Vision Switcher
A vision switcher, also known as a vision mixer, performs the function of cutting between various video inputs, such as cameras, video (VT) players, graphics sources, and other video feeds. This enables an operator to seamlessly choose the most relevant or visually appealing source at any given moment and allows for the creation of a dynamic and polished programme.
Audio Mixer
An audio mixer (aka sound desk) performs the function of combining and adjusting the levels of multiple audio signals. A simple example might be to imagine a presenter and a guest talking on screen. At some points, you might want to hear both the presenter and the guest, while at other times, you just want to hear the presenter. An audio mixer enables an operator to select or mix the correct audio at any given moment.
Multi-camera
Multi-camera input refers to the simultaneous use of multiple cameras to capture different perspectives or angles of a scene or event. For example, you may want to cover a given scene using a wide angle shot and a close shot. Mavis Live Production allows for up to 8 cameras to be simultaneously fed into a single show.
Multi-format
Multi-format output refers to the simultaneous output of different aspect-ratios or formats. For example, within Mavis Live Production you can transmit a landscape (16:9) video and portrait/virtual (9:16) video at the same time. The landscape feed may go to YouTube, while the portrait feed may go to Twitch.
Multiview
A multiview is a single screen or monitor that displays multiple video sources simultaneously. A configurable multiview allows the operator to choose what video sources are shown and where they are displayed on the monitor. For example, you may want to view Camera 1, Camera 2, and Camera 3 – in that order. Or you may want to view Camera 3, Camera 2 and Camera 1. A configurable multiview provides this level of flexibility.
Routing Matrix
A routing matrix performs the function of selectively routing signals from multiple inputs to multiple outputs. For example, an operator may want to route Source A directly to Output B. Alternatively, they may want to route Source C directly to Output B. Mavis Live Production provides different outputs such as RTMP, SRT, Mac, iPad or Apple TV - all of which can be fed from any source via the routing matrix.
Integrated Tally
Integrated tally refers to the ability of Mavis Live Production to process and drive tally lights. A tally light is a visual indicator used to show when a camera is actively being broadcast or recorded and is normally a red light. Other colours (e.g. green) may indicate which camera is being previewed or standing by. Mavis Live Production is able to directly drive a physical LED light integrated directly into Atomos Devices, the Mavis Pro Camera iPhone app as well as show which camera is active or previewed on the multiview.
Frame-Accurate Sync
Frame-accurate sync refers to the ability to simultaneously synchronise multiple camera sources. For example, imagine a ball bouncing whilst being filmed with 3 cameras. Each camera is independently sending a video feed over the internet into the cloud. Each camera feed will inherently take a different amount of time to travel into the cloud (that's just the nature of the Internet). To have the ball bounce at the exact same time in all the received video feeds, each camera must be synchronised. Mavis Live Production is able to accurately sync all cameras down to a single frame.
SRT
SRT stands for Secure Reliable Transport. It is a video protocol originally developed by Haivision and it has become very popular as a simple technology to deliver video over the Internet. There are also many hardware devices that are able to transmit and receive SRT. Mavis Live Production is able to transmit and receive SRT, providing a convenient way to get pictures into and out of the platform. However, because SRT is only designed to transmit video (and audio), a number of features that make Mavis Live Production very powerful (e.g. tally lights and synchronisation) cannot be used when transmitting or receiving in SRT.
HTML5 Graphics
HTML5 graphics refers to the next generation of television graphics. Using web technologies and the power of web browsers, designers can very easily create different types of graphics (e.g. name straps, clock and score or logo branding), all of which can be generated, displayed and animated in a standard web browser. Mavis Live Production is able to render these graphics in the cloud, providing operators with the ability to directly overlay them on top of the main programme output.
Video Playback (VT)
Video playback refers to the ability to playback pre-recorded videos, for example, a title sequence or end credits. Mavis Live Production allows video content to be uploaded and stored directly into the cloud. A video playlist can be created that gives an operator the ability to select and play videos at any given moment during their productions.
Custom Wipe
A custom wipe is a personalised effect used to transition between two video sources. The most basic transition effects are a cut or mix (e.g. instantly or gradually changing from Source A to Source B). A more complex transition is a wipe (e.g. changing from Source A to Source B via a line that moves across the screen, gradually reveals Source B - think Starwars). A custom wipe is user-generated effect that is designed and uploaded to the cloud. In Mavis Live Production, custom wipes are a series of PNG images that are played during a transition between two video sources. Included in this series of images is a full frame image that can be used to hide a cut between the video sources. For example, imagine a flame effect transition. The flames might start at the bottom of the screen then build up to cover the whole screen. At this point a cut happens between Source A and Source B but it cannot be seen as flames are over the top and hiding it. After the cut, flames may die down and disappear back off the bottom of the screen.
DVE Scenes
DVE Scenes are one of the most powerful and complex features of Mavis Live Production. DVE stands for Digital Video Effect, and it is a catch all term to describe digitally changing or manipulating a video source. At its simplest, DVE scenes can be used to show multiple video sources simultaneously while allowing you to move, resize or crop each source and generally change the overall layout. The real power of DVE scenes comes from the ability to directly select or cut between multiple scenes and that sources within scenes can include transparency. This means you can create a DVE scene that includes a source but that also an image overlayed on top showing, for example, a fancy board or maybe a logo. This entire scene can be selected at any given moment from the multiview while also being available as a complete new source on the routing matrix.
Final Cut Pro Timeline
Final Cut Pro timeline creation provides a complete Final Cut Pro project, which includes all the cuts that have been made during your cloud recording (similar to an edit decision list or EDL). When linked with local recordings made directly from the camera (either in-camera or using an Atomos Device), you can recreate your multi-camera production instantly in Final Cut Pro. Use this project to create a high resolution version of your show, tweak shots and speed up your productions.
Native Apps
Mavis Live Production has been optimised for the Apple ecosystem. Use native apps to get a fast responsive user experience. Connect, create and get things done with the Mavis suite of powerful and intuitive apps, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
Communication
Communication (also known as talkback or intercom) refers to a real-time, voice based comms system built directly into the platform. This system is very powerful and allows individuals within the production to communicate with each other easily via the various Live Production apps or directly from Atomos devices. The system is designed around groups, whereby individuals can talk or listen to a group while also being part of multiple groups simultaneously. Imagine two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A includes three camera operators and a control operator. Group B includes the same control operator and the presenter. In this example, using the Mavis Live Production comms system, the presenter can hear the control operator but cannot hear the camera operators and the camera operators can hear the control operator and not the presenter. In addition to having various groups, individuals can also select whether they want to hear any audio from the audio mixer. This allows them to hear sources such as the video player and not hear sources such as their own microphone.
HDMI and SDI with Atomos Devices
Mavis Live Production includes direct integration with the Atomos connect range or monitor-recorders, providing native Mavis features such as tally, multi-camera sync and communications directly into the hardware. Connecting any camera to an Atomos device is easy via industry-standard HDMI and SDI. Atomos monitor-recorders also provide the ability to record very high quality (e.g. Pro Res) while simultaneously sending a lower quality feed into the cloud, providing a great on-site recorder for when you want to make high quality edits in post or simply to have a backup recording available.
Pro Camera
Mavis Live Production and Pro Camera are designed to work together. All native Mavis features such as tally, multi-camera sync and communications work directly with Pro Camera on the iPhone. All stand-alone Pro Camera features are available even when pushing a feed to cloud including the ability to locally record.
Cloud Recorder
Cloud recorder refers to the ability to record your output directly in the cloud. This allows you to record a standalone feed or the same feed that is being simultaneously transmitted. The cloud record is integrated directly with the routing matrix so any source can be recorded, including Programme and Preview. The cloud recorder is also unlimited, so you can record for a long as you wish with files bring available to download as soon as you stop recording.
Image Player
An image player performs the function of playing back or displaying images. In its simplest form, the player might playback a single image, giving the a static graphic the can be displayed at any given moment. More complex examples include playing back an image sequence, whereby each image represents a single frame of an animation. The playback order of these images is also configurable providing a simple way to continually loop the animation. Images in a player can also include transparency allowing an operator to overlay an image or animation directly over a different source.