How to manage your Sources ?

In any video editing project, effective management of your sources—be it cameras, video servers, or effects generators—is crucial for smooth workflow and a polished final product. These sources serve as the raw materials that you'll use to construct your video masterpiece, and you'll find them readily available for editing in Switcher tracks within your timelines. Centralized in the Sources panel located in the Sidebar, this guide aims to help both beginners and seasoned professionals navigate the complexities of source management.

Accessing the Sources Panel

To access the Sources panel, simply click on the Camera icon located in the left sidebar of the LiveEdit interface.

In the Sources panel, you'll find three distinct categories of sources that can be used in LiveEdit:

1. Cameras
   
2. Internal Sources
   
3. Media Player Sources
   

Cameras

A camera source corresponds to an individual camera in your project. The number of "Camera sources" should match the number of cameras you have in your show.

Each camera source has its own line in the list and provides the following information:

• Index #: This indicates the source's number in the list. This is not editable.
• Label: This is the name commonly displayed by LiveEdit in both tracks and Cue Cards.
• Description: This is an optional field that allows you to describe the default function of the camera (e.g., Close-Up).
• Control Type: This is only visible if the source has been declared as PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) or CCU (Camera Control Unit).
• Source Color: This is the color associated with the source throughout the project, affecting plans, buttons, etc.
• Xpoint: This indicates the input number in the video mixer.

Modify Camera Attributes in LiveEdit

In LiveEdit, you can modify various attributes of a source, such as its Label, Description, and Color. These changes are universally reflected across the LiveEdit interface, as well as on tablets used for control and in printed shot lists.

How to Modify:

1. Open the Sources Panel: Click on the Camera icon in the sidebar to access the Sources panel.
2. Locate the Source: Find the line corresponding to the source you wish to modify.
3. Edit Source Attributes:

• Modify Label: Click on the Label to open the source editing window. Type in the new Label (maximum 4 characters), and click "OK" to confirm.
• Modify Description: In the source editing window, find the Description field. This is an optional field where you can describe the default function of the camera or source.
• Modify Color: Locate the 'Source Color' option in the source editing window. Choose the new color that you want to associate with the source throughout the project.
• Confirm Changes: Click on "OK" to save all your modifications.

Modifying the Xpoint

The Xpoint (crosspoint) is the term used to designate which input on the video mixer is associated with a given source in LiveEdit. Each source needs a corresponding Xpoint for LiveEdit to know what to cut on air according to the timeline.

To Modify the Xpoint of a Source:

1. Open the Sources panel by clicking on the icon in the sidebar.
2. Find the source you want to modify and click on its current Xpoint number.
3. The source editing window will appear with the Crosspoint field highlighted.
4. Enter the new crosspoint number to associate with this source.
5. Click "OK" to confirm.

Internal Sources

An internal source corresponds to a source generated within the video mixer itself. Internal sources are generally colors, stored images, or M/E (Mix/Effects).

Each internal source has its own line in the list and provides the following information:

• Index #: This indicates the number of the internal source in the list. This is not editable.
• Description: This is an optional field.
• Xpoint: This indicates what the internal source is in relation to the catalog of sources offered by LiveEdit.

Media Player Sources

A Media Player refers to an external device controlled by LiveEdit and available as a video source in your project. LiveEdit allows the control of three categories of devices:

• Media Player (Built-in)
• VTR (Video Tape Recorder)
• DME/MVE (Digital Multi Effects)

Each Media Player source has its own line in the list and provides the following information:

• Index #: This indicates the number of the source in the list. This is not editable.
• Label: This is the name displayed by LiveEdit in the tracks.
• Description: This is an optional field.
• Type: Indicates the type among MP (Media Player), VTR (Video Tape Recorder), and DME (Digital Multi Effects).
• Xpoint: This indicates the input number in the video mixer.