DMS: Live TV Support

A non-HDCP encrypted HDMI source or component video YPbPr source is fed into the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle capture adaptor. The capture adaptor is then connected to a USB hub, and the hub is then connected to the USB port on the ADFLOW Media Player. Note, this device is a USB 3.0 device and must be plugged into the USB 3.0 port on the player. The USB port is typically blue and identified with a "SS".

Setting the Source and Connectivity Validation

Setting the video source

From the Windows administrator account open the "Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup" application and click the centre setup button.

Select the "Video Input" tab and select the desired input source, save and close.

 

 

Setting the audio source (if necessary)

From the Windows administrator account open the Windows "Control Panel" and select "Sound". Click the "Recording" tab and select the Blackmagic Line In device, click "Properties". Click the "Listen" tab and ensure "Listen to this device" has been selected. Apply and close.

 

Connectivity Validation

Launch the "Blackmagic Media Express" application. Verify you see the Intensity Shuttle capture adaptor in the list, if you do not see it listed check your cable connections and reboot if necessary. If it is still not present escalate the issue to the appropriate parties.

Once connectivity is verified check for your source. This is done by clicking the "Log and Capture" tab. As soon as this tab is selected the source video should appear on the screen as shown below. If no source content is displayed, it could be related to any of the following:

1. The source device is not on.
2. The source device is not functioning correctly or its outputting an incompatible resolution.
3. The source device is outputting HDCP protected content.

 

If video from your source is still not seen after verifying the items mentioned above, escalate the issue to the appropriate parties.

 

Integration with Adflow DMS and Playback of Live TV

Integration with DMS refers to the ability to create Live TV spots and schedule them.

A Live TV spot is a zip file with a specific manifest. A sample is attached below. Within the zip, there are 3 required files:

• background.jpg
• index.html
• playback.hints

Of these files, only background.jpg should ever be changed. It represents an image to display if playback fails, and it will be displayed for 10 seconds. The index.html file allows the background.jpg to be previewed within DMS, and the playback.hints file tells Player 10 which playback process to use for playing the spot.

When uploaded to DMS, the zip file must not be flagged as interactive, and the desired duration must be provided.

Scheduling a Live TV spot is the same as scheduling any other spot in DMS. One or more Live TV spots may be added to one or more Digital Signage campaigns. Live TV spots may be flagged as full-screen. Only a single display (zone) on a media player can have Live TV spots scheduled.

Limitations / Known Issues

• The set top box / video source should be configured to output at 720p or 480p, at a refresh rate up to 60Hz. Deinterlacing is not yet supported, so 480i and 1080i will not look good.
• During startup, if the Blackmagic playback process fails to detect the Blackmagic device or input signal, the playback process will display an image, associated with the spot it is playing, for 10 seconds.
• During playback, if the Blackmagic device is lost, the Blackmagic playback process cannot detect the Blackmagic device, the playback process will display an image, associated with the spot it is playing, for 10 seconds.
• During playback, if the input signal is lost, the Blackmagic playback process cannot detect this condition. As such, a black screen will be displayed for the balance of the spot's duration.
• On a plan change, the playback process will be launched again (if the new plan contains a Live TV spot). This will produce an initialization warning, and the playback process will display an image, associated with the spot it is playing, for 10 seconds.
• Audio and video may drift out of synch over time. If this occurs, the Live TV spot duration should be reduced to maintain synchronization.
• Transitions are not 100% seamless. When the playback process loads, there is small window of time where a subtle flicker may be observed on the transition from loading to loaded.  Audio may be heard a fraction of second before video is visible.
• Supported input types, resolutions and refresh rates are as follows. Interlaced formats are not recommended.
  • Component - 480i @ 60Hz
  • Component - 480p @ 60Hz
  • HDMI - 720p @ 24Hz
  • HDMI - 720p @ 50Hz
  • HDMI - 720p @ 59Hz
  • HDMI - 720p @ 60Hz (recommended)
  • HDMI - 1080i @ 50Hz
  • HDMI - 1080i @ 59Hz
  • HDMI - 1080i @ 60Hz
  • HDMI - 1080p @24Hz