Supported input and output types | Pixotope Help Center

For formats see Supported video formats and frame rates

SDI

AJA

See System Requirements for supported AJA video cards

Input/Output options

Input	Device Only shown if more than one AJA card is present.	Device name and number
	Input source	Spigot number `1-8`
	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
	Metadata	Extract tracking from audio > Audio channel
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below
Output	Device Only shown if more than one AJA card is present.	Device name and number
	Output destination	Spigot number `1-8`
	Output type	Fill - for internal compositing mode (default) Key - for external compositing mode Learn more about Compositing modes
	Audio	Pass-through audio and Engine audio Learn more about how to Configure audio output and pass-through
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below

BMD

See System Requirements for supported BlackMagic Design DeckLink video cards

Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup

Set the Connector Mapping to SDI 1 In or Out in the Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup application

Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup application - Connector Mapping options

SDI 1 & 2 In, SDI 3 & 4 Out	This option requires two cables for a single input. Not something that you would often use.
SDI 1 to 4 In or Out	This option is for 8k or UHD2, it requires all four cables to be used for a single input or output. Not something that you would often use.
SDI 1 In, SDI 2 Out	This option is a full duplex mode, if you use this you must use the same spigots within Director (e.g. Camera SDI 1, and Output SDI 1). This can help if you have no reference -- but not having a Genlock reference is STRONGLY not advised.
SDI 1 In or Out	This option treats all spigots as either a single input or single output (e.g. Camera SDI 1, and Output SDI 2). This is the suggested mode for Pixotope.

Input/Output options

Input	Input source	Spigot number `1-8`
	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
	Metadata	Extract tracking from audio > Audio channel
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below
Output	Output destination	Spigot number `1-8`
	Output type	Fill - for internal compositing mode (default) Key - for external compositing mode Learn more about Compositing modes
	Audio	Enable Learn more about how to Configure audio output
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below

Matrox

See System Requirements for supported Matrox video cards

Matrox card configuration

Matrox card configuration (example for DSX LE5 LP /4)

Close Pixotope and any Matrox tool
- Card to be configured should NOT be in use
Open Power shell (or cmd) with Administrator privileges
Go to C:\Program Files\Matrox DSX-TopologyUtils\drivers\Xmio5Le5ConnectorMapping\Dsxle5lp

Get configuration file name

Execute dir to get a list of available .pin configuration files
Choose the file based on the needed inputs and outputs
- The format is: [card name]_[total]_[inputs]i[outputs]o
  - 4_ or 8_ = total channels
  - XXi = number of inputs
  - YYo = number of outputs
  Example: 4_02i02o = 4 total channels (2 inputs, 2 outputs)
Note down the Configuration file name (including the extension .pin)

Get serial number

Execute ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe list
Note down the Serial number (S/N)

Example:

PS C:\Program Files\Matrox DSX-TopologyUtils\drivers\Xmio5Le5ConnectorMapping\Dsxle5lp> ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe list

<< Matrox Connectors Configuration tool >> Mon Sep 15 10:52:37 2025
Available hardware:

   0) DSXLE5 S/N=A680572

Configure card

Execute ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe load -f="[Configuration file name]" -sn=[Serial number]

Example:

PS C:\Program Files\Matrox DSX-TopologyUtils\drivers\Xmio5Le5ConnectorMapping\Dsxle5lp> ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe  load -f="dsxle5lp_4_04i00o.pin"  -sn=A680572

<< Matrox Connectors Configuration tool >> Mon Sep 15 10:54:58 2025

Updating card 0-DLE5L/4/100-S/N A680572
Successfully updated card 0-DLE5L/4/100-S/N A680572

Verify the configuration

Execute ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe -ShowCurrent -sn=[Serial number]

Example

PS C:\Program Files\Matrox DSX-TopologyUtils\drivers\Xmio5Le5ConnectorMapping\Dsxle5lp> ..\..\mvConnectorConfig.exe  -ShowCurrent -sn=A680572

<< Matrox Connectors Configuration tool >> Mon Sep 15 10:56:34 2025
Current IO Configuration:
   SDI Inputs  = 4
   SDI Outputs = 0

Input/Output options

Input	Input source	Spigot number `1-12`
	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
	Metadata	Extract tracking from audio > Audio channel
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below
Output	Output destination	Spigot number `1-12`
	Output type	Fill - for internal compositing mode (default) Key - for external compositing mode Learn more about Compositing modes
	Color > Range	Learn more about SDI Color range settings below

Genlock and input format requirements

If a spigot is used as the Lock source, all inputs must match the resolution of that spigot. For example, a 720p genlock spigot cannot be combined with 1080 inputs.
- Black burst (PAL/NTSC): cannot be used as an external reference as we only support 720p and higher
- Tri-level reference: a 720p reference cannot be used with 1080 or higher inputs
Inputs must be in the same frame rate family as the reference signal:
- PAL-based: 25, 50
- NTSC-based: 23.98, 29.97, 59.94
- Display-based: 24, 30, 60

Learn more about how to Configure lock/genlock

SDI color range settings

The range setting defines which code values of the 10-bit signal are used. Sender and receiver must be set to the same range, the range cannot be detected from the signal itself.

Learn more about Video signal and encoding

Input

Set to match what the connected device sends.

Legal (64-940)	Standard broadcast range (default)
Full (0-1023)	Whole code value range is used

Output

All four options are available on AJA, BMD and Matrox

Legal (64-940)	Standard broadcast range, footroom and headroom are clamped (default)
Full (0-1023)	Whole code value range is used
Super Blacks (0-940)	Footroom below 64 is kept Values above 940 are clamped
Super Brights (64-1023)	Headroom above 940 is kept for HDR workflows Values below 64 are clamped

File

Not recommended for on-air use!

Playback

File playback targets the same frame rate as the Lock source, but consistent speed cannot be guaranteed. This depends on the read rate of your hard drive

Recording

Starting the recording leads the videoIO service to rebuild causing
- all file inputs to restart
- and all other inputs to show a short glitch
Recording 1 or more outputs has performance costs

Input (playback)	Input source	Video: `avi, mkv, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpegts, ts, webm` Images: `exr, sxr, mxr, tif, tiff, tx, env, sm, vsm, dpx, cin, psd, pdd, psb, dds, hdr, rgbe, tga, tpic, sgi, rgb, rgba, bw, int, inta, rla, pic, bmp, dib, ico, iff, z, ppm, pgm, pbm, pnm, pfm, jpg, jpe, jpeg, jif, jfif, jfi, jp2, j2k, j2c, jxl, png, gif, webp, heic, heif, avif, dcm, fits, fit, fts, ptex, vdb, zfile`
Input (playback)	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
Output (recording)	Output destination	Name of your output stream Format: `mkv` \| Codec: `h264` \| Embed tracking (optional): Audio channel `1 or 2`
	Output type	Fill Key Learn more about Compositing modes
	Pixel format	YUV444 10-bit YUV420 8-bit
	Bitrate (Mbit/s)	Output bitrate: 25 (default)

Learn more about how to Record and playback files with tracking

GPU

This allows you to output to an HDMI output of your graphics card directly. The output is stretched to the whole monitor’s resolution and put in the "background". It can be used seamlessly in a dual monitor setup.

GPU output does not support Genlock

Output	Output destination	Graphics card output `1-8`
Output type	Fill Key Learn more about Compositing modes
Output format	In addition to the generally Supported video formats Custom (progressive) Custom width Custom height

Output

Output destination

Graphics card output 1-8

Output type

Fill
Key

Learn more about Compositing modes

Output format

In addition to the generally Supported video formats

Custom (progressive)
- Custom width
- Custom height

HTML

This input renders a specified website.

Input	Background source	List of media inputs
	Input source	URL of the website to display
	Channel	Fill Key Fill and Key combined Learn more about Compositing modes

Image sequence

Not recommended for on-air use!

File playback targets the same frame rate as the Lock source, but consistent playback cannot be guaranteed (depends on the read rate of your hard drive).

Input	Input source	Folder with `png` files, numbered with a fixed set of digits at the end
Input	Channel	Fill Key Fill and Key combined Learn more about Compositing modes

NDI

Video streaming protocol - What is NDI?

Input	Input source	Any NDI stream on this network
Input	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
Output	Output destination	Name of your output stream
	Output type	Fill Key Fill and Key combined - for downstream compositing Learn more about Compositing modes
	Output quality	UYVY (YCbCr 4:2:2) UYVA (YCbCr 4:2:2 + alpha) RGB (Planar 8bit 4:4:4) RGBA (Planar 8bit 4:4:4:4 + alpha)

OGraf

This is an "internal" HTML input needed for OGraf rendering.

Learn more about Using Live controller with OGraf

Input	Background source	List of media inputs
Input	Channel	Fill Key Fill and Key combined Learn more about Compositing modes

SRT

SRT is an established open source video streaming protocol

Input and Output	Mode	Caller The Caller machine uses the IP address to establish the connection Listener - default The Listener machine is waiting for a Caller machine to establish the connection
	Send to	Applicable for Caller mode IP addresses of all connected machines Custom IP address
	Port	Port number - default: `16213`
	Codec	MPEG4 - default H264
	Latency buffer	Latency in ms - default: `120`
	Password	If a password is set, the stream is encrypted - default: no password set

The frame rate of the incoming stream (caller) and the input (listener) must be the same!

If the Editor drops its frame rate well below the one chosen, it will lead to an SRT input buffer overflow. This then causes a rebuild of the videoIO pipeline which will, during rebuild, display “Misconfigured Input Signal”.

The frame rate of the output (caller) and the listener of the stream must be the same!

If the receiver of the output is not able to consume the incoming packets fast enough its SRT receiver buffer will overflow and most likely break the connection.

Ways to send an SRT stream

Pixotope

You can use another Pixotope machine to output an SRT stream.

Learn more about how to Configure routing

FFMPEG

Run ffmpeg as source via command line

ffmpeg.exe -fflags nobuffer -re -protocol_whitelist file,srt -i <here_input_file> -r 30 -g 30 -b:v 25M -vcodec mpeg4 -f mpegts srt://10.11.36.22:16210

Options used:

-fflags nobuffer- lower latency

-re - realtime playback with frame pacing here defined by -r 30

-i <here_input_file> - input source, may be a file (with path) or a url

-protocol_whitelist file,srt - on some (older or not full build) ffmpeg versions, a manual whitelisting of protocols may be required

-g 30 - GroupOfPictures size, here every the 30th frame is a key frame. Lower value means lower latency but very low values may impact quality whilst using temporal codecs (mpeg4, h264)

-b:v 25M- maximum bitrate used - here 25 MBps - quality versus required bandwidth. If user see frame drops (in the logs) it will cause broken image after decoding (broken macroblocks or whole areas of frame) should try to lower that value

-vcodec mpeg4- recommended codec

-f mpegts- transport format (only mpegts is supported)

srt://10.11.36.22:16210 - target IP and port

Ways to read an SRT stream

Pixotope

You can use the stream as an input to another Pixotope machine.

Learn more about how to Configure routing

VLC (only as Caller)

Open Network
Enter the IP address in the following format: srt://192.168.1.1:16213

FFPLAY

Run ffplay as sink via command line

ffplay.exe srt://0.0.0.0:16210?mode=listener -framerate 30

Options used:

srt://0.0.0.0:16210 - target port

-framerate 30 - for older versions of ffplay one has to specify the frame rate to secure against buffer overflow

ST2110

The industry-standard protocol for high-quality, uncompressed video over IP.

Input	Input source	Unicast Multicast for Uncompressed Video (ST2110-20) and Ancillary (ST2110-40) carrying timecode
Input	Channel	Fill - default setting, allows for using the internal Video Keyer (default) Key - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a separate fill and key signal Fill and Key combined - the video is keyed externally and is provided as a combined fill and key signal Use a media input for Key. The camera system needs to be Fill.
Output	Output destination	Unicast Multicast for Uncompressed Video (ST2110-20) and Ancillary (ST2110-40) carrying timecode
Output	Output type	Fill - for internal compositing mode (default) Key - for external compositing mode Learn more about Compositing modes

Stream (WebRTC)

Output	Stream endpoint (per machine)	List of available network interfaces
	Port	Port number
	Stream quality	Low: 2 Mbps bitrate Medium: 4 Mbps bitrate High: 8.5 Mbps bitrate
	Output type	Fill - for internal compositing mode (default) Key - for external compositing mode Learn more about Compositing modes

Learn more about how to Configure stream output (using WebRTC)

Webcam

Input	Input source	Any webcam which is registered in the system
Input	Channel	Fill