CasparCG is an open-source software for Windows and Linux used to play out graphics, audio, and video to multiple outputs.

For more information, visit their website.

Note: Automator support for the Enhanced CasparCG integration starts at Automator version Next Build 1.10.3-next.0 or above.

In the top right corner of the Automator, we see 'Devices' - this can be either in red or green depending on the status of the configured devices. Click it and select 'Add device'.

Next, select 'CasparCG' from the 'Device type' dropdown list, then give it a name.

Once the CasparCG device is selected and given a name, we will see all fields needed to configure it so it can be used with the Automator.

You can enable or disable the CasparCG, you can enter the hostname, as well as the ports. Once these settings have been entered, the device should show as 'online' (green) in the top right corner.

The settings that are entered by default by the Cuez Automator represent the default settings needed for CasparCG if the Automator is installed on the same computer as the CasparCG itself. You'll have to change these settings as needed, depending on your exact configuration.

If Caspar isn't recognized with 'localhost' as the Host name, try '127.0.0.1' instead.

Next, check the box to indicate that this CasparCG will be handling media. More settings will appear, allowing you to configure where media needs to be downloaded and which media to download for our CasparCG.

Note: If both the Automator and CasparCG are installed on the same computer, we recommend using the default 'Media' folder inside your CasparCG installation folder. Copy this folder path to both your 'Download folder' and 'Device media folder' in your Automator.

Automator offers the option to keep the original filenames of the media that will be downloaded from the Episode into the download folder. By default, Automator saves the files with a unique ID. In case you want to manually check the files in the download folder, it can be helpful to check the box to keep the original filenames to have the files be more recognizable.

We can also set files to be automatically deleted after 24 hours or a week. This way you don’t keep all downloaded media in case it is not needed anymore.

Finally, we can configure which Blocks need their media downloaded for CasparCG. Click 'Add media field' at the bottom, select your Block configuration (for example, 'Clip'), then select the media field name (usually 'Media'). Repeat this step for all Block configurations that need media downloaded by the CasparCG device you're configuring.

Once these settings are configured, media from the Episode will start downloading to the defined folders. A green checkmark next to a thumbnail on the triggers indicates the media was successfully downloaded.

The next step is then to configure each Item and Block configuration with the (set of) functions you want to perform on the CasparCG when triggering the Item or Block - more general information on that in this article.

Load Media

Prepares media (video, image) in the background. It loads the file, but does not display it immediately. This is the preferred method for seamless transitions.

Play

Plays the media item on that specific layer. The Play command also resumes the media item that was previously paused on that specific layer.

Pause

Pauses the currently playing media item on that specific layer.

Stop

Stops playback and removes the media from the specified layer, typically causing the layer to revert to black/transparent.

Load Template

Loads a graphic template (HTML or Flash) onto a layer.

Clear

Clears ALL layers on the specified channel immediately. All media, graphics, and effects are stopped and removed.

Clear Layer

Clears media/graphics from a specific layer immediately, stopping any playback.

Set Opacity

Sets the transparency of the layer, where 1.0 is fully opaque and 0.0 is fully transparent.

Set Volume

Sets the audio level of the layer's media, where 1.0 is 100% volume and 0.0 is silence.