1.5 | Setting up video I/O

Here you define compositing color space and your video inputs and outputs.

Compositing

Compositing color space

Choose the project's compositing color space.

Linear space
- Photorealistic compositing
- For HDR and end-to-end color-managed workflows
Video space (legacy)
- No color management or HDR output

Learn more about compositing color space, color management and linear compositing.

Video input

All camera systems are listed by default.

Add additional media inputs, if you need untracked video sources in your level. For example, the input for a virtual monitor
1. Name your media input
Optionally override the default settings:
1. Choose the input format (resolution and frame rate) of your camera systems and media inputs
  - The frame rate of inputs and outputs must be the same!
    For example, if your production needs to output in 50p, choose a 50p output format and set your physical camera and the camera system in Director up to match.
  - To activate the deinterlacer, choose an input format with the "id" suffix (for example, "HD - 1080id - 50")
2. Choose the color profile
3. Choose a color space from the selected color profile
4. Choose the transfer type
5. Choose the input type:
  - For a camera system - video signal with tracking data
    - Internal Keyer - the video is keyed with Pixotope's internal keyer
    - External Keyer Fill/Key - the video is keyed externally and comes in using a Fill and Key signal
    - Input Camera - the video is used as is
  - For a media input - video signal with no tracking
    - Input Media - the video is used as is
    - Input Media with Key - the video is keyed externally and comes in using a Fill and Key signal

Best practice for SDR/HDR pipelines

SDR camera → SDR pipeline/display

Compositing color space: "Video space"
Color management settings are ignored
Optional: use tone mapper for 3D graphics

For advanced users

Compositing color space: "Linear space"
Video Input: Choose "Rec.709 Input"
Video Output: Choose "Rec.709 Output"
- Artistic choice: experiment with the Rec.709 Shaper

HDR camera → SDR pipeline/display

Compositing color space: "Linear space"
Video Input: Choose the HDR camera's color space
Video Output: Choose "Rec.709 Output"
- Artistic choice: experiment with the Rec.709 Shaper

HDR camera → Output follows input

Compositing color space: "Linear space"
Video Input: Choose the HDR camera's color space
Video Output: Choose the same color space as set in Video Input
The inverted version of the input color space conversion gets applied, which results in the output color space being exactly the same as the HDR camera's color space

HDR camera → HDR pipeline/display

Compositing color space: "Linear space"
Video Input: Choose the HDR camera's color space
Video Output: Choose the color space of the HDR pipeline/display

Artist with no video I/O

Compositing color space: "Video space"

Learn more about HDR and Color management and how to create your own custom color transforms

How to work with interlaced video

In simple AR and VS compositing scenarios where the video is not altered except for being composited, interlaced video can be used straight through. Make sure the correct video input format is set in SETUP → Configure → Video I/O (for example, "HD - 1080i - 50").

In more complex scenarios, especially in virtual set scenarios where the virtual camera, reflections and other advanced effects are used, the best results will be achieved if a progressive input signal is used. If you are using an interlaced camera source, ensure that you select the Pixotope de-interlacer.

Go to SETUP → Configure → Video I/O
In "Video Input Format", choose an input format with the "id" suffix (for example, "HD - 1080id - 50")
For best results, choose an interlaced video format for the output

Video output

Add one or more media outputs
1. Name your media output
Optionally override the default settings
1. Choose the output format (resolution and frame rate) of your camera systems and media inputs
  - The frame rate of inputs and outputs must be the same!
2. Choose the color profile
3. Choose a color space from the selected color profile
  
  Color management in Editor
  
  When "OCIO Viewport Enabled" is selected in the Editor, the color space of the Editor viewport is linked to this color space selection.
  This only applies if SETUP → Configure → Video I/O → Compositing color space is set to "Linear space".
4. Choose the output type
  - Fill only - for internal compositing
  - Fill and Key - for external compositing
  - Learn more about Compositing

Set up video I/O using Blackmagic Design DeckLink cards

We now have support for Blackmagic Design DeckLink cards for video input and output.

See System Requirements for supported cards.

This feature is in Experimental stage and can be accessed via a json file.

If you are using a DeckLink SDI 4K, please check below.

Open the following file with a text editor
[Pixotope installation path]\Pixotope Editor\Engine\Binaries\Win64\BMD.json
Set the value of the "Enabled" property to true
Edit the "BMDProfile" and "FormatOverride" values according to your needs
- See comments in file for available options
Save the file and restart the Pixotope Engine

If enabled, the settings in the BMD.json file take precedence over settings set in the Video IO or Routing panel.

The frame rate of inputs and outputs must be the same!

Example of the default BMD.json file

BMD.json

{
	// *** Interlaced is currently not supported with Black Magic Devices. ***
	
	"Enabled": false,
	
	//bmdProfileOneSubDeviceFullDuplex      -- One input and output.
    //bmdProfileOneSubDeviceHalfDuplex      -- One input or output.
    //bmdProfileTwoSubDevicesFullDuplex     -- Two sets of inputs and outputs.
    //bmdProfileTwoSubDevicesHalfDuplex     -- Two inputs / outputs.
    //bmdProfileFourSubDevicesHalfDuplex    -- Four inputs / outputs. Most similar to how Aja is used in Pixotope, suggested.
    "BMDProfile": "bmdProfileFourSubDevicesHalfDuplex",
	
	// By default, it will try to get the value from the Director.  This is beta, and your format may not be included.
	// If your format isn't supported, or isn't working, manually assigning it to one of the following values may work.
	// FormatOverride values:
	// HD-720p-50,  HD-720p-59.94,  HD-720p-60,
	// HD-1080i-50,  HD-1080id-50,  HD-1080i-59.94,
	// HD-1080id-59.94,  HD-1080i-60,  HD-1080id-60,
	// HD-1080p-23.98,  HD-1080p-24,  HD-1080p-25,  HD-1080p-29.97,  HD-1080p-30,  HD-1080p-50,  HD-1080p-59.94,  HD-1080p-60
	// UHD-3840x2160p-23.98,  UHD-3840x2160p-24,  UHD-3840x2160p-25,  UHD-3840x2160p-29.97,  UHD-3840x2160p-50,  UHD-3840x2160p-59.94
	// 4K-4096x2160p-23.98,  4K-4096x2160p-24,  4K-4096x2160p-25,  4K-4096x2160p-50,  4K-4096x2160p-59.94
	
	"Settings":{
		"sdi0":{
			"Device": 0,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		},
		"sdi1":{
			"Device": 1,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		},
		"sdi2":{
			"Device": 2,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		},
		"sdi3":{
			"Device": 3,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		}
	}
}

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Set up a DeckLink SDI 4K

DeckLink SDI 4K - BMD.json file

The DeckLink SDI 4K needs a slightly different setup.

Follow the normal steps above, but use the "Settings" shown in the BMD.json below

Top spigot is SDI Output
- In Director set the SDI Input to spigot 2
Middle spigot is SDI Input
- In Director set the SDI Input to spigot 1
Bottom spigot (closest to motherboard) is Reference input

BMD.json

{
	// *** Configuration for DeckLink SDI 4K *** 
	
	"Enabled": true,
	
    //bmdProfileOneSubDeviceFullDuplex      -- One input and output.  Most similar to how Aja is used in Pixotope, suggested.
    //bmdProfileOneSubDeviceHalfDuplex      -- One input or output.
    //bmdProfileTwoSubDevicesFullDuplex     -- Two sets of inputs and outputs.
    //bmdProfileTwoSubDevicesHalfDuplex     -- Two inputs / outputs
    //bmdProfileFourSubDevicesHalfDuplex    -- Four inputs / outputs
    "BMDProfile": "bmdProfileFourSubDevicesHalfDuplex",
	
	// By default, it will try to get the value from the Director.  This is beta, and your format may not be included.
	// If your format isn't supported, or isn't working, manually assigning it to one of the following values may work.
	// FormatOverride values:
	// HD-720p-50,  HD-720p-59.94,  HD-720p-60,
	// HD-1080i-50,  HD-1080id-50,  HD-1080i-59.94,
	// HD-1080id-59.94,  HD-1080i-60,  HD-1080id-60,
	// HD-1080p-23.98,  HD-1080p-24,  HD-1080p-25,  HD-1080p-29.97,  HD-1080p-30,  HD-1080p-50,  HD-1080p-59.94,  HD-1080p-60
	// UHD-3840x2160p-23.98,  UHD-3840x2160p-24,  UHD-3840x2160p-25,  UHD-3840x2160p-29.97,  UHD-3840x2160p-50,  UHD-3840x2160p-59.94
	// 4K-4096x2160p-23.98,  4K-4096x2160p-24,  4K-4096x2160p-25,  4K-4096x2160p-50,  4K-4096x2160p-59.94
	
	"Settings":{
		"sdi0":{
			"Device": 0,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		},
		"sdi1":{
			"Device": 0,
			"FormatOverride": ""
		// },
		// "sdi2":{
		// 	"Device": 2,
		// 	"FormatOverride": ""
		// },
		// "sdi3":{
		// 	"Device": 3,
		// 	"FormatOverride": ""
		}
	}
}

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