VidBlasterX has a unique modular design that allows you to configure the program exactly to your needs, both from a technical and from an ergonomic perspective. Modules can be roughly divided into 2 types: video and control modules. Video modules always include a display and perform video related functions. Control modules have no display and are used for other purposes.


All modules can be easily positioned by grabbing their title bar and dragging them to the required position. Upon release they will snap to the grid set in the main menu (Modules > Grid Size). To resize a video module hover the mouse over the right (horizontal resize) or bottom (vertical resize) edge of the video display until the mouse cursor changes. Then hold down the left mouse button and drag the module to the desired size. The module will resize so that the display always keeps a constant aspect ratio. Upon release the right edge will snap to grid. To conserve space most modules can be collapsed by double clicking the title bar. Double click the title bar again to return the module to its original state. Note a collapsed module will still consume resources as it continues to function. Modules can have one or two tally lights: a program (red) / preview (green) / fx (white) tally on the left and a status tally (often used to indicate on/off status) on the right.


Each module has a popup menu, aka a context menu, which can be made visible by right clicking the module. Menu items that are common to most modules are listed and explained below.


On

Activates the module's main function.


Off

Deactivates the module's main function.


Video Source

The module takes its video from this source.


Audio Source

The module takes its audio from this source. By default this is set to either the default Windows recording device or, when present, the output of Audio Mixer 1. If no source is available, or the previously selected source is no longer available, this setting will default to No sound.


Audio Output

The module sends its audio to this output. By default this is set to either the default Windows playback device or, when Audio Mixer 1 is present, No Sound. DirectSound & WASAPI devices are used in 2-channel stereo mode, ASIO devices in multi-channel mode.


Settings

A Settings dialog will appear with settings related to this module.


Action > On Click > On/Off

When this flag is set, clicking the display has the same function as selecting on when off, or off when on.


Action > On Click > Play/Pause

When set clicking the display has the same function has clicking the Play button or Stop button.


Action > On Click > Preview

When set clicking the display has the same function as selecting this module as source on the PVW 1 bus.


Action > On Click > Program

When set clicking the display has the same function as selecting this module as source on the PGM 1 bus.


Appearance > Controls

Allows you to select which controls, e.g. buttons and selection lists, are visible. The module will automatically resize to accommodate for the visible controls. A multiview configuration, i.e. a collection of displays, can be achieved by disabling all controls. All modules remain fully operational through their popup menu.


Appearance > OSD

Allows you to select which On Screen Display elements, e.g. audio meter and status icons, are visible. The audio meter has a range from -52 to 0 dBFS, divided in 3 segments: green from -52 to -20 dBFS (SMPTE) or -18 dBFS (EBU), yellow up to -10 dBFS and red up to 0 dBFS. The channels indicate the audio peak value in dBFS, with a peak-hold line indicating the highest peak value in the last 750 ms. The SyncLok status icon indicates whether the video device or source streams video frames with accurate timing (SyncLok active or "locked"), or not. If SyncLok is not possible, timing will be taken from VidBlasterX's internal master clock.


Appearance > Size

Sets the display size as percentage of the native video resolution.


Option > Alias

Opens a dialog allowing you to enter a module's Alias, which can be a more descriptive or compact version of the module's name. E.g. for a Camera module this could be the name of the camera operator, for an NDI Output module this could be the name of the actual source.


Option > Alpha

VidBlasterX internally uses premultiplied alpha. Preferably all video streams from external sources that carry an alpha channel have a premultiplied alpha channel. If this is not possible, set this option to Straight to let VidBlasterX do the required conversion (note this requires additional resources, especially for HD streams). Select Ignore if VidBlasterX should ignore the alpha channel entirely.


Option > Auto Scale

Almost all video and graphics are automatically scaled, centered and pillar/letterboxed throughout the program. In some cases however, like in the Still Store module, automatic scaling can be undesirable and this flag can be unchecked to disable this feature.


Option > Dock

When a module is docked to another module, dragging either module will make both modules move in unison. This feature is often used to allow grouping of, e.g. switcher, modules so they can be easily  repositioned.


Option > OSD

Text display over the video in the display is called OSD text. This can be switched Off, text Local to the module itself can be shown or from the Source module.

Normally OSD text is an overlay and not part of its video output. Select the Embedded option to make the OSD text part of the video stream. This option is useful for e.g. remote monitoring.


Clear Module

Clears the module's input (file) and display, leaving the module to output (transparent) black video.


Remove Module

Clears and removes the module.