GPI Commander Integration with OnTheAir Video

OnTheAir Video includes native support for GPICommander, allowing broadcast systems to easily exchange trigger signals with external equipment.

Trigger OnTheAir Video from External Devices

Any input on a connected GPICommander can be assigned to almost any action available within OnTheAir Video.

Examples include:

• Play
• Pause
• Stop
• Next / Previous Clip
• Trigger Macros
• Run AppleScripts
• Send SCTE-35 Messages
• Switch ATEM Inputs
• Control Bitfocus Companion
• Trigger Graphics Projects
• Execute HTTP Requests
• Send MIDI Messages
• Router Control
• Logo Overlay Control
• Playback Commands
• And many more...

This makes it simple to connect:

• Physical push buttons
• Foot switches
• Relay closures
• Automation systems
• Vision mixers
• GPIO interfaces
• Custom hardware

to virtually any playback workflow.

 

Reliable Hardware Triggering

The GPI Commander device can be configured with hardware protection features including:

• Pulse duration for momentary contacts
• Anti-rebound (debounce) to eliminate accidental double presses
• Configurable trigger behavior

These options help ensure reliable operation in live production environments.

 

Control External Equipment

OnTheAir Video can also drive the outputs of a GPICommander.

Using the built-in Actions Editor, playlists, schedules, or macros can activate any GPI output.

Two output modes are available:

Pulse Output

Momentarily activates an output for applications such as:

• Triggering external devices
• Starting automation
• Resetting equipment
• Momentary tally signals

Latch Output

Turns an output ON or OFF until instructed otherwise.

Typical uses include:

• On Air indicators
• Warning lights
• Studio tally systems
• Equipment enable signals
• Relay control

AppleScript Support

Every GPI output is also accessible through AppleScript, making it easy to integrate with custom workflows.

For example, pulse Output 1:

tell application "OnTheAir Video"
    pulse (output 1 of gpicommander device 1)
end tell

Outputs can also have their state read or changed programmatically, allowing OnTheAir Video to participate in larger automated workflows.

AppleScript opens the door to integrating with virtually anything on macOS, including:

• Custom automation scripts
• Databases
• Network services
• Companion utilities
• Other macOS applications

Here is a larger example with many possibilities. The file can be downloaded below. 

-- "on action" is required because we need to pass an argument in OnTheAir Video. Simply remove the "--" testing in script editor.

on action(parameter)

  tell application "OnTheAir Video"

    --get serial of gpicommander device 1

    --get state of output 1 of gpicommander device 1

    pulse (output 1 of gpicommander device 1)

    (*	tell gpicommander device 1

          pulse output 1

          pulse output 3

          say parameter

        end tell
    *)
    --pulse (output (parameter as number) of gpicommander device 1)
  end tell

end action

Broadcast Automation Made Easy

Because GPI actions are treated just like any other OnTheAir Video action, they can be combined with the application's existing automation features.

For example, a playlist event could simultaneously:

• Play a clip
• Fire a GPI pulse
• Send an SCTE-35 marker
• Trigger an ATEM macro
• Start a graphics overlay
• Press Bitfocus Companion button
• Execute an AppleScript

from a single action.