Controller Operation Guide

Show Selection

A Show must be selected for any Cue or Surface details to populate in the Controller UI, and for any playback to occur.

To select your Show:

1. Access Settings > Event Tab.

2. Browse the list of available Shows and select the Show you wish to load by clicking on its name. Once selected, the show will begin loading automatically. No confirmation prompt is required.

3. Wait for the Controller to load the data associated with the show. If this is the first time the show has been loaded on this machine, the initial load may take slightly longer.

Cue Types will appear first. Cues will then populate the cue list as they are loaded.

Updates to Shows

All updates to Shows – cue creation, template modification, timing changes – must be done through the Cloud Portal.

Provided an active internet connection is maintained to the on-site application, these updates will be automatically synchronised. There may be a short delay between changes being saved in the Cloud Portal and those being reflected on site pending internet connection delays.

Data Source Selection

A Data Source must be selected through the Controller UI for any data defined content to render in playback.

1. Access Settings > Stats Tab.

2. Browse the list of available Data Sources and select your required Data Source by clicking on its name.

3. Test that stats are working by playing back stats‑driven cues on the Controller or by checking for relevant data in the Info tab.

Cue Playback

Playback Styles

There are three primary methods for playing back cues with the Controller application.

• Manual Playback
  Users can manually select and play cues using keyboard and mouse. This is the most straightforward, point-and-click method and is ideal for simple operation.

• Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts
  Cues can be triggered using keyboard inputs:

  • Each cue type is assigned a predetermined hotkey.

  • Operators enter the cue number after the hotkey to call the desired cue.

  • This method allows for faster and more consistent playback but requires familiarity with hotkey assignments.

• External Control
  External devices, such as an Elgato Stream Deck paired with Bitfocus Companion, can send commands directly to the Orchestrator via OSC, bypassing the Controller UI. For more information please see Controller Companion/Stream Deck Integration

Basic Cue Playback

Cues can be selected for playback in the Controller by manual selection or keyboard hotkeys.

1. Open the PV4 Controller Application and ensure a show is loaded.

2. Select the Cue Type you want to trigger by either:

   1. Clicking the Cue Type button in the Controller interface, or

   2. Pressing the corresponding hotkey for that Cue Type on the keyboard (e.g., H for Housekeeping).

3. In the cue list that appears, locate the cue you want to play by either:

   1. Typing the cue name, or

   2. Typing the cue number (e.g., 10 for HK‑10).
      This will filter the list to show matching cues.

4. Trigger or load the cue using one of the following options:

   Play immediately:

   1. If the correct cue is highlighted from your search, press Enter to play it instantly.

   2. Or click the cue in the filtered list and press the Play button in the Controller interface.

   Load the cue without playing:

   1. Press the \ key (located above Enter) to load the cue into the Active Cue List.

   2. Or click the Load button in the Controller interface after selecting the cue.

5. Verify that the cue/cues appear in the Active Cue List as either Loaded or Active, depending on which option you used.

Operating a Sequence Cue

Triggering a Sequence Cue for playback follows the same steps as playing back a regular cue but includes a number of additional steps for monitoring and interacting with the active sequence.

1. Once the Sequence cue is triggered, the full Sequence will appear in the Sequence panel on the right‑hand side of the Controller.

   1. This panel displays the entire ordered list of cues inside the Sequence.

   2. Sequence controls (Next, Skip, Clear, Go To, etc.) are also found here.

2. If the Sequence contains cues that are programmed to auto‑continue, those cues will progress automatically without operator interaction.

3. If the Sequence contains cues that do not auto‑continue, the operator must progress the Sequence manually by either:

   1. Pressing the Next button in the Sequence panel, or

   2. Pressing the NumPad + key to advance to the next step.

Playing back cues to other surfaces

All cues are programmed with a default surface for playback but in certain edge cases a user may want to manually force that cue to another available surface.

1. Follow standard process for selecting a cue for playback but do not trigger a load or play action. Instead:

2. With the cue selected in the cue list, click on the highlighted surface in the Active Cue List to deselect it.

3. Select the new surface by clicking it to highlight it.

4. Play the cue using any standard trigger actions.

Cue Clearing

When a cue is cleared in PV4, it triggers the Clear Scene of it's relevant template. This allows any designed clear animations — such as movement, scaling, or fade-outs — to play out, ensuring smooth transitions rather than abrupt cuts to black. Preserving these animations maintains the intended visual flow of the show.

Primary Methods of Cue Clearing

There are four main ways cues can be cleared in PV4:

• Clearing Rules
  Clearing Rules operate automatically and are outside the direct control of the operator. They are applied when predefined conditions dictate that certain cues should not overlap on the same surface. Examples include:

  • Same Cue Type Conflicts: Video cues clearing other Video’s on the same surface.

  • Cross-Type Conflicts: Super cues clearing Housekeeping cues when both target the same surface.

These rules ensure visual consistency and prevent unintended layering, which can negatively impact performance.

•  Manual Clearing via Active Cue List
  Operators can manually clear selected cues from the Active Cue List. This method provides precise control over what is cleared and when and allows multiple cues to be selected and cleared simultaneously.

• Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts
  Users can clear all cues of a specific Cue Type across all surfaces using keyboard shortcuts. This method is fast and efficient for clearing large groups of cues.

• External Control
  External devices, such as an Elgato Stream Deck paired with Bitfocus Companion, can send commands directly to the Orchestrator via OSC, bypassing the Controller UI. For more information please see Controller Companion/Stream Deck Integration

Session Variables

Session variables in PV4 are key-value pairs that define properties for the duration of an Orchestrator session. Once set, these values remain consistent until updated by the operator or the session ends.

Session variables allow cues to reference shared data without requiring the operator to enter the same information repeatedly. This makes playback more efficient and ensures consistency across all cues that depend on these values.

Purpose

Provide a single source of truth for session-specific details.

Enable dynamic adjustment of properties without editing individual cues.

Reduce repetitive input during live operation.

Examples of Common Session Variables

Venue Name

Match ID

Event Title

Team Names

Thee variables are typically used in templates for graphics, overlays, and other show elements that require consistent information throughout the event.

Updating an Existing Session Variable

1. Access Settings > Advanced Tab.

2. Locate the list of Session Variables and select the Session Variable you want to update.

3. Enter the new value for the selected Session Variable.

4. Confirm the updated value by pressing the variables 'Update' button.

5. Verify that cues referencing this Session Variable now behave or display according to the updated value.

Creating a Temporary Session Variable

1. Access Settings > Advanced Tab.

2. Locate the list of Session Variables. In the creation fields that appear, enter the following:

A Key (the unique name of the variable), and

A Value (the data you want the variable to contain).

3. Press the Create button to add the new Session Variable.

The newly created Session Variable will now appear in the list and can be edited or updated in the same way as any other Session Variable.

Operator Variables

Operator variables in PV4 are dynamic values that must be specified each time a cue requiring them is played or loaded. Unlike session variables, which remain constant throughout a session, operator variables are designed for scenarios where certain information cannot be programmed well in advance.

Operator variables ensure PV4 remains adaptable in unpredictable live environments, allowing operators to deliver accurate and timely content even when all details are not known beforehand.

Purpose

Operator variables enable flexibility during live operation by allowing cues to adapt to unknown or changing conditions. They are essential for cases where pre-created cues cannot cover every possible situation.

How They Work

When a cue references an operator variable, it can still be triggered, but it requires the operator variable to be specified for the cue to play back correctly.

These cues are clearly marked with an “x” in their name for easy identification.

Once the value is provided, the cue will render with the specified data.

When to Use Operator Variables

Operator variables are typically used when:

Unknown data exists before or during the event (e.g., last-minute athlete substitutions).

Dynamic input is required for graphics or overlays that cannot be pre-linked to external data sources.

Examples

Entering a jersey or lane number for an athlete in a sports event.

Providing country codes for medal ceremony graphics.

Inputting player statistics when no live data feed is available.

Operating with Operator Variables

1. Select the Cue Type of the cue you want to trigger.

2. Search for the cue by typing its name or cue number.

3. Identify that the cue requires an Operator Variable — these cues are marked with an “x” in their name.

4. Trigger the cue using your preferred method (refer to Guide: Playing Back a Cue if needed):

   1. Press Enter if the cue is highlighted, or

   2. Click Play, or

   3. Load the cue using the \ key or Load button.

5. When the cue is triggered, the Controller will automatically shift focus to the Operator Variables panel.

6. Enter the required value in the field shown for the Operator Variable.

7. Press Enter again to confirm the value and send the cue to the Renderer with the Operator Variable applied.

8. Verify that the cue now appears in the Active Cue List and is playing or loaded correctly.