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

Figure: Advanced Actions Button

Left-click on the Advanced Actions Button or right click inside the video stream to open the Advanced Actions Menu. Right clicking inside the video stream presents the same 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. . The number of bars displayed will depend on the format of the audio content. Stereo audio will display left and right audio and 5.1 audio will display left, right, center, right rear, left rear, and subwoofer.

    Figure: Loudness Meter

    Figure: Loudness Meter

    This feature is not supported in clientless mode.

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

    Figure: Set Loudness Meter Right

    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

    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

    Figure: XDS Metadata

    Video and Audio displays the parameters of how your Volicon Observer is configured to capture and store video and audio content. Parameters include: video codec, the pixel resolution, the bits per second, frames per second, and audio sampling frequency of each Video Stream .

    Figure: Video and Audio Metadata

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

    Figure: DPI Metadata

    Figure: DPI Metadata

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

    Figure: Align Metadata Left

    Figure: Align Metadata Left

    Or to the right:

    Figure: Align Metadata 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.), or where the default video stream is configured to a high resolution and bit rate – for example, 1280x720 at a bit rate greater than 2.0 Mbps. Video streams greater than 2.0 Mbps may negatively impact your internal/external network, especially with many users accessing the high quality video stream. To minimize any network impact, it is recommended each end user select a lower bit rate sub encoder to view, create clips, or export content. You can always choose to export the high quality video during the export process as outlined in @6.4.2.

    Figure: Sub Encoders

    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

    Figure: Captions and Subtitles

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

    Figure: Audio Tracks

    Figure: Audio Tracks

    To choose a specific audio track, simply click the track you prefer. Your options will vary depending on the tracks encoded in the stream. In this example, you can choose English, which provides an English-language stereo audio track. You can also choose English Surround Downmix, which provides you with an English-language Dolby 5.1 surround audio track.

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

    Figure: Wide Screen

    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.