Channel Settings JIM (5.1)
This chapter describes the Channel Settings for a just:in mac channel and how to enable a Channel for Recording, once it has been configured.
To make any changes, you have to unlock the Configuration Panel at the bottom left first.
What is a Channel?
A Channel is a virtual representation of a Video Device or a NDI Source within the network. Depending on the number of inputs, you can configure one or multiple Channels.
Channel Settings AJA/BMD
Depending on your Video device(s) the Channel Settings can look slightly different.
Settings
Device: Select the Video Device (AJA/BMD) for this Channel.
Input Mode: Select the Input Mode for this Channel. Available options, depending on the Device are:
SDI (Blackmagic DeckLink)
SDI (AJA)
SDI (AJA 4x4K-Quad)
SDI (AJA 12G)
HDMI (AJA)
Input: Choose the Input of the Device for this Channel here.
Video Mode: select the Video mode. The mode has to match the Video Signal, which is attached to the selected Channel. If it does not match, a warning will be shown (No Signal).
Please beware that PSF video mores are only available for HD modes and for AJA devices.
Enable End-To-End SDI If Available: This option does work for some special AJA devices, like the Kona 1 or the LHePlus, where the incoming signal will be passed to the output port, once the just:in engine application is running.
Chunk Length: defines the maximum length of the recorded Video. The maximun Chunk Length is 12 hours, the default option is 2 hours.
If the Recording does not reach the entered Chunk Length, the recorded clips will be automatically truncated to the expected recorded length.
Recording exceeds the entered Chunk Length: a new Recording (generating a new clip) will automatically be started.
Start Timecode: enabling this option overrides the local time or incoming timecode and makes every new clip start with the defined timecode value.
Port: port to access the Channel from just:in over an IP connection. Default port for the first Channel is 50000, 50001 for the second Channel and so on. You can leave this setting if the chosen ports are not in use on this machine.
MXF Write Buffer (Bytes in binary): This setting can be used to tune MXF writing for specific storage requirements, but should only be changed with care as it may lead to unexpected results including write errors. Recommended value: Block size of storage.
VTR Control: select the serial RS-422 connection you want to use to control your VTR.
VTR Preroll in Seconds: set the desired VTR preroll value in seconds (1-10). Default value is 5.
Restart On No Signal if Not Recording: If this option is enabled, the channel will automatically restart after a signal loss (only in Idle Mode). Options are:
Close container, write to new: Recording to the current file will be stopped and as soon as there is a valid signal again the recording will start into a new file.
Close container and stop: Recording will be stopped when channel detects a signal loss.
Cache Options:
Don't Cache (default): files are directly written to disk, no caching is done.
Cache: tells the storage controller to cache data in order to flush it to disk later to improve write performance. If you experience low write performance, enable caching.
Action on Timecode break:
Ignore: Channel ignores timecode breaks.
Create new file: Channel creates a new file upon a timecode break.
Preview
You can manually override the resolution, framerate and the quality of the Video Previews within just:control. This may be helpful to increase performance when displaying many Channels in just:control. Please see Channel Preview Options below for more informations.
Resolution: two resolution options are available:
High: 640x360px
Low: 480x270px
Frame rate: the preview frame rate can be changed between 0 (=native framerate) and 30 (if the channel framerate is higher then 30, then the preview will be limited to 30fps).
Quality: can be changed between 10 and 100%.
Channel Settings NDI
Video Mode: select the Video mode. The mode has to match the NDI Source. If it does not match, a warning will be shown (No Signal).
Chunk Length: defines the maximum length of the recorded Video. The maximun Chunk Length is 12 hours, the default option is 2 hours.
If the Recording does not reach the entered Chunk Length, the recorded clips will be automatically truncated to the expected recorded length.
Recording exceeds the entered Chunk Length: a new Recording (generating a new clip) will automatically be started.
Start Timecode: enabling this option overrides the local time or incoming timecode and makes every new clip start with the defined timecode value.
Port: port to access the Channel from just:in over an IP connection. Default port for the first Channel is 50000, 50001 for the second Channel and so on. You can leave this setting if the chosen ports are not in use on this machine.
MXF Write Buffer (Bytes in binary): This setting can be used to tune MXF writing for specific storage requirements, but should only be changed with care as it may lead to unexpected results including write errors. Recommended value: Block size of storage.
Restart On No Signal if Not Recording: If this option is enabled, the channel will automatically restart after a signal loss (only in Idle Mode). Options are:
Close container, write to new: Recording to the current file will be stopped and as soon as there is a valid signal again the recording will start into a new file.
Close container and stop: Recording will be stopped when channel detects a signal loss.
Cache Options:
Don't Cache (default): files are directly written to disk, no caching is done.
Cache: tells the storage controller to cache data in order to flush it to disk later to improve write performance. If you experience low write performance, enable caching.
Preview
You can manually override the resolution, framerate and the quality of the Video Previews within just:control. This may be helpful to increase performance when displaying many Channels in just:control. Please see Channel Preview Options below for more informations.
Resolution: two resolution options are available:
High: 640x360px
Low: 480x270px
Frame rate: the preview frame rate can be changed between 0 (=native framerate) and 30 (if the channel framerate is higher then 30, then the preview will be limited to 30fps).
Quality: can be changed between 10 and 100%.
Add/Remove a NDI Channel
You can add or remove NDI Channels at any time. Open the Configuration Panel and select one of the connected just:in mac devices. Then use the Plus button to add a NDI Channel.
Once the new Channel is added, you can adjust the settings and enable it, so that you can use it within just:control. To delete a Channel, select the Channel within the Devices & Channel list and press the Minus button.
Enable a Channel for Recording
After configuring a Channel you have to enable it by clicking on the checkbox next to the Channel name. The Channel can now be used by just:control. When quitting and relaunching just:in Engine, previously activated Channels will still be active, so there is no need to open the Configuration Panel and activate the Channels again.
Change a Channel Name
The name of a Channel can only be changed, when the Channel is disabled. First make sure that the Channel is not enabled and then click on the Channel Name (next to the channel checkbox), adjust the name and press enter.