Special Playback Controls for Monitoring Live Video

3min

While traditional video contains a single video track and a pair of stereo audio channels, VLC is also able to playback complex video containers carrying multi-camera video, multiple audio tracks and metadata elements such as closed captioning. The list below includes special VLC controls that are particularly useful for monitoring the individual audio and video elements of the source content itself, including artifacts and issues introduced at, or even prior to, the source video encoding. For example, missing metadata, inverted audio pairs, and more. 
Video Controls
Control
Details
Video Track
Disable video or specify which embedded camera element to display at any time
Full Screen
Toggle between window frame and full screen
Zoom
A zoom setting of 1:1 ‘Original’ is advised for full image monitoring
Aspect Ratio
The ‘Default’ setting displays the true aspect, and can highlight an incorrect setting in the source
Crop
Ensure ‘Default’ is set, any local cropping is outside of the delivered stream
DeInterlace
Set to ‘Off’ to view non-interlaced source, or to determine if the video channel is interlaced as expected. Once confirmed, Set ‘On’ or ‘Automatic’ for general monitoring of interlaced video on an LCD screen.
DeInterlace Mode
When in ‘DeInterlace’ mode, a range of software post-processing methods are available. Note that any local post-processing effects are subjective and do not represent the source.
Post Processing
Ensure ‘Disable’ is set, local post-processing can affect perception of the true source.
Take Snapshot
This tool is useful for providing your support contact with a screenshot when describing a video artifact.


Audio Controls
Control
Details
Audio Track
Use this control to disable audio completely or specify which embedded audio element to play at any time.
Audio Device 
Default to the on-board sound system or select external audio monitoring equipment if available.
Stereo Mode 
Use this control to toggle the stereo and monitor left and right audio channels individually.
Visualizations
VLC provides software visualizations that can help with audio monitoring such as the ‘Scope’ and ‘VU Meter’. Set to ‘disable’ or select a visualization to enable the visualization window.
Volume
Ensure ‘Mute’ is turned off if you are monitoring audio.


Subtitle Controls
Control 
Details 
Sub Track 
Use this setting to disable caption, or specify a specific closed captioning track to overlay on the video.

Control	Details
Video Track	Disable video or specify which embedded camera element to display at any time
Full Screen	Toggle between window frame and full screen
Zoom	A zoom setting of 1:1 ‘Original’ is advised for full image monitoring
Aspect Ratio	The ‘Default’ setting displays the true aspect, and can highlight an incorrect setting in the source
Crop	Ensure ‘Default’ is set, any local cropping is outside of the delivered stream
DeInterlace	Set to ‘Off’ to view non-interlaced source, or to determine if the video channel is interlaced as expected. Once confirmed, Set ‘On’ or ‘Automatic’ for general monitoring of interlaced video on an LCD screen.
DeInterlace Mode	When in ‘DeInterlace’ mode, a range of software post-processing methods are available. Note that any local post-processing effects are subjective and do not represent the source.
Post Processing	Ensure ‘Disable’ is set, local post-processing can affect perception of the true source.
Take Snapshot	This tool is useful for providing your support contact with a screenshot when describing a video artifact.

Control	Details
Audio Track	Use this control to disable audio completely or specify which embedded audio element to play at any time.
Audio Device	Default to the on-board sound system or select external audio monitoring equipment if available.
Stereo Mode	Use this control to toggle the stereo and monitor left and right audio channels individually.
Visualizations	VLC provides software visualizations that can help with audio monitoring such as the ‘Scope’ and ‘VU Meter’. Set to ‘disable’ or select a visualization to enable the visualization window.
Volume	Ensure ‘Mute’ is turned off if you are monitoring audio.

Control	Details
Sub Track	Use this setting to disable caption, or specify a specific closed captioning track to overlay on the video.

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