ADENA Hack: How to edit layouts in the DS-9CU.

By default, the DS-9CU features 10 preconfigured layouts that are used in 10 speaker tracking scenarios (called “Theme” in the station). In the firmware version 1.0.0.29, we introduced an advanced, built-in Layout Editor that allows you to change these layouts and create new ones.

To use it, open the “Administrator” → “Video” → “Theme” page of the DS-9CU and click “Open” at the top of the page.

Here is what each function allows you to do:

1. Add a layout: click to add a layout from a template. The template can then be further modified.

2. Copy the layout: select an existing layout from the list of layouts (4) and click this button to copy it.

3. Delete the layout: select an existing layout from the list of layouts (4) and click this button to delete it.

4. List of layouts: shows all created layouts in the system. Click on a layout to copy (2), delete (3), or modify it (5). The selected layout gets a blue outline in the list.

5. Selected layout: this shows the selected layout from the list of layouts (4). Click on a channel in the layout to select it (6). You can remove a channel (9), change priority/channel number (7/10), order (11), crop mode (12), coordinates (13) and dimensions (14).

6. Selected channel: blue outline and squares on a channel indicate that this is the currently selected channel.

7. Priority/channel number: the numbers inside channels indicate their priority for displaying microphones. When a microphone is activated, and a video channel/source is picked to track it, the channel is chosen in ascending order, taking the first channel spot (if it is available). If it is already occupied, it will take the second channel spot (unless it is occupied), and so on.

However, if this layout is applied for the “General default” (Theme_Home) theme, the numbers are specific channel numbers from the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Video inputs” page.

Note that the channel numbers that you see here may change after this layout is used. They can change to the specific channel number that was last displayed in this channel spot. This does not affect the layout configuration, and the actual priority numbers can still be seen from the layout thumbnail in the list of layouts (4).

8. Add a channel: click to add a channel. After a channel is added, you need to designate its priority/channel number (10) before the layout (5) can be saved. 

9. Remove a channel: click to remove a selected channel (6). 

10. Priority/channel number designation: click to change the channel number or priority of the selected channel (6). Channels cannot share priority/channel numbers in the same layout.

11. Arrangement: click to change the order in which the selected channel (6) is displayed relative to other channels. 

12. Crop mode: click to change how this channel is displayed. The options are identical to the Layout Editor application for AREC Media Stations: letterbox (default), Fit to Width, Fit to Height, Fill. 

13. Coordinates: change the X/Y coordinates of the selected channel (6).

14. Dimensions: change the width and height of the selected channel (6). 

15. Save: click to save changes to the selected layout (5).

After you finish editing layouts and click “Save”, you can close the Layout Editor.

To use these new layouts, open the “Theme” page of the DS-9CU again (or refresh the page if you had it open). Select a theme under “Themes” and click “Edit” to select your new layout for this theme.

You can select a layout with any number of channels in the theme “Theme_Home” (it is displayed when no microphones are active), whereas possible layouts for other themes are determined by the number of active microphones. On the DS-9CU, one microphone uses one video channel. As a result, only layouts with one channel can be used in “Theme_Micx1”, only layouts with two channels can be used in “Theme _Micx2”, and so on.

Note that the same layout cannot be selected in multiple themes. If you wish to use the same layout, copy it using the Layout Editor. Already used or otherwise unavailable layouts have a lock symbol on them and cannot be selected when editing themes.

If you would like to know more about the DS-9CU or other AREC and RADA products, check out our free training course, ADENAcademy, at https://www.a-dena.com/adenacademy. It covers everything from configuration and operation to the unique features of AREC and RADA devices. Participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a personalised certificate.