VOX
Voice Automated Production
Operators Manual
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19 VOX Voice Automated Control
Broadcast Pix VOX allows any Broadcast Pix system to be
controlled via voice control allowing your talents’ voice to switch the
production for a completely automated production. VOX utilizes the
power of Fluent Macros to trigger virtually any component of the
system from cross point switching, clip and graphic selection, to
camera control. Once Macros are created they are assigned to the
audio inputs and are triggered once level is activated on each input.
VOX is ideal for televising Radio Stations, City Council Sessions,
Medical Training, Focus Groups, Town Hall meetings, Panel
Discussions and more.
7.19.1 Installing VOX
Each VOX unit has 8 line level audio inputs using an XLR/Phono jack combo
connecter. Up to 13 units may be cascaded together for control of up to 104 audio
inputs. VOX does not do any audio mixing or routing, it is completely separate from your
main audio stream to prevent any interference. Your installation may require a
Audio Distribution Amplifier (DA) or Audio Mixer with Aux sends in order for the signals to
be connected to the VOX unit.
The VOX unit is a 1 Rack Unit (RU) box with integrated rack ears, for convenient
installation in an equipment rack. It is connected to a Broadcast Pix system through a
standard straight RS-232 serial connection using the Bpix/Next VOX port on the rear of
the VOX Unit. Ensure that power is connected using the supplied power supply.
Broadcast Pix VOX - Rear
Power 6-9V
Use XLR or !” Phono jack cables
RS-232 DB 9-Pin Serial Cable Pinout:
Pin Function
2 TXD
3 RXD
5 GND
Broadcast Pix Server or other PC
Available Comm Port, either Comm 1 or 2
If using an Edgeport for more
communication ports, ensure that the
Port Flags are set to RS-232
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19
Broadcast Pix VOX - Front
Green LED
Indicates Power is Supplied
Level adjustment
Use a flat-head screwdriver to adjust
audio input so LED pulsates only when
someone speaks directly into microphone
to reduce any background noise
Red LEDs
Indicate that the
VOX unit and
BPSwitcher
Application are
communicating
with each other, will
blink at a fast rate
Yellow LEDs
Indicate that signal is present on the
audio inputs
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19.1
7.19.2 Installing Host Override Panel
When VOX is running automatically, a user (typically the host of the program) can
override the system and run a pre-defined Macro. Each VOX unit comes with an
override panel which is connected to the 15 pin GPI/panel connecter on the rear of the
VOX unit. The panel is designed to be flush-mounted to a desk or to a table top box.
A custom overrode button panel may also be made and connected to the
same port using the pinout listed below. There are 4 GPI buttons and 4 LEDs, which give
status depending if a Marco is defined/running/paused.
Broadcast Pix VOX - Rear
Override Panel
DB 15-Pin Serial Cable Pinout:
Pin Function
1 GPI 1
2 GPI 2
3 GPI 3
4 GPI 4
5 LED 1 -
6 LED 2 -
7 LED 3 -
8 LED 4 -
9 GND
10 GND
11 GND
12 LED 1 +
13 LED 2 +
14 LED 3 +
15 LED 4 +
1 2 3 4
Custom 15 pin cable
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19.2
7.19.3 Installing Multiple VOX Units
Up to 13 VOX units may be connected for a total of up to 104 cascaded audio inputs.
The Prev. VOX 9 Pin connector is the loop output from the first VOX unit, which is then
connected to the Bpix/Next VOX 9 Pin connector on the second unit and following units.
You may continue to loop through other units in the same manor. The below diagram
shows 3 units connected for a total of 24 audio inputs.
Broadcast Pix VOX 1 - Rear
Straight 9 pin cable
Broadcast Pix VOX 2 - Rear
Broadcast Pix VOX 3 - Rear
RS-232 DB 9-Pin Serial Cable Pinout:
Pin Function
2 TXD
3 RXD
5 GND
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
Straight 9 pin cable
7.19.3
7.19.4 VOX Software Editor
VOX may be installed on the same Broadcast Pix system or another remote PC. In
either installation, to run the VOX unit software must be installed, which is
used to configure different show setups. Each setup may have custom parameters
including which Macros are used for each input and what timing is used to switch from
one input to the next. The VOX software has powerful intelligence to turn a basic
production into a compelling production.
When using a remote PC to run VOX, the remote PC and the Broadcast Pix system
must be networked together in order for the Macros to be triggered.
Prior to configuring the VOX unit, it is important to create the Macros used for the
production, as described in section 4.13. Macros may need to be refined to ensure that
each switch is perfectly timed.
To verify communication:
1. Ensure that the BPSwitcher
application is running, and that a show
is loaded, as described in section 1.6.
2. Launch the VOX Editor by double-
clicking on the desktop icon, as
shown on the right.
3. The VOX Editor window will appear,
select the Device settings tab, as
shown on the right.
4. In the Broadcast Pix hostname/IP:
text field, enter the IP address of the
system. If the software is installed
locally on the Broadcast Pix system,
enter the word localhost.
5. In the VOX box COM port: drop down
menu, select the connected COM X
port, in this example COM 1.
6. To test each connection click on the
Test Connection link, a pop up
message will appear if the connection
failed or is successful.
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19.4
7. When successful, a Connection
established pop up message will
appear, click on the OK button, as
shown on the right.
If the connection fails, ensure that both
the serial cable is connected and that a
show is running on the Broadcast Pix
Switcher.
Once communication has been
established, a series of tabs will
appear at the top of the window.
To assign Macros to audio inputs:
1. Click on the Microphone settings tab
on the top of the window.
A list of all available mic inputs will
appear, 1-8 for each VOX unit
connected, as shown on the right.
Each labeled input corresponds to the
physical audio input on each VOX unit.
2. Click on the Pick macros button, and
a pop up screen will appear.
3. In the Add a macro: drop down menu,
select the desired macro, in this
example Mic B Zoom, and click on the
Add this macro to this list link.
Each input may have unlimited
macros. When an input triggers an
assigned macro it will randomly
choose a macro from this list. To have
a greater chance to run a certain
macro, like a close up of the talent,
simply add the macro to the list again.
Broadcast Pix V3.0
install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
7.19.4
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