Contour Shuttle Pro V2 Settings

[GregGerlach]

Does anyone have application settings for the Contour Shuttle Pro V2? Contour hasn't officially supported VT3 yet... they say you have to create your own settings. I would be interested in just the basic settings to get the basic functions like jog, play, shuttle etc., not necessarily the custom hot buttoms or macros.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[Jim Capillo]

I've posted my settings here, Greg.....

Shuttlepro V2 files (http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15816&highlight=shuttlepro)

Have fun !

[GregGerlach]

Thanks Jim...

My Shuttle Pro V2 hasn't arrived yet. I assume that I can copy and paste the VT[3]Edit.pref file in the appropriate place in the Contour directory and that will allow for basic deck control and the programming of the 15 buttons as outlined in the diagram you enclosed in the zip file. Correct?

Also... can Shuttle Pro control a deck either via RS-422 or firewire and mark batch capture ins and outs?

[Jim Capillo]

I have not been successful in controlling my JVC BR-DV3000U deck via 422. I am currently controlling it by firewire and using the Y/C input for digitizing, so I can't answer the first part of your question, but I believe the second part is yes...... you just have to assign the buttons.

[GregGerlach]

The Shuttle Pro 2 really saves a lot of time, especially the 15 programmable buttons. I spoke with someone at Contour Design and they told me how to use the "Transition" keystrokes to set up different shuttle speeds using a simple "J" or "L" command to control my UVW-1800 and AG-D650 via RS-422. Trouble is, that's not how most NLE's communicate with Shuttle Pro. VT3 would have to have dedicated keystrokes for each of the five forward and backward transport speeds. To my knowledge, VT3 does not have this. If it did, we could program the "Shuttle In" settings with specific speed keystrokes. Using "J" and "L" is merely a workaround. It works if you don't turn the shuttle wheel too fast, especially if you're going from the fastest forward speed down to Pause or backwards. I have asked Newtek about the possibility of having these dedicated keystrokes. If they can do that, Contour Design will be able to support VT3 and list VT3 in their list of applications in their control panel. Seems like every other NLE is listed except VT3. Programming all of the 20+ transition keystrokes is not difficult... just time consuming. If anyone would like me to post a .pref file, it would save you some time.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[PIZAZZ]

Greg,

I would like to hear and see more of what you found out. Could you post a link to your pref file? We have been working on integrating 2 different ShuttlePros for 2 DDRs. They would be used in a live switching situation. I was just reading through the latest ShuttlePro software manual and it looks like the key composing feature could definitely be helpful for all the VT3 users.

I have always wondered why Newtek never came out with a quality Jog/Shuttle controller. I mean the ShuttlePro is great and all but a true high quality controller is a totally different feel. I have looked at the JLCooper stuff and it is awesome. To some it may be expensive but to others it is worth it if it lasts 5 or more years. I do not know how long the $100 piece of plastic is going to be able to hang around.

[creach]

Greg: I, too, would be interesting in seeing a link for your shuttle prefs.

Pizazz: Just as an FYI...our shuttle has been in everyday production use now for a year. We haven't lost a keycap, a rubber foot, or anything. It still works, too!

Dan

[GregGerlach]

I have one more thing to check out with Contour Design and then I will post a link to a pref file on this thread. I have a Shuttle Pro 2 which has a hard rubber shuttle wheel and a metal jog wheel. It has a very solid feel to it. The original Shuttle Pro is entirely plastic. I tried it with the DDR and it worked fine. In fact, it works a little better controlling VT3's video clips within DDR & VT-Edit than it does a source deck via RS-422. But... the RS-422 isn't bad. With my two pro decks, the keystroke for "One Frame Forward" (and backward) sends the deck into a very slow crawl and that doesn't translate into a very good Shuttle Pro jog function with RS-422. If Newtek can come up with some additional dedicated keystrokes, Shuttle Pro will be even better. I've been batch capturing all week and it's a breeze.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[John Melvin]

Just ordered one. Looking forward to the pref link.

Thanks

John

[bradl]

Originally posted by GregGerlach
I spoke with someone at Contour Design and they told me how to use the "Transition" keystrokes to set up different shuttle speeds using a simple "J" or "L" command to control my UVW-1800 and AG-D650 via RS-422. Trouble is, that's not how most NLE's communicate with Shuttle Pro. VT3 would have to have dedicated keystrokes for each of the five forward and backward transport speeds. To my knowledge, VT3 does not have this. If it did, we could program the "Shuttle In" settings with specific speed keystrokes. I ran into this same problem when I first got my shuttle pro and created my own dedicated speeds in a Toaster Script. The details can be found here:
VT3 Custom User Script to Enable Smooth ShuttlePro2 Shuttling (http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10525)

[PIZAZZ]

Creach,

I guess I judge things a little different. We are on the road quite a bit and all our gear takes a beating over time. Plastic appendages are some of the first to go. That is just our experience. I guess if the unit is sitting on a desk all its life then it should probably last a while.


Brad,

Thanks for posting that script again. I am going to install it and give it a good run through here in a moment.

[GregGerlach]

I was able to get Brad's ToasterScript to work in the VT-Edit timeline, but it wouldn't work in Batch Capture. I put the script in c:\VT3\Skins\Batch Capture\Main Window\User Scripts but the hotkeys did not control a source deck either via firewire or RS-422. Anyone have any suggestions?

Greg Gerlach

[bradl]

Guys,

Those custom keys were something I threw together back when I first got my ShuttlePro. I have not messed with it since then. At the time I was lead to believe by certain Newtek staff that Aussie was going to release the official ShuttlePro support files at any time. Well I guess he didn't get it working, stopped trying or something...?

[GregGerlach]

Brad,

Thanks for putting together those hotkeys. Now we know it can be done. I have e-mailed Aussie to see if there's a way to get your hotkeys to work with batch capture deck control. Once we get those hotkeys to work with deck control, Shuttle Pro will be nearly fully compatible with VT3. The only other issue is getting RS-422 deck control keystrokes for jog-one frame forward/back. The keystrokes Newtek has listed work in DDR, VT-Edit and batch deck control via firewire but not batch deck control via RS-422.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[mgutman]

Brad's script works great in VT3-TED. (Thanks, Brad!)

I mapped the wheel to the arrow keys for frame by frame jogging. You have to go very s-l-o-w or the video runs on for awhile.

Does anyone know how to avoid this run-on?

Thanks,
Mike

[GregGerlach]

At the bottom of this post there's an attachment that contains a Shuttle Pro .pref file I created that will allow for RS-422 shuttle control. The basis for the hotkeys came from Jim Capillo's .pref file which he has posted. I took that and with the help of Contour Design came up with the necessary J and L "transition to/from" keystrokes to allow for RS-422 deck control.

A word about the "Shuttle Centered" position. The shuttle works best if you can use a "Pause Only" command. Don't use "K"; it toggles between play and pause. The "Pause only" command for VT-Edit is App + Ctl + F3. But when you enter this into Shuttle Pro, for some reason you have to reverse the first two keystrokes (Ctl + App + F3). The "Pause only" command for Batch Capture source deck is "App + Alt + F". Again, enter Alt before App. Choose the appropriate "Pause Only" command based on whichever program you use most... VT-Edit or batch capture. After reading the next paragraph, you may want to go ahead and create two seprate sets of settings.

If you have no need to use RS-422 deck control, I would recommend using Brad Loflin's ToasterScript (see earlier post). It works great in VT-Edit. Using his ToasterScript, you could program Shuttle Pro's shuttle using the "Shuttle In Left/Right" options. If you'd like to use both the ToasterScript and have RS-422 shuttle, simply create two sets of settings. When you load my .pref file, you will see that one of the 15 buttons is programmed to switch between Shuttle Pro settings. Make sure you keep this button the same for both sets of settings.

I've asked Newtek for help in coming up with dedicated keystrokes or a ToasterScript that will provide keystrokes that will allow for better deck control via RS-422. I will post anything I find out.

Jog warning: The jog function in my .pref file works well in VT-Edit but not RS-422. With RS-422, one click of the jog wheel puts the deck into a slow crawl. That's because Newtek's Jog/one frame advance doesn't work with RS-422. I've asked them to fix that.

Mike, regarding the slow jog response... yes, you have to go real slow. And if VT3 is rendering in the background, it's even worse.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[John Melvin]

Shuttle Pro should be here Monday. Question is what do you do with the "VT3edit.pref" file that Jim has been so helpful in providing??

Maybe it will be more obvious once I unpack and install the Shuttle Pro.

Will I have to program each key manually??

Thanks

John

[GregGerlach]

The .pref file I attached to my post is based on Jim's .pref file. Many of the auxiliary 15 buttons are the same. The difference is how the shuttle commands are set up. I got instructions from Contour Design on how to do that so it would work with both VT-Edit and RS-422 source deck control.

All you have to do to use .pref files is go into Shuttle Pro's control panel and load it in using "Import Settings" under options. Any .pref file you import will then turn up on Shuttle Pro's list of available settings. You'll see many other software applications in there... some aren't even NLE's. Shuttle Pro is a great tool to use with programs such as PhotoShop... not so much because of the shuttle/jog, but those 15 extra buttons come in real handy for efficient work flow. Contour Design and other VT3 users are anxious to be able to have VT3 as one of Shuttle Pro's supported applications. All that has to be done is determine the proper keyboard shortcuts... making sure they work with RS-422. I'm hoping that Newtek will come through with some help regarding this.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[Jim Capillo]

Greg, I tried your modified file but could not get the jog to work. It just stayed running at whatever speed it was running prior and would not stop. Shuttle only had a couple of settings, both slow.

Something I'm missing in the install?

[GregGerlach]

I just downloaded the .pref file I posted and loaded it into Shuttle Pro to make sure it's working and it seems to be working OK. It should be listed in Shuttle Pro as ~VT3.pref. The ~ is so that it shows up at the top of the list... just under global settings.

The jog should work OK in VT-Edit as long as you turn the wheel real slow. Jog won't work with source deck control because Newtek's keystroke for jog-1 frame advance doesn't work; it puts the deck into a very slow playback speed.

Contour Design helped me program the shuttle commands; we used the "transition right from 1-2, etc." section using "L" & "J" keystrokes. Check to see if you see all of those keystrokes... there are 20+ of them for both left and right. Since I wanted my Shuttle Pro to work with RS-422 decks, we did not prgram 5-6 and 6-7 because with VT3 the "L" & "J" keystrokes only trigger 5 different speeds. If you're going to use Shuttle Pro with only VT-Edit and DDR, you could progam all 7 "transition" forward and back shuttle speeds because VT-Edit (and DDR) can handle them. You could try this... with either a source deck or VT-Edit press (but don't hold down) the "L" on your keyboard one time and it should play at a very slow speed. Press L again and it will go a little faster. When you press it the 4th time, the video should be at 1X. The fifth time you press L you are one speed above 1x. That's the limit with RS-422. But with VT-Edit, you can go far beyond 5 speeds by pressing L. It gets pretty fast... so I don't know how many speeds there actually are. While your deck or VT-Edit is in a fast shuttle speed, every time you press J, the speed will go down one notch. Now you see how these keystrokes work. That's about the only way you can use Shuttle Pro to control source deck speeds with RS-422. Unless we can either get Newtek to come up with different keystrokes for each speed or find a way to get Brad Loflin's ToasterScript keystrokes to control RS-422 decks (they work fine with VT-Edit), we're pretty much limited to the J & L keystrokes. If you turn the shuttle wheel too fast, it will confuse VT3 and you may even find the clip playing when the shuttle is in the center position. That's because when you use the shuttle wheel, you're sending a series of single keystrokes very rapidly. If you go from full forward to full reverse, you're sending about 10 "J" keystrokes all at once. In one of my earlier posts I explained how you could program a "Pause Only" keystroke for the center, but there are seperate "Pause Only" keystrokes for VT-Edit and source deck control. If the Shuttle Pro does get confused and is playing in the center position, press the Play/Pause button to stop the clip and reset.

The .pref file I posted is only a tempory "jury rig" fix until we can get some of the keystroke issues ironed out... especially for RS-422. I'm an "old school" editor and must have my jog-shuttle device even with some of the current VT3 limitations.

Let me know if after reading and trying some of the above, you still can't get it to work.

Greg Gerlach
Gerlach Productions
Lexington, KY

[bradl]

Originally posted by GregGerlach
...Jog won't work with source deck control because Newtek's keystroke for jog-1 frame advance doesn't work; it puts the deck into a very slow playback speed... I have not tried the new drivers that allow multiple (macro) keystrokes per button or event, but couldn't you send a 'jog 1 frame, pause' sequence, or would the latency be too much?


Good work Greg. I will try your pref soon.

[billmi]

Thanks for putting together those hotkeys. Now we know it can be done. I have e-mailed Aussie to see if there's a way to get your hotkeys to work with batch capture deck control. Once we get those hotkeys to work with deck control, Shuttle Pro will be nearly fully compatible with VT3.

Hi Greg,
When I installed 4.6, it wrote over my user scripts directory for VTEdit, so when I reinstalled Brad's script it lit a fire under me that I wanted to see if I could do the same thing for Batch Capture.

http://www.corin.com/vt_tutorials/shuttlepro/DeckControlHotkeys.ToasterScript

I assume this will work in VT[3] (if you're still running it these days.) It's working for me in 4.6. Just install it in c:\VT4\Skins\BatchCapture\MainWindow\User Scripts.

The Deck Control module doesn't have a User Scripts folder, so to get the same hot keys in deck control for use in non-batch capture, or to control a deck for live switching, you'd need to edit the common deck control script. I've explained it a lot more depth in a tutorial at http://www.corin.com/vt_tutorials/shuttlepro/index.shtml

And Brad, thank you so much for that script - it turned the ShuttlePro from something that was shuttle-like to the proper shuttle performance I expected when I bought it.

[GregGerlach]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.