 Composing Inputs A and B....................................................................................72
4.11.2 Adding an Upstream Overlay................................................................................74
4.11.3 LiveSet™...............................................................................................................76
4.12 Frame Buffers...............................................................................................................80
4.13 Streaming ....................................................................................................................82
4.13.1 Streaming Configuration ......................................................................................83
4.13.2 Simple Pull Streaming...........................................................................................83
4.13.3 Push and Flash Streaming.....................................................................................83
4.13.4 Capturing the Stream ...........................................................................................84
5The Startup Screen..............................................................................................................87
5.1 Introduction to Sessions ...............................................................................................88
5.2 The Home Page............................................................................................................89
5.2.1 New (Session).......................................................................................................90
5.2.2 Open (Session) .....................................................................................................92

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5.2.3 Shutdown.............................................................................................................95
5.2.4 Utilities.................................................................................................................95
5.2.5 Help .....................................................................................................................97
5.2.6 Add-Ons ...............................................................................................................98
5.3 The Session Page..........................................................................................................99
5.3.1 Live.....................................................................................................................100
5.3.2 Graphics .............................................................................................................102
5.3.3 Edit.....................................................................................................................103
5.3.4 Manage..............................................................................................................104
6Live Desktop: Overview ....................................................................................................111
6.1 Display Requirements.................................................................................................111
6.2 Overview....................................................................................................................112
6.3 A Few Hints ................................................................................................................112
6.4 Customizing the Live Desktop.....................................................................................113
6.4.1 Desktop Options Menu.......................................................................................113
6.4.2 Rename..............................................................................................................114
6.4.3 Dual Displays and Monitoring.............................................................................115
6.5 Titlebar Tips ...............................................................................................................115
6.5.1 Status Bar...........................................................................................................116
6.5.2 Eject ...................................................................................................................116
7Desktop Monitors .............................................................................................................117
7.1 Program Output.........................................................................................................117
7.1.1 Configuration Indicators.....................................................................................118
7.2 All Monitors Tab.........................................................................................................118
7.2.1 Contextual Tools.................................................................................................119
7.2.2 Interactive Control .............................................................................................121
7.3 External Monitors Tab................................................................................................122
7.3.1 Contextual Tools.................................................................................................122
7.4 Internal Monitors Tab ................................................................................................122

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7.5 Switcher Monitors Tab ...............................................................................................123
7.6 Scopes Tab.................................................................................................................123
8I/O Configuration ..............................................................................................................125
8.1 Output Configuration .................................................................................................125
8.1.1 Output Controls .................................................................................................126
8.1.2 Proc Amp............................................................................................................127
8.1.3 SD Analog Connections.......................................................................................129
8.1.4 Aux Output.........................................................................................................130
8.1.5 Multiview Output ...............................................................................................132
8.1.6 Genlock ..............................................................................................................134
8.1.7 Center Frequency...............................................................................................136
8.2 Input Configuration....................................................................................................136
8.2.1 Connection Type ................................................................................................137
8.2.2 Act as Alpha .......................................................................................................140
8.2.3 Proc Amp............................................................................................................142
8.2.4 LiveMatte & Crop ...............................................................................................142
9Network Sources...............................................................................................................145
9.1 iVGA...........................................................................................................................145
9.1.1 iVGA for OS X™...................................................................................................146
9.1.2 iVGA for Windows® ............................................................................................147
9.2 LiveText......................................................................................................................149
10 Streaming......................................................................................................................151
10.1 TriCaster Streaming ...................................................................................................151
10.1.1 Pull Profiles ........................................................................................................152
10.1.2 Push Profiles.......................................................................................................153
10.1.3 Capturing the Stream .........................................................................................154
10.2 Streaming Strategies..................................................................................................154
10.2.1 On Demand, or Live? ..........................................................................................154
10.2.2 Streaming Protocols ...........................................................................................157
10.2.3 Streaming Media Providers ................................................................................159

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10.2.4 Other Resources.................................................................................................160
10.3 Production and Capture Considerations .....................................................................160
10.4 Configuration and Troubleshooting............................................................................161
10.4.1 Testing your stream............................................................................................162
11 Record and Grab ...........................................................................................................171
11.1.1 Record................................................................................................................171
11.2 Grab...........................................................................................................................174
12 Switcher, Transitions and Overlay.................................................................................177
12.1 Switcher Rows............................................................................................................177
12.2 Transitions .................................................................................................................179
12.2.1 Take and Transition ............................................................................................179
12.2.2 FTB.....................................................................................................................180
12.2.3 T-Bar ..................................................................................................................180
12.2.4 Transition Selector .............................................................................................181
12.3 Overlay ......................................................................................................................182
12.3.1 Two Channels.....................................................................................................182
12.3.2 Overlay Source ...................................................................................................182
12.3.3 Sources and Transparency..................................................................................183
12.3.4 Position Options.................................................................................................184
12.3.5 Effects ................................................................................................................185
12.3.6 Link Overlays ......................................................................................................186
13 Media Players (DDRs, Still, Title and Audio)..................................................................187
13.1 Specialized Media Players ..........................................................................................187
13.2 Shared Features .........................................................................................................188
13.2.1 Playlists ..............................................................................................................188
13.2.2 Media Browser...................................................................................................191
13.2.3 Controls..............................................................................................................194
13.2.4 Preset Bin...........................................................................................................196
13.2.5 Speed .................................................................................................................197

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13.3 Frame Buffers.............................................................................................................197
13.3.1 Unique Advantages ............................................................................................199
13.3.2 Network Sharing.................................................................................................199
13.4 Editing Title Pages......................................................................................................200
14 LiveMatte & Crop ..........................................................................................................205
14.1 Chromakeying............................................................................................................206
14.2 Matte.........................................................................................................................207
14.2.1 Color ..................................................................................................................207
14.2.2 Tolerance ...........................................................................................................208
14.2.3 Smoothness........................................................................................................208
14.2.4 Luma Limit..........................................................................................................208
14.3 Spill Suppression ........................................................................................................209
14.4 Crop ...........................................................................................................................209
14.5 Compositing...............................................................................................................210
14.6 Fine Tuning ................................................................................................................211
14.7 Practical Staging for LiveMatte ..................................................................................212
14.7.1 Lighting ..............................................................................................................212
14.7.2 Connection Considerations.................................................................................212
15 Virtual Inputs ................................................................................................................215
15.1 Primary Video Sources................................................................................................216
15.2 Position......................................................................................................................217
15.3 Overlay ......................................................................................................................218
15.4 LiveSet .......................................................................................................................219
15.4.1 LiveSet Selection ................................................................................................219
15.4.2 Video Sources.....................................................................................................220
15.4.3 Zoom Presets .....................................................................................................221
15.4.4 Zoom T-Bar.........................................................................................................222
15.4.5 Input Position.....................................................................................................222
15.4.6 Animate Zoom....................................................................................................223

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16 Audio.............................................................................................................................225
16.1 External Audio............................................................................................................226
16.1.1 Mute ..................................................................................................................226
16.1.2 Connection Type ................................................................................................227
16.1.3 Microphone Specific Controls.............................................................................227
16.1.4 More Audio Controls ..........................................................................................229
16.2 Internal Audio ............................................................................................................233
16.2.1 Media Players.....................................................................................................234
16.2.2 Output Controls .................................................................................................234
16.3 Preset Bin...................................................................................................................236
17 SpeedEDIT and LiveTEXT ...............................................................................................237
17.1 SpeedEDIT..................................................................................................................237
17.1.1 Sessions, Projects and Display ............................................................................237
17.1.2 Filebin Quicktabs................................................................................................238
17.1.3 IEEE1394 I/O Output ..........................................................................................238
17.1.4 SpeedEDIT Desktop ............................................................................................239
17.2 LiveText......................................................................................................................239
17.2.1 Sessions, Projects and Display ............................................................................239
17.2.2 Files/Filebin........................................................................................................240
17.2.3 Naming Stand-in Images.....................................................................................241
AHow Do I … ? .....................................................................................................................245
A.1 Connections ...............................................................................................................248
A.1.1 Connect cameras?..............................................................................................248
A.1.2 Connect Fill + Alpha sources? .............................................................................248
A.1.3 Color Correct Mismatched cameras?..................................................................249
A.1.4 Connect monitors?.............................................................................................249
A.1.5 Connect a supported external control surface? ..................................................251
A.1.6 Insert/Remove a Drive From TriCaster’s Removable Drive Bay ...........................251
A.1.7 Connect An External Hard Drive?........................................................................253
A.1.8 Eject A Hard Drive?.............................................................................................253
A.1.9 Connect tally lights? ...........................................................................................253

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A.1.10 Connect LC-11 or TimeWarp?? ...........................................................................253
A.1.11 Connect to a Network?.......................................................................................253
A.1.12 Enable Termination for Video Inputs? ................................................................253
A.2 Sessions .....................................................................................................................254
A.2.1 Start an SD Session? ...........................................................................................254
A.2.2 Start an HD Session?...........................................................................................254
A.2.3 Work on a Stored Session? .................................................................................255
A.2.4 Backup a Session? ..............................................................................................255
A.2.5 Restore a Session?..............................................................................................256
A.2.6 Delete a Session (and its Content)? ....................................................................256
A.2.7 Manage Selected Content inside a Session? .......................................................256
A.2.8 Rename a Session?.............................................................................................256
A.2.9 Duplicate a session? ...........................................................................................256
A.3 Live Production...........................................................................................................257
A.3.1 Make Custom Transitions and LiveSets?.............................................................257
A.3.2 Restore the Default LiveSet? ..............................................................................257
A.3.3 Initiate Streaming? .............................................................................................257
A.3.4 Find my Captured Stream file? ...........................................................................258
A.3.5 Record my Program?..........................................................................................258
A.3.6 Find my Recorded Program File? ........................................................................258
A.3.7 Change Playback Speed for Clips in the DDR (Media Player)? .............................259
A.3.8 Deal With DDR (Media Player) Clips That Seem Blurry? ......................................259
A.3.9 Get Stubborn Clips to Play in the DDR?...............................................................259
A.3.10 Change Colors for an Entire Title Playlist at Once?..............................................261
A.3.11 Get Live Title Pages (.cgxml) to Respect All LiveText Font Attributes?.................262
A.3.12 Prepare a Matched Group of Virtual Inputs? ......................................................262
A.3.13 Improve the Quality of Multiview Output? .........................................................263
A.3.14 View Media Player Time Data on Multiview Out when Set to ‘All Sources’? .......263
A.4 Files............................................................................................................................263
A.4.1 Manage Files? ....................................................................................................263
A.4.2 Change the Recording Quality? ..........................................................................263
A.4.3 Import Media Files?............................................................................................264
A.4.4 Prepare Clips with Embedded Alpha Channel? ...................................................265
A.4.5 Prepare clips for TriCaster Playback Using Apple® Final Cut Pro?........................265

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A.4.6 Add an External File Location to the File Browser? .............................................265
A.4.7 Remove a Location From the File Browser?........................................................266
A.4.8 Export files to an External Drive?........................................................................266
A.4.9 Export files from TriCaster for use in Apple® Final Cut Pro?................................266
A.4.10 Import/Export Files Larger Than 4 Gigabytes? ....................................................268
A.4.11 Avoid the Error “…copy this file without its properties?”....................................268
A.4.12 Free up Space by Deleting the Demo Clips?........................................................269
A.5 Software, Maintenance and Updates .........................................................................269
A.5.1 Improve Performance?.......................................................................................269
A.5.2 Resolve Serious Instability or Dropped frames?..................................................270
A.5.3 Update TriCaster? ..............................................................................................270
A.5.4 Update the Flash™ and/or Windows Media Encoder? ........................................270
A.5.5 Install Virus Protection? .....................................................................................270
A.5.6 Install My Favorite Software (or Codec)? ............................................................271
A.5.7 Restore TriCaster to Original ‘As-Shipped’ Condition? ........................................272
A.6 Registration And Tech Support ...................................................................................273
A.6.1 Register TriCaster? .............................................................................................273
A.6.2 Contact Technical Support?................................................................................273
A.6.3 Find TriCaster’s Hardware/Firmware Revision Numbers? ...................................274
A.7 Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................274
A.7.1 Access Windows™? ............................................................................................274
A.7.2 Return to TriCaster from the Windows™ Desktop ..............................................274
A.7.3 Add A New Streaming Profile to the Stream Configuration Panel?......................274
A.8 More Questions and Answers.....................................................................................276
A.8.1 Can I do anything to improve latency/audio sync? .............................................276
A.8.2 Why is my power supply beeping? .....................................................................277
A.8.3 Why Do Some Thumbnail Icons Look Wrong?.....................................................278
BPerformance Considerations.............................................................................................279
B.1 Testing, One Two …....................................................................................................279
B.2 iVGA and Performance...............................................................................................279
B.3 IMAG and Latency......................................................................................................280
B.3.1 Relativity and the Speed of Light ........................................................................280

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B.3.2 Latency and Your Audience ................................................................................281
B.3.3 Latency and Your TriCaster.................................................................................281
B.3.4 Other Sources of Latency....................................................................................282
CVideo Calibration ..............................................................................................................285
C.1 What (And Where) to Calibrate? ................................................................................285
C.2 Calibrating Video Sources...........................................................................................286
C.2.1 Setting Black and White......................................................................................286
C.2.2 Adjusting Color...................................................................................................288
C.2.3 Color Metrics......................................................................................................289
C.3 Calibrating Your Monitors ..........................................................................................291
C.3.1 Computer Monitor .............................................................................................292
C.3.2 Program Output Monitor ...................................................................................292
C.3.3 Setting Black and White......................................................................................292
C.3.4 Color Adjustments..............................................................................................295
DKeystroke Shortcuts ..........................................................................................................297
D.1 Switcher… ..................................................................................................................297
D.2 T-Bar..........................................................................................................................297
D.3 Virtual Inputs .............................................................................................................298
D.4 Record and Grab ........................................................................................................298
D.5 Tabs ...........................................................................................................................298
D.6 DDR 1.........................................................................................................................299
D.7 DDR 2.........................................................................................................................299
D.8 Stills ...........................................................................................................................299
D.9 Titles ..........................................................................................................................300
D.10 Sounds .......................................................................................................................300
D.11 General ......................................................................................................................300
D.11.1 Selection and Navigation....................................................................................300
D.11.2 Misc. ..................................................................................................................301

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EReliability Testing..............................................................................................................303
Index.........................................................................................................................................305
Credits.......................................................................................................................................311

Page | 1
PART I (GETTING STARTED)
Introducing TriCaster™ TCXD850 –connections and registration, a top-level overview of primary
features, and a hands-on tour to get you started.

Page | 3
1ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Hate reading manuals? If so, you are part of the majority
(estimates are that between 60 and 97% of the human race
concur). Most prefer to jump right in, maybe asking a friend for
occasional help (and who can blame them)?
This manual attempts to tell you what you need to know in a
friendly, concise way, while also providing a deeper reference
section you can turn to when you really need specifics.
If you do hate reading, please take a moment to peruse at least this section, which explains the
manual’s organization. You may find you can escape with a minimum of reading. (Or, if you are a
devout reader, you can be the hero others turn to for expert advice.)
Part I - Getting Started: introduction to TriCaster; connecting devices (cameras,
monitors, etc.) and registration, ending with the Live Production Walkthrough –a brisk
jog through fundamentals, about 45 pages (if you’re a quick study, this may provide all
you need).
Part II –Reference: chapters in this section cover every arcane detail related to using
TriCaster –for those who need it, and those who just like to know everything.
Part III –Appendices: leads off with a handy section titled “How do I …?“, a helpful
question and answer section with its own brief index. When you have a specific need,
you may well find a quick answer here - along with cross references to more detailed
information when appropriate. Appendix D lists all shortcut keys. Part III is also home
to a comprehensive keyword index.