Support's FAQs

How do I find my workstation serial number?
Click here for help on finding your serial number!

Where is the firmware on my hard panel?
Click here for help on finding your panel firmware

Rack mounted Workstations need both front and rear support.
Workstations need solid support when rack mounted in order to stay completely level. Consider either using front and rear rails or placing the Workstation on a platform large enough to support both ends fully.

I’ve plugged all the network connections in for my Slate 2100/3000/5000, but my iBoB/router and control panel aren’t connecting or responding to the workstation.
The workstation has 2 network ports. Be sure that the network connection from the Slate workstation is plugged into the network port on the motherboard of the workstation, found directly to the right of the USB ports on the rear of the workstation. Also be sure the included Linksys network hub is powered on, that the iBoB/router, panel, and workstation are connected to it, and that none of the network connections are plugged into the jack labeled uplink. Once properly configured, you may need to unplug and then repower the network hub to reset the connections. If this still does not fix it, insure that the workstation network settings are at the factory default of 192.168.53.250 with the firewall disabled. Please refer to the manual if settings have been altered.

I’ve unpacked my Slate 2100, and mixed up the power supplies for the iBoB and the control panel. Which one is which?
Each power supply has its own part number listed on it. Of the power supplies currently shipping, the supply labeled P/N TPSPU65E is for the iBoB. The supply labeled TPSPU45E is for the control panel. The control panel is 3.75 Amp and the iBoB is 6.66 Amp. They are both 12V DC with the same pinout, so that in an emergency if the iBoB power supply should fail, the panel's power supply can be used on a limited basis for the iBoB while the switcher is operated from a SoftPanel.

I’m using the Clip Store Ingest, but I don’t see the correct input when I ingest (record) a clip?
For Slate 100 and Slate 1000 switchers, select your input to record from the drop-down menu in the Clip Ingest tool. Those inputs correspond to where on the input cards those sources are plugged into, not where on your switcher you’ve assigned them in your show.
For Studio 2000 and Slate 2100, 3000, and 5000 switchers, once in the Clip Ingest tool, put your panel into fail-safe mode. Select the Capture/Controls button, and then select the source you want to capture in the source row (not the program row, but the one above it). Remember that in fail-safe mode, the sources correspond to where the inputs are plugged into the router or iBoB, not where on your switcher you’ve assigned them in your show.

What kind of compressed clips can I use in the Clip Store?
We currently support playback of QuickTime (.mov) files that are compressed using DV/DVC Pro compression in versions 6.1 and higher of the Broadcast Pix Switcher software. The correct settings are below:
- Video Compression Settings: DV, DV/DVCPro
- File Size: 720x486/NTSC or 720x576/PAL (either anamorphic 16:9 or 4:3)
- Frame Rate: 29.97/NTSC or 25/PAL
- Field Order/Dominance: Bottom/Lower first
- Scan Mode: Interlaced
More detail on exporting from Final Cut Pro can be found in our manual in section 6.3.5.

I can't hear audio out of my clips.
First confirm that you can hear audio out of the system. All systems ship with a file called "ingest_test" that consists of color bars and tone. Add that clip to your show, select it in Clips 1 and bring to program. You can confirm that it is playing by seeing the clip counter moving. You should then be able to monitor the audio output of Clips 1 left and right channels of the system. Check the signal flow of your audio chain from out system outputs and confirm the tone signal. Then check any clips you have ingested or brought into your system.

I upgraded to the latest version of QuickTime, and now I’m having problems in my Clip Store.
We are now shipping our switchers with QuickTime 7.5.5 to support playing of compressed clips. Other versions of QuickTime can cause conflicts in playing back clips (both compressed and uncompressed). If you have upgraded QuickTime to a version newer than 7.5.5, remove the newer version of QuickTime, and reinstall QuickTime 7.5.5.

That version can be found online here:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/QuickTime_7_5_5_for_Windows

If you have an older version of Quicktime, you can upgrade to version 7.5.5 as long as you are runnig the most current version of the Broadcast Pix Software (found in out Downloads section).

We also recommend turning off auto updating for QuickTime. You can do this in QuickTime by going to Edit > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences > Update and unchecking the checkbox for Updates Automatically.

I can't connect a Soft Panel. When I try to connect, I get a message that says "Cannot connect to null".
Newer versions of Flash Player can cause a conflict when trying to establish a connection with the Broadcast Pix, both on the Broadcast Pix system and via remote computers. To fix this, you will need to completely remove the version of Flash on the system you are trying to open the soft panel on and load the 9.45 version of Flash. Follow these instructions to do so:
For PCs:
- Complete remove the old version of Flash following the instructions here: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402435&sliceId=2
- Download the 9.45 version of Flash from our site here: http://www.broadcastpix.com/downloads/flashplayer9r45_winax.zip
- Extract the exe file from the downloaded zip file and run it to install it.
For Macs:
- Completely remove the old version of Flash following these instructions: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14157&sliceId=1
- Download the 9.45 version of Flash from our site here: http://www.broadcastpix.com/downloads/flashplayer9r45_mac.zip
- Extract the exe file from the downloaded zip file and run it to install it.

I’ve unpacked my new Slate switcher, but I can’t find my Inscriber CG dongle?
All Slate switchers include an Inscriber CG which requires a USB dongle to operate. Systems shipped out August 2007 and later have the Inscriber CG dongle located inside the workstation to help prevent loss and damage to it.

I can’t import a new animation because Import Animations is grayed out?
You cannot import an animation while a show is running. Close the show currently open (but do not close the switcher application). Now go to Capture > Import Animation and it will selectable.