How do I set-up Live Graphics using Social Distancing?

Not sure how to distance the Live Graphics from your production?

Life is changing for all of us and one big question being asked is "How can I social distance our production?"

Here are 4 options to distance your live graphics from other parts of your production.

Option 1 - KVM

Where the graphics need to be put in a different room within the same building or in an OB truck next to the scanner, then KVM are ideal for this job. KVM (Keyboard, Video & Mouse) are devices that are connected at each end; one with the graphics system and one with the operator. These allow the operator to control the system as normal and also plug in USB sticks to copy files onto the system.

Option 2 - Peer to Peer

If the graphics operator needs to be a long distance from the system then Peer to Peer is recommended. This allows for the operator to be working from home and the system sitting in the OB truck or studio. Peer to Peer gives the operator the exact same access to the machine as KVM but needs to run a laptop or desktop to connect to the graphics machine via the web. They can copy files from their computer to the graphics system.  

Option 3 - NDI

If there's a need to have the graphics operator and system both remote from the production then NDI is an option. The video signals are output from the graphics system as NDI data and sent via the web to be processed at the other end as either NDI or converted to SDI. The operator feels and sees the system as they normally do and can control more than 1 channel of fill / key outputs.

Option 4 - Totally Virtual

The final option to consider is when the central production is being run as totally virtual (eg vMix being used as the production hub). The graphics system can also live in the cloud on a virtual machine and talk the to production hub in the cloud. The operator can control the graphics system from a remote location anywhere in the world via a laptop or desktop. The benefit of this set up is the machine could be used across various productions (an OB and a studio for instance) and the different operators just log in when they need to use it.

Don't forget to download the one page overview of the 4 Options for Live Graphics Social Distancing. The link is below.