Advanced Actions Button

Each Video Stream also gives you access to an Advanced Actions Button that affects that Video Stream only.

Figure: Advanced Actions Button

Left-click on the Advanced Actions Button or right click inside the video stream to open the Advanced Actions Menu. The menu gives you access to a set of commands:

• Play live: causes your stream to retrieve the live Video Stream from your selected source.

• Last position: Allows you to jump back and forth between two positions on the Video Stream time line. For example, you can be watching a live Video Stream, use the Go To Date and Time window to move to a specific point in the past, and jump back and forth between the two.

• Sync to me: Synchronizes the date and time of all your open Video Stream windows to that of the window in which you execute the command.

• Loudness Meter: Displays an active loudness meter in the lower left of your Video Stream window.

  

  Figure: Loudness Meter

• Set LM right: Sets the loudness meter to the lower right of your Video Stream window.

  

  Figure: Set Loudness Meter Right

• Display Metadata: this option expands the menu to give you the option of displaying various metadata as an overlay on top of your Video Stream. This metadata is not burnt into video but is an overlay that can be turned on or off on live or historic data. Not all metadata is available; please check with your Observer administrator to understand which data is being captured.

  

  Figure: Display Metadata Submenu

  You can choose which set of metadata you wish to display.

  XDS Metadata If present in the Video Stream, you may display the source, title, and program rating of your Video Stream.

  

  Figure: XDS Metadata

  Video and Audio displays the video codec, the pixel resolution, the bits per second, frames per second, and audio sampling frequency of your Video Stream.

  

  Figure: Video and Audio Metadata

  Audio loudness displays the audio regulatory environment from which the Video Stream originated: in the capture below, English language from the United States.

  

  Figure: Audio Loudness Metadata

  AFD (Active Format Description) is a standard set of codes for television or set-top-box decoders. AFD displays that metadata on your Video Stream. The AFD information instructs the Observer as to what specific format is being sent, either 4:3 or 16:9. Since programs can vary in format in a given stream, the Observer will use the AFD to adjust the format dynamically for display.

  

  Figure: AFD Metadata

  NAVE (Nielsen Audio Video Encoder) is a Nielsen encoder that adds data to audio and/or video to track the distribution of content through a variety of local and national distribution systems. If the Video Stream you are watching carries a NAVE watermark, choosing this option will display that metadata.

  

  Figure: NAVE Watermark Metadata

  AC3 is the technical name for Dolby Digital Audio Compression. It has been standardized by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), and is used for the efficient encoding of surround sound. If your Video Stream is carrying AC3 information to create surround sound, choosing AC3 will display that metadata.

  

  Figure: AC3 Metadata

  DPI or Digital Program Insertion allows cable headends and broadcast affiliates to insert locally-generated commercials and short programs into remotely distributed regional programs before they are delivered to home users. If your Video Stream is displaying locally generated programming, you can see its parameters by observing the DPI metadata.

  Align Metadata allows you to push your metadata display either to the left:

  

  Figure: Align Metadata Left

  Or to the right:

  

  Figure: Align Metadata Right

• Sub Encoders: displays the available sub encoders in your Video Stream. Sub encoders, if they are available allow you to view the video stream in something other than the default pixel size and data rate. This will always be in a lower bit rate and usually in a lower resolution. Sub encoders are intended for bandwidth constrained networks (WiFI, Mobile, etc).

  

  Figure: Sub Encoders

• Captions and Subtitles: displays the available closed caption options in your Video Stream, and allows you to turn them on or off. This option provides the same function as clicking the CC button on the Advanced Video Options bar. If available, allows the user to select DVB subtitle(s) by language

  

  Figure: Captions and Subtitles

• Audio Tracks: displays the audio tracks available on your chosen Video Stream.

  

  Figure: Audio Tracks

• Wide Screen: lets you view your Video Stream in wide screen format, regardless of the format of the Video Stream.

  

  Figure: Wide Screen

• Full Screen: lets you see your Video Stream in full screen format. In full screen format, pres ESC to return to your Volicon Observer window.