Overview
DVEs (Digital Video Effect), in the world of broadcasting, are used to perform picture-in-picture effects, horizontal and vertical squeezes, and much more. In stadiums and arenas DVEs can display a wide variety of layouts and eye-catching effects. Using the Click Effects PRIME HD-SDI Workflow, DVEs can reposition video to achieve virtual board zoning with sponsored segments and stats lining the video.
Add image
You can create DVEs for the Video Playback layer and for the Live Feed layer, or for a combination of both. To create a DVE:
Right-click an empty media button, and then select Create DVE. The DVE Editor displays.
Note: You can create DVE buttons only in the HD-SDI Workflow or on a Player tab of an Event Workflow. |
The DVE Editor looks very similar to the Graphics Editor. It has an editing canvas and properties that you can adjust to set up objects on the canvas. The DVE editor has two objects that can be added to the canvas:
- Video DVE: A prerecorded clip or image plays in the DVE.
- Live DVE: Video input plays in the DVE.
It is important to remember that when using the DVE Editor, a video source frame is created to specify the physical appearance of the output. Parameters govern where video will appear on the video board, where the Live Feed will be shown, and what happens to graphics that are displayed.
Note: Only one Video DVE and one Live DVE can be added to the DVE Editor canvas. |
Add a video DVE to the canvas
To add a Video DVE to the canvas:
- Click the VIDEO button in the ADD DVE section in the bottom left-hand corner of the DVE Editor. This will add a Video DVE. The object added to the canvas functions like a placeholder of where video will appear on the output.
- The Video DVE added to the canvas has the appearance of a video test signal and can be moved around and resized the same way Graphics Objects can be moved around and resized on the Graphics Editor canvas.
- To add a Live DVE to the canvas, click the LIVE button in the ADD DVE section. Similar to a Video DVE, the Live DVE can be resized and moved around on the canvas. The Live DVE has the appearance of two video cameras.
Because a DVE resizes video, in most situations the user should verify that even though the video is now smaller, the aspect ratio of the video remains the same. The DVE Editor assists in accomplishing this by offering aspect ratio locking.
Aspect ratio locking
- Select the DVE to be locked to an aspect ratio and right-click it to expose the context menu. Select ZONE ASPECT RATIO and select the appropriate aspect ratio. Select Custom to unlock the selected aspect ratio.
- Once the aspect ratio is selected, anytime the DVE is resized using the mouse, it will adjust width and height accordingly.
- When engaged, DVEs can either take effect immediately or motion can be used to transition from their previous locations to the new location. The user can choose to use motion on the engagement of a DVE and on the disengagement of a DVE.
- To use motion on engagement, check the ENGAGE MOTION option and enter the duration of the motion in number of frames.
- To use motion on disengagement, check the DISENGAGE MOTION option and enter the duration of the motion in number of frames.
While creating a DVE, you can also indicate whether or not the Live Feed should be enabled when starting the DVE. Additionally, you can indicate whether or not the Live Feed or Video Feed should be disabled whenever the DVE is disengaged. Use MEDIA – ENABLE ON ENGAGE or MEDIA – DISABLE ON DISENGAGE to set these options.
There are situations where a certain video clip or set of graphics should be played in Program when the DVE is engaged.
Example: Think of the following situation: the default look of the video screen is a zoned board with video surrounded by graphics. In certain promotions it would be desirable to cut to full screen Live Feed video. Starting a DVE with a zoned board with sponsor graphics and then returning to regular content should be seamless. This is where assigned video and graphics come into play. |
- First, change the HD-SDI Workflow to Organizer Mode and select media buttons one at a time to drag-and-drop them into the DVE Editor. The DVE Editor offers a shortcut to set the player to Organizer Mode. Click the ORG MODE button to set the player to Organizer Mode.
- The DVE Editor allows the user to assign up to three graphics to a DVE button. Each DVE button can have one video attached to a Video DVE. Any time that the DVE is engaged, the associated graphics or video clip will be displayed in Program. DVE buttons that do not have a Video DVE cannot have default videos.
- To remove an assigned video clip or graphics buttons, right-click the media button at the bottom of the DVE Editor and select CLEAR.
- To use any of the assigned video or graphics elements as a background guide for DVE placement, right-click the media button at the bottom of the DVE Editor and select SET AS DVE GUIDE.
- Setting up a DVE can be a very precise operation, and a background guide could help significantly in getting DVEs lined up correctly and accurate to the pixel.
- At times when video or live feed elements are resized, areas that are usually not visible due to Overscan become visible. The cropping controls on the right side of the Editor can be used to clean up the edges of the Video Feed or the Live Feed.
The checkbox in the lower right corner of the editor will clear out any graphics in the Video or Live bus prior to the DVE taking effect. If there are any graphics in the Graphics Bus, they will remain in Program.
About DVE Transition Rules
What happens during a transition from a non-DVE to a DVE, or a transition between one DVE and another, depends on a variety of factors. What is important to remember is that if a Live Feed DVE was not assigned in the editor, then the HD-SDI Workflow will lock the Live Feed (if necessary) to the Video DVE.
Inactive DVE to Active DVE
Object | State | DVE Option | Effect |
Video | Playing | - | From full screen to DVE position. |
Black | - | No visual effect. DVE position is assumed. | |
Live Feed | Enable | - | From full screen to DVE position |
Disabled | - | No visual effect. DVE position is assumed. | |
Enabled | Engage on enable | From full screen to DVE position. | |
Disabled | Engage on enable | Live Feed is enabled and transitioned from an infinite location in the center of the screen, and sized to the DVE position. |
Active DVE to Active DVE
Object | State | DVE Option | Effect |
Video | Playing | - | If need, associated video clip is loaded and played. From previous DVE position to new DVE position. |
Black | - | No visual effect. New DVE position is assumed. | |
Live Feed | Enable | - | From previous DVE position to new DVE position. |
Disabled | - | No visual effect. DVE position is assumed. | |
Enabled | Engage on enable | From previous DVE position to new DVE position. | |
Disabled | Engage on enable | Live Feed is enabled and transitioned from previous DVE position to new DVE position. |