Head Configuration

An output head is a single physical video output on a server, such as a port on a VFC card or a standard graphics output. Each head is configured on its own from its settings menu, and you can check its status at a glance from the colour-coded feed view.

To configure a head:

1. Right-click the head’s name, or anywhere in its coloured box, to open its settings menu.
2. Edit the properties you need, such as its resolution, timing mode or latency (see Output Head Properties below).
3. Apply the feed settings to push any resolution or timing changes to the physical output. Other changes take effect live.
4. Check the head’s colour in the feed view to confirm its status.

Output Head Colour

The Feed UI enables users to maintain a visual reference of the status of each head through a simple, colour-coded system. This means users are now able to quickly and easily identify which display needs attention, as well as the severity of any issue encountered, simply by looking at the head’s colour.

Green - Head configured

Red - Refresh rate is different

Orange - Head settings have changed, you must apply feed settings for the changes to take effect

Blue - Designer machine

Grey - output not connected or no machine present

Flashing Blue and Grey - Machine is currently applying feed settings

Output Head Settings

Each output head’s settings menu lets you both monitor and modify the head’s settings. The properties available are described below.

Note

For optimal performance, all output heads should be configured with identical refresh rate and resolution, with all heads genlocked if a sync signal is present, or set to none/internal if no sync signal is present.

Output Head Properties

Head Name

Allows users to type in specific names for each output head. Those names are set as Output 1, 2, etc by default on non-VFC machines, and as A, B, C and D for each individual Quad VFC head.

Port Status

Allows users to monitor the status of each head. Any problems encountered will be listed here (see above section on Output Head Colour). If no problems are detected, it will say Normal, and the head colour will be green.

Custom Resolution

This field is used to set a custom resolution for ports that support it.

Note

Any resolution changes need to be applied by using the Apply Feed Settings button to the left of the feed scene. See Apply Feed Settings.

Timing Mode

Sets how the output’s video signal timing is determined:

• Auto: Designer uses the standard timing for the output’s resolution and refresh rate.
• SMPTE: forces a standard broadcast (SMPTE) signal timing for SDI outputs that must conform to a specific broadcast specification.

Matrix Inputs

Allows users to directly route inputs when connected to a matrix. For more information, please refer to the Direct Matrix Routing page.

Output Properties

Status

Indicates the status of the output’s configuration and reports any issues if detected

Temperature

Displays the current operating temperature for the output

House-Sync

Shows whether this output is genlocked, meaning it is locked to an external “house sync” reference signal so its frame timing stays aligned with every other output and machine sharing that signal. Frame-accurate synchronisation across machines requires all outputs to be genlocked to a shared reference.

Current Output

The current Resolution and Refresh rate for this output.

EDID Emulation

EDID is the data a display sends back to identify itself and the resolutions and timings it supports. Media-server outputs often drive LED processors or displays that don’t present a usable EDID, or need to hold a fixed resolution regardless of what is connected. Designer can therefore present a stored (“emulated”) EDID to the GPU, so the output stays stable even when no display is plugged in.

The available EDID emulation modes are:

• Always: emulate the EDID at all times, even when no display is connected.
• If Connected: emulate the EDID only while a display is connected to the output.
• Unmanaged: leave the current EDID emulation untouched.
• Force Off: don’t emulate an EDID, and remove an existing emulated one if set.

Note

Outputs cannot genlock if their resolutions match but their EDIDs differ, so keep EDID emulation consistent across heads you intend to synchronise.

Feed Properties

The Feed Properties drop-down menu contains changes that are mostly related to the way a head appears in the feed scene:

Background Colour

This option allows users to change the background colour of each head by using a colour from the colour picker. It is output to the connected display.

Lineup Background

Allows the user to put a background image on the output to line up feed rectangles to. It is NOT output to the connected display.

Matrix Outputs

Allows users to directly route outputs when connected to a matrix. For more information, please refer to the Direct Matrix Routing page.

Live Dot

Allows users to add a single flashing pixel to provide visual reassurance that the output is in working order. Useful when outputting black or still content.

Latency

Delays this output head by a number of frames, so you can align it with other heads or downstream equipment. The range is −30 to +30 frames. A positive value delays this head; a negative value instead delays all other heads, which is useful when this head is running late and you want to hold the others back to match it.