Playlist-based remote control application for OnTheAir Node

Ideal for live shows with Cue Mode and A/B Roll

Free application - install on any number of workstations
Can control multiple OnTheAir Nodes over TCP/IP
A/B roll (one client)
Cue mode for live playout
Access to clip attributes for secondary events
Clip trimming & information (Codec, fps, etc.)
GPI trigger
Control the play out from an iPad

OnTheAir Live is a playlist manager for Live productions that comes bundled with OnTheAir Node and provides the user interface for adding media and controlling playback. As its name implies, OnTheAir Live has all the features required for Live operations such as Cue mode and A/B roll.

Main features

Control Multiple OnTheAir Node

Control multiple Nodes from one OnTheAir Live. As it's a client-server type of application, you can run OnTheAir Live on a different computer than OnTheAir Node, so you can have OnTheAir Live running on a computer in the control room, while the OnTheAir Nodes are running on a computer in the machine room.

Check OnTheAir Node for other features

OnTheAir Live is "just" a free control application for OnTheAir Node. So check the OnTheAir Node page to see all the features and recommendations in terms of file support, codecs, and more.

Buy or Upgrade

Buy OnTheAir Node 4

Buy OnTheAir Node

OnTheAir Live is a free application and can be installed on any number of workstations. But you will need one running and licensed OnTheAir Node to use OnTheAir Live.

Downloads

Download OnTheAir Live

OnTheAir Live 4
Pre-release Version (Universal)

OnTheAir Live 3
Version 3.3 - 20 December 2019

Useful Resources

Release Notes
System requirements: macOS or driver requirements may change between versions, so make sure to check.
Help Center: Includes a lot of useful information, sometimes not available in the user manual
User Manual
YouTube Channel

Installation instructions

Once downloaded, unzip the file, and drag-and-drop to the "Applications" folder.

Other applications
You will need at least one running and configured OnTheAir Node to use OnTheAir Live. OnTheAir Node is a paid application (one license per output channel). OnTheAir Tools is a free application that will analyse as-run-logs (the scheduling feature is only for OnTheAir Studio and OnTheAir Video)

OnTheAir Node
Playout server required
OnTheAir Tools 1.34
9 December 2019

Upgrade/Update instructions

Just download the latest version and replace your previsous version. It is always recommended to run extensive tests with your specific workflow and setup before putting a new version in production. You can use a free demo version for that on a separate computer. Previous legacy versions are available from the general downloads page.

You do not need to deactivate and reactivate your serial number when updating your Softron software. Read the following article to know when to deactivate.

This software uses code of FFmpeg, licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here.

Resources

Resouces

Introduction

Resources

Knowledge Base
Search the OnTheAir Live Knowledge Base

Manuals & Quickstart

Resources

User Manual

Quick Start Guide

Quick Setup Guide

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Product Features

Features

Main Features

Video & Audio

Video Features
Video Engine	Smart Playout Engine (FULL)
Seamless playback	Yes*
Video Outputs	PCI Video Cards (AJA, Blackmagic-Design, Deltacast)
Video Outputs Modes	YUV and ARGB (depending on the card)
External and Internal Keying	Yes* The video card must support external and/or internal Keying in the resolution desired
Scrubbing (move playout at Time position)	Yes*
4K capable	Yes* (In "standard mode", i.e. without Dynamic Graphics Overlay, no logo, no intelligent resize, or streaming)
Supported File formats	QuickTime, MXF OP1a, Transport Stream (.ts), png, jpg, tif, tga… Check the complete list in the Tech specs section
Supported codecs	Most i-frames and long-GPO codecs (Apple ProRes®, Avid DNxHD®, AVC-Intra, XDCAM,... Check the complete list in the Tech Specs section
Requires QuickTime codecs installation	No*
Still image output	Yes* No additional card required
Still logo overlay (png image)	Yes*
Dynamic Graphics Overlay support	Yes* - Option required No additional card required - available soon
Automatic Resize (automatically resize clips to fit the video output)	Yes*
Smart Resize (better quality with interlaced formats)	Yes*
Manual Resize (per clip user defined)	Yes*
Built-in IP Streaming (without additional card)	Yes* - Additional software required (MovieRecorder 3) No additional card required - available soon
Streaming WITH an additional card (input)	Yes* - Additional software required (MovieStreamer HLS)
Audio/Video buffering	Yes*
Maximum Number of outputs per Mac without Dynamic Graphics Overlay, nor intelligent resize	4 HD (one license per output)
Maximum Number of outputs per Mac with Dynamic Graphics Overlay, and intelligent resize	1 (Subject to hardware)
Option Needed for multiple output	One full license of OnTheAir Node per output with all options, One license of OnTheAir Manager per multiple outputs
Frame Grab	No*
Audio Features
Audio Destinations	Same as video output
Audio Fromat	Linear PCM, MP3, AAC
Can play audio only files	Yes* Available Q4 2013
Multiple Audio Channels output	Yes*
Audio auto-mapping (using QuickTime track languages)	Yes*
Number of audio channels per video output

Playlist & Schedule

Playlist Features
Generate As-run-logs
Cue Mode	Yes
A/B Roll	Yes
Last second change possible	Yes
Edit playlist while it is playing
Show/Hide Thumbnails
Trim clips
Audio preview in Inspector
Import ASCII playlists
Cross vpls Playlist support

Media Management

Other Features

Codecs

Features and Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Features

Playback Features

Read the audio and video playback features of OnTheAir Node

Playlist Controls

A/B Roll (one playlist output to 2 OnTheAir Node)
Cue mode for Live production
Last second change possible

External Controls

Can be controlled by:
- GPI (with GPICommander connected in USB to the computer hosting OnTheAir Live)
Can control:
- GPI triggers (with GPICommander connected in USB)
- Blackmagic-Design Videohub (Ethernet)
- AJA Kumo (Ethernet)
- Other video routers: Grass Valley, Leitch, Kramer… (RS232 or Ethernet)
- OnTheAir CG (fEthernet)
Media Management
- Automatic relink when a file becomes online or offline
- File validation
- Database with all file informations available (Duration, Format, Metadata, …)
- Manual refresh for Xsan integration

Other features

As-run-logs

System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

IMPORTANT: the information below is for OnTheAir Live only, read also the OnTheAir Node specifications to know what is required for the playout part.

Version 1	macOS 10.6.8 or later *
Version 3 until 3.1	macOS 10.9.5 or later *
Version 3.2 until 3.3	macOS 10.10.5 until 10.15 *
Version 4	macOS 11.00 (Big Sur) or later *
RAM	2 GB
Other software requirements	Requires at least one running OnTheAir Node
MacPro type	Any
iMac type	Any
MacBook Pro type	Any
MacBook Air type	Any
MacMini type	Any
Supported Video Cards	N/A - Refer to OnTheAir Node specs page
Thunderbolt Support	N/A - Refer to OnTheAir Node specs page
Compatible Storage	N/A - Refer to OnTheAir Node specs page

* While Softron tries to maintain compatibility with older versions of Macintosh Operating Systems, it is not always possible to achieve. Because Operating Systems are usually significantly improved over previous versions, Softron must use many of the more capable built-in functionalities inherent in Apple’s latest OS releases. Failing to do so would me that Softron software would essentially be blocked from using the new Frameworks provided in the OS. For this reason Softron’s free support is provided only on the current and previous version of the Macintosh OS. If you have issues with using Softron software on older versions of the Operating Systems, your only solution may be to upgrade your Operating System to the current version.