Background

Chroma mode uses key colors from a video source to transition between different sign looks or layouts on your display. This provides users with more control from their video switcher and front end video system. Chroma mode is also recommended for larger displays that use more than one video processor. This mode can eliminate the potential for transitions showing a seam during when the look changes.

Use this article if you need instructions or recommendations on how to set up proper Chroma mode channels within the VIP controller. VIP Chroma Mode requires an external video source that can generate specific key colors. 

Chroma Example with 2 Looks:

• Requires the use of 1 VIP channel.
  • This look is configured on Channel #2.
    • Channel #2 is associated with Chroma color 50 0 50

• Requires the use of 2 VIP channels
  • This look is configured on Channel #3 and #4.
    • Channel #3 is associated with Chroma color 100 0 100
    • Channel #4 is associated with Chroma color 150 0 150

Answer/Steps

1. Design the looks for the display
   1. Create images with the key colors identified in the above examples for your zones.
   2. Daktronics recommends the following Key Colors be used
      • 50 0 50
      • 100 0 100
      • 150 0 150 
      • 200 0 200
   3. Create full screen version of each color being used for testing purposes, even it it is not a full screen look. These full screen images are used to confirm the color being received by the VIP is correct.
   4. Load the files on the front even video equipment that will generate the Chroma source.
2. Chroma mode Setup using the VIP Controller.
   1. From the V7000 Shell, click on V-Link to open the V-Link configure window.
   2. Select the sign to configure for Chroma. Chroma can only be configured on Host Signs.
   3.  Next, select the input you wish to associate to Channel 1. This should be the channel with the Chroma Source. It is important to remember to confirm that Channel 1 is the channel that is selected.
   4. Set the filter levels for both the Vertical and Horizontal Settings to 9. Make sure you are on channel 1 when you make the change.
   5. Set your Data Source to Chroma.
   6. Send out a key color from the front end video equipment, such as a switcher, to the identified input on the VIP. Begin with the first full size color. Typically, that color is 50 0 50.
   7. On the VIP control menu, click Get Status.
3. Verify the full screen Chroma color from video source and configure channels.
   1.  Scroll down to the channels setting in the status window. Check the incoming color on channel 1. The average color in this example is 175, 0, 175.
   2. Input the number from the status window into the Key Color Levels section in the V-Link Configure page while on channel 2.
   3. Select the input to associate to Channel 2. This should be the video source for your full screen look.
   4. Use your equipment to output your Chroma colors, play out the next color (in the full screen size).
      • Only play out full screen color images when determining the key colors.
   5. After all the channels are configured, composite colors can be played (as seen in the second Chroma example) through the Chroma source. Verify each look. Check the borders and where multiple Chroma colors meet for magenta bleed through. Proceed to the Troubleshooting section for methods to fix any bleed through.

When Using a DMP-8000 as the Chroma Source, follow these steps

Game in Progress

• Requires the use of 1 VIP Channel.
  • This look is configured on Channel #3
    • Channel #3 is associated with Chroma color 100 0 100

Answer/Steps

1.  Follow steps from above keeping in mind that do not need 2 channels of Chroma color to be used when combining graphics from the 8000 and a video feed, you play both the key color and graphics from the 8000 simultaneously.

2. Use the DMP-8000 to output the next set of Chroma colors (in the full screen size).

3. Only play out full screen color images when determining the key colors.

4. After all the channels are configured, create the Chroma colors for the appropriate DMP-8000 Video Zones. Continue to play your statistical or graphical content to other DMP-8000 zones as shown in above example. Verify each look. Proceed to the Troubleshooting section for methods to fix any bleed through.

Optional Steps/Troubleshooting

The V-Link Debugger allows Chroma key range (KR) to be increased or decreased to adjust how much color is keyed. The KR is defaulted to 10. If the Chroma color bleeds through the video, the Chroma key range will need to be increased. If video is keying through still, or animated images the range could be too broad, and the key range will need to be decreased.

Open V-Link Debugger (Usually located under Start / All Programs / Venus 7000 / Venus 7000 Tools / V7 V-Link Debugger)

1. Select the Host sign for the display you wish to configure.
2. Under command, type GC, and then hit enter, or click "Send Command".
3. You will see the KR.
4. To increase or decrease the KR, type in "KR #" in the command line and hit enter. For example "KR 2". Keep in mind that Daktronics Video Engineers recommend the Key Range not be a value less than 2 or 3.