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Companion control module for Evertz DreamCatcher replay systems.
This module provides operator-focused control of DreamCatcher outputs, replay workflows, capture control, routing, mosaic layouts, session-based clip recall, playlist control, system monitoring, and system maintenance directly from Bitfocus Companion.
Use Refresh Connection after connecting to DreamCatcher, after changing sessions, or any time Companion dropdowns look empty or stale.
This button refreshes the information Companion needs from the server, including:
Recommended workflow:
If a dropdown does not show the expected information, press Refresh Connection first before troubleshooting individual actions.
IP address of the DreamCatcher system.
Example:
10.16.8.100
TCP control port used by DreamCatcher.
Default:
5001
Operator name used for session control, PBS/readable ID workflows, and meta mark creation.
Example:
Operator
Clears the custom mosaic layout from the selected output.
Use when:
Creates a clip from the current marked In and Out points on the selected output.
Options:
Use when:
Creates a meta mark at the current timecode of the selected output. The creator is set to the logged-in username configured in the module settings.
Options:
Use when:
Finds a clip using the standard Page / Bank / Slot / Angle format and cues it to the selected output.
Options:
Use when:
Example:
Page 1 / Bank 1 / Slot 4 / Angle A
Cues a clip at 0% speed using a dropdown list of all clips on the system. The clip list is loaded automatically on connect and can be refreshed with Refresh All Clips.
Options:
Use when:
Cues a local playlist at 0% speed from a dropdown of all playlists on the system.
Options:
Use when:
Finds a clip inside a selected session using Page / Bank / Slot / Angle and cues it to the selected output.
Options:
Use when:
Recommended workflow:
Cues a clip from a specific session's clip list at 0% speed using a dropdown.
Options:
Use when:
Cues a playlist from a specific session at 0% speed.
Options:
Use when:
Moves the selected output to the current In mark.
Options:
Returns the selected output to live capture.
Options:
Moves the selected output to the current Out mark.
Options:
Sets the In point on the selected output.
Options:
Sets the Out point on the selected output.
Options:
Advances playback to the next clip in a playlist on the selected output.
Options:
Use when:
Pauses playback on the selected output.
Options:
Starts playback on the selected output at the selected speed.
Options:
Playback speed examples:
100 = normal speed
50 = half speed
200 = double speed
-100 = reverse playback
Finds a clip using Page / Bank / Slot / Angle and immediately plays it.
Options:
Cues and immediately plays a clip at 100% using a dropdown list of all clips on the system.
Options:
Use when:
Cues and plays a local playlist at 100% from a dropdown.
Options:
Finds a clip inside the selected session using Page / Bank / Slot / Angle and immediately plays it.
Options:
Cues and plays a clip from a specific session's clip list at 100%.
Options:
Cues and plays a playlist from a specific session at 100%.
Options:
Decreases the playspeed of the selected output by a configurable step per knob tick. Reads the current playspeed and steps down from it.
Options:
Use when:
Increases the playspeed of the selected output by a configurable step per knob tick.
Options:
Use when:
Advanced manual command tool for testing or troubleshooting. Recommended for advanced users only.
Reboots the DreamCatcher server. This is a high-impact action. Use carefully.
Cues the most recently created clip to the selected output.
Options:
Reloads the clip name dropdown list from the system (up to 1000 clips). Runs automatically on connect.
Use when:
Refreshes available bins for Companion dropdowns.
Refreshes available export profiles for Companion dropdowns.
Refreshes available input sources for Companion dropdowns.
Refreshes available DreamCatcher outputs for Companion dropdowns.
Reloads both local playlists and session playlists. Runs automatically on connect.
Options:
Use when:
Refreshes clip names for the selected session.
Options:
Refreshes the list of available sessions.
Clears and restarts the DreamCatcher database service.
Use when:
Restarts selected DreamCatcher system components.
Options:
The confirmation checkbox is included to reduce accidental restarts.
Routes a selected input source to a selected output.
Options:
Moves playback forward or backward by a specific number of frames.
Options:
Scrubs the selected output forward by a configurable number of frames per knob tick. Assign to the rotate-right action of an encoder button. Use negative values to scrub backward.
Options:
Scrubs the selected output backward by a configurable number of frames per knob tick. Assign to the rotate-left action of an encoder button.
Options:
Creates a custom multi-box mosaic layout on the selected output.
Options include:
Supported layouts: 2 box, 3 box, 4 box
Sets the selected output to idle/black.
Options:
Skips the next clip in a playlist and jumps to the clip after it.
Options:
Use when:
Starts capture/recording.
Stops capture/recording.
Feedbacks dynamically change the colour and/or text of a button based on the live state of DreamCatcher. Add them to any button in Companion's button editor.
Changes the background colour of a button based on the current playspeed of the selected output.
Options:
Also shows the output name and current speed percentage as button text.
Update rate: every 500ms
Provides a full status display on a button showing the output name, the current clip or playlist name (up to 15 characters), and the time remaining. Clip and playlist names are fetched automatically.
The button text clears to show only the button's own label when the output is idle or has no status yet.
Update rate: every 500ms
Measures the round-trip response time to DreamCatcher and displays it on the button.
Update rate: every 5 seconds
Shows the remaining recording time from DreamCatcher's storage system as H:MM:SS on the button.
Options:
Update rate: every 5 seconds
Shows the connection status of a specific NAS mount. A dropdown lists all available mounts by their folder name.
Options:
NAS Mount (dropdown — populates after first poll)
Green + CONNECTED = mount is online
Red + OFFLINE = mount is disconnected
Update rate: every 5 seconds
Shows the current system timecode as HH:MM:SS from the first Montage output. No configuration needed.
Update rate: every 500ms
General refresh and discovery controls.
Includes:
Restart and reboot controls.
Includes:
Transport and output-position controls.
Includes:
Clip marking and creation tools.
Includes:
Clip recall tools using PBS addressing and name-based dropdowns.
Includes:
Playlist cue and play controls.
Includes:
Mosaic layout controls.
Includes:
Input-to-output routing controls.
Includes:
Controls for multiple outputs at once.
Includes:
Capture start/stop controls.
Includes:
The module polls DreamCatcher automatically at the following intervals:
| Data | Rate |
|---|---|
| Output playspeed, clip ID, timecode | Every 500ms |
| Output state changes (clip/playlist changes) | Instant push from DreamCatcher |
| Record time remaining, ping | Every 5 seconds |
| NAS mount status | Every 5 seconds |
| Clip names (on demand) | When a new clip is seen on an output |
| Playlist names (on demand) | When a new playlist is seen on an output |
Use:
Press:
Refresh Connection
Then retry the action.
Press:
Refresh Sessions
Press:
Refresh Session Clips
or
Refresh All Clips
Press:
Refresh Playlists
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