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HyperDeck VTR Integration with Flair

BOTH

Flair can control a Blackmagic Design HyperDeck over the network to record and play back video in sync with a motion control move. This allows operators to browse through a recorded plate and compare it frame-by-frame against a live camera feed — invaluable for checking registration on multi-pass shots.

Critical firmware requirement

Flair is only compatible with HyperDeck firmware 5.2 or 5.3 (HyperDeck Protocol v1.8). Newer firmware versions break Flair's ability to communicate with the HyperDeck. You must downgrade or stay on 5.2/5.3.

HyperDeck firmware requirement

Flair communicates with the HyperDeck using HyperDeck Protocol v1.8. This protocol version ships with:

  • HyperDeck firmware 5.2 (confirmed)
  • HyperDeck firmware 5.3 (confirmed)

Newer firmware versions use a different protocol version that is not compatible with Flair.

To downgrade HyperDeck firmware:

  1. Download firmware 5.2 or 5.3 from the Blackmagic Design support page.
  2. Connect the HyperDeck to a computer running the Blackmagic Setup app.
  3. The Setup app will recognise the device with the different firmware version and prompt you to "update" (which will install the older version as a downgrade).
  4. Confirm and complete the process.

Typical kit components

A practical HyperDeck VTR kit typically includes:

  • Blackmagic HyperDeck (Mini or similar)
  • ATEM SDI mini mixer or equivalent video switcher — for fading or cutting between live camera and HyperDeck playback
  • SDI distribution amplifier (DA) — to split the camera signal to the HyperDeck, ATEM, and monitor simultaneously
  • Ethernet switch — the HyperDeck must be on the Flair root network (INtime network)
  • Monitor (field monitor or integrated)
  • Skaarhoj panel (optional) — hardware fader/button panel for controlling the ATEM mixer

The ATEM must be on the Windows network (not the INtime root network) if you want to control it from an external app. The HyperDeck, however, must be on the root network so Flair can reach it. This requires two ethernet connections from the Flair workstation — one to each network.

Network setup

  • HyperDeck: connect to the Flair root network (INtime network, switch in the Flair flight case)
  • ATEM: connect to the Windows network (second ethernet adapter or USB ethernet adapter on the Flair PC)

Recording a pass — workflow

Step 1 — Record the move

  1. Set up the HyperDeck controls in Flair (accessible via the Run menu).
  2. Use Flair's HyperDeck record, play, and stop buttons to control the deck.
  3. Run the move normally. The HyperDeck records from the start of the move.

Step 2 — Cue the clip for playback sync

After recording:

  1. Use the "go to beginning of clip" arrow buttons in the HyperDeck control dialog to cue the clip to its beginning.
  2. Press Set In — this captures the timecode stamp from the beginning of the clip and stores it in the HyperDeck control dialog.
  3. Verify the timecode is visible in the dialog.

Flair 7 bug (beta 79)

There is a known bug in Flair 7 beta 79 where the timecode does not appear in the HyperDeck dialog after clicking Set In, which prevents browse sync from working. This bug was reported and affects Flair 7 only. The workflow operates correctly in Flair Classic. Check your Flair version.

Step 3 — Browse sync

With the clip cued and timecode set:

  1. Put the rig in browse mode.
  2. As you browse the move, the HyperDeck plays back the recorded clip at the same speed and position as the rig.
  3. Use the ATEM switcher (or equivalent) to fade or cut between the live camera feed and the HyperDeck playback.
  4. Any differences in position between passes will be visible when comparing live and recorded.

Offset adjustment: You may need to adjust the offset by a frame or two to achieve perfect sync between the rig position and the HyperDeck clip. Experiment and note your offset for repeatable setup.

Video signal routing (typical)

Camera SDI out → Distribution Amplifier (DA)
    DA output 1 → ATEM input 1 (live camera)
    DA output 2 → HyperDeck SDI in (record input)
    DA output 3 → external monitor (optional direct feed)

HyperDeck SDI out → ATEM input 2 (playback)

ATEM output 1 → integrated monitor (mixed output)
ATEM output 2 → further distribution (optional)

ATEM mixer control

The ATEM has no hardware cross-fade adjustment on the device itself. Options for controlling the fade between live and playback:

  • ATEM software app — run on any computer on the Windows network, including the Flair workstation
  • Skaarhoj hardware panel — hardware fader with ATEM protocol support, highly configurable; also supports Flair API integration for combined control
  • OSEE GoStream Duet — alternative to the ATEM; has an integrated T-bar fader, handles HDMI or SDI inputs, and NDI input; somewhat larger than the ATEM Mini

QTake as an alternative

For operators who have access to QTake as their VTR system, native OSC integration with Flair (available since mid-2024) offers a less finicky alternative to the HyperDeck workflow, with additional features such as on-screen frame number display. See QTake Integration.

Source: Hyperdeck / VTR kit — talk.mrmoco.com