STEP 1: Start with the End in Mind
Let’s assume we’re setting up for a basic presentation with some cameras, a recorded source like a Turbo iDDR and a PC with PowerPoint, all connected to Indigo’s back panel.
Before setting anything else up, decide what you want as an end result. It’s best to start with a few basic program layouts that you can alternate. I find it helpful in organizing my ideas to actually sketch out a rough storyboard. We’ll set up three layouts in advance to make the event easier to run. We’ll use Layout 1 at the beginning and between events. Then we’ll switch back and forth between Layouts 2 and 3 as appropriate during the event.
STEP 2: General Setup
Now that you have a basic idea of what you want the mixer to do, there are a few required set-up steps. First, in the Setup menu, select the video standard (NTSC or PAL) that you’ll be working in. Indigo will actually process either standard, but keep in mind that running an NTSC source when set up in PAL mode creates a band of noise in the unused lines of the output.
Next, you’ll need to select the sync preference. Switching live video feeds requires the sources to be synchronized. Choose whether you’ll have Indigo synchronize inputs or whether you’ll use an external analog black burst reference. If External Lock Enable is not highlighted (as shown) then Indigo will synchronize the inputs. To bypass the framesync you need to select external lock and in the video input menu activate bypass framesync for the desired input. If you’re using a computer as a direct source for Indigo then it must be synchronized internally by Indigo.
Last, set the output resolution to match the optimal resolution setting of your projector or display. Indigo can scale signals up or down, but the best picture quality comes from avoiding scaling at multiple points, such as having both Indigo and the projector scaling signals.
While the Setup menu has many more options, the steps here are enough to get started. Now let’s look at creating Layout 1.
STEP 3: Load Your Stills
The welcome message in the storyboard Layout 1 is a still graphic. I use Adobe Photoshop, but you can create stills in any graphics program that will save either a JPG or PNG file. The graphic size for NTSC SD is 720 x 487 pixels (PAL is 720 x 576). Place the thumb drive in one of the USB ports on the upper right corner of the Indigo control panel. You’ll see the indicator on the thumb drive light up to show that Indigo can access the drive. Then go to the Indigo touch screen and select Stills. In the Still menu, select a destination bin for the still, then select Load. The Indigo menu will show you the thumb drive directory where you can select the graphic file to download.
Because you’ll need to select the graphic later, it’s a good idea to give the still a name that you can easily recognize. You can do this when it’s created or use the rename utility in the Stills menu.
STEP 4: Pick Inputs
We’ll be using live video from two SD cameras for Layout 2. Go to the Setup menu and select Video>Inputs to assign the inputs after you physically connect the cameras to Indigo’s BNCs (numbers one and two). In the Setup menu, select the input number and source type. The Input Type options on the right side of the screen will change depending on the input number.
Since Layout 3 requires a computer input, assign Input 1 HiRes as a VGA signal.
You’re working in SD resolution for this event so you’ll need to downscale the VGA input. To do this, assign Input 9 SD as downscaled. This will scale down the computer signal to Input 9 as SD.
By default, the still you loaded earlier is in Input 13, accessed by using the shift button along with button 3. It may be more convenient to reassign this as button 3 using the Control Panel menu under setup.
Now your SD Control Panel buttons are assigned as follows: 1. SD Camera 1 2. SD Camera 2 3. Still 9. Computer input
STEP 5: Set up Your Key
To layer video, Indigo has various types of key options. A key is a layer of modified video. Chroma keys make a specific color range transparent. Luma keys make a black or white range transparent. Pattern keys cut the video to a specific shape. A Picture-in-Picture key lets you resize and position the key without changing its other properties.
For Layout 2, we’re using a PiP key. Let’s set this up in the Keyer menu with the following steps:
  • Select SD Key >Type>PIP
  • Select SD Key 1 >Source >IN01 SD SDI (this input will match the format of the camera you selected)
  • Select SD Key 1 >Transform >Enable, then transform size and position under the Transform menu by selecting 2D size and 3D position. When you select either size or position, the LEDs around the joystick will light up and you can adjust the key. Twisting the stick right or left changes the size. Alternatively, you can dial in each of the parameters using the knobs at the bottom of the touchscreen.
STEP 6: Choose Your Transition
Now that the key is set up, go to the Transition menu. Here you’ll find a number of transition categories. If the FX button is lit on the control panel, Indigo will use these transitions to move elements in and out of the program. If the FX button is not lit, Indigo will mix the elements in and out.
Choose a category and transition for the Background; choose a category and transition for the Key 1 in/out. You can move each element in and out separately but for now we’ll take both the key and the background off at the same time when we move from Layout 2 to Layout 3.
STEP 7: Set Panel
Move out of the touchscreen menus and go to the physical control panel. The control panel lets you determine which elements transition in and out of the program.
Since you’re bringing in a computer source, the first step is to press the Hi-Res button in the delegate area and then button 1 on the Background row. This selects the VGA source as the Hi-Res program, which you routed earlier to button 9 as a downscaled source.
Now go back to the Delegate area and select SD. We’ll stay in SD for the rest of this setup.
To send Layout 1 to our program display, select button 3 on the Background row. This will assign the still to the Program output. On the Background Preset row select input 2. Input 2 will be the new background after the transition.
Now, move to the next transition area and select BGD and Key 1 by pressing them both at the same time. This will transition the Background and Key 1 on at the same time when you push the Auto button or move the lever arm. But before you do this, you should save this mixer state as an E-MEM preset (see Step 8).
STEP 8: Save E-MEM
Here’s the important part we’ve been building up to. In the Touchscreen menu, go to E-MEM and select bin 1. Then press Learn> Enter> Learn. After pressing these buttons, the Protect button will come on. Push the Protect button to temporarily take it off and push the Rename button. Use the keyboard that pops up to give this E-MEM preset a name you’ll recognize, then hit Save. Push the Protect button again. You’ve just saved your first E-MEM. Now every time you push the Recall button, Indigo will instantly go back to this setup and be ready to transition from the still to the video background with Key 1.
Once you’ve saved this first E-MEM, transition to the next frame of the storyboard by going back to the Control Panel using either the lever arm or the Auto button. Now select button 10 in the Background row. Then move to the Next Transition area and select BGD. Save this setup as an E-MEM by repeating the steps above. Transitioning from this position will send the PowerPoint presentation in Frame 3 to your program.
STEP 9: Save to USB Thumb Drive
Using the E-MEMs you’ve saved above and the lever arm or auto button, you’re now ready to run through your storyboard. There’s one final step you’ll need to take, however, and it’s a critical one. Go to the Load/Save menu and save all settings to a USB thumb drive. Otherwise, the next time Indigo is shut down you’ll lose both your stills and E-MEM settings. Having the setup on a USB thumb drive means you’ll have this layout, including still images, anytime you load the Indigo from the USB thumb drive.
STEP 10: Saving Future Layouts
The basic steps outlined above will get you started for your first event. Experiment with additional keys, layouts and transitions to find the full power of Indigo. You can add audio control as well to provide audio follow video and automatic audio timing. As you find layouts you like, save them as E-MEMs for instant recall- and don’t forget to save them to a USB thumb drive for later use.
Your Guide
Chris T. Merrill
Product Manager, Broadcast and ProAV, Live Production
Grass Valley, Inc.
Chris is a product manager for the live production business unit within Grass Valley, part of Thomson. He’s responsible for developing, marketing and managing the life cycle of technology product solutions.
Working previously in the film and digital signage industries, Chris joined Thomson in 2005 to develop products for Grass Valley’s audio-video initiative.
Chris Says Keep In Mind…
Start simple. With a mixer as powerful as Indigo, it’s tempting to throw at it everything it’s capable of doing, all at once. Adding different elements to your presentation little by little, however, has the advantage of making you more comfortable with the mixer’s operation. It also keeps your presentation fresh as your audience sees how it keeps evolving over time.
The whole idea behind Grass Valley’s Indigo AV Mixer, which has the unique ability to mix computer and audio sources seamlessly with multi-format video signals, is its range. It’s perfect for live events yet simple enough for a single operator to use with minimal training.
Grass Valley, Inc.
www.thomsongrassvalley.net
400 Providence Mine Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
ph. 530.478.3330
chris.merrill@thomson.net