NEWTEK Talkshow VS-100 User manual

USO RESTRITO

Revised – May 13, 2015

Trademarks: NewTek, TalkShow, TalkShow VS100, TriCaster, TriCaster XD, TriCaster 8000, TriCaster

TCXD8000, TCXD8000, TriCaster 860, TriCaster TCXD860, TCXD860, TriCaster 460, TriCaster TCXD460,

TCXD460, TriCaster 410, TriCaster TCXD410, TCXD410, TriCaster Mini, TriCaster 40, TriCaster TCXD40,

TCXD40, TriCaster 855, TriCaster TCXD855, TCXD855, TriCaster 455, TriCaster TCXD455, TCXD455, TriCaster

EXTREME, TriCaster 850 EXTREME, TriCaster TCXD850 EXTREME, TCXD850 EXTREME, TriCaster 450 EXTREME,

TriCaster TCXD450 EXTREME, TCXD450 EXTREME, TriCaster 850, TriCaster TCXD850, TCXD850, TriCaster 450,

TriCaster TCXD450, TCXD450, TriCaster 300, TriCaster TCXD300, TCXD300, TriCaster PRO, TriCaster STUDIO,

TriCaster BROADCAST, TriCaster DUO, 3PLAY, 3Play, 3Play 4800, 3PXD4800, 3Play 440, 3PXD440, 3Play Mini,

3Play 820, 3PXD820, 3Play 425, 3PXD425 3Play 330, 3PXD330, ProTek, ProTek Care, ProTek Elite, iVGA,

SpeedEDIT, IsoCorder, LiveText, DataLink, LiveSet, TriCaster Virtual Set Editor, TriCaster VSE, LiveMatte,

TimeWarp, VT, VT[3], VT[4], V[T5], Video Toaster, Toaster, Inspire 3D, 3D Arsenal, Aura, LightWave,

LightWave 3D and LightWave CORE are trademarks, service marks, and registered trademarks of NewTek. All

other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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About This Manual ........................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3

SECTION 2.1 SKYPE TX™ AND TALKSHOW™ ........................................................................................... 3

2.1.1 Skype TX™ Client and Control – Overview ....................................................................... 3

2.1.2 TalkShow™ ...................................................................................................................... 4

SECTION 2.2 FEATURES ...................................................................................................................... 4

2.2.1 Physical............................................................................................................................ 4

2.2.2 Multi-Tier Failsafe ........................................................................................................... 5

2.2.3 A/V Features.................................................................................................................... 5

2.2.4 Call Management ............................................................................................................ 6

Setting Up ......................................................................................................................... 7

SECTION 3.1 COMMAND AND CONTROL ................................................................................................ 7

SECTION 3.2 CONFIGURING WINDOWS™ .............................................................................................. 9

SECTION 3.3 TALKSHOW™ LICENSE AND REGISTRATION ......................................................................... 10

3.3.1 Online Registration ........................................................................................................ 11

3.3.2 Registering by Telephone .............................................................................................. 11

SECTION 3.4 RACK MOUNTING TALKSHOW ......................................................................................... 12

SECTION 3.5 INPUT CONNECTIONS ..................................................................................................... 12

3.5.1 Internet Connectivity ..................................................................................................... 12

3.5.2 Return to Caller ............................................................................................................. 13

3.5.3 Reference Signal (Genlock) ............................................................................................ 15

SECTION 3.6 SKYPE CALL OUTPUT ...................................................................................................... 15

3.6.1 Network Connection ...................................................................................................... 16

3.6.2 SDI Output ..................................................................................................................... 16

3.6.3 Analog Audio ................................................................................................................. 16

SECTION 3.7 TALLY (ON AIR) ............................................................................................................ 17

3.7.1 Tally Port Details ........................................................................................................... 17

SECTION 3.8 FIRST LAUNCH AND CONFIGURATION ................................................................................ 17

3.8.1 Signing In ....................................................................................................................... 19

3.8.2 Choosing PAL or NTSC Video Standards ........................................................................ 20

3.8.3 Configure Return to Caller ............................................................................................. 22

SECTION 3.9 CONFIGURE GENLOCK .................................................................................................... 24

Live Production Walkthrough ........................................................................................ 27

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SECTION 4.1 MAKING A CALL ............................................................................................................ 27

4.1.1 The Contacts List ........................................................................................................... 27

4.1.2 Skype Calling ................................................................................................................. 31

4.1.3 Talk Back ....................................................................................................................... 32

4.1.4 Disconnecting ................................................................................................................ 33

SECTION 4.2 RECORDING CALLS ......................................................................................................... 34

SECTION 4.3 CALLER SNAPSHOT ......................................................................................................... 35

The TalkShow™ Desktop ................................................................................................ 39

I/O Configuration ........................................................................................................... 41

SECTION 6.1 A/V RETURN TO CALLER (INPUT) ..................................................................................... 41

6.1.1 Video ............................................................................................................................. 42

6.1.2 Audio ............................................................................................................................. 48

SECTION 6.2 CALL A/V (OUTPUT) ...................................................................................................... 56

6.2.1 Video ............................................................................................................................. 57

6.2.2 Audio ............................................................................................................................. 62

6.2.3 No call options ............................................................................................................... 64

SECTION 6.3 REFERENCE (GENLOCK) .................................................................................................. 65

6.3.1 Vertical Position, Horizontal Position and Phase .......................................................... 66

6.3.2 Reference Type .............................................................................................................. 68

6.3.3 Center Frequency .......................................................................................................... 68

6.3.4 Tally (On Air) ................................................................................................................. 68

Monitoring and Call Status ............................................................................................. 69

SECTION 7.1 THE CONTACT LIST ........................................................................................................ 69

7.1.1 Status Stripe .................................................................................................................. 70

SECTION 7.2 CALL MONITORING ........................................................................................................ 70

SECTION 7.3 CALL STATUS ................................................................................................................ 71

SECTION 7.4 CALL TECHNICAL INFO .................................................................................................... 73

Skype TX Control ............................................................................................................ 79

SECTION 8.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION ....................................................................... 80

SECTION 8.2 SETTING UP SKYPE TX CONTROL ....................................................................................... 80

SECTION 8.3 USER INTERFACE ........................................................................................................... 81

SECTION 8.4 INITIAL START UP ........................................................................................................... 88

SECTION 8.5 SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................... 90

8.5.1 Incoming Settings .......................................................................................................... 90

8.5.2 Channel Settings ............................................................................................................ 91

8.5.3 API Settings ................................................................................................................... 92

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8.5.4 Workflow Settings ......................................................................................................... 93

SECTION 8.6 ADDING MACHINES ....................................................................................................... 94

SECTION 8.7 MAKING A CALL ............................................................................................................ 96

8.7.1 Adding a Contact ........................................................................................................... 97

8.7.2 Making Multiple Calls.................................................................................................. 105

SECTION 8.8 TAKING A SNAPSHOT .................................................................................................... 105

SECTION 8.9 MANAGING A CALL ...................................................................................................... 107

SECTION 8.10 MONITORING A CALL ................................................................................................. 108

SECTION 8.11 ENDING A CALL ......................................................................................................... 109

SECTION 8.12 SHUTTING DOWN SKYPE TX CONTROL ........................................................................... 110

A How Do I … (?) ...................................................................................................................... 111

A.1 CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................. 113

A.1.1 Connect the Video Return Source? .......................................................................... 113

A.1.2 Connect tally lights? ................................................................................................ 113

A.1.3 Connect to a network? ............................................................................................ 113

A.1.4 Resolve A Network Source Issue? ............................................................................ 113

A.1.5 Enable Termination for video inputs? ..................................................................... 115

A.2 LIVE PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 115

A.2.1 Record my Program? ............................................................................................... 115

A.3 FILES .............................................................................................................................. 116

A.4 SOFTWARE, MAINTENANCE AND UPDATES ............................................................................ 116

A.4.1 Resolve Serious Instability or Dropped frames? ...................................................... 116

A.4.2 Update TalkShow Software? ................................................................................... 116

A.4.3 Install Virus Protection? .......................................................................................... 116

A.4.4 Install My Favorite Software (or Codec)? ................................................................ 117

A.4.5 Create a ‘User Backup’ Drive ................................................................................... 117

A.4.6 Restore Talkshow Software ..................................................................................... 117

A.5 REGISTRATION AND TECH SUPPORT ..................................................................................... 119

A.5.1 Register TalkShow? ................................................................................................. 119

A.5.2 Contact Customer Support? .................................................................................... 119

A.5.3 Find Talkshow’s Hardware/Firmware Revision Numbers? ...................................... 119

B Dimensions and Mounting ................................................................................................... 121

C Reliability Testing ................................................................................................................. 122

Index ............................................................................................................................................. 123

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P A RT I ( G E T T I NG S T A R T E D )

Introducing TalkShow – connections and registration, a top-level overview of primary features, and

a quick hands-on tour to get you started.

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This manual tells you everything you need to know to use your

TalkShow™ system. It attempts to convey essential information in a

friendly, concise way, while also deeper reference information you

can turn to when you really need all of the relevant details.

Even if you are the hands-on, never-ask-directions type, please peruse this page. If any questions

about your TalkShow system arise later, you may find the information here allows you to jump

directly to the details you need with a minimum of reading.

 PART I – GETTING STARTED

Introduction to TalkShow™ and Skype TX™, network and device connections,

registration details, including basic operation.

 PART II – REFERENCE

This section covers every arcane detail related to using TalkShow (for those

who need it, and those who just like to know everything).

 PART III – APPENDICES

Leads off with a handy section titled “How do I …?“, a helpful question and

answer section with its own brief index. When you have a specific need, you

may well find a quick answer here, along with cross references to more

detailed information when appropriate.

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NewTek is extremely proud of its record of innovation and

commitment to excellence in design, manufacture, and product

support. This chapter provides a quick tour of the major components

of your new TalkShow live production system, and explains how to

perform initial connection and configuration.

Thank you for purchasing this NewTek system. TalkShow® is a proud member of our

talented family of video production and broadcast systems. Its sleek profile conceals a

robust system that has been lovingly crafted to fill an important role in your studio.

If your production pipeline includes other NewTek products, you may enjoy added

benefits; but rest assured, TalkShow’s professional design and high-end feature set allow

it to be easily integrated into any broadcast workflow.

The Skype TX™ platform is at the core of you TalkShow™ system’s capabilities.

Skype TX™ is a unique Skype® based system developed by Microsoft® to present the video

and audio of any Skype call seamlessly to the television broadcast chain. The Skype TX

platform includes several primary applications, described next.

Most familiar, of course, is the ubiquitous Skype™ Client enjoyed by

hundreds of millions of users around the world on various platforms,

including mobile devices. The Skype TX™ Client software leverages that

global communication network, bringing its astonishing two way video

communication capabilities into the video broadcast environment in more

traditional forms, and with visual quality and features suited to studio workflows and

requirements. (Of course, these same abilities can be very useful for many other

applications as well).

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A single Skype TX Client supports both ends of one Skype call, referred to in the Skype TX

workflow as a “channel”. You may wonder, though, how multiple channels can be

managed. A second application called Skype TX™ Control provides tools to manage

multiple Skype TX channels.

Skype TX Control manages multiple Skype TX Clients (channels), and lets you initiate calls

to any contact in the central Contacts database. Physical access to the Skype TX unit or

the Skype TX software is not required in this case.

TalkShow™ is the brand name of NewTek live production

systems purpose-designed to support the Skype TX™

platform, as well as the identity of the software suite running

on the system.

The Skype TX Client software, described previously, is hosted

within the TalkShow application. This integrated approach

presents the user with a seamless experience combining the

awesome power of the Skype TX platform with high-end professional audio and

video features provided by TalkShow. The end result is an unparalleled Skype TX

experience that eliminates any need for a number of expensive external audio and video

devices that might otherwise be considered mandatory.

Let’s take time for a brief review of the key features of your new TalkShow unit.

 Rugged yet very compact (1RU) rack-mount case.

 Audio and video, monitoring and network connectors are easily accessible from

the rear for convenient installation in standard 19” rack-mount configurations.

 Industry standard connectors (XLR, ¼” audio jack, and BNC) ensure broad

compatibility and secure connections.

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NewTek’s ‘Always on Air’ failsafe system provides multi-tier redundancy. Software

processes continually monitor and safeguard the live performance. Recoverable error

conditions are quickly and unobtrusively dealt with. The system can automatically display

a still image of the remote caller while maintaining audio transmission, should unforeseen

bandwidth constraints occur below specified values.

TalkShow also has a comprehensive integrated system restore feature. Operators can

quickly and easily restore to factory defaults, or create a restore image on an external

drive, then restore from it should a complete hard drive failure ever occur.

 A studio-grade production source, TalkShow delivers HD-SDI video to the

switcher, with automatic aspect ratio handling.

 Full 4:4:4:4 32-bit floating point internal processing of all video sources.

 Proc Amp, White Balance, and Auto Color features ensure responsive,

professional quality live color correction. Adjust video output to compensate for

environmental variations automatically, manually, or both.

 SDI-embedded or (balanced) analog audio input and output, with quality

enhancement features including integrated graphic equalizer and

compressor/limiter to enhance quality, maintain consistent levels, and prevent

clipping or overdriving.

 Record incoming call audio and video (and optional return audio on isolated

channels for post-production) to local or networked storage.

 Supports NewTek’s unique AirSend™ technology that can transmit all required

a/v signals between Talkshow and a TriCaster™ live production system across a

network, without any other cabling or using up precious switcher input and

output connections.

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 Call management is handled separately from a/v output, resulting in a feed that

is free of pop-ups, advertisements and notifications.

 Tally notification tells operator and caller when they are ‘live to air’.

 Included SkypeTX™ Control application permits multiple TalkShow systems and

Skype™ calls to be managed from a single interface.

 The unique Talk Back button on the TalkShow Dashboard makes it easy for the

TalkShow operator or ‘call screener’ to communicate directly with the remote

Skype™ caller using an inexpensive headset, without potentially complicated and

expensive external audio routing systems.

 The included Skype TX™ Control application, installed on an external computer

system, provides the possibility of managing multiple TalkShow units (and Skype™

channels) centrally. See Chapter 8, Skype TX Control.

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This chapter explains how to connect and configure your NewTek

TalkShow™ system. It also reviews the registration process, and

explains how to connect to external video production devices.

After completing this short section, you’ll be all set to continue into

the Live Production Walkthrough chapter that follows it.

To begin, let’s review the contents of the box:

 NewTek Talkshow™

 A/C power cord

 NewTek mouse and keyboard

 Quick Start Guide

 NewTek TalkShow registration reminder card

 New product letter

FIGURE 1

1. Connect an external computer monitor to a port labeled either DVI or HDMI, as

appropriate for your device.

Hint: TalkShow’s interface requires a resolution of at least 1600x1050.

2. Connect the mouse and keyboard to USB ports on TalkShow.

3. Connect the power cord between Talkshow and an external power receptacle.

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4. Connect a suitable cable to the one of the RJ-45 ports marked ETHERNET, and

connect that to a network with Internet access.

NOTE: It is recommended that your Internet service should support at least 2.5 megabit speeds

in both directions for a single, reliable, high definition Skype call.

FIGURE 2

5. Turn on the computer monitor.

6. Press the large round On/Off

switch at left on TalkShow’s

faceplate.

At this point, the blue ring surrounding

the On/Off will illuminate, as will the

NewTek logo at right, and the unit will

boot up. (If this does not happen, check

your connections and retry).

Though not a requirement, we do

strongly recommend that you connect

TalkShow using an uninterruptable

power supply (UPS), as for any ‘mission

critical’ system. Likewise, consider A/C

“power conditioning”, especially in

situations where local power is unreliable

or ‘noisy’.

Surge protection is especially important in some

locales. Power conditioners can reduce wear on

A word about UPS devices:

‘Modified sine wave’ UPS devices are

popular due to low manufacturing costs.

However, such units should generally be

viewed as being of low quality and

possibly inadequate to fully protect the

system from abnormal power events..

For a modest added cost, consider a

"pure sine wave" UPS. These units can

be relied on to supply very clean power,

eliminating potential problems, and are

recommended for applications

demanding high reliability.

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TalkShow’s power supply and other electronics, and provide a further measure of

protection from surges, spikes, lightning and high voltage.

Hint: Power saving settings such as ‘sleep’, etc., that could negatively imact TalkShow functionality

are off by default.

You will want to take time to ensure that your system is configured correctly for your own

locale.

1. Exit the TalkShow application, if necessary, and press the Windows key on your

keyboard (usually between CTRL and ALT) to reveal the Windows Start screen.

FIGURE 3

2. Near the bottom left corner of the Start screen, click the arrow icon (Figure 3) to

display the Apps screen, showing all installed applications.

FIGURE 4

3. Click the Control Panel icon under the Windows System heading.

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FIGURE 5

4. In the Windows™ Control Panel, click Clock, Language, and Region (Figure 5), and

make appropriate selections as required.

On first launch, TalkShow presents an End User License Agreement dialog. After you

accept this, the Registration dialog shown in Figure 6 is presented. If necessary, enter the

unique Serial Number and Product ID for your system.

Important note: The TalkShow software will not launch until the system is registered and unlocked.

You can register and obtain your registration

code online (directly from TalkShow, or from

another system connected to the Internet)

or by telephone.

Hint: If the Serial number doesn’t appear

automatically, and you can’t find it on your unit,

you can obtain it from the registration webpage

mentioned in the next section, or by calling

Customer Support Desk (open seven days a

week).

For later convenience, you may wish to record the

registration code for your TalkShow on the sticker

affixed on the chassis of the unit expressly for this

purpose.

FIGURE 6

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If you have connected your TalkShow to the Internet, simply click the button under Step

2 in the registration dialog. This will take you to the Registration page

(http://register.newtek.com) on NewTek’s website, where you will find further directions.

Hint: Information on connecting TalkShow to a network can be found in 3.6.1 .

Otherwise, you can visit the registration webpage from another system with Internet

access. In either case, after registering on the website, enter the resulting registration

code into the field provided in the Registration dialog.

NewTek’s Customer Support center can also handle registration requests by telephone, if

that is more convenient (when opportunity permits, you should still visit the website as

discussed above to gain access to software updates).

Please have your Product ID (from the Registration dialog mentioned earlier) handy when

you call. The phone numbers for Customer Support follow:

Telephone:

 (US) 1-800-862-7837

 (Outside US) +1-210-370-8452

 (Europe) +33 (0) 557-262-262

Hint: It’s a good idea to record the login name and password you choose when creating your

website profile, and keep them in a safe place. Jot down the registration code too; it could come

in very handy if you ever need to restore the TalkShow software to its as-shipped state when you

don’t have access to the Internet.

UPDATES

It’s a great idea to check for recent free software updates for your system at this time,

too – see Section A.4.2 for more on this.

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ENHANCED SUPPORT (PROTEK)

NewTek’s optional ProTek

SM

service programs offer renewable (and transferable)

coverage and enhanced support service features extending well beyond the standard

warranty period. Please see http://www.newtek.com/support/protek.html or your local

authorized NewTek reseller for more details regarding ProTek plan options.

TalkShow is designed for convenient mounting in standard 19” racks (side rails are

available from NewTek, if desired). Please keep in mind that adequate cooling is a very

important requirement for virtually all electronic and digital equipment, and this is true

of Talkshow as well.

When designing enclosures or mounting the unit, supplying good free air movement

around the chassis should be viewed as an important design consideration. This is

especially true in fixed installations where Talkshow might be installed inside furniture-

style enclosures.

In particular, you must provide adequate space above the unit (1RU is recommended as

a minimum). We also suggest leaving 1.5 to 2 inches of space on all sides to allow cool

(i.e., comfortable ‘room temperature’) air to circulate around the chassis.

Hint: If you operate TalkShow in a ‘road case’ for mobile production, it’s best to do so with both the

front and back covers (of the road case) removed.

Please refer to the notes under in Section 3.1, Command and Control. TalkShow’s dual

network ports provide a great deal of flexibility to ensure that you can integrate the

system into your own network environment without compromising the bandwidth

required for all-important audio and video transmission.

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NEWTEK Talkshow VS-100 User manual

NEWTEK Talkshow VS-100 User manual

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