Encoder Status Screen Object

When setting up the streaming encoder, the first thing you should is to add up the Encoder Status screen object.

It provides the following controls:

  • Buttons to toggle the MIC and LINE inputs.
  • A Connect/Disconnect button to establish or terminate the actual server connections.
  • A peakmeter showing the current output level of the (master) signal.
  • A status label with information about the current connections and the number of listeners.

Configuration

To add the Encoder Status screen object, open the standalone configuration app, navigate to the Screen Objects page, click Add and select Streaming Encoder Status.

On the General tab, the following options are available:

  • Show MIC button: Enable to display the MIC button that toggles the microphone input.
  • Show LINE button: Enable to display the LINE button that toggles the line input.
  • Show audio level when offline: By default, the peakmeter will be disabled when the encoder is in “Disconnected” master state. This is to provide visual feedback of the master state to the user. By checking this option, the peakmeter will always display the current audio level, regardless of the master state of the encoder.

The Advanced tab provides access to the common settings of all screen objects, in particular, the desired position in the GUI.

Usage

Once you have added the screen object to the configuration, restart the playout, and the object will appear in the GUI.

MIC and LINE Buttons

These buttons, when enabled in the config, can be used to toggle the respective live input of the encoder. When disabled (gray), the input will be muted.

If only the MIC or the LINE button is enabled in the config, that button will span the entire width of the screen object. If neither button is enabled, the height of the screen object will be reduced accordingly.

Connection Status

The label below the MIC and LINE buttons displays a brief summary of the current connections. The following texts may be displayed:

  • Offline: The master switch is set to “Disconnected”. Click the Connect button to establish the server connections.
  • No connections: The master switch is set to “Connected”, but no connections are configured or enabled.
  • Online (x/x) - Listeners: (number): The master switch is set to “Connected”, all enabled connections are established successfully. The number of listeners displayed is the total of all listeners on all connections.
  • Connecting (x/y) - Listeners: (number): The master switch is set to “Connected”, but some connections are not currently established. See the System Log for details on the failing connections.

When you hover the mouse cursor over the label, a hint will be displayed that gives you per-connection information on the current status.

Double-clicking the label will take you directly to the Encoder page in the Live Configuration (mAirList Control Panel).

Connect/Disconnect Button

The Connect/Disconnect button toggles the encoder connection master switch:

  • In “Connected” state, all (enabled) server connections will be established; if a connection fails, or unexpectedly terminates, an automatic reconnection attempt will be made, according to the settings in the configuration.
  • In “Disconnected” state, all server connections will be terminated.

Peakmeter

At the bottom of the screen object, there is a peakmeter that displays the current level of the audio sent to the encoder.

By default, the peakmeter will display the level of the stereo “Master” bus of the encoder, but there are several other signals to choose from, which you can access through the right-click menu.

If regionalization is enabled, the peakmeter will display a separate stereo pair for the common signal as well as for each region (1+n stereo pairs for n regions).

Depending on the Show audio level when offline option in the screen object settings, the peakmeter will be disabled when the encoder master switch is set to “Disconnected”.