NDI (Network Device Interface) with TOLV (Text Over Live Video) and Lower Third in SongShow Plus - vMix WireCast OSB

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions:  
This article applies to SongShow Plus 9.1 and Later using Network Device Interface (NDI).

* Updates affecting this feature may be available. Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page before proceeding. *

With the new technologies available, organizations are leveraging the internet to record, broadcast or stream their content to the web. Along with this there is more use of cameras to include live video of the speaker/stage with a text overlay. This can be done a variety of way and the most popular is the use of software to manage and facilitate this process.  One way to do this is to leverage the NDI technology across your local network.

NDI (Network Device Interface) is a high-performance standard that allows anyone to use real time, ultra-low latency video on existing IP video networks. 

Starting with SongShow Plus 9.1, the Ultra Edition has the capability to broadcast output window content (video only) via NDI to any location on your local network. SongShow Plus utilizes a subset of available NDI features to perform specific tasks in SongShow Plus.

If you are not familiar with the details on what is required for, or limitations of, using NDI with SongShow Plus, view this article.

One common use case of NDI (Network Device Interface) in SongShow Plus is to facilitate live streaming or recording of content from one or more Output Windows. GoFishMedia can provided purpose-built machines to accomplish this and does provide limited support for that setup.

NOTE: Neither SongShow Plus Support nor GoFishMedia will provide support for your 3rd party recording/streaming devices or software (vMix, WireCast, OSB, etc.) specifically.  They can only provide assistance in establishing the supported output from SongShow Plus. Refer to your selected hardware/software support resources for additional information.  

There are several ways that SongShow Plus can be configured to work as an input for other software for recording or streaming.
These require changes to the SongShow Plus Display Settings. Once complete, when content is presented in SSP, it should also appear wherever the NDI broadcast is connected. Ways of testing this can vary depending on what your destination is.

Additionally, with the use of cameras and TOLV (Text Over Live Video) specific setups both externally (3rd party hardware/software configs) and internally to SongShow Plus (Display and Slide Properties settings) are necessary.   This will be accomplished by creating a hidden display (does not go to a Monitor/Projector/TV) to carry the TOLV with lower thirds of the Song and Scripture text, and then by adjusting the Slide Properties of that hidden display to limit the text to the lower third of the content window.

NOTE: Neither SongShow Plus Support nor GoFishMedia will provide support for your 3rd party recording/streaming devices or software (vMix, WireCast, OSB, etc.) specifically.  They can only provide assistance in establishing the supported output from SongShow Plus. Refer to your selected hardware/software support resources for additional information.  

If you are not familiar with how to configure the Output Windows in SongShow Plus, refer to SSP109 BEFORE proceeding.

To create a hidden display and enable NDI to facilitate streaming or recording of the TOLV:

1. Launch SSP
   
2. Settings > Display...
3. Locate the Output Window 3 tab (Usually the default for the Lower Third output).
4. Set the Purpose to Lower Third.
5. Set the Source Window - still should be Window 1 (Main output)
6. Set the Name - Enter a custom name. (i.e. TOLV) This will make it easier to location the broadcast stream for this output on the network.
7. Set the Placement - Select Display Device
8. Set the Display Device - Set to 1280 x 720 hidden
9. Set the Transparent Base - Set to Yes
10. Set the NDI Enabled - Set to Yes
11. Click OK to save and close.
12. re-start SSP.

To configure Slide Properties to facilitate the Lower Third text presentation in SongShow Plus for the TOLV output:

1. Launch SSP.
   
2. From the main tool bar select Slide Properties.
3. Locate the Output Window section that corresponds with the desired content.  This should be your TOLV (or whatever you named it) setup.
4. In the selected section, locate the TOLV > All Media section.
5. Locate the Background property, then the Base Color.
6. Expand the color selection using the down arrows and set the slider to 100% transparent.
7. Locate and select the TOLV > Songs > Margins property group.
8. Click the Lower Third button to adjust the Margins for Song Text.
9. Locate and select the TOLV > Scripture > Margins property group.
10. Click the Lower Third button to adjust the Margins for Scripture Text.
11. Click OK to save and close, then re-start SSP.
12. Present content and verify.

 Training Videos - A video walk-through of this process is available.  Locate the video on the training page - Display Settings > NDI Output to vMix (Lower Thirds)

Depending on your current subscription level, you can go to the GoFishMedia website training page and log in with the same Customer ID and password that you use to log in to the SongShow Plus site or activate SongShow Plus. Review this article for more details.

If you have any questions regarding the use of, or issues with, any of the NDI features, please contact the Support Team.

(SSP156)