Some things I have done for me, that might be also useful for others.
This is an experimental section. In the future I may add some more chapters. Or maybe not.
Just another software control panel for some * of the Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher models. Although such thing may seem strange considering the existence of the original powerful and freely available software control panel from BMD, surprisingly, in my particular user case, there were several reasons why I preferred to build this version of the program for basic source switching.
* Currently supported models are ATEM Television Studio HD, ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K and ATEM 1 M/E Constellation.
In this regard, with reference to the original BMD software:
- I really don't like the way the program launches, in that it always connects (or tries to connect) to the last switcher where it was connected before, without asking me if I really want to do this or not; more specifically, if I simply want to connect to whatever IP address, I have to wait for the program to connect for no reason to the previous switcher, just to let me specify the new IP address in order to perform a totally useless disconnect-then-connect cycle
- there is no way to disconnect from switcher and just let the program open
- there is no indication in the main interface about what IP address the switcher is currently connected to
- there is no way to select an IP address from a list
- there is no IP addresses connections history
- if the discover feature is still active (as in case it is not turned off by the network admins), the IP addresses of the found switchers are hidden, rendering a list of switchers with only similar names completely useless
- switching an AUX source from that drop-down menu is awkward
- switching by MACRO from that floating panel that overlaps the main panel is idiotic
- there is no red key tally indication (on PGM keys bus) or green key tally indication (on PVW keys bus) if an input source – like a camera – happens to be in some Key combination via MACRO, inspite the fact that the corresponding tally outputs of the BMD GPI and Tally Interface (if present) are switched ON during that time; because of that, the switcher operator may have no idea about what camera (or cameras) is (or are) currently routed on PGM or PVW buses
Certainly most of the above listed annoyances are of no importance for single switcher usage; however, the wxATEM software presented here addresses the cases where basic switching on several ATEM switchers need to be performed – but still one at the time – from a single PC.
The wxATEM program is built using wxPython – hence the program’s name. In theory, it should run directly on whatever platform wxPython is already installed; however, as far as I could test on Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux Mint, it runs perfectly on Windows, but on Linux some GTK errors occur, which eventually crashes the program. I still have no idea what is the relation between wxPython and GTK and what might be missing or misconfigured.
As can be seen from the (scaled) snaphot, the interface is operating system standard OS UI.
[...] (working on)
The VifuLens is an interface designed with the aim to provide remote control for B4-mount broadcast lenses and PT(Z) head, using VISCA commands sent over a TCP network. It comprises of a microcomputer connected to the LAN, an analog interface that connects directly to the zoom, focus and iris (ZFI) connectors of the lenses and a RS-232 serial port that connects to the pan and tilt head (PT(Z)). While originally designed for Fujinon broadcast lenses and PTZOptics broadcast pan & tilt head combination, it can be adapted to other scenarios as well.
I started developing this hardware interface and its related software within a specific project I worked on, where a system consisting of several Micro Studio Camera 4K cameras, MTF B4 lens adapters, ZA17x7.6BERD lenses and PT-610 / PT-BRDCSTR-P PTZ heads had to be installed. The interface turned out to be a necessity, because the PTZ head controller model, which was specifically requested for that project, has been originally designed to connect to remote lens control of compact camcorders, not to independent B4-mount broadcast lenses type which usually equips ENG or EFP cameras.
Note: the PT-610 broadcast pan & tilt head appears now to be discontinued by PTZOptics, but it may be still available from the VHD company .
One day I was asked to redraw the layout and video operating area of a medium‑sized television O.B. Van. The central video router, used also for camera technical control, was a Blackmagic Design (BMD) Compact Videohub.
The camera operational control panels (OCPs – named as such in the specific case of that equipment; may differ in other situations) were equipped with joystick type control for iris & master black adjustment, with the possibility of “Joystick Override” operating mode: individual per‑OCP contact closure when its joystick is pressed. Sometimes this is referred also as touchdown function or joystick preview.
Ever wanted to put the 808 Pureview on a tripod and take a picture of yourself while standing at some distance from the camera ? Now this can be done even more easily than with the built‑in self‑timer !
Notes:
This article refers to Symbian^3 based Nokia mobile phones, in particular 808 PureView and N8 models.
The solution provided here is most suitable when the mobile phone is used in conjunction with a tripod, not with a selfie stick.
The solution provided here is based on a third‑party application installed on phone, used in conjunction with a Bluetooth remote control originally designed to be used with Apple devices; other particular Bluetooth remote controls may work as well, in case they happen to use the same key codes. Feel free to experiment !