Configuring Server Management by Hotkeys

SL NEO servers support control of the main functions by using “HOT KEYS”: independently from client software, the server will process the first received command. To activate the function at the server or client PCs, launch SL NEO server software components for work with GPI: they will form control commands from a certain machine.

Order of Configuring Server Software

Configure SL NEO server software components at PC-platforms with keyboards that will be used for HOT KEY commands.

Software Installation

Install the set of SL NEO software and launch the loader of server software at the PC that will implement management. The corresponding «SL NEO Media Server» icon is placed on the Windows desktop. If the icon is not at the desktop, but the software set is installed, find the file to start the loader here: С:\Program Files (x86)\SL NEO Media Platform\neovid.exe.

When the loader starts, the icon displaying server software activity will appear in the Windows taskbar. Server modules can be started/stopped by right clicking the icon in the tray: the icon red color means that all server software modules are stopped. This mode is required for initial actions.

Select the Configure Server Components item at the SL NEO icon in the Windows taskbar, then open the setting window and move the System/HotKey element from the Available components field into the right field.

Software Launch

Launch server software by the Start Server command - right click the SL NEO icon in the Windows taskbar (the icon will change its color from red to blue).

Further settings will be implemented from the Administrator Control Panel. Login to the control console is implemented either locally from the server by right clicking the blue icon in tray, or from any other machine in the network by the address http://ip address:7901. Login to the console as an administrator. Activate the option Administrator Control Panel-Manage-GPI Boards-GPIBoard_N (SystemHotKey)-Service Enabled.

Key Bindings

Set hot keys for a current PC. To do so, find the Administrator Control Panel→Manage→GPI Boards→GPI Board 1 (SystemHotKey) tab and select the Edit Hot Keys item. The opened window will have a table containing PIN columns (command identifiers) in the left part, and available key combinations for the PC keyboard at the right part.

Click … for editing and specify key combinations for PIN. For example, let's set the F1 key for PIN 1, the F2 key for PIN 2 etc (four keys are required).

After setting all necessary combinations, create a rule for every key binding (Actions).

Actions is the system of rules and commands for SL NEO server software. The system allows configuring the server for executing certain actions in case of approaching of the set conditions. The condition for executing the rule in this case is pressing a key (or a key combination). When a condition is satisfied, the server implements the defined action. Every type of service (Program Channel, Capture, Recorder, etc.) has its own set of actions that can be configured.

Variants of Rules Configuration for “Program Channel” Service

Example 1. Execution of Play and Stop Commands

Execution of the “PLAY” command for a playout channel by the F1 key, and the “STOP” command by the F2 key.

Rules are configured in the “GPI Board 1/System/HotKey - Add Action” window. Find the Action Configuration field in the Edit Action window. In the Name field, specify a random name for the rule. Select “1” in the PIN field (earlier the F1 key was set for PIN1). Set Trigger value to “ON”, find the Address field and specify the IP address of the SL NEO server for management, or leave the field empty if the value is “localhost”.

In the Service field, by the button … select the service to manage from the list. The list of available services is formed as a result of an inquiring the IP address entered to the Address field. That's why, if the HotKey service is configured at the client PC, make sure that the corresponding SL NEO server is connected to network and functioning (SL NEO server software is configured and active).

To control the playout channel #1, select Program_1 from the list (the name may vary). Select a command for execution in the Action field. Set Play for our example, set 1 (the first fullscreen layer) in the Param 1 item of the Action parameters field.

The rule for the second PIN bound to the F2 key (in our example) can be configured similarly with setting the “STOP” command for execution.

While creating rules, use the balloon tips displayed when hovering the Param fields.

Playback of Playlist Clips by Names

Quick transition and playback of clips in the “CLIP A” playlist by the F1 key, and ”CLIP B“ by the F2 key, respectively.

In the Action Configuration tab, find the Name field and specify a random name for the rule. Select “1” in the PIN field (F1 key was set for PIN1). Set Trigger value to ”ON“, find the Address field and specify the IP address of the server, or leave the field empty if the value is “localhost”.

In the Service field, press the button … and select the Program_1 service for management from the list. Pick the Select Clip by title command for execution in the Action field. Enter 1 (the first fullscreen layer) into the Param 1 field of the Action parameters tab, type the clip name into the Param 2 field (Media field in the playlist, “CLIP A” clip in our example), set the PLAY command in the Param 3 field.

Hovering Param 1 - Param 6 fields will display tips for configuring parameters.

The same way is used to configure a rule for PIN 2, bound to the F2 key (in our example), and set for it a quick transition to the “CLIP B” clip.

Manual Change of Logos

The Automatic Change of Logos with Control from Playlist Column article contains a detailed description of configuring the function. If needed, logo change management can be duplicated by configuring the corresponding rules for “HOT KEYS” (see examples 1 and 2): select the Set logo command in the Action field of the Action Configuration tab.

To save settings, press Apply Changes at the top of the server control console window.