Falcon Play Settings Module
The Settings module is where Falcon Play is configured for real productions. It controls global behaviour, Device Config Profiles, video and graphics servers, vision mixer inputs, sound mixer faders, Media Server paths, CasparCG output, prompter sync, licensing, LTC, and configuration sync.
Live production warning: Settings can change how Falcon Play controls real devices. Avoid major Device Config, server, mixer, or output changes while a rundown is on air unless the change is part of an agreed live recovery workflow.
What this module controls
Global settingsStation identity, active profile, automation defaults, countdown speech, prompter sync, timing, and general behaviour.
Device Config ProfilesSeparate hardware setups for different studios, OB vans, galleries, or test benches.
Video and graphics serversPlayout channels, graphics channels, preview outputs, channel numbers, and CasparCG/output format settings.
Vision and sound mixersInputs, Program/Preview behaviour, fader mapping, Voice Over rules, keyers, macros, and audio-follow-video.
Media and pathsMedia folders, graphics folders, ffmpeg/ffprobe paths, thumbnail CPU limits, and scan behaviour.
System servicesLicense, LTC source/generator, Config Sync, and cloud backup/restore actions.
Recommended workflow
- Open Settings from the dashboard or Director.
- Confirm the correct Active Server Profile before changing hardware-related settings.
- Edit global settings first, then Device Config Profile settings, then detailed input/fader mappings.
- Click the save button after every meaningful group of changes.
- Reload Director, Vision Mixer, Audio Mixer, Timing Display, or Media Manager if the changed area depends on live configuration data.
- For risky changes, download the current config in Config Sync before editing.
Main tabs and sections
| Section | What it controls | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| General | Station name, active server profile, AutoCue, AB video server behaviour, audio-follow-video, timing framerate, mixer delays, countdown speech, words per minute, and general workflow defaults. | You are setting production-wide behaviour. |
| Device Config | Profiles, vision mixer, sound mixer, playout servers, graphic servers, VideoHub, inputs, fader inputs, and routing. | You are configuring real devices or a production environment. |
| CasparCG | CasparCG config path, playout video format, channel/output settings, and NDI/output consumer behaviour. | You need to align engine output with the vision mixer or output hardware. |
| Media Server | Media paths, graphics paths, CPU limits for scans/thumbnails, ffmpeg, ffprobe, and file-analysis behaviour. | Media does not scan correctly or storage paths must be changed. |
| Prompter | Prompter sync and display-related behaviour. | Multiple prompters must follow together or presenter display behaviour changes. |
| License | License status, features, license activation, file upload, and online refresh. | Features are unavailable or a license must be activated/refreshed. |
| LTC | Linear Timecode enablement, internal generator, external audio input, frame rate, and start timecode. | Rundown items or graphics should trigger from timecode. |
| Config Sync | Download/upload/reset local configs, push to cloud, and fetch configs from other machines. | You need backup, restore, migration, or multi-machine sync. |
Device Config Profiles
Device Config Profiles let one Falcon Play installation support multiple physical setups. A profile can represent a studio, an OB truck, a test setup, or a customer-specific control-room layout.
| Control | Purpose | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Add New Profile | Creates a new hardware and routing profile. | Use one profile per physical setup. |
| Duplicate Profile | Copies an existing setup. | Use this before making a variant of a known working profile. |
| Generel | Profile name and core profile information. | Give profiles operational names, such as Studio 1 or OB Van. |
| Vision Mixer | Mixer connection, inputs, types, ME, keyers, macros, and Program/Preview behaviour. | Keep input names aligned with the physical mixer. |
| Sound Mixer | Mixer driver, fader inputs, fader levels, fade times, source keys, and delays. | Test every mapped fader after changing this section. |
| Playout Servers | Video server channels, preview behaviour, channel numbers, and mixer input mapping. | Keep A/B/C server letters consistent across productions. |
| Graphic Servers | Graphics output servers, preview server, default graphics server, layer names, and channel mapping. | Name layers by purpose, not just number. |
| VideoHub | Optional routing integration. | Use only when the production routing depends on VideoHub control. |
Input and automation behaviour
Vision mixer inputs are more than labels. They decide how Director, Falcon Vision Mixer, audio automation, keyers, macros, and protection behave when an operator cues or plays an element.
| Field | Purpose | Operator impact |
|---|---|---|
| Name | The readable source name shown in Falcon Play. | Operators should immediately recognise the source. |
| Input | The physical or logical input on the vision or sound mixer. | Wrong numbering sends commands to the wrong source. |
| Type of Input | Camera, video server, graphic, extern, SuperSource, DVE, or similar source type. | Controls how Falcon Play treats the source in automation. |
| ME | Selects Mix Effect for DVE/SuperSource/keyer workflows. | Use on mixers with multiple MEs. |
| Allow in Program | Allows the input to be taken to Program. | Disable for helper/AUX/background sources. |
| Avoid Program | Prevents a source from being sent to Program by normal operations. | Use for DSK, AUX, key layers, and technical feeds. |
| Vision Mixer Trigger | Lets the mixer trigger playback when a server input goes on air. | Useful with Blackmagic ATEM workflows. |
| Macros in Preview / Program | Runs selected mixer macros when the source enters Preview or Program. | Use for source-specific mixer preparation. |
| Key Inputs | Defines keyer inputs for DVE/SuperSource workflows. | Blank unused entries to prevent unwanted keyer changes. |
Audio and Voice Over behaviour
Audio can follow video, follow Voice Over state, or be manually controlled through Falcon Audio Mixer. Fader settings are shared between Device Config, Director item behaviour, and the Audio Mixer surface.
| Field | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Follows Video | Automatically opens or closes audio based on active video/input state. | Use when audio should track vision changes. |
| Sound Inputs | Sound inputs opened when an input becomes active. | Normal audio-follow-video mapping. |
| Sound Inputs on Voice Over | Sound inputs opened when Voice Over is enabled. | Applies especially to video-server elements. |
| Sound Inputs Closed | Sound inputs closed when the element activates. | Use to clean up competing sources. |
| Fader Input | Physical or logical mixer fader/channel. | Must match the selected sound mixer driver. |
| Fader Level (dB) | Target level after fade-in. | Original recommended range: -100 to +10 dB. |
| Fader Type | Classifies source as microphone, server, or other input. | Used for visual state and automation logic. |
| Fade Time | How fast a fader opens or closes. | Use longer fades for smoother transitions. |
Media, graphics, and CasparCG
These settings define where assets live, how metadata is scanned, and how playout/graphics formats match the rest of the production chain.
| Setting | Purpose | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Data Path | Path to graphics assets. | Usually set automatically. Avoid changing unless necessary. |
| Media Data Path | Path to media files. | Changing this affects what Media Manager and Director can see. |
| FFprobe Path | Executable used for media analysis. | Needed for durations and metadata. |
| FFmpeg Path | Executable used for encoding/transcoding workflows. | Needed for processing and thumbnails. |
| Max CPUs for Thumbnails | Limits CPU cores used for thumbnail generation. | Lower this on shared/underpowered systems. |
| Max CPUs for File Reading | Limits CPU use during media scans. | Helps prevent scan jobs from hurting live performance. |
| CasparCG Config Path | Location of the CasparCG configuration file. | Advanced setting; restart may be required after output changes. |
| Playout Videoformat | Video format output through CasparCG. | Must match vision mixer and output hardware. |
Prompter, timing, and LTC
| Setting | Purpose | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Sync All Prompters | Links connected prompters so scroll position follows together. | Multiple presenter displays must stay aligned. |
| Words per Minute | Speech rate used to estimate Voice Over duration. | Timing scripts and presenter reads. |
| Timing Framerate | Frame rate used for timing calculations and actions. | Match the vision mixer and video servers. |
| LTC Enable | Turns Linear Timecode features on/off. | Timecode should drive triggers or timeline behaviour. |
| Internal LTC Generator | Generates timecode inside Falcon Play. | Rehearsal or self-contained timing. |
| External LTC Input | Receives LTC from an audio device. | External timecode source is authoritative. |
License and Config Sync
| Section | Purpose | Safe workflow |
|---|---|---|
| License Status | Shows active license state, features, license ID, machine details, expiry, and errors. | Refresh after renewal or support changes. |
| Activate License | Accepts manual token or license file upload. | Use only with a valid token/file for this machine. |
| Download Config | Downloads one or all local config files. | Do this before risky changes. |
| Upload Config | Restores a local config file. | Use with known-good backups. |
| Reset Config | Resets allowed config files. | Avoid during production. |
| Push to Cloud | Uploads config to cloud storage. | Use after validating the local setup. |
| Fetch from Cloud | Overwrites local config from another cloud copy. | Download local backups first. |
Complete original field reference
This reference preserves the original Settings Module documentation and expands it into a cleaner table. It includes every setting that was described on the previous page.
| Original setting or field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Video Servers | Configure one or more video playout channels (A/B). Use this section to assign IP, port, and channel numbers, and decide whether a channel should act as a preview server. |
| Graphic Servers | Configure your graphics playout servers. Set up IP addresses, preview behavior, and playout formats (e.g., CasperCG). Keep the format consistent with your vision mixer. |
| Vision Mixer Settings | Connect Falcon Play to your vision mixer. Define inputs, cue delays, and program/preview behavior. ATEM mixers usually don't require a port number. |
| Sound Mixer Settings | Connect Falcon Play to your sound mixer. Map faders, assign voice-over rules, and control fade levels and times for smoother audio transitions. |
| Countdown Speak | Enable spoken countdowns during video playback. Available in multiple languages to help time live cues more accurately. |
| Activate AB Videoserver | Allows automatic switching between Video Server A and B for seamless, back-to-back playback. When disabled, only Video Server A is used. |
| Enable AutoCue | Automatically cue the next element in the rundown. If disabled, you must manually cue each item. |
| Active Server Profile | Select which saved server configuration is currently active. Useful when switching between studios or environments. |
| Audio Follows Video | Automatically switch audio channels based on the selected video input. Ensures the correct microphones or sound sources follow vision changes. |
| Sync All Prompters | Link all connected teleprompters so they scroll in sync. Perfect for multi-camera or multi-host setups. |
| Mixer Server Delay | Add a small latency offset for your mixer connection. Helps compensate for slow network or device response times. |
| Timing Framerate | Set the framerate that matches your vision mixer and video servers. Used internally for timing calculations in Falcon Play's action system. |
| Vision Mixer Trigger | Allows the vision mixer to trigger video playback automatically when a server input goes on-air. Works only with Blackmagic ATEM mixers. |
| Delay Videoload (ms) | Sets a short delay before loading a video, ensuring the mixer has switched to the correct source before playback. |
| Delay Preview (ms) | Specifies how long Falcon Play waits before cueing the next element on the vision mixer. |
| Words per Minute | Defines the speech rate of on-air talent. Used to calculate estimated durations for voice-over segments. |
| Allow in Program | Determines whether this element can appear in program output. Set to false for background or AUX elements. |
| Avoid Program | Prevents this input from being taken to program. Useful for DSK, AUX, or keying layers that should only run in the background. |
| Active | Enable or disable this device or server. When disabled, Falcon Play will not attempt to connect. |
| IP Address | The device's IP address. Make sure it's reachable from the Falcon Play server network. |
| Port | The communication port for the device. ATEM mixers do not require a port number. |
| Vision Mixer Input | Select the input number on your vision mixer. Leave blank if routed via upstream keyer or DSK. |
| Video Preview | Mark this channel as your video preview server. You can test playback using the eye-icon in Falcon Play. |
| Graphic Preview | Mark this channel as your graphics preview server. Used for testing graphic playout. |
| Show Controls | Show or hide advanced controls in the Falcon Play interface. Useful for simplifying the UI for new users. |
| Name | The unique name of this device or input. Each one must be distinct within your setup. |
| Description | An optional note or comment about the server or input. Used only for internal documentation. |
| Type of Input | Select whether the input represents a camera, video server, SuperSource, etc. Defines how Falcon Play treats it in automation. |
| Input | The physical input on your vision or sound mixer. Use correct numbering to ensure proper routing. |
| Delay (ms) | A custom wait time before activating this input. Used for sync or smooth transitions. |
| ME | Select which ME (Mix Effect) to use. Applies to DVE or SuperSource keyers. |
| Type | Defines the kind of equipment used. Choose from standard device categories. |
| Model Name | Optional model information for reference. Has no functional impact. |
| Channels | Additional channel information. Purely descriptive. |
| Channel | The playout/output channel number on your video server. Match this to your video card's output table. |
| Sound Inputs | Select which sound inputs should open when this input becomes active. |
| Sound Inputs on Voice Over | Select which sound inputs should open when this input is active with Voice Over enabled. Applies only to video servers. |
| Sound Inputs Closed | Select which sound inputs should close when this element activates. |
| Fader Input | Assign the physical fader on your sound mixer that this input controls. |
| Fader Level (dB) | Define the target audio level after fade-in. Range: -100 to +10 dB. |
| Fader Type | Specify if the source is a microphone, server, or other input. Used for visual indicators (e.g., mic open states). |
| Fade Time | How fast the fader should open or close during transitions. |
| Macros in Preview | Select which macros should trigger when the input enters preview. |
| Macros in Program | Select which macros should trigger when the input cuts to program. |
| Key Inputs | Define the number of DVE or SuperSource keyer inputs. Blank entries disable unused keyers. |
| Max CPUs for Thumbnails | Limit how many CPU cores Falcon Play can use for thumbnail generation. Helps balance performance on shared systems. |
| Max CPUs for File Reading | Restrict how many CPU cores are used when scanning or reading large media files. |
| Graphics Data Path | Path to your graphics assets folder. Usually set automatically - avoid changing unless necessary. |
| Media Data Path | Path to your media files. Usually set automatically - do not modify unless you know what you're doing. |
| FFprobe Path | Path to the ffprobe executable used for media analysis. Pre-configured by Falcon Play. |
| FFmpeg Path | Path to the ffmpeg executable used for encoding or transcoding. Pre-configured by Falcon Play. |
| CasparCG Config Path | Location of your CasparCG configuration file. Advanced users can edit playout channels and format settings here. |
Best practices
- Use one active Device Config Profile per physical setup.
- Download configs before changing server paths, mixer settings, or cloud-synced files.
- Avoid changing playout, graphics, mixer, or profile settings while a production is on air.
- Keep names operational: operators should see "Camera 1", "Server A", "Lower Third Layer", not only technical IDs.
- After changing server, mixer, or Media Server settings, reload the affected Falcon Play page and verify status indicators.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Changes do not appear | Settings were not saved or the target page still has old data loaded. | Click Save, then reload Director, Media Manager, Vision Mixer, Audio Mixer, or Timing Display. |
| Wrong devices are controlled | Wrong Active Server Profile is selected. | Open General/Device Config and confirm the intended profile is active. |
| Video plays on the wrong output | Playout server channel or vision mixer input mapping is wrong. | Check Playout Servers, Channel, and Vision Mixer Input. |
| Graphics appear on the wrong layer | Graphic server or layer configuration is wrong. | Check Graphic Servers, default graphics server, and layer names. |
| Audio does not follow video | Audio Follows Video or sound input mapping is missing. | Check Sound Inputs, Sound Inputs on Voice Over, fader inputs, and Audio Mixer AUTO state. |
| Media duration or thumbnails are missing | ffprobe/ffmpeg path, Media Data Path, or scan settings are wrong. | Check Media Server settings and Monitor page scan status. |
| License features are missing | License is inactive or not refreshed. | Open License and refresh or activate the license. |
| Config Sync fetch changed local setup unexpectedly | Cloud fetch overwrote local files. | Restore from a downloaded config backup. |
Screenshot is coming soon...