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TVU Command Center User Guide

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Product overview

TVU Command Center is an Enterprise Video Management Platform and Live cloud-based streaming solution. TVU Command Center offers centralized remote management and control of your TVU transmitters and solutions. As a cloud-based solution, TVU Command Center provides the convenience of remote access from any location with an Internet connection.

TVU Command Center also permits IP video sources to be added, deleted, transmitted, and output to a third-party website or Content Delivery Networks (CDN) such as YouTube, Ustream, and Facebook Live.

Manage TVU transmitters, receivers, multiple live feeds, and input sources. Control TVU Grid switching, routing, and video distribution. Monitor data usage and analytics. Schedule automatic live transmissions and broadcast to any live-streaming website.

 

Introduction, setup, and base operation

TVU Command Center offers centralized remote management and control of your TVU transmitters and solutions.

Before you begin

TVU Networks makes it easy to sign up for a Command Center account. From the TVU Networks website, click the Sign up/Login button at the top of the page. On the Sign in page, click Create account and follow the registration steps.

This TVU Command Center User Guide provides an overview of the new user interface and instructions for setting up and using the TVU Command Center’s basic and advanced operations.

 

Features

TVU Command Center’s robust cloud-based toolset comes with the following features:

Route tab – The Route tab has the following features:

  • The Route tab displays paired receivers and available sources. Users can select one or more receivers and go live with available sources from this tab.
  • My Sources: The My Sources page is accessed by selecting Sources from the drop-down menu in the Route tab. Sources can be displayed by status, bookmark, type, and by name or which source was online first.
  • Receiver Control: Users can access the Receiver Control page by selecting Receiver from the top-right drop-down menu to display receivers paired to their account. Users can click the source drop-down menu to select and go live with a source associated with that receiver.
  • Advanced Control: The Advanced Control page is accessed by selecting Receiver from the top-right drop-down menu and clicking the Advanced green button. The Advanced button opens the Receiver Control page and includes the Source panel. Also, the Settings, control, and diagnostic data for a selected source displays.
  • Multi-View feature: The Multi-view page is accessed by selecting Receiver from the top-right drop-down menu and clicking the green Multi-view button. Integration of the TVU Multi-view feature is available for monitoring more than six live video streams on a single monitor.

Monitor tab: The Monitor tab allows users to watch full-motion live videos of their current live receivers. Users can listen to the output audio, full-screen individual windows, and use VoIP controls to communicate with each receiver’s TVU Pack.

Grid tab: The new TVU Grid for Command Center features allow TVU Command Center account owners to access and manage Grid sources outside their traditional organizational boundaries.

Token tab: The TVU Anywhere app integrates with the token feature, allowing an operator to perform automatic receiver pairing without the intervention of TVU Support.

Chat feature: Contact the TVU Support team via chat within the new Command Center user interface.

Alert icon: TVU Command Center Alert feature allows users to send alerts about sources or receivers to other Command Center accounts with access to those devices.

Setting icon: Access all features and system settings that are enabled display in the Setting menu.

Social Accounts tab: The TVU Share feature enables users to share or publish a source directly to a social media account or website.

User preferences: Full control of TVU receivers, including Geo-locate, a GPS-based map view of all powered TVU transmitters.

 

Logging in to the TVU Command Center Web User Interface

To sign in to Command Center, complete the following steps:

  1. Open a Web browser window and enter: http://cc.tvunetworks.com
  2. Click Enter. The Sign in pop-up displays.
  3. To Log in to the TVU Command Center Web user interface, Enter the following information:
TVU networks sign in
  1. Click Next.
  2. The Welcome to TVU landing page opens. Select Command Center.
 

TVU Command Center User Interface

This section describes the new TVU Command Center user interfaces’ four main tabs in the left panel:

  • Route tab – All transmissions can be managed from the Route tab. The Route tab displays paired receivers and available sources. Users can select one or more receivers and go live with available sources from this tab. Sources can be filtered by status, bookmark, type, and by name or which source was online first. The Setting page can be accessed by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.
  • Monitor tab – The Multi-view page has been renamed as Monitor. Integration of the TVU Multi-view feature is available for previewing six live video streams on a single monitor. Integration of the TVU Multi-view feature is available for monitoring more than six live video streams on a single monitor. Select the display matrix, and if the number of monitored videos exceeds the max number of the matrix, you will see pagination.
  • Grid tab – The Grid tab enables the user complete control over all TVU Grid video content switching, routing, and distribution.
  • Token tab – The Token tab is used for TVU Anywhere pairings. The operator can perform automatic receiver pairing without the intervention of TVU Support.

TVU Command Center User Interface Route tab

After a successful login, The TVU Command Center Web user interface Route tab is selected by default in the left panel.

 TVU Command Center User interface - Route tab

In the default list view of sources, you can customize the columns from the pull-down menu at the top-right corner. You can also shuffle the columns by dragging and dropping the column titles.

In this list view, users also have the option to choose the icon or map view by clicking the according buttons on the top right corner.

TVU Command Center User interface 2

The Route tab provides an efficient way to access sources and receivers. The Source window displays by default.

  • Available sources display with a green status indicator.
  • The drop-down menu to the right of the source preview displays the receiver paired with the source.
  • Use the top drop-down menus in the top navigation pane to display sources and receivers in a sortable list.
Paired receiver menu

Select a source from within the source window to open the expanded source window. Use the drop-down menus in the highlighted column to make changes. To take the source live, click the Go Live button.

Expanded source window

Receiver selection menu

The Receiver Control page displays a list of receivers paired to a user’s Command Center account in a sortable list. Select the Route tab and Receiver from the drop-down menu to open the Receiver Control page.

Receiver selection - Grid tab

The Receiver Control page opens.

Receivers window

Receiver page controls and functions

Receiver Control page - Controls and functions

(1) Source selection menu: Select a source from the drop-down menu to go live with.

(2) Click the Receiver to open the expanded receiver control panel.

(3) Search: Enter the Video or Destination in the search bar.

Search bar

(4) Filters: Click the filter button to sort your status selections.

(5) Status selections: The Status button allows users to select, sort, and display devices or video sources in the preview panel.

Status selections

Status selection descriptions are as follows:

  • All: Choosing the All checkbox automatically selects All of the status checkboxes.
  • Online: Choosing only the Online checkbox will display all receivers that are online AND idle, which means that they are not live with any source but are ready to do so. Offline and Live receivers are excluded from the results.
  • Live: Choosing only the Live checkbox will display receivers currently taking a source live. Online (idle) and offline receivers are excluded from the results.
  • Offline: Choosing only the Offline checkbox will only show offline and unusable receivers. Take (Live), and online (idle) receivers will be excluded from the results.
  • Sort by Status: Choosing the Sort by Status checkbox will arrange the results of all searches and sorting in the following order: 1. Online (Idle), 2. Live (Take), 3. Offline.
  • My Favorites: Choosing My Favorites will display sources a user has marked Favorite.

Note: Status menu checkbox color indicators are:
Green = Online (Idle), Red = Live, and Grey = Offline

Note: Refer to “Receiver Control page Advanced and status functions” more information about Advanced status and settings and functions.

(6) Multi-control button: The green Multi-Control button opens the Multi-Control window.

The Multi-Control window includes the following controls and functions:

Multi-Control window

Notes:

(7) My Favorites: The new My Favorite checkbox has been added to the navigation panel to replace the Bookmarks drop-down. Each thumbnail on this tab has a small heart icon in the top right corner. Clicking the checkbox will turn the icon red and designate that receiver as a favorite. Clicking the My Favorite checkbox will show only favored receivers in the results.

(8) Page Navigation: Click the navigation buttons to flip through multiple pages of sources, go to a specific page, or skip to the last page.

(9) Advanced button: The Advanced button opens the Advanced Control page (WebR interface), where users can access the source panel, preview a source selection, and access the Setting menu. When a receiver is online, the Advanced control icon turns white. When the receiver is offline, this icon is grey.

The Advanced Control page can be opened using the Advanced button or the Advanced icon.

Expanded receiver control window

The Receiver Control page includes the following controls and functions:

(1) Extended receiver information icon: Click the “i” icon next to the receiver name to display information about the receiver, including PID and software version.

(2) Audio mute icon: The speaker icon will allow users to enable or disable the audio output without affecting the actual audio output of the stream.

(3) Quality histogram: The Quality histogram displays the live transmission status.

(4) Audio bars: Provides a visual indicator of the video stream’s audio output.

(5) Source transmission diagnostics: Displays metrics that represent the health and format of a source and its transmission. Battery, error rate, and line quality will only populate for a TVU Pack transmission.

(6) Delay and bitrate control settings: These sliders control a TVU Pack stream’s bitrate and delay settings.

(7) Stop button: Click the red Stop button to keep the source from going live.

Advanced Control Events page

The Advanced Control Events page includes the following basic controls and functions:

Advanced Control Events page

Note: Refer to Advanced operations “Advanced Control page” for more information about Advanced features and functions.

Search bar: Enter the PeerID or Name in the search bar to locate a receiver.

Advanced Control window - Search and Bookmark

Bookmark menu: The Bookmark menu allows users to select a customized display of each device or video source using a preset bookmark function.

Bookmark drop down menu

Note: Refer to “Source page” for more information about the Bookmark menu settings and functions.

Receiver Control page thumbnail

The receiver thumbnail has elements that should already be familiar to you, such as the receiver name, source selection drop-down, and the Take (Live) button. A new addition to the source thumbnail block is the memo text box and Advanced icon.

The Advanced icon is below the source preview window on the Receiver Control page. The Advanced icon opens the Advanced Control page for that specific receiver.

Advanced icon

Advanced icon: Click the Advanced icon to display the Advanced Control page for that specific receiver.

Note: Refer to “Advanced Control page” for more information about the Advanced Control settings and functions.

Advanced Control page

Note: Refer to “Expanded Source Control panel” for more information about the expanded receiver control settings and functions.

The source thumbnail block controls and functions (when Live) are described as follows:

Source thumbnail when live

(1) Source status indicator: The Source indicator displays “Live” when the source is live.

(2) Receiver name: Your selected receiver name displays in this field.

(3) Memo text box: The user can enter custom information about the receiver thumbnail in the memo text box. Click the memo box to activate the text cursor. Then, customize the thumbnail description.

(4) Source selection drop-down menu: Click the source drop-down menu to select a source to go live with.

Source drop-down menu

(5) Expand info icon: Click the Expand info icon to expand a view containing the information you already know. The Modem status indicators are at the bottom. These show the current connection status of each modem in your TVU Pack. Starting at the top and from left to right, the modem order is Top: 1>2>3 and bottom: 4>5>6.

Expand info icon

Modem Colors: Grey = offline, Red = no connection, Yellow = connecting, Green = connected.

Click the source thumbnail to open the expanded version of the receiver thumbnail. In this view, you will see live moving video. There is also a mute button in the bottom-right corner of the expanded live video window. The control panel allows you to adjust bitrate, delay, VBR/CBR, and dynamic or fixed delay.

The Live preview panel displays a Setting icon that opens the Web UI of a Pack source.

Live preview panel Setting icon
Live preview panel

Note: Refer to “Expanded Source Control panel” for more information about the expanded receiver control settings and functions.

(6) Publish icon: Click the Publish icon to publish your output video stream to a Website of your choice.

Publish icon

Refer to “Publishing a video stream to social media” for more information.

(7) Advanced icon: Click the Advanced icon to open the Advanced control page.

(8) My Favorite icon: Click the Heart icon to save and categorize the source as a favorite.

(9) Bookmark icon: Click the Bookmark icon to bookmark the source.

Advanced Control page

The Advanced icon is below the source preview window on the Receiver Control page. The Advanced icon opens the Advanced Control page for that specific receiver.

The Advanced Control tab includes the following control panels.

Advanced Control page panels

The Advanced control page includes the following controls and functions:

Advanced control page functions

(1) Search bar: Search for a source name or PeerID.

(2) Source selection menu: This section contains all available sources for the selected receiver, filtering, and search options—sort sources by Status, Type, and Bookmark.

(3) Video preview panel / Audio mute icon: The Speaker icon will enable or disable audio output to your PC. This icon does not affect the actual audio output of the stream.

(4) Publish icon: Click the Publish icon when live and you want to output to a Social media account.

(5) Quality histogram: This histogram is a live-updating graph that displays the data throughput of the current transmission as the receiver receives it.

(6) Audio Bars: Provides a visual indicator when there is audio with the video stream.

(7) Source transmission, monitoring, and status: This panel allows editing of the bitrate and delay of a TVU Pack stream transmission. Metrics that represent the health and format of a source and its transmission also displays. Battery, error rate, and line quality will only populate for a TVU Pack transmission. You can also find the receiver PID in this section.

Note: Refer to “Setting panel Controls” for more information.

(8) Delay and bitrate control settings: Use these sliders to control the bitrate and delay setting of a TVU Pack stream.

(9) Live preview and Take/Stop button: Click the red Stop button to stop a live source.

(10) Setting: Mouse over the setting gear to expand a drop-down menu that shows available configuration options for your selected receiver.

Note: Refer to “Settings” for detailed information.

Setting configuration options

(0) Live, Record, and Transcriber mode tabs: These tabs control the content that is displayed below them. Live mode will show the individual modems for the transmitter and their current status. Record mode will show the console for managing recorded content on the selected transmitter. If the Transcriber is enabled, users can view transcriptions.
(1) Alert: TVU Command Center Alert feature allows users to send alerts about sources or receivers to other Command Center accounts with access to those devices.

Source panel functions

The receiver selection and sources panel is located in the left pane of the Advanced Control window.

The Source panel includes the following controls and functions:

Source panel - Advanced control page

An operator can choose which source types to display by selecting the sources panel filter menus.

Source menus

(1) View by thumbnail or list: These features allow the operator to display all TVU transmitters and their status in a graphic thumbnail or by list.

Source panel thumbnail view

Located below the search field in the Source panel are three drop-down menus: the Status, Type, and Bookmark menus. These menus have the following functions:

(2) Click the Status drop-down menu to select and display any source by Live, Online, or Offline status.

Status menu advanced

(3) Click the Type drop-down menu to select and display any source by type. Select from the TVU Pack, TVU Anywhere, TVU Grid-Pack and Grid-SDI, External, G-Link, RTIL, and Local SDI sources. To show all source types available, click the Type menu and select All.

Type drop-down menu

(4) An operator can also choose source types to display by clicking the Bookmark drop-down menu.

source bookmark drop down menu

(5) An operator can also choose source types to display by their status by clicking the Online First drop-down menu.

Online first drop down menu

(6) click the plus “+” icon to choose an external source. Generic External, SMPTE, YouTube, G-Link source, and SRT source are external sources available.

external source drop down menu

Source thumbnail indicators and functions

To open the source information panel, click the caret. External sources display with a gear icon below the preview window.

Expand Source thumbnails

Refer to “Source status indicators” for more information.

Clicking the gear icon opens the Edit External source window, which allows users to edit and validate the external source.

Edit external source window
 

Video preview panel

The video preview panel shows the live video output state or the offline state previews. When a video is live, the operator can mute or unmute the audio to the live video by clicking the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the preview screen.

Advanced Control page - Video preview panel

The video preview displays in the preview window when a source is live. To stop the transmission, click the red Stop button.

Stopping a transmission

When a source is not live, the video preview displays the following TVU slate and a green Take button.

Take/Stop button: The Take/Stop button allows the operator to stop or restart a live transmission from a selected source.

Advanced Control tab - Video preview offline state
 

Data transmission monitor panel

The data transmission monitor panel is located below the preview panel.

Advanced Control page - Data transmission monitor panel

The data transmission monitor panel includes visual modem histograms with the following controls and functions:

modem histogram 2

(1) Live, Record, and Transcriber tabs: These tabs control the content that is displayed below them. The Live mode is the primary interface to be used during a Live transmission. When this tab is selected, the status of each of the data card network connections displays.. Record mode will show the console for managing recorded content on the selected transmitter. If the Transcriber is enabled, users can view transcriptions.

(2) Check box: There is a check box and status bar associated with each card. The check box enables or disables a data connection. If unchecked, it will not be used to pass data. If the box is checked (default), the connection will be used to pass data.

(3) Monitor histogram: Displays status, throughput, and the IP address of each modem.

(4) Connection mode and connection strength indicator: The connection mode indicates the connection mode and strength.

(5) Configuration menu: Opens the Web UI of the pack source.

(6) Reset: Provides a full-power reset for a modem. This feature is used when the modem is no longer able to connect or is experiencing a problem. Click the Reset icon to force the modem to power cycle and reset.

(7) Connection name and status: Individual read-out panels show each active card’s carrier name (when available). The slot number of each data card is indicated in front of the carrier name. To retrieve the IP Address of a data card, mouse over the name of that data card. You can enter your preferred <name> if no name is automatically provided and displayed. However, this will reset upon reboot.

The color indicators displayed within the carrier name panel indicate the following status:

  • Red: Not connected or dialing
  • Green: Connected and passing traffic
  • Yellow: Connected but not passing traffic
  • Gray: Disconnected or unplugged
Modem name and histogram

(8) Scale: The Scale drop-down menu allows the operator to set the scale for the histogram. When the scale changes, it will affect all the histograms displayed.

Scale drop-down menu 2

Note: Refer to TVU Command Center File based workflows Rev A EN 07-2023 for information about the record function.

 

Setting panel Controls

The setting panel controls are located on the Advanced Control page.

Advanced Control page - Control setting panel location

The setting panel includes the following controls and functions:

Advanced Control page - Control setting panel

(1) Delay control: Set your desired latency and the maximum bitrate you want to utilize. When in “Live” mode, the error rate and picture quality will automatically adjust based on the desired latency and the available bandwidth to produce the highest quality picture.

(2) Bitrate control: The TVU receiver has a smart VBR scaling system. The unit automatically adjusts the bitrate to output the best quality picture based on the desired latency. To effectively take advantage of the smart VBR scaling system, set your desired latency and the maximum bitrate you want to utilize.

(3) Adaptive delay control (Dynamic/fixed) for Grid only: Controls the dynamic buffering is a Grid feature. When set to dynamic mode (recommended), the receiver automatically increases the stream buffer to ensure stable transmission. This selection maximizes stream stability but at the potential cost of increasing the delay/latency. The fixed mode will lock the Grid stream to a specific delay but allow errors if the setting is too aggressive. It is recommended that dynamic mode is normally utilized. Where fixed mode is enabled, the operator should pay extra attention to the stream stability with their given setting.

(4) VBR/CBR: The TVU receiver has a smart VBR scaling system.

Refer to “Setting the variable bitrate (VBR) and delay” for more information about VBR/CBR.

Mode selection menu 2

(5) Preset selection menu (operational): Click the Select drop-down menu to view mode selections. Depending on your news-gathering environment, you can choose from preset bitrates and latencies.

Refer to “Setting the variable bitrate (VBR) and delay” for more information about VBR/CBR.

Status panel – diagnostics

Many indicators are arranged vertically in the Status panel to help an operator make quality and troubleshooting decisions. Information such as error rate and line quality are displayed, and a quality histogram depicts the total transmission encoding bitrate over a period. The histogram’s scale can be changed by selecting a different display option on the drop-down menu. The status of the transmitter’s batteries also displays.

The Status panel diagnostics are located as shown below.

Advanced Control tab - Control setting panel location

The Status panel includes the following controls and functions:

Advanced Control page- Diagnostics panel

(1) Input and output formats: “Input” displays the video input format of the transmitter. “Output” displays the receiver output setting.

Note: The receiver output format follows the input format. When the Input Match feature within Feature Control is enabled.

The TVU Pack input and receiver output should match. The receiver software is not intended to convert or adjust the resolution. In the event of a mismatch, the receiver will attempt a format conversion, which may result in losing video quality and removing closed captions from the transmission.

(2) IFB status: The IFB status and the IFB Signal display. The IFB signal has a strength meter that depicts the input level of the IFB.

(3) VoIP status: The VoIP Signal has a strength meter that depicts the input level.
(4) Quality histogram/Quality link: The quality histogram below the Quality link displays a 5-minute aggregate histogram of the live transmission.

 

Source page

The Source page is accessed by clicking the user interface Route tab and selecting Source from the drop-down menu, as shown below.

Source selection menu

The Source page displays source thumbnails in the list view by default. In the default list view of sources, you can customize the columns from this pull-down menu at the top-right corner. You can also shuffle the columns by dragging and dropping the column titles.

Note: Refer to “Source Control page functions” for more information about the following settings and functions.

source page controls

The sources preview panel includes the following controls and functions:

(1) Search: Enter the source PID or Name in the search bar to locate a source.

Route tab sources - search bar

(2) Status: Click the Status drop-down menu to display sources based on the source types you select in the drop-down menu.

status menu

(3) Bookmark: The Bookmark drop-down menu can display Special arrangements of receivers.

bookmark menu 2

The user creates these independently by selecting the Bookmark icon on the receiver control page.

bookmark icon

In the Bookmark pop-up window, select Add to or Add a new bookmark from the pop-up window.

add bookmark window

Note: Refer to “Receiver Control block controls” for more information about the Bookmark menu settings and functions.

(4) Type: Click the Type drop-down menu to search through your sources based on type. The results displayed below the drop-down menu correlate to the selected checkboxes.

Type drop-down menu

Note: Refer to “Source Control page functions” for more information about the Type menu settings and functions.

(5) Live First: Click the Live First drop-down menu to select source previews based on first online, Live First, or by name.

Live first menu

Note: Refer to “Source Control page functions” for more information about the Live First menu settings and functions.

(6) Add external source: The plus + icon enables users to add an external source, such as a YouTube video or an IP camera. The added source displays in the source panel with the other source thumbnails.

Route tab source - add external source

Note: Refer to “Adding an external source” for more information about adding external sources.

(7) (8) Page navigation: Click the right and left arrows to flip through multiple pages of sources, go to a specific page, or skip to the last page.

Note: Refer to “Source GPS Tracking and locations” for more information about page navigation.

(9) Source view options: These two icons will allow you to switch between thumbnail and list view. The default is thumbnail view. This view will show you all of your results with a periodically updating preview window of the source’s content, the source name, and a status indicator to show if it is online, live, or offline.

source window gallery view

Note: Refer to “Source GPS Tracking and locations” for more information about source views.

(10) Geo Location icon: Click the pin icon to open a geographic map showing sources and receivers’ physical location.

Note: To exit the Geo location map, click the Thumbnail or List icon.

Geo sources

Click the name of a source to open a window showing a still capture of the source’s content. Additionally, the receiver that source is live with will display in red on the map. To exit the map, click the Thumbnail view or List icon.

Geo locations and controls

Source thumbnail preview: Click the thumbnail view icon. Each separate thumbnail in the preview panel shown below, represents an individual source with its name and status indicator.

Note: Refer to “Source GPS Tracking and locations” for more information about using the Geo location feature for a single source or receiver.

User preferences

User preferences 3

The Command Center main user preferences and is located in the top-right corner of the user interface.

The user preference and main navigation panel include the following controls and functions:

(1) Language selection: Click the Language drop-down menu to select a preferred language.

(2) User preferences: Click the User preference drop-down menu to verify your login ID and to log out of Command Center

(3) Services navigation menu: Click the Navigation icon to access links to additional TVU Web services.

Navigation menu

Click a thumbnail to open the expanded Source Control panel for that source. The source control window works in the same way as a Receiver Control panel with two main differences.

  • Source details and metadata display below the preview window.
  • The drop-down menu will list receivers instead of sources.
Source control panel 2

Note: Refer to “Source Control page functions” for more information about using source controls and functions.

Expanded source view

The sources in the Route tab behave differently from the source views in the Receiver control page. When you click a source thumbnail in the Route tab, an expanded view of the source and a settings panel display as shown below.

Source expanded view

Note: Refer to “Expanded Source Control panel” for more information about using source controls and functions.

Monitor tab

The Command Center Monitor tab replaces the Multi-view page. The Monitor tab provides users with the ability to watch a full-motion video of their Grid-related receivers that are currently live. Users can listen to the output audio, display full-screen individual windows, and use VoIP controls to communicate with each receiver’s respective TVU Pack.

Monitor tab 2

Note: Refer to “Monitor tab” for more information about using the Monitor tab operations.

Grid tab

The Grid tab allows users to request and share Grid sources.

  • TVU Grid services feature:
  • Self-service TVU Grid connects all TVU Grid entities regardless of station, group, affiliation, or location.
  • Grid availability of major Network news services over IP rather than satellite.
  • Search capability to help locate and take advantage of these services.
Grid tab 2

The Grid tab includes the following controls and functions:

(1) Search:

  • Find and control Grid sources you already have and don’t have access to.
  • Toggle between a thumbnail or map view to locate authorized and available Grid sources.
  • Filter your keyword search based on name, location, affiliation, and group.
  • Add Grid sources using a Grid Token code.

(2) My Requests:

  • View all of your direct and Grid Token access requests.
  • Control Grid sources that you have been granted access to via Direct Request and Grid Token.
  • Manage your Direct Request and Grid Token access requests.
  • Add Grid sources using a Grid Token code.

(3) Contribute: Manage how your Grid sources appear to others searching for content. Create Grid Token codes to share access to your Grid sources.

Note: These functions are only available for Grid sources that your Command Center account has ownership rights for. Please contact TVU Support to gain ownership rights for your Grid sources.

(4) My Contact Details: Configure your contact details so you can communicate efficiently with others and receive activity notifications.

(5) Schedule:

  • Use the Schedule tab to create a Grid source schedule by Month, Week, or Day.
  • Enter a title, date and time, reporter, and story slug directly in the calendar view.
  • Import a source event schedule from your local drive.
  • Download the slug information to your local drive.

(6) +Add Grid Token: Create a grid token.

Note: Refer to “Grid tab” for more information about using the Grid tab operations.

Refer to the TVU Grid for Command Center Quick Start User Guide for detailed information about using this feature.

Token tab

Token is a feature accessible by clicking the Token tab in the TVU Command Center User Interface. The TVU Anywhere app integrates with the token feature, which allows an operator to perform automatic receiver pairing without the intervention of TVU Support.

Token tab

To use the TVU Anywhere token feature requires a token license activation from TVU Support.

Refer to the TVU Anywhere Token Quick Start User Guide for detailed information about using this feature.

 

Settings

The Settings gear in the top-right main navigation allows users access to the following functional tab pages:

  • Preferences
  • Device
  • Account
  • External Source
  • Operation log
  • Bookmark
  • Social Account
  • Access APP
  • License Feature report

Note: The Settings gear can be accessed from several other Command Center pages.

settings gear icon location

Click the Settings gear.

settings gear icon 2

The Preference page main navigation panel opens by default.

Preferences page 2

(1) Preference: The Preference tab allows users to enable transmission confirmations, show Geo-location over thumbnails, and allow pop-up notifications for the Alert feature and when a transmission is live or stopped.

(2) Device: The Device tab displays a list of authorized receivers and their status. The device name can be renamed here by selecting edit in the right column.

settings device

(3) Account: The Account tab allows a user to assign other users access to accounts, devices, and operations.

settings account

(4) External source: The External source tab displays a list of external source types by device name and URLs that have been accessed.

settings external source tab

(5) Operation log: The Operation log tab displays the user’s operational status and descriptions by date, time, and IP address.

settings operational tab

(6) Bookmark: The Bookmark tab allows a user to view, select, and bookmark a Device.

settings bookmark tab

(7) Social Account: The Social Account tab allows a user to configure Social Media CDN output accounts and lists any accounts a user has configured.

settings social account add and select menus

(8) Access APP: The Access APP tab allows users search by company, email, Appkey, or AppSecret. Users can also create an Access App by company name and activate or deactivate the White IP and API functionality.

settings Access App

(9) Licensed Feature Report: The Licensed Feature Report tab provides a list of licensed feature owners and their role. The list can be filtered for a specific result.

settings licensed feature report
 

Alert feature

The Alert icon (mail) located at the bottom of the left panel on most pages provides support for TVU Analytics for full monitoring of data usage, including pre-set alerts for data usage thresholds. The latest alerts can be viewed and new feature alerts can be composed.

Alert icon 2
Alert page
 

User preferences and navigation menu

User preferences 2

(1) User preferences: Click the User Preference drop-down menu to verify your login ID and to log out of Command Center.

(2) Language selection: Click the Language drop-down menu to select a preferred language.

User preferences

(3) Navigation menu: Click the Navigation icon to access links to additional TVU Web services.

Navigation menu

(4) What’s New feature: The What’s new icon opens an overview of the latest Command Center enhancements and features.

 

Command Center receiver transmission – Going live

Taking your Command Center transmission live requires successfully logging into your Command Center account and performing advanced operations explained in this chapter.

TVU Command Center User Interface

This section describes the basic components of the new TVU Command Center user interface. The new user interface left panel has four operational tabs:

Route tab – All transmissions can be managed from the Route tab. The Route tab displays paired receivers and available sources. The user can select one or more receivers and go live with available sources from this tab. Sources can be displayed by status, bookmark, type, and by name or which source was online first. The Setting page can be accessed by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner of the page.

Monitor tab – The Multi-view page has been renamed as Monitor. Integration of the TVU Multi-view feature is available for monitoring more than six live video streams on a single monitor.

Grid tab – The Grid tab enables the user complete control over all TVU Grid video content switching, routing, and distribution.

Token tab – The Token tab is used for TVU Anywhere pairings. Using the Token tab feature, the operator performs automatic receiver pairing without the intervention of TVU Support.

 

TVU Command Center Route tab

After users successfully log in to TVU Command Center, they enter the Route tab’s Source page. Users will use the Route tab to perform all routing operations.

The Source page displays source thumbnails in the list view by default.

Source preview window

Selecting a receiver

Taking your source live involves selecting a receiver and starting a live session with a video source, setting the correct bitrate and delay, and tuning your shot.

To select a receiver and take a source live complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Sources drop-down menu and select Receivers.
Source selection menu

The Receiver Control page opens.

  1. Use the checkboxes in the top navigation panel to filter your receiver options. The Status button allows users to select and sort devices or video sources to display in the preview panel.

Refer to “Receiver Control page Advanced and status functions” for more information.

Receiver control page
  1. Click the Advanced icon to open the Advanced Receiver Control page.
Receiver Control page - Advanced icon

The Advanced Receiver Control page opens.

Advanced Control page
  1. Source selections can be viewed by expanding the carets in the left panel.
 

Receiver Control page Advanced and status functions

Receiver Control page - Advanced and status functions

The receiver window includes the following Advanced and Status functions:
(1) Advanced icon: Opens the Advanced Receiver Control page.

(2) Status selections: Used to filter your receiver options.

Status selection descriptions are as follows:

Status selections

Status selection descriptions are as follows:

  • All: Choosing the All checkbox automatically selects All of the status checkboxes.
  • Online: Choosing only the Online checkbox will display all receivers that are online AND idle, which means that they are not live with any source but are ready to do so. Offline and Live receivers are excluded from the results.
  • Live: Choosing only the Live checkbox will display receivers currently taking a source live. Online (idle) and offline receivers are excluded from the results.
  • Offline: Choosing only the Offline checkbox will only show offline and unusable receivers. Take (Live) and online (idle) receivers will be excluded from the results.
  • Sort by Status: Choosing the Sort by Status checkbox will arrange the results of all searches and sorting in the following order: 1. Online (Idle), 2. Live (Take), 3. Offline.
  • My Favorites: Choosing My Favorites will display sources a user has marked Favorite.

Note: Status menu checkbox color indicators are:
Green = Online (Idle), Red = Live, and Grey = Offline

 

Taking a source live

There are three methods to take a source live:

  • From the Source page
  • From the Receiver Control page
  • From the Advanced Receiver Control page

Source page – complete the following steps:

  1. In the Route tab, select Sources.
Source selection menu
  1. In the Sources page, filter your selections using the Type drop-down menu.
  2. Select a source and use the drop-down menu from the Destination column to pair the receiver.
Type menu 2
  1. In the Operation column, click the green Go Live button.
Go-live button
  1. Click the source name to expand the source window to view the source. To stop the source, click the Stop button.
Expanded source window

On the Receiver Control page, complete the following steps:

  1. Select Receivers from the Route tab. In the Receiver Control page, enter a Source name/PeerID or click the source selection drop-down menu to select a source to go live with.
enter source selection
  1. Click the green Take button to go live.
Take a source live button
  1. The live transmission displays on the Receiver Control page.
Live transmission with publish icon

On the Receiver Control page, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Advanced icon on the Advanced Control page.
Receiver Control page - Advanced icon
  1. On the Advanced Control page, select a source from the source menu. Click the green Take button to go live. The live transmission displays in the Receiver Control window.
Take a source live 2
  1. The live transmission audio is muted by default. To hear the live transmission audio, click the green Speaker icon in the lower right corner of the live stream preview window.
Speaker icon location
  1. Click the red Stop button above the preview window to stop the live transmission.
Stopping a transmission

Note: Closing the Receiver Control window will not stop the transmission.

  1. If you close the Receiver Control window and want to stop the transmission, click the red Stop button next to the live source in the Select Receiver receiver list.
Stop receiver button
 

Route tab – Receiver Control operations

  1. Click a source on the Receiver Control page to expand the receiver panel.
Receiver Control window - Live expanded view
  1. The version information details and transmission status display.
Expanded source info icon
  1. Click the “i” icon to display the receiver PID and version information.
Expanded receiver control i icon
 

Route tab – Advanced Receiver Control operations

To access the Advanced Receiver Control page, Select Receivers from the drop-down menu. On the Receiver Control page, click the Advanced icon.

Receiver Control page - Advanced icon

The Advanced Receiver Control page opens.

Advanced Receiver Control page operations

The Advanced Receiver Control page has the following indicators and advanced operations controls:

(1) Receiver PID, version, and Time Remaining details: The Details panel displays the receiver’s PID and version. The Time Remaining indicator is above the Detail panel.

(2) Source selection panel and drop-down menu: Use this menu to select a source you want to go live with.

Note: Greyed out sources in the drop-down menu are offline and unavailable to use.

(3) Live (Take) and Stop button: After you have selected a source from the drop-down menu, click the green Take (Live) button to start receiving that source. It will then become a red Stop button. Click the Stop button to stop receiving the source.

(4) Stream quality histogram: The stream quality histogram is a live-updating graph that displays the data throughput of the current transmission as the receiver receives it. Click the Setting drop-down menu above the histogram to change the scale of the graph. The setting option ranges from a maximum setting of 1.2 Mbp/s to 24 Mb/s.

(5) Mute icon: Mouse over the live video preview to reveal a mute button in the lower-right corner of the video preview screen. Click the green Speaker icon to enable or disable audio output to your PC. This button does not affect the audio output of the stream.

(6) Source metrics: The source metrics represent the health and format of a source and its transmission. The Battery, error rate, and line quality will only populate for a TVU Pack transmission. The Video Input indicates if the pack’s input is SDI or HDMI. The Input format is the format of the source (not just for packs), and the Output format is the SDI output video format of the receiver.

(7) Delay and Bitrate settings: Use the Delay and Bitrate sliders to control the bitrate and delay settings of a TVU Pack stream. Bitrate and delay settings are only available for TVU Pack streams.

Users do not have bitrate and delay setting sliders for Grid or External IP streams. The dynamic drop-down menu on the delay slider is specific to Grid only and determines whether you want to receive the stream at a fixed delay or use the dynamic delay that fluctuates in response to the Grid stream’s health. Using the dynamic delay for Grid is recommended.

(8) Search bar: Use the Search bar to locate a PID or source Name.

(9) Alert: The Alert tab supports TVU Analytics for full monitoring of data usage, including pre-set alerts for data usage thresholds using the Alert feature.

(10) Setting menu: Mouse over the Setting icon to open a drop-down style menu that shows available configuration options for your selected receiver.

(0) Live, Record, and Transcriber tabs: Live and record modes These buttons control the content that displays below them. The live mode will show the individual modems for the transmitter and their current status. Record mode will show the console for managing recorded content on the selected transmitter.

Refer to “Live and record modes” for detailed information about recordings.

 

Receiver Control page -Using the Multi-Control button

The Multi-Control dialog window allows the user to perform the following functions:

  • Select Receiver drop-down menu: Allows the user to select more than six receivers to control at once.
  • Time Lock: Activate this to synchronize all receivers in the window with the same bitrate and delay within two frames. This is useful for multi-camera productions of a common subject. If you receive an error, contact support to update your receivers to the correct version to support this feature.
  • Receiver block window: Receivers control windows are available with this function. Any currently live video content will play in real-time in this receiver block.
  • Bitrate and delay sliders: Bitrate and delay sliders are only available when the Time Lock feature checkbox is active. The Time Lock feature changes bitrate and delay settings for all receivers in the window.
  • VoIP start button: Starts a VoIP call with a TVU Pack:
  1. Click the VoIP start button (the green phone icon). Available TVU Packs to start a VoIP call to display in a small window.
  2. Select the number of packs and click Start the call to begin communication from your local PC to the selected packs.
  3. The call button will become red when a call is active. Click the red button to end the call.

To open the Multi-Control window, open the Receiver Control page.

Receivers window

Click the green Multi-Control button on the Receiver Control page.

Receiver Control page Multi-Control button

The Multi-Control window displays.

Multi-Control window functions

To add receivers to the Multi-Control window, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Select Receiver drop-down menu.
Multi-Control window select receiver menu
  1. Select the receivers you want to add to your multi-view window.
  2. Enter a source name or click the Source drop-down menu below the preview box to select and go live with a source.
Multi-Control source selection 2
  1. Click the green Take button.
  2. To stop the live source, click the red Stop button.
 

Time Lock feature

The Time Lock feature is only available when all selected receivers are live with a TVU transmitter.

Click the Time Lock checkbox to synchronize all receivers in the window with the same bitrate and delay within two frames. This feature is useful for multi-camera productions of a common subject. If you receive an error, contact support to update your receivers to the correct version to support this feature.

The bitrate and delay sliders are only available when the Time Lock checkbox is active. Use the sliders to change the bitrate and delay settings for all receivers in the window.

Multi-Control preview video controls and functions

The Multi-control preview window displays the following elements. Each receiver you select will display in the Multi-Control window as a separate block. The sources associated with your receiver selection are selectable using the Source drop-down menu:

Multi-Control preview window

(1) Receiver: This field displays the selected receiver from the receiver control page.

(2) Source selection drop-down menu: Click the drop-down menu to select a source to go live with. Then click the Take button.

Multi control window menu

(3) System settings: Click the system settings icon to open the Advanced Controls page.

Advanced Control page

(4) Audio mute icon: Click the speaker icon to mute or unmute the audio. Note that this does not affect the video’s output audio.

Multi-Control Speaker icon

(5) Receiver information icon: The receiver’s information icon “I” displays the battery status, video input, input format, and output format information.

(6) Take/Stop button: Click the Take button to start the transmission. Click the Stop button to stop the transmission.

Multi-Control Take and Stop buttons
 

IP Streaming Output

Each encoder allows customers to configure six streams using the same stream profile.

To use the IP Streaming Output feature, complete the following steps:

  1. Select Receiver from the top-right drop-down menu to open the Receiver Control page.
  2. Click the Advanced icon from an available receiver block.
  3. In the Advanced Receiver Control page, hover the mouse over the Setting icon and select IP Streaming Out.
IP Stream Out feature
  1. The IP Stream out configuration screen displays. Uncheck the Encoder checkbox.
  2. Click one or multiple Encoder checkboxes to activate up to six external IP streaming encoders. Each encoder sends one stream.
IP Stream Out configuration screen
  1. Click the Follow Receiver Live/Stop checkbox to choose whether you want the source to be the currently live source or take the receiver’s SDI input as the source.
Setting IP Streaming output window
  1. To overlay a graphic onto your stream (PNG is the only accepted format), Click the Logo checkbox and select a custom image.
  2. Select a Profile from the drop-down menu.
  3. To choose the stream you want to start and select the Output type. Multiple checkboxes can be selected.
  4. When ready, enter your stream URL in the output field and click the green Start button to begin streaming.
  5. You can adjust the Main Level audio bars to make an audio level adjustment in the stream contrary to the source or to mute the audio on certain channels.
  6. To stop the stream, click the red Stop button and close the window.
 

Route tab – Source Control page

The default Source Control page displays available source thumbnails in the list view. If desired, sources can also be viewed in thumbnail view. These may include Grid sources, external sources, SMPTE2022 sources, and YouTube sources. The Source Control page provides an extended view of your sources. The Status, Bookmark, Type, and Live First drop-down menus function as those on the Advanced Control page.

Source preview window
Source page gallery view

Source Control page functions

The sources preview panel just below the main navigation includes the following controls and functions:

Route tab sources controls and functions

(1) Search: Enter the source PID or name in the search bar and press enter to locate a source.

Route tab sources - search bar

(2) Status: Click the Status drop-down menu to display sources based on the source types you select in the drop-down menu.

status menu

Status menu selection descriptions are as follows:

  • All: When you check the All checkbox, it automatically selects all options in the drop-down menu without checking them separately.
  • Available: When you check the Available checkbox, all available sources display.
  • Online with no source: Choosing only the Online with no source checkbox will display all online sources with no active video source connected to it. When checked, sources are not currently live with any receiver on your account but are ready to do so. The Offline and Live (Take) sources are excluded from the results.
  • Live: Choosing only the Live checkbox will display receivers currently taking a source live. Online (idle) and offline receivers are excluded from the results.
  • Offline: Choosing only the Offline checkbox will show receiver’s that are offline and unusable. Take (Live), and online (idle) receivers will be excluded from the results.
  • Ongoing event: Display events that are always live.

Note: Status menu checkbox color indicators are: Green = Online (Idle), Red = Live (Take), Grey = Offline

(3) Bookmark: The Bookmark drop-down menu allows a user to define specific arrangements of sources to display.

There is one difference between the bookmark drop-down menu on the Sources page and the Receiver Control page; the Sources bookmark drop-down menu includes a default group called Token. Using the bookmark checkbox (with the All and Unclassified boxes unchecked) will display only those sources added using the Token tool. These will typically be mobile devices using the TVU Anywhere app.

Bookmark drop down menu update

Alternative arrangements of sources can be displayed using the Bookmark drop-down menu. The user creates these by utilizing the Bookmark tool in the Settings menu.

Refer to the “Settings page” for more information.

(4) Type: Click the Type drop-down menu to display your sources based on type. The results displayed below the drop-down menu correlates to the checkboxes that are selected.

type drop down tvu anywhere

Type menu selection descriptions are as follows:

  • All: Displays All source types.
  • TVUPack: Displays TVU hardware transmitters.
  • TVUAnywhere: Displays mobile devices using the TVU Anywhere app.
  • Grid-Pack: Displays a re-encode of a partner’s TVU Pack or TVU Anywhere transmission from their receiver.
  • Grid-SDI: Displays an encode of a partner’s in-house content fed to their receiver’s SDI input.
  • Ext: Displays external IP sources, such as YouTube or IP cameras.
  • Grid via Token: Displays Grid sources that have been added to your account temporarily by the Token service.
  • Global Grid: Displays Grid sources only made available by participating in Global Grid.

(5) Live First: Click the Live First drop-down to filter, select, and display the following source views:

Live first menu

Online first: Displays sources that are online (idle) and online with no source first.
Live first: Displays sources that are currently live with a receiver first.
By name: Displays source results in alphabetical order.

(6) Add external source: Click the plus “+” icon to add an external source to the sources panel.

Route tab source - add external source
 

Adding an external source

The plus + icon enables users to add an external source, such as a YouTube video or an IP camera. The added source displays in the source panel with the other source thumbnails.

To add a new source, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the plus “+” icon to add an external source to the sources panel. The Add External Source window opens.
add external source window
  1. Open the Type drop-down menu and make a selection.
add external source selection menu
  1. Enter the source URL.
  2. Enter a Name or description of the source. Then, click Save.

(7) Page navigation: Click these buttons to flip through multiple pages of sources, go to a specific page, or skip to the last page.

Route tab Sources - Source view options

Source GPS locations, tracking, and source views

The geographic locations of the transmitted video display in a Google map window by clicking the geo-location icon.

By default, the sources view in thumbnail mode, and the thumbnail source previews update periodically, along with the source name and status.

To locate a source or change the source views, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the List view icon to view your sources in a list view.
  2. To view your sources by source thumbnail, click the Thumbnail icon.
  3. To locate the physical location of a source, click the Geo-location icon.

(8) Source view options: These two icons will allow you to switch between thumbnail and list view. The thumbnail view is the default, and this view will show you all of your results with a periodically updating preview window of the source’s content, the source name, and a status indicator to show if it is online, live, or offline.

Route tab Sources - Source view options

Note: Refer to “Source GPS Tracking and locations” for more information about using the thumbnail and list views.

(9) Geo location icon: Click the Pin icon to open a geographic map with pins showing the physical location of all available sources and receivers.

tracking and location icons

(10) Tracking icon: Click the Tracking icon to track a device by mode and device.

tracking and location icons

Note: Refer to “Source GPS Tracking and locations” for more information about using the Geo location feature for a single source or receiver.

 

Taking a source live

To take a source live from the Source Control page, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Receiver selection drop-down menu and select a receiver name.
Source window select receiver
  1. Click the Go Live button in the Operation column.
Source window receiver go live
  1. To stop the transmission, click the Stop button.
Source control page - stop button
 

Expanded Source Control panel

The sources behave differently from the source views on the Receiver Control Advanced Control page when you click a source thumbnail on the Source Control page, an expanded view of the source and a settings panel display, as shown below.

Note: This view has the settings gear that opens the source’s WEB UI if it is a pack. The gear does not show for grid sources.

Source controls details and metadata

The expanded source pop-up window includes the following controls and functions:

(1) Audio levels: This view displays up to 8 audio levels.

(2) Mute icon: Click the speaker icon to mute the audio output to Command Center. This will not affect the actual audio output of the source to your receiver.

(3) Control settings: Delay and bitrate settings.

(4) Select button: Click the Select drop-down menu to change the pack’s bitrate and delay settings via preset modes. TVU provides five preset modes: Interview, Normal, Fast, Moving, SD (Standard Definition), and Tape Feed.

(5) Details panel: Source (input) type, format, (line) quality, error rate, and battery life of the pack are displayed in the Details panel. A new IP address section will display the IP address of your Ethernet and WiFi interfaces. Finally, a new section for metadata about the transmission is available.

 

Route tab – Receiver Control page

The Receiver Control page offers a similar experience to the Sources page, except that each thumbnail represents a receiver instead of a source. Thumbnails on this page only show video when that receiver is live with a source, and that video is presented as a periodically updated frame. This tab offers a view that allows simultaneous control over multiple receivers (receivers) simultaneously.

To open the Receiver Control page, select Receiver from the drop-down menu.

Select Receiver

Receiver Control page functions

Receiver control page functions

The Receivers page offers a view that allows simultaneous control over multiple receivers. This tab also includes the following checkboxes for controls and functions located below the main navigation:

Search bar filter sorting

(1) Search: Enter the source Video or Destination in the search bar and press Enter to locate a source.

(2) Status: The status drop-down is now a series of checkboxes you would normally see in the drop-downs on the other tabs. The All, Live, Online, and Offline checkboxes will function the same as in the other tabs.

(3) Sort by status: If you select the Sort by Status checkbox, results will be shown in the order of Live first, online second, and offline last.

(4) My favorites: A new My favorite checkbox has been added to this tab to replace the Bookmarks drop-down. Each thumbnail on this tab has a small heart icon below the preview thumbnail. Clicking it will turn it red and designate that receiver as a favorite. Clicking the My Favorite checkbox will show only favored receivers in the results.

Receiver control page favorites

(5) Multi-Control button: Opens the Multi-Control window.

Page navigation: Click the navigation buttons to flip through multiple pages of sources, go to a specific page, or skip to the last page.

My receivers tab page navigation

Page views: Large, medium, or small thumbnail views.

source window gallery view
 

Receiver Control block controls

Receiver block controls: The receiver thumbnail will have elements that should already be familiar to you, such as the receiver name, source selection drop-down, and the Take (Live) button. A new addition to the source thumbnail block is the Enter Memo text box and the Bookmark icon. Click the Bookmark icon to add to or Add a new bookmark.

Receiver control page thumbnail
Receiver Control block controls

The source block controls and functions (when Live) are described as follows:

(1) Source status indicator: The Source indicator displays “Live” when the source is live.

(2) Receiver name: Your selected receiver name displays in this field.

(3) Memo text box: The user can enter custom information about the receiver thumbnail in the memo text box. Click the Memo box to activate the text cursor. Then, customize the thumbnail description.

(4) Source selection drop-down menu: Click the Source drop-down menu to select a source to go live with.

enter source selection

(5) Click the Expand info icon to open the source settings status overlay
(6) Expanded receiver panel: Click the source thumbnail to open the expanded version of the receiver thumbnail. In this view, you will see live moving video. You will also have a mute button in the bottom-right corner of the expanded live video window. The control panel allows you to adjust bitrate, delay, VBR/CBR, and dynamic or fixed delay.

Expanded source info icon

Click the “i” icon to open the receiver status panel.

Receiver Control window - Live expanded view i icon

(7) Publish icon: Click the Publish icon to publish your output video stream to a website type of your choice.

Receiver Control block Publish icon

(8) Advanced icon: Click the Advanced icon to open the Advanced Control page.

Going live with a source

To go live with a source from the Receiver Control page, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Receiver thumbnail block. The expanded information displays below the thumbnail, similar to the My Sources tab.
  2. Click the Source drop-down menu and select a receiver. Then, click the Take button to go live with that source.
Receiver Control window - Live expanded view
  1. Click the thumbnail again to close the window.
 

Publishing a video stream to social media

You can publish your video stream to a social media site when your transmitter source is live on the Receiver Control page.

To publish your source to a social media site, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Publish icon.
Live transmission with publish icon 2
  1. Click the plus “+” icon and choose an output from the Website type drop-down menu.
Publish icon reciever control window - live source
  1. Add your output address. Click the plus “+” icon at the bottom of the window. Then, select a social media name or Other, if appropriate, from the drop-down menu.
  2. In the pop-up window, enter the required information for your selection.
  3. Click Go Live to publish.
  4. To stop your video stream, click the Stop button. Then click the X to close the window.
 

Advanced Control page

To select a receiver complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Route tab and select Receivers from the drop-down menu.
  2. Click on an available receiver name to display source results corresponding to your receiver selection as source thumbnails.
  3. Users can access the Advanced Control page from the Receiver Control page by clicking the Advanced icon in a source block.
Receiver Control page - Advanced operations

The Advanced Control page displays a selected receiver and the sources along with available sources associated with that receiver. The Advanced Control page includes the following six main control panels:

Advanced control page

The Advanced Control page includes the following controls and functions:

(1) Search bar: Search for a source name or PeerID

(2) Source panel thumbnails: This section contains all available sources for the selected receiver, filtering, and search options.

(3) Live/Record mode: These buttons control the content displayed below them. Live mode will show the individual modems for the transmitter and their current status. Record mode will show the console for managing recorded content on the selected transmitter.

(4) Live preview and Take/Stop button: This section contains the live preview window and a drop-down menu for selecting a source to take live. The Take / Stop button, used for starting and stopping a transmission, is also located here.

(5) Control panel: This section contains options for editing the bitrate and delay of a transmission as well as data related to the current status of the transmission such as, quality, error rate, video format, and IFB / VoIP status. You can also find the receiver PID in this section.

(6) Setting gear: Mouse over the setting gear to expand a drop-down menu that shows available configuration options for your selected receiver.

Setting configuration options

(7) Modem monitoring and status: This panel displays the transmitter’s modem histograms and current status.

 

Selecting a source

The source selection panel is located in the left panel of the Advanced Control page.

Advanced Control page - Source panel location

The Source panel menu displays TVU Pack, TVU Grid, G-Link, Local SDI, TVU Anywhere, and External sources.

To select a source, complete the following steps:

  1. In the source panel, click on the desired live source thumbnail.
Source panel indicators
  1. After the source is selected, a red box will frame the thumbnail image.

Note: Selecting a transmitter that has a video preview will start a live session.

  1. The source displays in the preview window. If the live source was previously activated and then stopped, the thumbnail will continue to display with the thumbnail framed in red. To take the source live again, click the Live button.
 

Source status indicators

The source thumbnails will display using one of the following status indicators:

This thumbnail indicates that the video source is offline.

source thumb offline

This thumbnail indicates that the remote source is powered and connected, but no video input is detected.

thumbnail IFB offline

This thumbnail indicates that the video source is online and live video is detected.

thumbnail VoIP online

This thumbnail indicates that the video is a generic external source. Other available external sources are SMPTE, YouTube, or SRT, with their respective thumbnail icons.

Generic external source detected thumbnail indicator

(1) Source video feed thumbnail: When a source is selected and live, the thumbnail is framed with a red box around the thumbnail image.

This thumbnail indicates that the video source is selected and taken live.

thumbnail source video feed online

(2) Source information: Mouse over the thumbnail to display the source information. When a transmitter is online, the transmitter’s name will display below the thumbnail.

Source info dialog - IS plus feature

(3) Search bar: The operator can search for available input sources by name.

(4) IFB indicator (VoIP predecessor): The Interruptible Feedback (IFB) feature used in older model transmitters allows your news operations center to speak directly to a TVU transmitter in the field. The IFB option includes a mixer/preamp. The mixer has a USB port for connecting to your receiver and an XLR and 1/4 in. port for plugging in a microphone.

IFB: To turn on IFB, click “IFB” below the thumbnail. When IFB is on, the background color turns red.

To turn off IFB, click “IFB” below the thumbnail. When IFB is off, the background color turns green as shown below.

VoIP indicator: The VoIP function provides a two-way, higher-quality communication than IFB. Click the VoIP indicator under the live preview to use the VoIP function. When enabled, the VoIP background color turns from green to flashing red to solid red. VoIP is enabled automatically when a live transmission starts.

thumbnail VoIP online

The VoIP/IFB status also displays in the diagnostics “Status” panel on the left side of the interface.

Additionally, if a TVU transmitter has a VoIP or IFB function, only IFB will automatically become enabled when going live.

Refer to the Advanced Operations section for “IFB indicator feature” and the “VoIP indicator feature” for detailed information.

(5) View by thumbnail or list: These features allow the operator to display all of the TVU transmitters and their status in a graphic thumbnail or in a list.

Thumbnail or list view

Located below the search field in the Source panel are three drop-down menus: the Status, Type, and Bookmark menu. These menus have the following functions:

(6) Click the Status drop-down menu below the “Search” bar to select and display any source by Live, Online, or Offline status.

Status drop-down menu

(7) Click the Type drop-down menu below the “Search” bar to select and display any source by type.

Type drop-down menu 2

(8) An operator can also choose source types to display by their status by clicking the Bookmark drop-down menu below the “Search” bar.

Source Bookmark drop-down menu

(9) An operator can also choose source types to display by their status by clicking the Online First drop-down menu below the “Search” bar.

Online first drop down menu

(10) In addition, an operator can choose an external source. Generic External, SMPTE, YouTube, G-Link, and SRT are available external sources. These source types are accessed from the Plus “+” menu.

external source drop down menu 2

Taking a shot live

To take the shot live, open the Advanced Control page and complete the following steps:

  1. Click the thumbnail in the source panel to start a live session with a source not already framed with a red box.
  2. Click the Live button to start a live session with a source framed with a red box.
  3. Set the bitrate, delay, and VBR/CBR settings.
 

Setting the variable bitrate (VBR) and delay

The two primary controls that affect the quality and latency of a live shot are the bitrate and delay sliders.

Advanced control tab bitrate and delay

To set or edit the bitrate and delay, complete the following steps:

  1. Delay: To configure the live shot latency, manually adjust the slider or enter a value in the input box (the maximum delay is 50 seconds by default) and press Enter.

This value is always stable and will not change during the transmission unless it is manually adjusted.
Delays as low as 0.5 seconds should be routinely achievable in good bandwidth conditions. There is a relationship between lower delay and the amount of bandwidth consumed for error correction, and so higher delays of 4 to 10 seconds are recommended for non-latency sensitive transmissions.

  1. Bitrate: Use the slider to select a value, or enter it manually into the input box and press Enter.

A higher value will increase the encoding quality and transmission throughput of the pack (subject to bandwidth availability) to a maximum threshold of 10 Mbps. Bitrates above 5 Mbps should not be required except for fast or high-motion videos, such as sports videos.

Note: The encoding bitrate can be increased for certain specialized applications. Contact Support for details. Changes to the bitrate slider can be made during a live transmission without interrupting the shot.

Note: Adjusting the Delay setting during a live transmission will interrupt the video while the stream rebuffers.

Click the Select drop-down menu to view user-definable presets. Depending on your news-gathering environment, you can define the following preset bitrates and latencies:

Note: Presets can be adjusted. Contact support for more information.

  • User 1 & User 2: These are user definable presets. To program these, users right-click the preset they want to define. Users can then name the preset, change the bitrate, manually set latency, or check Set Current, saving the current latency setting to that preset. Press Apply to program once finished.

Selecting VBR vs. CBR

The TVU system makes use of SmartVBR™ adaptive encoding technology to maximize the reliability of the live transmission. The encoder will detect the bandwidth available and adjust the encoding bitrate up to the maximum value set on the slider. If the SmartVBR detects a drop in available bandwidth, it will decrease the encoding resolution to keep the video stable and smooth.

Variable bitrate (VBR) mode

VBR is the default setting and should be used under most circumstances. Click the VBR drop-down menu above the bitrate slider to select or change the setting.

Constant bitrate (CBR) mode

In some circumstances, turning off the VBR logic and forcing the transmission to CBR mode may be desirable. The encoding will be locked to the configured bitrate in CBR mode regardless of available bandwidth. The most common application for this setting is with IP satellite systems with fixed bandwidth.

Tuning a shot

In a live interactive environment with ample bandwidth, the normal operation would combine a high bitrate with a low delay for a smooth stable transmission. If the bandwidth is constrained and the transmission is not stable at the configured settings, the operator has two primary controls to affect the transmission:

  • Increase the delay of the transmission. An increase in delay causes a reduction in the error correction overhead required for stability. A reduction in overhead frees up more available bandwidth for video quality. The delay can be increased from 0.5-second steps up to 10 seconds.
  • A stepped increase of 0.5 seconds up to a maximum setting of a 10-second delay should be attempted.
  • If the nature of the transmission is especially delay sensitive, or the conditions are very challenging, bitrate reductions should be performed in steps of approximately 500 Kbps until stability is achieved.

Combining these two controls should allow the operator to routinely and reliably manage video streams from challenging environments.

Note: When transmitting a very low movement or still setting, the pack will adjust and use less data until movement is reintroduced. This is normal behavior.

 

IFB indicator feature

The Interruptible Feedback (IFB) feature (used with early model transmitters) allows your news operations center to speak directly to a TVU transmitter in the field without needing telephone contact. The IFB option includes a mixer/preamp. The mixer has a USB port for connecting to your receiver, an XLR, and 1/4-inch ports for plugging in a microphone.

On the TVU transmitter, connect a standard set of headphones to the 3.5 mm audio jack on the unit.

To use the IFB feature, click the IFB indicator until it turns red. The IFB on/off status is also indicated in the “Status” panel on the right side of the interface. Additionally, if a TVU transmitter has an IFB function, the IFB is automatically turned on when that transmitter goes live. Once the live transmission is stopped, the IFB function is turned off.

VoIP and IFB indicators LINUX

The five indicator colors displayed in “IFB indicators” are defined as follows:

  • Red: The IFB function is in use.
  • Green: The IFB function is available but not in use.
  • Green-Gray: Either the transmitter is live with another receiver or using the IFB function with another receiver.
  • Gray: The IFB Function is not available for this transmitter.
 

VoIP indicator feature

VoIP indicator: The VoIP function provides a two-way, higher-quality communication than IFB. Click the VoIP indicator under the live preview to use the VoIP function. When enabled, the VoIP background color turns from green to flashing red to solid red. VoIP is automatically enabled when starting a live transmission and disabled manually by pressing the button.

Note: For VS3500/VS3550 hardware models, an external audio box is required to support XLR audio input/output.

thumbnail VoIP online

Note: The VoIP/IFB status also displays in the diagnostics “Status” panel on the right side of the interface.

VoIP and status indicators

Additionally, if a TVU transmitter has a VoIP or IFB function, both IFB and VoIP will automatically become enabled when going live.

Using the IS+ feature

IS+ is an advanced version of TVU Networks’ Inverse StatMux technology. With superior forward error correction technology, IS+ also has a higher throughput than the standard Inverse StatMux under the same conditions. Additionally, with IS+, file transfers are between 2x and 4x faster than standard Inverse StatMux. This solution enables TVU transmitters to deliver resilient, HD, professional broadcast-quality pictures in even the most challenging wireless environments.

Once IS+ has been installed on a TVU transmitter, “(IS+)” will appear at the end of the PID when you mouse over the source thumbnail, as shown in “IS+ location” below.

IS Plus location
 

TVU Grid source

To view the available Grid sources, Click the Status menu and select a status. Click the Type drop-down menu and select Grid-pack.

TVU Grid source menu
 

Adding an external source

To add an external source to the receiver Web UI, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the plus “+” icon next to the Status drop-down menu. The external source pop-up window displays.
  2. Select an external source from the pop-up window to be added. The four supported formats are:
  • Generic External Source
  • SMPTE2022 Source
  • YouTube Source
  • G-Link Source
  • SRT Source
external source drop down menu
  1. A pop-up window displays each external selection. Enter the appropriate information as follows:
add external source window
add external smpt source
add external srt source
add external youtube source
add external glink source
  1. Name the source and click Add. A thumbnail icon of the added source will display as a selection in the source menu.
 

Data transmission monitor panel

The data transmission monitor panel is located below the preview panel.

Advanced Control page - Data transmission monitor panel

The data transmission monitor panel includes visual modem histograms with the following controls and functions:

Modem histogram controls and functions

(1) Data transmission monitor panel: This panel displays the current number and status of all data connections. The status of the connection appears as green, red, yellow, or gray.

(2) Check box: There is a check box and status bar associated with each card. The check box enables or disables a data connection. If unchecked, it will not be used to pass data. If the box is checked (default), the connection will be used to pass data.

(3) Monitor histogram: Displays status, throughput, and the IP address of each modem.

(4) Connection mode and connection strength indicator: The connection mode displays next to the connection strength, which is indicated with three bars.

(5) Configuration menu: This modem configuration icon connects to the WEB UI of the pack.

(6) Reset: Provides a full-power reset for a modem. This feature is used when the modem is no longer able to connect or is experiencing a problem. Click the Reset icon to force the modem to power cycle and reset.

(7) Connection name and status: Individual read-out panels show the carrier name (when available) of each active card. The slot number of each datacard is indicated in front of the carrier name. To retrieve the IP Address of a datacard, mouse over the name of that datacard. If a name is not automatically provided and is displayed as <name>, you can enter your preferred name. However, this will reset upon reboot.

Modem histogram

(8) Scale: The Scale drop-down menu allows the operator to set the scale for the histogram. When the scale is changed, it will affect all of the histograms displayed. Selection settings are 1.2 Mbps, 2.4 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 30 Mbps, 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 120 Mbps, 150 Mbps, 180 Mbps, and 200 Mbps.

Histogram scale drop-down menu

(9) Mode selection and mode indicator lights: The currently selected mode displays as a green-lighted tab. The modes that can be chosen are:

  • Live: The Live mode is the primary interface used during a Live transmission. When this tab is selected, the status of each of the data card network connections displays.
  • Record: The Record mode displays the store and forward interface to preview, download, and manage TVU Transmitter stored footage and files transferred via Auto Sync. Files transferred via FTP can also be accessed via this interface.
  • Transcriber: The Transcriber tab also displays if the Transcriber feature is enabled.
Data transmission panel Mode selections

Note: Refer to “TVU Command Center File based workflows Rev A EN 07-2023” for information about the record function.

 

Live and record modes

Live and record modes are located in the data transmission panel.

The Live and Record tabs control the content that displays for each histogram. The live mode will show the individual modems for the transmitter and their current status. Record mode will show the console for managing recorded content on the selected transmitter.

Note: Refer to “TVU Command Center File based workflows Rev A EN 07-2023” for information about Live and record operations.

Working with datacards

The data transmission monitor panel has three tabs, Live, Record, and Transcriber as shown below.

Live and record tab locations

In the Live tab, the checkboxes associated with each data connection status bar enables or disables the data connection. The box is enabled (checked) by default.

  1. Click the check box to select and use the data connection. If the box is unchecked, the card will not be used to pass data.

Note: When a datacard is installed, the carrier name and the slot number displays next to the check box.

Modem check box
  1. To change the scale of the modem histogram, click the top right Auto drop-down menu to display the value menu. Then, click to select a desired maximum value.

Note: Changing the value will affect all modem histograms.

Data transmission Auto selection
  1. To retrieve the IP address of a datacard, mouse over the name of the datacard field.
datacard name and IP LINUX
  1. If there appears to be no name associated with the card, you can enter your own name, which is displayed as <name>.

Note: The name change will reset itself upon a reboot.

The color indicators displayed within the carrier name panel indicate the following status:

  • Red: Not connected but dialing
  • Green: Connected and passing traffic
  • Yellow: Connected but not passing traffic
  • Gray: Disconnected or unplugged
 

Manual modem configuration

To manually configure a transmitters’ modems, complete the following steps:

  1. In the source panel, click the desired source thumbnail. When selected, the source is framed with a red box.
Status icons Live and offline LINUX
  1. To configure the modem, click the gear icon above the histogram of the source.
Data Transmission and Monitoring panel LINUX
  1. Click the Setting gear icon and select Auto to open the hotspot menu.
  2. The modem configuration of the pack is accessible on the modem option in the dropdown menu.

Note: Refer to TVU One Models FHD and 4K Software User Guide Advance configuration page.

Select modem option
Modem menu
  1. To save your configuration changes, click Apply.

Manual carrier selection when roaming

To manually select which carrier a modem will roam on, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Manual radio button at the bottom of the Modem configuration screen.
modem menu config  when roaming
  1. Click the Scan Carrier button. The roaming modem will automatically generate a list of available carriers.
  2. Click to select a desired Carrier. Then, Click Apply to confirm your selection.
Manual modem selection
 

Setting menu

The Setting gear is located in the top-right corner of the Advanced Controls page. Click the gear to open the Advanced setting menu to select your available setting options.

The controls and functions in this menu are as follows:

  • Basic Setting
  • File Browser
  • Feature Control
  • Grid encoder
  • GLink encoder
  • Transcriber
  • SDI output setting
  • IP Stream Out
  • Locate all Pack Position
  • Set location

Refer to “Settings page” for more information.

Setting configuration options
 

Video preview panel

The video preview panel shows the live video output state or the offline state screens. The preview panel has audio control capability. When a video is live, the operator can mute or unmute the audio to the live video by clicking the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the preview screen.

Note: The audio button only affects the audio output to your Web browser. It does not affect the SDI output to your receiver.

When a source is live, the video preview displays in the preview window, and the red Stop button displays. To stop the transmission, click the red Stop button.

Advanced Control page - Video preview panel

When a source is not live, the video preview displays the following TVU slate, and the green Take button displays.

Advanced Control tab - Video preview output state

Take/Stop button: The Take/Stop button allows the operator to stop or restart a live transmission from a selected source.

Advanced Control tab - Video preview offline state
 

Setting panel controls

The setting panel controls are located as shown below.

Advanced Control page - Control setting panel location

The setting panel includes the following controls and functions:

Advanced Control page - Control setting panel functions

(1) Delay control: Set your desired latency and then set the maximum bitrate you would like to utilize. When in “Live” mode, the error rate and picture quality will automatically adjust based on the desired latency and the available bandwidth to produce the highest quality picture.

(2) Bitrate control: The TVU receiver has a smart VBR scaling system. This means that the unit will automatically adjust the bitrate to output the best quality picture based on the desired latency. To effectively take advantage of the smart VBR scaling system, set your desired latency and then set the maximum bitrate you would like to utilize.

(3) Adaptive delay control (Dynamic/fixed) for Grid only: Controls the dynamic buffering feature of Grid. When set to dynamic mode (recommended), the receiver will automatically increase the stream buffer as required to ensure stable transmission. This selection maximizes stream stability but at the potential cost of increasing the delay/latency. The Fixed mode will lock the Grid stream to a specific delay but will allow errors if the setting is too aggressive. It is recommended that dynamic mode is normally utilized. Where fixed mode is enabled, the operator should pay extra attention to the stream stability with their given setting.

(4) VBR/CBR: The TVU receiver has a smart VBR scaling system.

Refer to “Setting the variable bitrate (VBR) and delay” for more information about VBR/CBR.

Advanced Control page - Mode selection menu

(5) Preset selection menu (operational): Click the Select drop-down menu to view user-definable presets.

Note: Presets can be adjusted, contact support for more information.

 

Status panel diagnostics

Arranged vertically in the Status panel are many indicators designed to help an operator make quality and troubleshooting decisions. Information such as error rate and line quality are displayed as well as a quality histogram that depicts the total transmission encoding bitrate over a period. The histogram’s scale can be changed by selecting a different display option on the drop-down menu. The status of the transmitter’s batteries also displays.

Advanced Control page - Status panel diagnostics

The Status panel diagnostics are located as shown below.

The Status panel includes the following controls and functions:

Advanced Control tab - Diagnostics panel

(1) Input and output formats: “Input” displays the video input format of the transmitter. “Output” displays the receiver output setting.

Note: The receiver output format follows the input format. When the Input Match feature within Feature Control is enabled.

The TVU Pack input and receiver output should match. The receiver software is not intended to convert or adjust the resolution. In the event of a mismatch, the receiver will attempt a format conversion, but this may result in a loss of video quality and the removal of closed captions from the transmission.

(2) IFB status: The IFB status and the IFB Signal display. The IFB signal has a strength meter that depicts the input level of the IFB.

(3) VoIP status: The VoIP Signal has a strength meter that depicts the input level.

(4) Quality histogram/Quality link: The quality histogram below the Quality link displays a 5-minute aggregate histogram of the live transmission.

 

Settings page

The settings icon in the top-right navigation offers options to change settings that affect other areas within Command Center. They include creating bookmark groups, adding external sources, adding user-level accounts, and locating individual hardware devices.

Settings gear

The first tab that is opened by default when navigating to the setting tab is the Preferences tab.

The Setting page has the following features and controls:

Preferences page 1

(1) Preference: The Preference tab allows users to enable notification confirmations for starting and stopping a live transmission and to show Geo-location over thumbnails.

(2) Device: The Device tab in the Setting window allows a user to view available paired receivers and source data and the option to rename a device.

settings device

To use the Device tab functions, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Device tab. The Device window displays.
  2. To locate a specific device, enter the PID in the search bar and press Enter.
  3. To display Bookmarked devices, click the Bookmark drop-down menu and make a selection.
  4. To display a device by type, click the Type drop-down menu and make a selection.
  5. To display a device by location, click the Location drop-down menu.
  6. To rename a device, click Edit in the right column and rename the device. Click Save.
Edit device name window

(3) Account: The Account tab in the Setting window allows you (the administrative account holder) to create user-level accounts for your colleagues. It is highly recommended that you do this, as the administrator account has unrestricted power over all devices and sources in your Command Center. You can set restrictions such as the ability to go live and stop live, gain access to specific receivers and sources, and gain access to other features. TVU discourages sharing the administrator account credentials with others.

Please use real e-mail addresses. Refer to the account creation window below, which offers access customization.

To create a user-level account, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Role Management button in the Account tab.
settings account
  1. Click the Plus “+” icon. The Add a role window displays.
  2. Click the Plus “+” icon. The Create Role page displays.
Settings page add role
settings account role management create roll
  1. Fill in the required fields and click Save.
  2. After you create an account, the new account email displays in the account tab list.
  3. Click an email address in the list. The Relation Management screen opens. Note that User name and status fields display at the top of the window.
Relation management bookmark
  1. In the Available Device column, enter the receiver PID into the search field.
  2. Select the device(s) you would like your user to have access to and click the Add or Add All button to move your selection(s) to the Binding Device column.
  3. Click the Save button when finished.

(4) External source: The External source tab allows the user to add external sources such as YouTube, EXT, and SMPTE2022 sources to their source list.

settings external source tab
  1. To create an external source, Click the External Source tab.
  2. Enter your receiver’s PID in the search field. Then, click the plus “+” icon. The Add External Source window opens.
  3. Select the Type of source from the Type drop-down menu.
  4. Enter the URL if required and enter a Name. Then, Click Save.
  5. The external source displays in the External Source list.
add external source selection menu

(5) Operation log: The Operations log lists a user’s Command Center activity. The activity can be filtered by date, operation type, and email.

settings operational tab

(6) Bookmark: The Bookmark tab in the Setting window allows a user to create a group of devices and sources. The device and source groups you create are available in the bookmark menus on other Command Center tabs.

For example, you could create a group of receivers and sources that are meant only for a particular team within your organization.

settings bookmark tab

To create a bookmark group complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Bookmark tab.
  2. Hover over My Bookmark. Click the plus “+” icon to make a new group. The Create Bookmark window displays.
  3. Enter a Bookmark name and click Save. Close the window.
  4. To add a device to your bookmark, Select your bookmark name from the bookmark panel. Then, click the Add Device button.
  5. The Relation Management window opens. Note that the bookmark name displays at the top of the Relation Management.
  6. Enter the Available device PID or Name in the search field. A list of available devices displays in the Available Device column.
  7. Select an available device name to add to the Binding device column. Click the Add or Add All button to move the device(s) to the Binding Device column.
  8. Click Save to save your entries.
Relation management bookmark

(7) Social Account: The Social Account tab allows users to quickly and easily transmit to a supported CDN such as Facebook and YouTube. Only receivers that are currently live with a source display in the Live Video screen.

social account tab menu

There are two methods available for sharing, using the Publish button on a live receiver’s thumbnail via a saved social media account in the Social Account tab or using the Facebook Share Directly button on one of your live receiver thumbnails.

The Social Account tab has the following features and controls:

Live video sources

To enable the Video preview functions, complete the following steps:

  1. To share with other CDNs besides Facebook, add your social media account, click the Social Account tab and the plus “+” icon, and follow the instructions.
  2. After you add your account, return to the Live Video preview and click the Publish button on the thumbnail of the receiver you would like to share.
  3. Select the account you want to use and click the Share button to begin sharing.
  4. Click the Stop button to stop sharing.

Social Account tab

To share with Facebook complete the following steps:

  1. Add your Facebook account via the Social Account tab, then use the Facebook Share Directly button on the live receiver thumbnail you want to share.
  2. Click the Authenticate radio button. The Output Setting window opens.
  3. Add your desired details. Then, click Go Live to start sharing.
  4. To stop sharing, click the Publish button on the receiver’s thumbnail and click Stop.

(8) Access APP: The Access App function in the Access App tab allows a user to set up an API access app by company name.

settings account

To set up an API Access App, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Access App tab.
  2. Enter a Company Name in the field to verify any existing accounts.
  3. Click the plus “+” icon in the Access App tab. The Create an Access window opens.
  4. Enter the company name and select the activation method radio buttons.
  5. Click the Save button.
Settings Access App create access

(9) Licensed Feature Report: The Licensed feature report in the Setting tab allows a user to filter and view Command Center licensed features by Command Center tab, Account, Role, and Owner email address.

settings licensed feature report

To use the Command Center licensed features, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Licenced Feature Report tab. The Licensed Feature Report window displays.
  2. Use the Drop-down menu to select Command Center tab access.
  3. Click the calendar icons to select a date range. Then, click the Filter button.
  4. To review an activation time by account, click the account name in the list.
  5. The Account activation setting window opens.
  6. When finished, click Ok.
settings account role management
  1. To create a new role, click the Account tab. Click the plus”+” in the Role Management window.
  2. In the Create Role pop-up window, enter a role name and select the corresponding checkbox and selection information.
  3. Click Save.
settings account role management create roll
 

Monitor tab

The Monitor tab provides users with the ability to watch a full-motion video of their receivers that are currently live. Users can listen to the output audio, full-screen individual windows, and use VoIP controls to communicate with each receiver’s respective TVU Pack.

The Multi-view tab includes the following controls and functions:

  • Receiver selection drop-down: Clicking here will open a menu of available live receivers to add to the multi-view windows. There is also the option to add a bookmark group of receivers in the Settings > Bookmark tab.
  • VoIP start button: Clicking the VoIP start button (the green phone icon), will open a small window displaying available TVU Packs to start a VoIP call with. Select the number of packs and click “Start the call” to begin communication from your local PC to the selected packs. The call button will become red when a call is active. Click the red button to end the call.
  • View selections: You can increase the number of available windows by selecting one of these viewing option icons. There is a maximum of 25 windows. A full-screen button is also present that will collapse the Command Center navigation bar when selected.
 

Grid tab

The new TVU Grid for Command Center features form part of a three-tiered service that allows TVU Command Center account owners to access and manage Grid sources outside of their traditional organizational boundaries. This new Grid service uses the expanded Command Center user interface to search for, request, and go live with these sources.

Refer to the TVU Grid for Command Center QSUG for more information.

 

Token tab

Token is a feature accessible within the TVU Command Center User Interface. The TVU Anywhere app integrates with the token feature, which allows an operator to perform automatic receiver pairing without the intervention of TVU Support.

Token tab Create new token

To use the TVU Anywhere token feature, it requires a token license activation from TVU Support.

Refer to the TVU Anywhere Token Quick Start User Guide for detailed information about using this feature with TVU Anywhere.

The TVU Anywhere Token Quick Start guide provides instructions to complete the following tasks:

  • Activating the TVU Command Center token feature
  • Creating a TVU Anywhere token
  • Accepting a token using the TVU Anywhere app
  • Editing device information
  • Delete or deny a token
  • Creating a hotspot connection to a TVUPack

Refer to the TVU Grid Token Quick Start User Guide for detailed information about using the Grid Token feature.

The TVU Grid Token Quick Start User Guide provides instructions to complete the following tasks:

  • Activating the TVU Command Center token feature
  • Creating a Grid token
  • Editing token information
  • Pairing the Grid source tokens
  • User request for Token acceptance
  • Accepting a token using the Command Center UI
  • Editing device information
  • Delete or deny a token
 

TVU Linux receiver settings

The Advanced Control page Settings drop-down menu displays the following General and Basic configuration setting selections:

Setting configuration options

General

The General setting window allows users to:

  • Select a time zone.
  • Enable Custom NTP service. When enabled, the Time Lock feature will become disabled.
  • Configure Microphone and speaker devices.
  • Enable VoIP to start with live.
  • Enable a prompt warning when stopping a live transmission.
  • When using the Progressive download feature, choose to auto-convert recorded streams to MOV, MXF, and MP4 formats.
Setting general window
 

Basic setting Network IP and port mapping

To review the Network IP and port mapping settings, click the Settings gear and select Basic Setting. The TVU Networks Setup page displays.

Setting Basic Network setup web control

The TVU Network Setup page has the following controls.

Network setup page

The TVU Network Setup page contains the following configurable panels:

(1) Home button – Opens the TVU WebR page

(2) Network settings

(3) DNS settings

(4) Web Control – Displays PIDs

(5) System settings – Restart Service, Factory Reset, Restart System, Update firmware, and Shut Down controls.

Click the Home button in the top right corner of the interface to access links from the WebR.

Receiver landing page

The WebR page includes the following links:

Web Control
Network Setup
File Browser
Migration
Port Test
Security Update (beta)
Service Control

Refer to the “TVU Receiver Hardware Setup User Guide, Models VS3100, VS3200, VS3250, VS3500, and VS3500 – Linux” for hardware set up and configuration instructions.

 

Feature Control

Many features in the Feature Control menu must be enabled before they can be used. To access the Feature Control menu and enable features, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Route tab and select Receivers from the drop-down menu.
  2. In the Receiver Control window, click the Advanced icon.
  3. To open the Feature Control settings dialog, click the Settings gear in the top-right panel and select Feature Control.
feature control setting

The Feature Control dialog displays.

setting feature control window
  1. Move the slider to the right to enable a feature, or move the slider to the left to disable a feature.
  2. Restart the receiver software for changes to take place.

Feature Control settings are as follows. These features may be enabled or disabled in the Feature Control dialog:

  • Auto Download: Enable the Auto download feature if you want a live session to download after the session stops automatically.
  • Auto Live resume: This feature will automatically resume the last live source in the event that the receiver shuts down.
  • Auto Record: When Auto Record is enabled, live transmissions from the receiver are recorded to local storage.
  • Auto Sync: Auto Sync is a high-speed file transfer feature that automatically pushes the files from the transmitter to the receiver using IS+.
    • There are two Auto Sync methods you can use to send files to the TVU receiver automatically:
      • You can perform Auto Sync by inserting a USB stick into the transmitter.
      • You can use the TVU transmitter wireless hotspot feature to transfer files directly to the TVU transmitter for upload.
  • External Source Receiving: When enabled, this feature allows the operator to connect to external video sources, including YouTube, by using an IP address or URL.
  • IP Streaming Output: The live video transmission is encoded into an IP format and can be sent to six remote locations.
  • Input match: The receiver SDI output will be converted to match the source input resolution setting.
  • Live Encoder Support: The Live Encoder support controls one function.
    • Enabling the operation of the Command Center Share function when used in conjunction with a social media account.
  • Local SDI: The operator can view SDI input as a local source.
  • Remote File Storage: Use the Remote File Storage to push downloaded files to external FTP receivers.
  • SDI to IP: Enables an SDI input to be used for IP streaming output.
  • TVUG-Link Encoder TVU G-Link encoder feature slider enables the G-Link encoder on the transceiver.
  • TVUG-Link Receiving: The G-Link decoder feature enables the TVU transceiver to receive the encoding of a G-Link enabled TVU transceiver.
  • TVU Transcriber: TVU Transcriber is a real-time speech-to-text transcribing service. For detailed information, refer to the TVU Transcriber Feature Guide.
  • TVUGrid Encoder: Enable the encoding of a TVU pack or local SDI stream to Grid.
  • TVUGrid Receiving: Set to receive Grid feeds.
  • TVUMe Receiving: TVUMe allows news organizations to connect with video content providers and freelancers worldwide to exchange live and recorded content.
  • TVUPack Receiving: Enable TVUPack Receiving to allow the encoding of the pack stream or local SDI stream to Grid.
  • Time Lock: The Time Lock feature enables multiple TVU One’s to synchronize with other receivers at the same set latency.
  • Token Service: The Token Service allows users to create and share Grid and TVU Anywhere Tokens.
  • Video Feedback: Enables the remote video feedback function, encoding content at the receiver and sending it to field equipment for remote monitoring.
  • Vision Tag: Used to enable/disable live MediaMind AI facial and location recognition.
  • Web File Support: Enables ENPS integration functions.
 

Grid Encoder

To view the Grid Encoder feature, ensure the feature is enabled in the Feature Control window. Then, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the Settings menu and select Grid Encoder.
Grid encoder

The Grid Encoder dialog window displays.

Setting Grid encoder window
  1. Click the Source drop-down menu to select which type of source you would like to be available on output 1.

Note: Output 2 will always use the SDI input as its source.

setting grid encoder menu selections
  1. When finished, close the window.
 

GLink Encoder

TVU G-Link encoder feature slider enables the G-Link encoder on the transceiver. G-Link Encoder allows users to configure their video’s bitrate for G-Link and select a codec.

Note: Refer to TVU G link software feature user guide for more information.

  1. To configure the GLink source, open the Settings menu and select GLink Encoder.
glink encoder

The GLink Encoder window opens.

setting glink encoder window
  1. In the Output 1 panel, select a source from the Source drop-down menu.
  2. Make a CODEC selection.
  3. Set the Bitrate and enter a Port number.
  4. In the Output 2 panel select a CODEC.
  5. Set the Bitrate and enter a Port number.
 

SDI Output settings

SDI settings can be configured for single or dual-output receivers. To access the SDI Output settings dialog, click Settings and select SDI Output Setting.

The SDI Output Setting window opens.

setting SDI output setting window

SDI Output settings overview:

On: Enable SDI Output.
Card ID: When enabled, use the Card ID drop-down to select either 1 or 2 for the SDI output.

Note: If the card ID is set to 1, then the video output will be the center BNC connector. If the card ID is set to 2, then the video output will be the far right connector.

TX3200v4 Transceiver Back panel

Refer to “Dual output receiver configurations”.

  • Output Format: Use the Output format drop-down menu to select a resolution for your video output.
  • 3G-SDI formats: Choose a format. Select SMPTE Level A or SMPTE Level B from the drop-down menu.
  • Custom logo: To add a logo to your SDI output, check the Custom logo checkbox, enter the X and Y offset positions. Click the Plus “+” to add a logo and follow the prompts.
  • Aspect: Select an aspect ratio from the drop-down menu.
  • Last Frame: Select Logo from the Last Frame drop-down to output the TVU slate screen. Select Last Frame to repeat the last frame or select Black for no image.
  • Last Frame lasts for N seconds: Enter a value for the “Last Frame” selection to display.
  • Audio Channels: Use the Audio Channels drop-down to select 2, 8, or 16 audio channels.
  • Output -12 db audio while standing by (checkbox): Click the check box to enable a 12 db audio output along with the TVU slate. When the box is unchecked, the 12 db audio output is disabled, and the TVU slate is only enabled.
  • Stay on the last frame during transmission interruption (checkbox): Click this checkbox to enable the “Last Frame” and “Last Frame to last for N seconds” settings in the event of a transmission interruption.

Note: In the event of any changes made to the SDI Output setting dialog, you are prompted to restart the receiver for settings to take effect.

 

Dual output receiver configurations

With a dual-receiver configuration, an operator can access each receiver by completing the following steps:

  1. Click the receiver PID drop-down menu and select a receiver from the list.
Web Control menu Network Setup

Log in to the TVU receiver UI.

Login screen
 

IP and Port Mapping

The IP and Port Mapping setting enables users to add a receiver IP and configure the port mapping.

  1. To configure a receiver IP, click the Settings menu and select IP and Port Mapping.

The IP and Port Mapping window opens.

setting IP and port mapping
  1. Click the Plus “+” to add a Receiver IP to Slot 2.
  2. Fill in the appropriate fields and click Apply.
IP and port mapping add window
 

Token Service

The Token Service allows users to create and share Grid and TVU Anywhere sources that they have ownership of by creating Tokens.

To Create Tokens, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the Settings menu and select Token Service.
Token service

The Token Service page displays.

setting token service window
  1. Click the Create a new Token tab and enter a Receiver Name and Receiver ID.
  2. Click the Get IP button to obtain the Receiver IP.
  3. Enter the Receiver Time Span.
  4. To add a second receiver, Click the Plus “+” button, and enter the IP address and Time Span in the provided fields.
  5. Enter the Receiver Email, Transmitter Name, Transmitter PID, and Transmitter Email.
  6. Click the Create button.
  7. In the Set a Token tab, Enter the Token information and click the Set Token button.
setting token service set token
 

Auto Download feature

To enable the Auto Download feature, complete the following steps from the Advanced Control page:

  1. Open the Settings menu and select Feature Control.
feature control setting

The Feature Control settings menu displays.

setting feature control window
  1. Drag the Auto Download switch to the right until it turns green.
  2. Click the Apply and Restart Now button.
  3. Close the Feature Control window and refresh the screen.
  4. To ensure that Auto download has been enabled, open the Settings menu. The Auto download displays as a selection. Click Auto download.
Auto download menu

The Auto Download pop-up dialog displays.

Auto download Linux
  1. Enable Auto Download and close the pop-up window.
 

Progressive Download feature

If the TVU receiver is available, the TVU transmitter can automatically trigger the immediate upload of a mirror image of a high-resolution clip from its SSD to the TVU receiver by pressing the camcorder’s record button. The TVU receiver will display the download process.

To use the Progressive Download feature, complete the following steps from the Advanced Control tab:

  1. To access the Progressive Download dialog, open the Settings menu and select General.
General

The General pop-up dialog displays.

Progressive download
  1. In the Progressive Download panel, click the Auto-Convert to drop-down menu to select from three conversion options for the mirror image.
  2. When finished, click Apply and click the X to close the window.
 

Locate All Pack Positions

Locate All pack positions dialog displays the location of all live TVU Packs using GPS.

To view pack positions, open the Settings menu and select Locate All Pack Positions.

Locate pack position

The GPS location window opens.

Geo sources

Use your mouse to hover over the location pin to display the TVU Packs’ PID.

Geo locations and controls

Notes:

  • In order to improve the location accuracy, make sure the TVU Pack is connected to a WiFi card.
  • If there is no real-time GPS data for a TVU transmitter, cache GPS data will be used for that TVU transmitter, and the location pin displays red.
 

Source GPS Tracking and locations

From the Source Control window, top-right navigation pane, the geographic location of the transmitted video and tracking information are available.

  1. To locate the physical location of a source, click the geo-location icon.
Source Control window Geo location icon
  1. To Track a device by mode, click the Tracking icon. The Tracking window opens. Select a Tracking mode.
Tracking mode
  1. Select a Device.
Tracking device
  1. Click Search to display your results.

© Copyright 2023 TVU Networks Corporation. All rights reserved in all media.
Document Part Number: TVU Command Center User Guide Rev A EN 07-2023

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