Rushworks A-LIST STREAMSTER User manual

User Guide v1.0As with all electrical items caution must be taken when installing and handling this system. It is recommended that all connections be made before connecting the power cable and powering up the system. Whenever working on computer systems a grounding strap is recommended.WARNINGAll content copyright © RUSHWORKS 2018Subject to change without notice. All rights reserved

Introduction to A-LIST STREAMSTERA playlist is a simple, useful mechanism that lets you specify WHAT you want to happen … and WHEN it happens. Once a Playlist is created, automation takes over, following the rules you’ve defined in the playlist.In general, A-LIST Broadcast Automation utilizes Drag-and-Drop and Cut, Copy and Paste to build your playlists.Your presentation can be as simple as repeating the contents of one or more folders … or as complex as scheduling Events with playback accuracy down to the second while communicating with other devices over your network.A-LIST supports a myriad of formats, styles, and schedule types, letting you manage and produce the content presentation that best fits your information display requirements and visual style.A-LIST Prep is an included utility that simultaneously runs on the system and lets you create and/or edit playlists at any time, except for the one that’s currently running with the Streamster AUTOMATION ON. You can make changes on the Streamster playlist up to about 15 seconds before the next item or Event is scheduled to occur.Traditional automation content typically includes two types of sources: (1) MEDIA FILES: file playback of locally stored digital media,both clips and graphics (e.g. mp4, MPEG-2, JPG, BMP, PNG), and (2) “LIVE” signals from a production source such as a studio or remote venue.Since there are no ‘baseband’ (BNC, HDMI) inputs or outputs on the Streamster, it uses a network connection for sources other than the clips and graphics stored internally on the Solid State Drive.When you play clips accessible via a URL link (such as YouTube), you are essentially playing back selected files over a network – the Internet. As with all networks there is some latency to be expected, and the quality and continuity of your playback very much depends on the quality and speed of your network connection to the Internet.And remote servers DO go down from time to time, and when they do you’ll not have access to certain files for as long as your connection is disrupted. That said, let’s jump into the Streamster!

QUICK START GUIDEThe A-LIST Streamster is a network-attached computer. Connect the keyboard, mouse, monitor and network switch before connecting the power cables.With power connected and the Streamster connected to your network switch, press the POWER button and the system will boot up.After the system boots, the A-LIST software application will automatically start. The default output resolution is 720p. Click the Configure button to see your operating options.Copy clips and graphics into the AUTO-LOOP folder … OR … organize files in subfolders in the D:\Media folder, then drag and drop your clips, pictures and input selections into a Playlist.Click the “START/STOP” button and start sending your stream to your destination. The output can be set to 480p, 720p or 1080p, and be NDI, HLS or MPEG-DASH … with more to come.Connect1.Power Up2.Configure3.Add Media4.Start Automation5.

CONTENTSHardware Overview1Hardware Connections - Front2Hardware connections - Rear2The User Interface3Main A-LIST Screen3File Browser Window3Text/Icon View3Browse Button3Find: full text search entry3Media Sub-Folders3Preview Window4Motion Controls4File Lock Status Indicator4Playlist Window4Header Information4Automation Auto-Run & Auto-Load4Media Item Color Codes5Drag-and-Drop Playlist Items5Drag-and-Drop Secondary Items6Drag-and-Drop Manual Trigger6Playlist File Menu6Playlist Edit Menu7Playlist Help Menu8Program Window8Program / Preview Audio Monitoring8Bug On / Off (manual)8Bug Selection9Crawl 1 & 2 Controls9MANUAL File Player Controls9Automation Clock10Audio Window10DSK Window10Settings Panel10A-LIST Tab10Audio Tab11Encode Tab11Stream Tab11Configure Button (on the Settings Panel) 11INPUT/OUTPUT Tab12INTERFACE Tab12CRAWLS Tab12TEXT Tab14Input Selection15Using NDI sources as Inputs15Using HLS and MPEG-DASH streams as Inputs15Configuring and Naming a Virtual Router Input15Playlist Naming and Rules16Choosing a Playlist Template16Setting Your Playlist Preferences17AUTO-BUG17AUTO-LOOP17AUTO-LOOP Options17AUTO-LOOP File Naming Tips18AUTO-LOOP Rules18AUTO-LOOP Example18Adding Events to the Playlist19Adding Events19Editing Events19

CONTENTS (cont’d)Adding Items Between Events20Adding Clips and Pictures20from the File Browser20Finding Files in the File Browser20Saving WEB Clips to the File Browser20Select, Drag and Drop Files into Playlists21Using Media Properties23Scheduling LIVE Content24Dragging an INPUT (live) Item 24into a Playlist24Specifying FIXED or FLEX 24Input Segment Duration24Using Folders in Playlists25Scheduling and Managing Folders25Normal Folders25Slideshow Folders25FILL Folders25Edit Folders25Managing Short & Long Events26Managing Short & Long Events26EVENT OK26EVENT SHORT26EVENT LONG26Filling Unscheduled Time26Adding Graphic Overlays to Playlists27Manually Displaying a BUG27Using AUTO-BUG27Scheduling a BUG27BUG Options28Advanced BUG Options28Editing existing BUG Properties28Creating Multiple BUGS28Extend a BUG over Multiple Items28Manually Displaying a Crawl29Scheduling a Crawl30The Add Crawl Window30Auto-Update Crawl from Text File31EXTEND the Crawl over Multiple Items31Setting the Crawl ON and OFF Times31Editing Existing Crawl Properties31Adding a Crawl Separator Image32Scheduling a Text Overlay32Drag and Drop32Select and Click32Right-Click Menu32Creating Text and Timing33Recording in A-LIST Streamster34Record Scheduled Events34Manual Recording35Useful Markup Tags35Defining a Play Length for Pictures35Play Background Audio under Video Clips35Adding Items Between Events20Adding Clips and Pictures20from the File Browser20Finding Files in the File Browser20Saving WEB Clips to the File Browser20Select, Drag and Drop Files into Playlists21Using Media Properties23Scheduling LIVE Content24Dragging an INPUT (live) Item 24into a Playlist24Specifying FIXED or FLEX 24Input Segment Duration24Using Folders in Playlists25Scheduling and Managing Folders25Normal Folders25Slideshow Folders25FILL Folders25Edit Folders25Managing Short & Long Events26Managing Short & Long Events26EVENT OK26EVENT SHORT26EVENT LONG26Filling Unscheduled Time26Adding Graphic Overlays to Playlists27Manually Displaying a BUG27Using AUTO-BUG27Scheduling a BUG27BUG Options28Advanced BUG Options28Editing existing BUG Properties28Creating Multiple BUGS28Extend a BUG over Multiple Items28Manually Displaying a Crawl29Scheduling a Crawl30The Add Crawl Window30Auto-Update Crawl from Text File31EXTEND the Crawl over Multiple Items31Setting the Crawl ON and OFF Times31Editing Existing Crawl Properties31Adding a Crawl Separator Image32Scheduling a Text Overlay32Drag and Drop32Select and Click32Right-Click Menu32Creating Text and Timing33Recording in A-LIST Streamster34Record Scheduled Events34Manual Recording35Useful Markup Tags35Defining a Play Length for Pictures35Play Background Audio under Video Clips35Adding Items Between Events20Adding Clips and Pictures20from the File Browser20Finding Files in the File Browser20Saving WEB Clips to the File Browser20Select, Drag and Drop Files into Playlists21Show File Location22Scheduling LIVE Content23Dragging an INPUT (live) Item 23into a Playlist23Specifying FIXED or FLEX 23Input Segment Duration23Using Folders in Playlists24Scheduling and Managing Folders24Normal Folders24Slideshow Folders24FILL Folders24Edit Folders24Managing Short & Long Events25Managing Short & Long Events25EVENT OK25EVENT SHORT25EVENT LONG25Filling Unscheduled Time25Adding Graphic Overlays to Playlists26Manually Displaying a BUG26Using AUTO-BUG26Scheduling a BUG26BUG Options27Advanced BUG Options27Editing existing BUG Properties27Creating Multiple BUGS27Extend a BUG over Multiple Items27Manually Displaying a Crawl28Scheduling a Crawl29The Add Crawl Window29Auto-Update Crawl from Text File30EXTEND the Crawl over Multiple Items30Setting the Crawl ON and OFF Times30Editing Existing Crawl Properties30Adding a Crawl Separator Image31Scheduling a Text Overlay31Drag and Drop31Select and Click31Right-Click Menu31Creating Text and Timing32Recording in A-LIST Streamster33Record Scheduled Events33Manual Recording34Useful Markup Tags34Defining a Play Length for Pictures34Play Background Audio under Video Clips34

Hardware OverviewThe standard A-LIST Streamster bundle includes the following:A-LIST SystemFull HD MonitorKeyboard & MouseMonitor CableA-LIST Streamster is a turn-key scheduling and playback system. Should you need any additional components or require a replacement part, please contact RUSHWORKS at 888.894.7874.The A-LIST Streamster System is configured in a Dell Micro Workstation with a three-year ProSupport warranty that provides next business day on-site service as/if required.The system includes a 22” 1920x1080 monitor with the latest Display Port connection for stunning digital clarity.Also included is the standard Dell USB keyboard and mouse. The system includes one Display Port cable for connecting the chassis to the monitor. 110’ Ethernet CableThis is used to connect the chassis to your network switch as the data portal for both output and input signals. You will need …Internet access with enough bandwidth to support the level of streaming quality you want to generate.

Hardware Connections - FrontThe A-LIST Streamster system features a Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro with a Xeon processor and a single 512GB SSD. (1TB SSD optional)Hardware subject to change without notice.Power ConnectionRJ-45 NetworkUSB 3.1 Gen 1 (4 ports)Display PortsPower ConnectionPower ButtonUniversal Audio JackLine Out AudioUSB 3.1 Gen 2 Type CUSB 3.1 Gen 1 PortHardware connections - Rear2

File Browser WindowMain A-LIST ScreenThere are nine (9) windows in the A-LIST User Interface. The following pages describe these windows, their features and functions.Text/Icon ViewBrowse & UP ButtonsFind: full text search entryMedia Sub-FoldersThe A-LIST File Browser works very much like Explorer or any other file browser. However, there is a specific folder structure included as the default, with a Media folder at the root of the D drive (D:\Media). Inside that folder are six sub-folders, with four accessible by the button shortcuts: CLIPS, PICS, CGS and WEB. Two more sub-folders, BUGS and CRAWLS, are also included in the Media folder for your convenience. You can add as many sub-folders as you wish to the D:\Media folder structure at any time. This file structure is generally useful as a starting point for organizing your media library.By clicking the Text or Icon view buttons, the files will be displayed according to your preference.When you click the BROWSE button, a Browse For Folder window will open to assist in locating files. You can use the UP button to move vertically upwards through hierarchical folders as you browse.The A-LIST File Browser supports a fast, full-text search engine that lets you quickly locate files with matching search criteria as you enter each new letter. The backspace key will delete a character and widen the search again. Click the X button to clear the entry window.NOTE: The search is confined to the folder contents currently displayed in the window, and NOT the entire drive.NOTE: For optimal system stability the minimum duration of a clip scheduled for playback should be three seconds (:03).File Browser Window1SOFTWARE3123456789(1) File Browser(2) PREVIEW Window(3) Playlist Window(4) PROGRAM Window(5) Automation Clock(6) Audio Window(7) DSK Window(8) Settings Panel(9) Virtual Input Selection

Motion ControlsFile Lock Status IndicatorThis window is used to preview video clips and image files without alpha channels when they are selected in the File Browser or Playlist. When a clip or graphic is selected, it turns GREEN in the Browser/Playlist and is loaded into this window. Use the motion controls to Play, Fast Forward, Fast Rewind, Go To File Beginning and Go To File End. The shuttle slider handle is used to scrub the video forward and backward. This control is disabled while Automation is turned ON. The current frame of the selected file’s LOCATION and its total DURATION are displayed in the timecode boxes. The Preview player’s status is also displayed in this area.Since this window is associated with Playlist file cueing, it is unavailable for user interaction seven seconds prior to the playback of the next file in theplaylist. During that period of time, the graphic padlock will show ‘closed’. When it is open as shown here, files can be previewed at any time.NOTE: CG files (PNG with transparency) are NOT previewed in this window, but rather in the DSK (Down Stream Keyer) display in the User Interface.Header InformationThe Playlist header tells you everything you need to know at a glance:• The number of items in the list• The currently playing file name• The file path (location) of the playing file• The duration, current time code and time remaining of the playing file• Time until the Next Event• AUTO-LOOP on/off status• AUTOMATION ON/OFF statusAutomation Auto-Run & Auto-LoadThe system Default is to automatically open and run A-LIST when the system is started up. The Auto-Load function locates the appropriate Playlist (DAY or DATE) and jumps to the exact point where the system should be automating relative to the system clock. This feature is called “Resume In Progress (RIP)”, so if Automation is turned off for any reason and then turned back on, RIP will start playing at precisely the appropriate time.If Auto-Run Playlist at Startup is NOT checked, the application will open and load the appropriate list, but will wait for operator instructions.Playlist Window3Preview Window2SOFTWARE4Preview WindowPlaylist Window

Media Item Color CodesA-LIST utilizes colors to help you identify processes, procedures and status indicators as the automation progresses.Blue text on black background: The file is longer than two minutes and two seconds (00:02:03)Indented with White text on black background: The file is shorter than two minutes and two seconds (00:02:03)Red Background: The currently playing file.Green Background: The currently cued file (a few seconds prior to playing)Gray Background: The file has already played in the Playlist.Yellow text on black Background: File Error. Generally indicates the file is MISSING or has been RENAMED.Indented Files under a Folder Item: Files played/playing in an AUTO-LOOP, AUTO-FILL, or any scheduled folder.Drag-and-Drop Playlist ItemsEVENT: Drag the clock icon into the list and drop it where you want a new time Event to be created. A window will open where you specify its properties.INPUT: Drag the INPUT icon in the list where you want to insert a network-available signal. At that point the input will pass through (closed captioning included if present). You can add branding graphics or other overlays to the INPUT signal.FOLDER: Drag the FOLDER icon in the list, and you’ll be presented with the option of inserting two types of FOLDERS:(1) NORMAL – Any combination of video clips and graphics.(2 SLIDESHOW – Folder containing graphics and audio files (mp3 and/or WAV).FILL: Drag this icon to the end of a SHORT Event, and browse to any folder you choose. The contents of that folder, including clips and pictures, will fill remaining time with playout (looping if necessary) of its content.NOTE: if AUTO-LOOP is active and displaying the AUTO-LOOP folder icon at the end of events, if you drag and drop a FILL folder above the AUTO-LOOP folder, it will replace the AUTO-LOOP function FOR THAT EVENT ONLY.PLAYLIST Window (cont’d)SOFTWARE5

Drag-and-Drop Secondary ItemsSecondary Items must anchor to a File or Input item (the “parent” item). When you add these items to the Playlist they will appear as icons to the right of the duration display on the parent item.BUG: Drag this icon above the clip or input item over which you want to display a graphic. This will need to be a PNG with alpha channel. A dialog lets you enter Start and End offsets.CRAWL: Drag this above the item where you want to display a crawling message. An entry window lets you determine if it is Crawl 1 or Crawl 2, and lets you enter Start and End offsets and # of repeats.UP NEXT: Drag this on a file or input item to automatically display the EVENT NAME and TIME text from the next upcoming Event header.TEXT: When dragged on top of a file or input item you can manually enter one or more lines of text to overlay the item. You can specify the offset when the text appears and disappears and how long it displays.Drag-and-Drop Manual TriggerSee Creating and Adding TEXT in this Guidefor instructions on how to use this feature.The MANUAL BREAK button, typically used to start playback of one or more files (a “BREAK”) during a ‘live’ event, is active and waiting for a user click during an INPUT event. After the files in the BREAK have played, the LIVE pass-through resumes.Playlist File MenuNew Empty Playlist creates a playlist with NO Events or items.New 24 Event Playlist (Hour) and New 48 Event Playlist (Half-Hour) both load templates for creating new schedules. They are populated with Events but no content. These are a great place to start when creating a schedule from scratch.Add to Playlist … opens the D:/Media folder and lets you browse for files and/or folders you wish to add.Open Playlist … Brings up a file browser window for you to select a playlist to load. The system must STOP AUTOMATION to do so.Save Playlist Brings up a file browser window for you to select a playlist to load. The system must STOP AUTOMATION to do so.Save As Playlist … Brings up a file browser window for you to select a playlist to load. The system must STOP AUTOMATION to do so.Show Item Duration flyout opens a menu that lets you select if you want to show the Duration of the item, the Time the item will play, or both Time and Duration.PLAYLIST Window (cont’d)SOFTWARE6

Show Missing/Error Files … scans the current playlist for any missing items or items containing errors, then creates and opens a text file containing that list.Reload and Restart Playlist… loads the most recently active playlist and starts playing at the current Time of Day.Open A-LIST Prep launches a separate application named A-LIST Prep. This application enables editing of future playlists while A-LIST runs your current playlist.PLAYLIST File Menu (cont’d)Playlist Edit MenuAll these operations are supported in A-LIST, along with their keyboard shortcuts. These include Windows system standards:Undo: Ctrl+ZRedo: Ctrl+YCut: Ctrl+XCopy: Ctrl+CPaste: Ctrl+VDelete: DelRepeat Untimed Playlist runs the current list of files in loop mode when there are no scheduled Events. A-LIST will continue to play the list in a loop until automation is turned off manually.Configure… opens the Configure panel.Auto-Run Playlist at Startup When checked (default), the automation will automatically begin when the application is started. Uncheck this selection and you’ll need to click START AUTOMATION when you’re ready.Set default Duration for Playlist Graphics … opens a window where you set the duration for how long a graphic is visible in a playlist. The default is ten seconds (:10).NOTE: You can override the default duration on a graphic file (BMP, JPG, TIF) by renaming the individual file - usually residing in the PICS folder in the D:\Media partition.Example:Sunrise.jpg(default duration during playback = 10 seconds)Sunrise[15].jpg(specific duration during playback = 15 seconds)Use left and right brackets [ ] before the .extension.This applies to renamed graphics in any folder, including AUTO-LOOP, as well as files scheduled in the playlist.PLAYLIST Window (cont’d)SOFTWARE7

Playlist Help MenuPLAYLIST Window (cont’d)Show User Guide … Select this option to open the User Guide PDFVisit RUSHWORKS on the Web … Select this to go to the RUSHWORKS Web site, www.RUSHWORKS.tv, if you are connected to the Internet.About A-LIST STREAMSTER … Select this for information about the currently installed application Version.A-LIST features a large and versatile Program Display that is used for monitoring the Program output, and for an operator to initiate several manual real-time functions without having to make changes to the Playlist. These include a BUG, two independent Crawls and two independent Text layers.Program / Preview Audio MonitoringThe Program audio from A-LIST will always be present on the output you’ve selected, which will be either an NDI or RTMP stream.In addition, you can monitor both Program and Preview output using the system sound Line Out connector along with any other audio present on the system’s (Windows) Volume Mixer. It’s generally useful to connect headphones or powered speakers to the Line Out for flexibility in monitoring the signals. Click once on the icon to open the menu.When No Computer Audio is selected, the headphones icon is GRAYED OUT, and no audio is sent to the Line Out connector.When Program to Computer Audio is selected, the headphones icon turns RED indicating that the output is monitoring the Program audio.When Preview to Computer Audio is selected, the headphones icon turns GREEN indicating that the output is monitoring the Preview audio.Note: after you’ve selected Program or Preview to Computer Audio, you can then toggle back and forth by clicking on the red or green headphone icon. Bug On / Off (manual)You can display a BUG (usually a ‘branding graphic’) at any time by clicking once on the BUG button. It will illuminate (glow RED) and the currently selected graphic - a PNG file - will fade on. Click again to turn off the BUG. The button will dim out, and the currently displayed graphic will fade off. Note: If AUTO-BUG is enabled it will automatically control the selection and lumination of this button.Program Window4SOFTWARE8Program WindowNOW PLAYING indicates the video and audio sources for what is currently playing in the Program window (Streamster output)..

Bug SelectionCrawl Controls (3 Crawls Available)MANUAL File Player ControlsTo select the graphic associated with the BUG, right-click on the BUG button. This bug will also be used for AUTO-BUG.Select Logo Bug … A browser window will open, revealing the contents of the BUGS folder. Select the desired graphic, and click OK. When you click the Bug button to activate it, the attached graphic will fade on.Reset Logo Bug … removes the current bug file association, so nothing will be displayed with you click the Bug button.Open File “file name” … opens the currently selected Bug graphic file for verification.Just like the BUG control, a left-click will display the corresponding Crawl on the Program Output, and a right-click will bring up a context menu for editing the crawl. To enter crawl text associated with Crawl 1 (Main Crawl), right-click on the Crawl 1 icon.Select Edit Crawl 1 … and enter the text you want to display, and enter the number of repetitions of the crawl message you want to display (1-50), or enter 0 to crawl continuously until you manually click on the Crawl 1 icon on the Program Display to deactivate it.Reset Crawl will clear the currently entered crawl text.Select Message Logo … to open the CG folder where you should keep your branding logos – both large and small. When selected, the Message Logo can appear between lines in crawls.Crawl 2 is a completely independent crawl layer, so just follow the procedures above for Crawl 1. You can display either or both Crawl 1 and Crawl 2 at any time.When Automation is OFF, you can manually select and play any file in the Preview bus to the Program output (PVW to PGM). Select (click) a file (clip or picture) in the Playlist OR the File Browser and it will cue (green). You’ll see the cued file in the Preview window. The Play arrow on the PROGRAM Window will become active (blue). Click the arrow (PLAY) and the file will play.While the file is playing (red) you can stop playback at any time by clicking the square button (STOP).When Automation is ON, these controls are grayed out and not available.SOFTWARE9Edit Crawl 1…Reset CrawlSelect Message Logo…

This clock reflects the current computer system clock time. Delivered systems are set to synchronize to Internet time (NIST) once every hour. You can toggle between 24 hour time (military) and AM/PM by simply left-clicking on the yellow time display. The clock also has a ‘stopwatch’ style timer for convenience. Just click the Start Timer button to start, click it again to Stop… and click Reset to set the timer back to zero.This control actively changes the Output level of the Program audio. (Input levels are controlled on the Audio tab in the Settings window.) The two vertical LED-style meters show the current audio output level.If you click the Mute button, the Program output will no longer be sent to the system outputs.The default output level is -12dBFS. To restore the Master Fader to that level, just double-click on the sliding fader button.All PNG graphic files with transparency are displayed as ‘overlays’ to the PGM stream, and are loaded into and generated by the DSK (Down Stream Keyer) window.Supported graphic file format for the DSK is PNG with Alpha.While Automation is ON, open the CGS folder in the File Browser and select a graphic. It will appear in the DSK PVW window. Click the AUTO TO AIR (fade on) or TAKE TO AIR (cut on) … and that graphic will be placed over the Program output.When a CG graphic is being displayed over Program output, the ON AIR indicator will glow RED, and the graphic will show in the DSK PGM window. To remove the graphic, click AUTO OFF (fade out) or TAKE OFF (cut out).Settings Panel8DSK Window7Audio Window6Automation Clock5There are FOUR tabs on this panel: A-LIST, Audio, Encode and Stream.A-LIST TabThe default display is the A-LIST tab. On this tab you can quickly verify the currently running program Version (lower right), click the Show User Guide button to open that document, and click the Configure… button to open the System Configuration set up window. SOFTWARE10Automation ClockAudio WindowDSK WindowSettings Panel

Audio TabClick the Audio tab to display the audio mixer.LIVE controls the input level of audio on a selected virtual input source.PLAY controls the playback level of actual or Web clips. Green indicates the clip is playing on the PVW buss. Red indicates it is playing on the PGM buss.BGND controls the playback level of the MP3 or WAV audio files in the D:\Audio folder OR a second audio-only input (CD, MP3, satellite music, etc) if such a device is connected and you have selected external audio as the BGND source. Encode TabClick the Encode tab to open a window where you define parameters for manually encoding anything on the Program output of the A-LIST system. The system automatically stores all recordings in the D:\Recordings folder. You can change that path if you wish using the browse button at the right of the Recording Path field. Enter a Program Name, select a File Format, and enter a Bit Rate. The system defaults to mp4 (H.264) @ 12Mbps. There is also a display for the approximate remaining space available on the drive and the duration of the current recording. A-LIST will automatically add a time stamp to the file name so that it is impossible to accidentally overwrite a recording.Configure Button (on the Settings Panel) To access the Configure window click on the Configure... button on the A-LIST Tab of the Settings window (also available on the Playlist Edit Menu). This opens a new window with FOUR tabs on the left side: INTERFACE, INPUT/OUTPUT, CRAWLS, and TEXT.SOFTWARE11StreamStream TabClick the CONFIGURE button to open the Steaming Setup page, and click the START and STOP buttons to turn STREAMING on and off. Although there are several parameters to enter on the Streaming Setup window, they are absolutely required when you’re setting up your streaming output. Since you’ll likely be delivering your signal to a Content Delivery Network (CDN), first select your provider by clicking the arrow for the dropdown. Your two choices are ANYSCREEN™, RUSHWORKS’ subscription hosting service, or Manual Setup. Copy each field from your CDN’s detailed settings page and paste into the matching field on the CONFIGURE STREAM window. If Video Bitrate and Audio Bitrate suggestions are not provided, then use the default values.For more specific information, please refer to the Setup Streaming single sheet.StreamRecord DurationYour NameYour Password

SOFTWAREOn the INTERFACE Tab you’ll find checkboxes for various Interface Options.Lock Panels prevents users from moving any of the A-LIST interface windows.DSK Auto-Clear is a preference for file workflow through the DSK (Down Stream Keyer). It clears DSK selections after taking them to air.Confirm Close Program asks you for confirmation that you really want to close A-LIST after clicking the X to close the program.Windows Sort Order uses Windows file sorting order in the File Browser. Note that performance degrades when displaying a folder that contains more than 3000 items. In that case, uncheck this box.OptionsLock PanelsDSK Auto-ClearConfirm Close ProgramWindows Sort Order (Max 3000 items)A-LIST supports three independent crawls: Crawl 1, Crawl 2 and Crawl 3. Click the associated tab to review/change your preferences for each.Streamster ships with default parameters for all three crawls. But you can change those at any time by clicking any of the three CRAWLS tabs on the Configuration page. Since there are a lot of display options to consider, the following descriptions focus on the four sections you’ll work with: SCREEN POSITION, FONT, MESSAGE FORMAT, and BANNER OPTIONS. The currently selected Crawl tab displays the associated Configuration page. As a design aid when creating and positioning the three crawls, you can check the preview boxes above the Crawl Preview screen to confirm all the crawl properties.12INTERFACE TabCRAWL TabsThe INPUT/OUTPUT Tab opens first by default. These settings are critical in configuring your Streamster for operation.Enable NDI Output, when checked, identifies your Streamster as an NDI source on a connected network. Enter the NDI Name you wish people to see after “Streamster” as the network node identifier. Output Video Resolution choices are 480p, 720p and 1080p.Background Audio Source selects the audio you want to use when playing graphics. Choose internal Audio Folder or Chassis Input.STATUS displays list of current connections, frame rates and other parameters associated with your Streamster settings.INPUT/OUTPUT TabNote: There is an Emergency Crawl (white text on a red banner) that appears only when you enter and save text in the EmergencyCrawl.txt file.

13FONT SELECTIONClick the menu button to the right of the Name field. It will open the Windows Font selection panel.Choose the Font, Font style, Size and Color using this menu. When you click OK, you’ll see the values appear in the respective fields in the Streamster FONT section.SOFTWARESCREEN POSITIONThese controls are used to position the crawl (text and banner) vertically on the screen. You can enter/modify the Offset from Bottom (default for Crawl 1 is 15%), or you can click the Up and Down arrows to move the position. You’ll see the result in the Crawl Preview window. You can also use the keyboard Up and Down arrow keys to change the crawl position. Custom Color SelectionIf you want to work with a wider range of color choices, click the menu to the right of the Color field in the FONT section. This window will appear, and you can pick from these Basic colors or click the Define Custom Colors button.That expands the window to provide thousands of color choices, or let you enter RGB or HSL values to select a color.You can Save that color by clicking the Add to Custom Colors button.MESSAGE FORMATSet the Crawl Speed according to your preference. Message Spacing is the number of blank characters that appear between each line of text you enter in the Text Box when creating a crawl.You can also add Text as a separator. To add a “Bullet” in addition to or instead of the Message Spacing value, click the Use Bullet • button to add it to the Text Message Separator. You can also enter any text or character value in that field. To use a Graphic (usually a small branding logo) as a separator, click the Graphic radio button, then click the browse button to the right. Locate and select the PNG file you wish to use. Force ALL CAPS, when checked, changes mixed upper/lower case to all uppercase for your crawls. This automatically adjusts the banner height.REVERSE Text & Direction, when checked, changes the crawl to Left To Right for use with several international character sets.BANNER OPTIONSClick the Background Banner checkbox to make it visible.Select the Height of the banner, which defaults to the same size as the font you’ve selected (in percentage). To make the banner larger than the font, just enter a value greater than 100.Click the browse button to the right of the Color display box to open the same Color picker used for the font, and make your selection.Enter a value for the Opacity of the banner in percent. The higher the value, the less you can see the video behind the banner.You can Indent the Left and Right Edges of the banner by entering a value representing a percent of the total screen width. You can also ‘soften’ the Left and Right Edges of the banner by entering a Fade value in pixels.

SOFTWAREThe TEXT tab is where you configure the text and position properties of text messages.FONT SELECTIONClick the menu button to the right of the Name field. It will open the Windows Font selection panel.Choose the Font, Font style, Size and Color using this menu. When you click OK, you’ll see the values appear in the respective fields in the Streamster FONT section. Check the Drop Shadow box if you prefer.Custom Color SelectionIf you want to work with a wider range of color choices, click the menu to the right of the Color field in the FONT section. This window will appear, and you can pick from these Basic colors or click the Define Custom Colors button.That expands the window to provide thousands of color choices, or let you enter RGB or HSL values to select a color.You can Save that color by clicking the Add to Custom Colors button.SCREEN POSITIONThese controls are used to position the text on the screen. Use the top three radio buttons to position the text vertically (Bottom, Middle, Top), and the second row of radio buttons to position the text horizontally (Left, Center, Right).Or click the Custom radio button and move the text anywhere on the screen using the Up and Down arrows. You’ll see the result in the Crawl Preview window. You can also use the keyboard Up, Down, Left and Right arrow keys to change the text position. TEXT PREVIEWWhen you select the TEXT tab it automatically shows a preview of your text preferences for that layer in the Text Preview window. 14TEXT TabTop Line Size and Line SpacingIt’s possible to automatically display the first line (top line) of multi-line text in a different size. This can be used, for example, to show the title of a music video larger than the artist name, which would be on the second line of text. The default is 100%.Line spacing, often called ‘leading’, can be adjusted by changing the value in the entry field. Both numbers are based on a percentage of the Font Size selected in the text layer configuration.

15Input Selection9In addition to playing locally stored video clips and picture files, you can also define and select defined and configured inputs to use as “on-air” sources in your playlists. You can configure up to EIGHT different sources you can choose from for any given INPUT item. NDI ‘streams’ can originate from devices connected to your network, including other computers and even video cameras with NDI output capability. There are also several brands of NDI converters that can accept SDI sources and convert them into NDI streams on your network. As such, NDI is a versatile and effective way to support a variety of input sources for your Streamster.Using NDI sources as InputsStreamster supports TWO types of network inputs:1) NDI sources2) HLS and MPEG-DASH live streams (with more types likely to be added)SOFTWAREThe once-favored RTMP and Flash-based video are no longer considered optimal or appropriate for delivering video to end users. The two currently favored stream types are both supported by Streamster.HLS stands for HTTP Live Streaming, and is a protocol for sending live video over the Internet using standard HTTP web servers. It will play video encoded with the H.264 or HEVC/H.265 codecs. It also features embedded closed captions.DASH is an open-source standard which is “codec agnostic”, supporting H.264, HEVC/H.265, VP9, and many more.Using HLS and MPEG-DASH streams as InputsConfiguring and Naming a Virtual Router InputClick once on any non-configured router input button (None).The New Input (Input #1-8) window will open.For the Input Type select NDI, WEB Feed, or None. The Source Window below will show the available sources for NDI and WEB Feed, respectively. With NDI radio button active, select available sources from the list. With WEB Feed active, copy and paste the URL of the HLS or DASH live stream into the window, always starting with http:// or https://. Enter a descriptive Button Name, and click OK to save. The button will update with the name displayed.Input SelectionNew Virtual Input 1New Virtual Input 1New Virtual Input 1