CharacterWorks Options & Add-Ons
Expand your broadcast capabilities with official CharacterWorks options: live video capture and mixing, dual-channel playout, TriCaster remote control, multi-screen videowalls, and real-time Bloomberg data.
Live Input Capture Option
Integrate live video and audio from Blackmagic DeckLink cards, AJA devices, and NDI sources into CharacterWorks with a built-in customizable 3D video switcher.
The Live Input Capture Option enables live video and audio feeds to be used directly as texture sources on 3D objects, video surfaces, or graphics overlays. Operate an integrated video switcher within CharacterWorks, perform 3D DVE / Picture-in-Picture transformations, and apply real-time video effects. Supported by GPUDirect for ultra-low latency capture on DeckLink and AJA hardware.
- Capture live video & audio from Blackmagic Design DeckLink, AJA, and NewTek NDI streams
- Built-in customizable 3D video switcher with smooth transitions and real-time PIP / DVE
- Hardware-accelerated GPUDirect pipeline for ultra-low latency ingest
- Apply 3D transformations, realistic lighting, and shader effects to live video feeds
Dual Channel Output Option
Adds a second independent output channel to CharacterWorks for simultaneous foreground and background graphics playout.
Operate two independent output channels simultaneously and independently from a single CharacterWorks machine. Play background videos or full-screen presentations on Channel 1 while overlaying lower thirds, tickers, and scorebugs on Channel 2. Both channels can feed into TriCaster, vMix, or master control via independent SDI Fill/Key pairs or separate NDI streams.
- Simultaneous, independent dual-channel graphics and video output
- Send separate SDI Fill & Key pairs or dual NDI IP video streams
- Run studio backdrop videowalls and on-air tickers simultaneously
- Flexible output routing across Blackmagic DeckLink, AJA, and NDI devices
Playout Basic Option
Extends the Automation Editor for linear broadcasts with wall-clock scheduling, clip metadata display, and unlimited audio playback.
Designed for linear television channels and automated broadcast rundowns. Enables scheduling video clips and graphics rundown events based on wall-clock time. Includes the Playout Data Source to dynamically display on-air clip titles, artist names, and remaining time progress bars within CharacterWorks graphics. Also unlocks playback of audio/video files longer than 60 seconds.
- Wall-clock time scheduling and automated linear rundown execution
- Playout Data Source for dynamic 'Now Playing' and 'Up Next' metadata overlays
- Unlocks unlimited duration playback for audio and video media files
- Seamless coordination with CW Expression scripting and rundown event triggers
TriCaster Remote Option
Deep bidirectional integration with NewTek / Vizrt TriCaster video switchers for synchronized graphics and camera switching.
Delivers seamless two-way control between CharacterWorks and TriCaster systems. TriCaster operators can remotely play CharacterWorks graphics directly from the TriCaster user interface without touching CW, or trigger TriCaster DDR media playback and macros directly from the CharacterWorks UI, ensuring perfect synchronization between camera cuts, replays, and graphics.
- Trigger CharacterWorks graphics directly from the TriCaster user interface
- Remote control of TriCaster DDR clips and macro execution from the CharacterWorks UI
- Synchronized live camera cuts with automated graphics triggers
- Zero-latency network communication over local studio LAN
Videowall Option
Drive multi-display videowall setups up to 4x4 display slices (2x4K, 3x4K, 8K) with DeckLink sync, bezel correction, and NVIDIA Mosaic support.
The Videowall Configurator allows you to create virtual multi-screen output devices using multiple Blackmagic DeckLink cards or NVIDIA Mosaic multi-head GPU outputs. Features flexible grid slice mapping, custom display resolution profiles, hardware bezel compensation, and isolated fullscreen rendering without Windows desktop interference.
- Supports up to 4x4 multi-screen display grids, 2x4K, 3x4K, and 8K canvases
- Hardware bezel correction and precise display slice alignment
- DeckLink Videowall device support and NVIDIA Mosaic GPU synchronization
- Isolated direct rendering preventing OS desktop popups or UI interference
Bloomberg Access Option
Connects CharacterWorks directly to Bloomberg Professional Services via BLPAPI for live financial tickers, market data, and stock charts.
Enables the specialized BLP Data Source within CharacterWorks to pull live financial instruments, stock quotes, forex rates, commodity values, and indices directly from active Bloomberg Professional terminal subscriptions. Drives animated live tickers, comparative charts, and financial lower thirds in real time.
- Direct Bloomberg BLPAPI integration for high-frequency financial data
- Real-time stock quotes, exchange rates, commodities, and index tickers
- Auto-updating 3D financial charts and responsive trend arrows
- Sub-second data refresh rates for financial news and business channels
Designer's License
Dedicated content creation workstation license for motion designers, 3D artists, and freelance graphic developers to author templates offline.
Enables motion graphics artists and creative teams to build, animate, and test full CharacterWorks broadcast templates without requiring dedicated broadcast SDI/NDI capture hardware. Provides full access to the 3D engine, shader editor, timeline, and data binding tools with a non-broadcast watermarked output.
- Full access to 3D scene creation, material graph, and animation timelines
- Offline template development and testing on standard laptops or workstations
- Data source testing with CSV, XML/JSON, and expressions
- Cost-effective seat licensing for distributed creative teams
Need a Custom Option or Turnkey System?
We can assist with license procurement, hardware specification, Blackmagic/NDI card integration, and building custom CharacterWorks setups tailored to your studio.