First, the production laptop needs software for playing video clips. MACs will include QuickTime, and PC computers will include Windows Media Player.

An alternative to both is the very useful VLC Player, which is offered as a free download online at www.videolan.org. This is a very versatile video player for both MAC and PC.

How to play video from a Laptop into the HS-3200 

Your laptop will need to connect to one of the HDMI inputs on the HS-3200. Some laptops have an HDMI output, which requires only an HDMI cable for connection. Many laptops will have a mini display port as an output. In this case, you will need a converter/adapter to HDMI so that an HDMI cable can be used to connect the laptop to the HS-3200.    

After the connection is made, the laptop must be set to the same output settings as the HS-3200, which will either be 1280x720 or 1920x1080. The laptop's display settings should allow you to change the output, with the laptop recognizing the HS-3200 as another screen.

Using the Video Player

You know you are using a computer, but the audience does not need to know a computer is playing the video clips. Keeping the user interface of the video player software hidden is important to have the B-Roll play seamlessly for the broadcast and not distract the audience.

The operator for the media laptop must be sure to hide the mouse and play/stop button menu on the video player. Putting the video in full screen and not touching the mouse or any keys should make the controls disappear. Then, pressing the space bar on the laptop will play the video clip. Right before the video clip finishes, pressing the space bar again to pause will stop the video clip on one of the last few frames. This will prevent the desktop of your computer from being shown to viewers while the switcher operator transitions back to the news anchors.