Acuity™/Vision Commands

The switcher can be controlled from a remote editor or computer via RossTalk commands. These commands can be sent to the switcher over an ethernet connection.

Sending RossTalk Commands to Acuity™/Vision

Acuity™ and Vision accept RossTalk commands over ethernet on port 7788. This allows you to perform various functions such as triggering a GPI, or sending commands to the switcher, such as transitioning a key.

To Send RossTalk Commands to Acuity™/Vision

Note:

Each command should be terminated by a carriage return and a line feed (CR/LF).

Press HOME > Setup > Installation > Com Setup > Type.
Use the Com Port knob to select the port that you want to assign to the RossTalk device.
Use the Device knob to select RossTalk.
Press Select Device and use the Device knob to select RTalk-IN.
Press Com Type and use the Type knob to select Network TCP.

Press Com Settings and use the Client/Server knob to select how you want to connect to the device.


IP Setting	Value
Client/Server	Server(1) — allows for a single client connection at a time. Server(Many) — allows for multiple client connections at a time.
Local IP Address	0.0.0.0
Local Port	7788 (default)

Tip:

If you are using multiple RossTalk connections, it is recommended that you increment the port number for each device.

Press Extra Options.


Option	Value
Cmd Response	OFF (default)

Press HOME > Confirm.

Acuity™/Vision Supported RossTalk Commands

The switcher supports a number of RossTalk commands. The exact commands and how the switcher reacts to the commands is outlined in the following table.

Note:

When you are entering commands for Vision, you must use MLE instead of ME. Acuity™ supports both ME and MLE.

Note:

All commands are case sensitive.

Tip:

You can query the current state of a switcher component by replacing the selection part of the command with a ? For example, MVBOX 2:6:? returns what source is selected in box 6 on MultiViewer channel 2. The query function only applies to the XPT, MS, MNEM, TRANSRATE, TRANSTYPE, TRANSINCL, MVBOX, USERVAR, and KEYSHAPED commands.

Table 1. RossTalk Commands
Command	Description
`ACTIVEID vid-source`	Returns the name of the clip loaded into the video server channels assigned to the video source (`vid-source`). Example: `ACTIVEID IN:5` Result: Returns the name of the clip loaded into the VTR/VDCP channel assigned to input 5.
`CAPTURE DISK/RAM:channel:source:frames` (Acuity® Only)	Performs a capture to RAM (`RAM`) or directly to disk (`DISK`) of the video source (`source`) using Media-Store channel (`channel`) for a duration of (`frames`) frames. The switcher will reply when the capture is completed. Example: `CAPTURE DISK:1:AUX:8:3:6` Result: Performs a capture to disk of Bank 8, Aux 3, using Media-Store channel 1, and with a duration of 6 frames.
`CAPTURE ME:source:channel` (Ultrix Acuity Only)	Performs a capture of the video source (`source`) on ME number (ME) using Media-Store channel (`channel`). The switcher will reply when the capture is completed. Example: `CAPTURE 3:PGMC:2` Result: Performs a capture of the ME 3 Program C video source, using Media-Store channel 2.
`CC b:cc`	Executes custom control (`cc`) on bank (`b`). Example: `CC 1:05` Result: Triggers custom control 5 on bank 1.
`CUECLIP` `vid-source`:`clip-name`	Sends the VTR/VDCP cue clip command to the server channel assigned to the video source (`vid-source`). Example:`CUECLIP IN:7:Intro_6` Result: The switcher sends the VTR/VDCP command to the channel assigned to input 7 to cue the clip named Intro_6.
`EJECT` `vid-source`	Sends the VTR/VDCP eject clip command to the server channel assigned to the video source (`vid-source`). Example:`EJECT IN:10` Result: The switcher sends the VTR/VDCP eject clip command to the channel assigned to input 10.
`FTB`	Performs a fade-to-black transition.
`GPI xx`	Performs the action assigned to the GPI input `xx`. If the GPI is an output, no action is performed. Example: `GPI 04` Result: Triggers GPI input 4.
`GPI xx:On/Off`	Set GPI `xx` to on (`On` or `1`) or off (`Off` or `0`). Example: `GPI 04:Off` Result: Sets GPI 4 to off.
`HELP`	Prints a list of the supported commands.
`KEYAUTO ME:keyer`	Performs an auto transition of keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`). Example: `KEYAUTO 1:4` Result: Triggers an auto transition of key 4 on ME 1.
`KEYAUTOON ME:keyer`	Transitions keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`) on-air if the key is not currently on-air. Example: `KEYAUTOON 3:2` Result: If key 2 is not currently on-air on ME 3 the command triggers a transition of key 2 on ME 3.
`KEYAUTOOFF ME:keyer`	Transitions keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`) off-air if the key is currently on-air. Example: `KEYAUTOON 1:4` Result: If key 4 is currently on-air on ME 1 the command triggers a transition of key 4 on ME 1.
`KEYCUT ME:keyer`	Performs a cut of keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`). Example: `KEYCUT 2:1` Result: Triggers a cut of key 1 on ME 2.
`KEYCUTON ME:keyer`	Cuts keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`) on-air if the key is not currently on-air. Example: `KEYCUTON 3:2` Result: If key 2 is not currently on-air on ME 3 the command triggers a cut of key 2 on ME 3.
`KEYCUTOFF ME:keyer`	Cuts keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`) off-air if the key is currently on-air. Example: `KEYCUTON 1:4` Result: If key 4 is currently on-air on ME 1 the command triggers a cut of key 4 on ME 1.
`KEYSHAPED ME:keyer:ON/OFF`	Turns shaped keying on (`ON`) or off (`OFF`) for keyer number (`keyer`) on ME number (`ME`). Example: `KEYSHAPED 2:1:ON` Result: Turns shaped keying on for key 1 on ME 2.
`KEYSTATE ME:key`	Returns whether key number (`key`) on ME number (`ME`) is on (`On`) or off (`Off`). Example: `KEYSTATE 4:4` Result: Returns the on-air state of key 4 on ME 4.
`LOADSET USB/HD:setname`	Loads setup name (`setname`) from the USB drive (`USB`) or hard drive (`HD`). Example: `LOADSET HD:SETUP01` Result: Loads SETUP01 from the hard drive.
`MEAUTO ME`	Performs an auto transition on ME (`ME`). The elements included with the transition are set in the next transition area of the switcher. Example: `MEAUTO 2` Result: Triggers an auto transition on ME 2.
`MECUT ME`	Performs a cut on ME (`ME`). The elements included with the transition are set in the next transition area of the switcher. Example: `MECUT 1` Result: Triggers a cut on ME 1.
`MEM bm:ME`	Performs a memory recall of memory (`m`) on bank (`b`) on ME (`ME`). Example: `MEM 19:2:1` Result: Recalls memory 9 on bank 1 of ME 2 and ME 1. Tip: You can also query what the last memory recalled on an MEwas using `MEM ?:ME`. Entering `MEM ?` returns the last memory recalled on the program ME.
`MEMSAVE bm:ME`	Performs a store to memory (`m`) on bank (`b`) on ME (`ME`). Example: `MEMSAVE 23:1:2:4` Result: Stores memory 3 on bank 2 on ME 1, ME 2, and ME 4.
`MNEM source:new-name`	Sets a new mnemonic name (`new-name`) for a video source (`source`). Example: `MNEM IN:6:CAM 1` Result: Sets the mnemonic name for input 6 to CAM 1.
`MS media-store: channel:media-ID`	Loads a media file of ID number (`media-ID`) into the Global-Store (`GS`), Global-Store Audio (`GSA`), or ME-Store (`ME#`) cache (`media-store`) into channel number (`channel`). Example 1: `MS 4:2:52` Result 1: Loads media item 52 into channel 2 of the ME-Store on ME 4. Example 2: `MS GS:1:12` Result 2: Loads media item 12 into channel 1 of the Global-Store.
`MSPLAY media-store: channel`	Play the media file currently loaded in the Global-Store (`GS`), Global-Store Audio (`GSA`), or ME-Store (`ME#`) cache (`media-store`) into channel number (`channel`). Example: `MSPLAY GSA:2` Result: Plays the media item loaded into Global-Store Audio channel 2.
`MVBOX MultiViewer:box:source`	Selects a video source (`source`) in a box of number (`box`) for MultiViewer number `MultiViewer`. Example: `MVBOX 1:5:IN:6` Result: Selects input 6 in box 5 of MultiViewer channel 1. Aux buses can also be selected as sources.
`PAUSE` `vid-source`	Sends the VTR/VDCP pause command to the server channel assigned to the video source (`vid-source`). Example:`PAUSE IN:20` Result: The switcher sends the VTR/VDCP pause command to the channel assigned to input 20.
`PLAY` `vid-source`	Sends the VTR/VDCP play command to the server channel assigned to the video source (`vid-source`). Example:`PLAY IN:20` Result: The switcher sends the VTR/VDCP play command to the channel assigned to input 20.
`RESETALL`	Performs an ALL+ALL soft reset on the switcher. There are no other parameters for this command.
`SAVESET USB/HD:setup:setname`	Saves the switcher setting to setup number (`setup`) with the name (`setname`) to the USB drive (`USB`) or hard drive (`HD`). Example: `SAVESET USB:5:MORNING` Result: Saves a setup called MORNING to setup 5 on the USB drive. If you don't include the `setup` number the switcher will try to match the `setname` and overwrite it.
`SETVIDMODE REF:format frequency`	Set the format (`format`) and frequency (`frequency`) of the input reference to the switcher. Uses the same internal or external source as well as reference board that is currently selected. Note: The switcher does not validate the formats or frequencies you set. You can set it to an unsupported combination. Example: `SETVIDMODE REF:1080i 50` Result: Sets the switcher expect 1080i 50Hz as the input reference format.
`SETVIDMODE VID:format frequency`	Set the video format (`format`) and frequency (`frequency`) that you want the switcher to operate in. Note: The switcher does not validate the formats or frequencies you set. You can set it to an unsupported combination. Example 1: `SETVIDMODE VID:1080i 59.94` Result 1: Sets the switcher to operate in the 1080i 59.94Hz video format and `SETVIDMODE VID:480i 16x9` sets the switcher to operate in the 480i video format with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Example 2: `SETVIDMODE VID:480i 16x9` Result 2: Sets the switcher to operate in the 480i video format with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
`TRANSINCL ME:incl:incl:incl`	Sets the next transition area on ME number (`ME`), to include the background (`B`) and/or keys (`incl`). Example: `TRANSINCL 2:B:2:3` Result: Configures the next transition area for ME 2 with BKGD, KEY 2, and KEY 3 selected. Note that any existing selections are lost.
`TRANSRATE ME:rate`	Sets the transition rate (`rate`), in frames, on ME number (`ME`). Example: `TRANSRATE 2:15` Result: Sets the ME transition rate for ME 2 to 15 frames.
`TRANSTYPE ME:type`	Sets the transition type (`type`), see below, on ME number (`ME`). Dissolve — `DISS` Wipe — `WIPE` DVE — `DVE` Sequence — `SEQ` Example: `TRANSTYPE 3:DISS` Result: Sets the transition type for ME 3 to DISS.
`USERVAR name:value`	Assign a number (`value`) to the user variable with the name (`name`). Example: `USERVAR A:10` Result: Creates a variable of the name A with a value of 10.
`USERVAR name:operation:value`	Perform the operation (`operation`) (`+ - * / =`) with a value of (`value`) on the user variable with the name (`name`). Example: `USERVAR A:+:5` Result: Adds 5 to the variable A.
`USERVAR ALLVAR:?`	Return all user variables. Example: `USERVAR ALLVAR:?` Result: All user variables are listed.
`VERSION`	Returns the current version of software running on the switcher.
`XPT vid-dest:vid-source`	Select a video source (`vid-source`) on (`vid-dest`). Example: `XPT ME:2:PGM:IN:6` Result: Selects input C6 on the Program bus of ME 2. Refer to the information after this table for a list of sources and destinations.

Possible video destinations (vid-dest):

Aux Bus — AUX:aux-bank-number:aux-number
Key — ME:ME-number:KEY:key-number
Key (alpha/backside/2nd DVE channel) — ME:ME-number:KEY:key-number:KEYBUS:2
Tip:
The second channel of the key is either the alpha channel, backside video, or DVE channel, depending on how the key is configured.
Preset — ME:ME number:PST
Program — ME:ME number:PGM

Possible video sources (vid-source):

Aux Bus — AUX:aux-bank-number:aux-number
Black — BK (vid-source only)
Clean — ME:ME number:CLN:cln-number (Clean Feed 1-2 only) (vid-source only)
Global-Store — GS:channel-number
Input Source — IN:input-number (vid-source only)
Key — ME:ME-number:KEY:key-number
Matte Color — BG:BKGD-number (vid-source only)
ME-Store — MS:ME-number:channel-number
MultiViewer A — MVA:Head A on MultiViewer number
MultiViewer B — MVB:Head B on MultiViewer number

Possible ME Sources (ME) for Acuity®

Preview — ME:ME number:PV
Program A/B — ME:ME number:PGM: (selects PGMA or PGMB depending on what is selected on the panel)
Program A — ME:ME number:PGM:A
Program B — ME:ME number:PGM:B
Program C — ME:ME number:PGM:C
Program D — ME:ME number:PGM:D
Program E — ME:ME number:PGM:E
Program F — ME:ME number:PGM:F

Possible ME Sources (ME) for Ultrix Acuity

Preview — ME:ME number:PV
Program A — ME:ME number:PGM
Program B — ME:ME number:PGMB
Program C — ME:ME number:PGMC
Program D — ME:ME number:PGMD
Program E — ME:ME number:PGME
Program F — ME:ME number:PGMF