5. ToolsOnAir GPI Box Interface

Owned by Thomas Staiger
May 30, 2016
3 min read

The ToolsOnAir GPI Box is a serial USB interface that connects LiveCut to your switcher (the term "switcher" will be used for whatever switching- or routing device you use) or vision mixer. Connect the ToolsOnAir GPI Box (available separately) to a free USB port of your Mac after the installation of LiveCut, if you're planning to connect to a vision mixer or switcher other than a Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher. Please make sure that you have installed the ToolsOnAir GPI Box drivers before starting the LiveCut application (see page 2). 


 Technical Specifications

Dimensions (LxWxH) 

17.5 x 10.5 x 5 cm / 6.89 x 4.13 x 1.97 inch 

Weight 

530 gram (18.7 oz.) 

Materials 

Aluminum, Acryl, IP30 

External Power Supply 

  • Input voltage: 100–240 volt AC, Input frequency: 50–60 Hz
  • Output voltage: 12 volt DC, 20 watts 

Connectivity 

  • 1x USB-B (cable included)
  • 1x Power (cable included)
  • 21 Cage clamps (from 0.08 to 2.5 mm2, all I/Os)1x D-Sub 25 (all I/Os)
  • 1x D-Sub 9/RS-232 (for future use) 


More technical information is available upon request. 


 How To Mount Your ToolsOnAir GPI Box

 

In general the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface is meant to be fixed by a metal angle (not supplied) in the back of a 19" rack. The ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface can be disassembled for hole drilling. These holes can then be used for fixing. 

Do not drill holes into the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface housing without disassembling it, otherwise you could harm electronics inside of the housing. 


 Indicators / Leds

The ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface has different lamps and LEDs:

  • LEDs indicate whether the connections are working or not. LED #0 refers to source 1, LED #1 refers to source 2 ... LED #n refers to source n+1.
  • USB lamps indicate the USB connection to the controller.
  • The "12V" lamp is only active when connected to an external power source.

If negative input logic is used, the current active input is off instead of on. If no input is used when the interface is connected to the Mac, input 7 will be active. 


 Connecting To The Switcher

  • GPO/Tally: LiveCut needs a custom built switcher cable which connects your GPI capable switcher to the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface. This cable can be ordered as an option.
  • Blackmagic Design ATEM: If you have licensed live:cut for use with a Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher, no separate ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface nor custom built switcher cable is required. 


 Cage Clamps

The cage clamps should not be used in a proper live:cut setup, but they are a good way to test the functionality of the ToolsOnAir GPI Box in case of a support case.

To insert a litz wire, firmly press the lever down and insert the litz wire, then release the lever to fix it. Make sure the cables are firmly secured, so they cannot be pulled out. 


 Tally Out Cabling

The output of the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface can be used for tally light operations as well. In that case the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface needs to be supplied with external power. The tally lights should not exceed more than 10 watts each.

If needed, ToolsOnAir can customize the main GPI switcher cable upon request, as it's all connected through the DB-25 connector on the ToolsOnAir GPI Box USB interface. 

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