Data Input

Blackbox provides the option of getting Data Inputs from Rayfin Cameras and other applications or devices, such as those reporting environment sensor data: water temperature, depth, etc. and this data can be displayed on the video view as a Data Overlay and/or save to a specified file.

Data Input appears in the Menu only when Channel 1 is selected.
Select Menu → Data Input

Presentation Data

If you have configured a Channel with Presentation Input Type and that Presentation is also streaming data with the video, that Presentation Data will automatically appear in Data Input.

When you start recording, this data will be saved in a .csv file in the designated folder.

Existing Data Inputs

UDP Data (Example: NMEA) connected Data Input source (IP @ port)
Click “x” if you wish to disconnect from a connected data source.
Add ( + ) to add another data source from UDP, TCP and Serial connections. These Data Inputs can then be used for transmission, logging, and filtering
Incoming Data Preview window shows the incoming data source data in this field.
To Hex checkbox – converts incoming data into Hexadecimal Notation format.
Clear button – remove/refresh the incoming data from the Incoming Data preview window.

The next steps show how to add a Data Input.

Data Input Configuration

Start your Data Reporting application (This example we are using a NMEA data generator running on the same PC (IP 127.0.0.1 Port 6677), but it can be running on another system within your network (Enter that system IP & Port number)

Click “+” Add button to add a data source
This will open the Select data source type window; Select the type of communication protocol, UDP, TCP, Serial, or UDP Broadcast for your data input.

Data Input Types: UDP or TCP
If you select UDP or TCP, the following configuration window will appear.

Enter the Address (IP Address).
Enter the Port number of your Data Source.
Click Connect.

Disconnect - will stop the data input (and re-enable the Connect button).
Data Preview window will populate with incoming data after you click Connect.
(In this example, we are using Local IP 127.0.0.1 and Port 6677 because Data source feed is also on the PC hosting Blackbox)
To Hex checkbox – converts incoming data into Hexadecimal Notation format.
Clear – clear the incoming data log and get fresh data.
Cancel - cancels the Data Input configuration window and returns to the Data Input window.

Finish - to conclude the Data Input configuration and the Existing Data Input window is displayed again.

Data Input Type: Serial

Connect to data input

If you select Serial, the following Connect to data input window will appears.

Port - Select a serial port from the dropdown list
Baudrate - the rate at which information is transferred in a communication channel. In the serial port example, "9600” baud rate means the serial port is capable of transferring a maximum of 9600 bits per second.
Click Connect.
Data Preview - Once connected, incoming data will appear in the Data Preview window.
To Hex checkbox – converts incoming data into Hexadecimal Notation format.
Clear – clear the incoming data log and get fresh data.
Cancel - cancels the Data Input configuration window and returns to the Data Input window.
Finish - concludes the Data Input configuration.

Data Input Type: UDP Broadcast

Enter the Port number that your Data Source is broadcasting over.
Click Connect.
Disconnect - will stop the data input (and re-enable the Connect button).
Data Preview window will populate with incoming data after you click Connect.
To Hex checkbox – converts incoming data into Hexadecimal Notation format.
Clear – clear the incoming data log and get fresh data.
Cancel - cancels the Data Input configuration window and returns to the Data Input window.
Finish - concludes the Data Input configuration.

Examples: Configured & Connected Data Inputs

UDP (or TCP)
Serial

The configured Data Input window will remain visible. To hide, click anywhere away from the Data Input window (such as center video window). You can open it again from the Settings menu.