> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/nobe-omniscope/scopes/source-signal.md).

# Source Signal

The Source Signal scope displays a live preview of the input video. It doubles as the primary inspection tool — zoom into pixels, read color values, reveal faint neutral casts with Chroma Boost, overlay zebras and focus peaking, isolate channels, and compare snapshots.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3197871c2787a1efae151b1a27a1cdc7cdd4ec01%2F2026-02_source-signal.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Source Signal scope with color picker pins</p></figcaption></figure>

## Signal Information

Enable **Show signal information** under **Overlays** to place a large, bold input-status readout over the image. For a connected signal, it shows the input and source name, resolution, progressive/interlaced format, frame rate, pixel format, signal range, primaries, and transfer function. It also reports connection states such as **Connecting**, **Not connected**, or **No signal**.

Use **Signal information text size** to adjust the overlay. The setting and text size are saved with the layout. Signal information is not shown when the scope is displaying a snapshot override.

## Zoom & Pan

Zoom up to **15×** and pan freely across the image — the same controls used in professional image editors.

| Input                       | Action                           |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Mouse wheel**             | Zoom in/out (centered on cursor) |
| **Space + Left-click drag** | Pan the zoomed view              |
| **Middle-click**            | Reset zoom to 1× and center      |

A **mini-preview** thumbnail appears in the top-right corner while zoomed, showing a yellow rectangle for the current viewport. Toggle it with the **Show zoom preview** setting.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d9bf031e61fa77ad8e243d4d11f002974518afe4%2F2026-02_source-signal-zoom-pan.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Zoomed view with mini-preview thumbnail</p></figcaption></figure>

Zoom & Pan is also available in the [False Color](/nobe-omniscope/scopes/false-color.md) and [Skintone Scope](/nobe-omniscope/scopes/skintone-scope.md).

## Channel Isolation

Solo individual color channels for quick inspection of noise, spill, or exposure per channel.

| Channel                | Description                           |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **RGB**                | Full color (default)                  |
| **Red / Green / Blue** | Single channel displayed as grayscale |
| **Luma**               | Luminosity (Rec. 709 weighted)        |

When a mask is active, the **Draw masks in RGB** option forces the mask overlay to display in full color even when a single channel is soloed.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a4dafccfcd97651b4b2abd5105eecb34ecff3c0d%2F2026-02_source-signal-channels.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Blue channel isolation</p></figcaption></figure>

## Color Picker

Hold **Alt** to activate the color picker, or enable **Always show** in settings. Click to place persistent **color pins** (up to 30) anywhere on the image.

| Input                                       | Action                                                                     |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Alt** (hold)                              | Show color picker                                                          |
| **Click** (with picker)                     | Place a color pin                                                          |
| **Shift + Click**                           | Copy HEX value to clipboard                                                |
| **Ctrl + Click**                            | Add value as a [global target](/nobe-omniscope/features/global-targets.md) |
| **Middle-click** or **Double-click** on pin | Remove pin                                                                 |

### Picker formats

RGB 8-bit · RGB 10-bit · RGBY · RGB float · HEX · CMYK · HSV · Nits · CIE xy (input)

**CIE xy (input)** reports input-referred CIE 1931 chromaticity through the active input color-space transform. It averages XYZ across the selected sampling area before calculating xy, shows four decimal places, and reports unavailable values for black or invalid samples. Pins and clipboard copying use the same xy result.

### Picker options

| Setting                  | Description                                                                    |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Source**               | Input Source, Rescaled Source, or Working Signal                               |
| **Sampling area**        | 1×1, 3×3, 5×5, 7×7, or 9×9 pixels                                              |
| **Picker readout range** | For RGB formats, choose Source values, Decoded RGB, Video range, or Full range |
| **Monochromatic**        | Render picker overlay in grayscale                                             |
| **Show on hover only**   | Hide the readout until the pointer moves                                       |

The readout-range setting changes displayed numbers only; it does not change source decoding or scope processing. With **Input Source**, Source values preserve the reconstructed native RGB or YCbCr domain. Video range maps black and white to 16/235 at 8-bit or 64/940 at 10-bit while preserving below-black and above-white excursions.

## Data Analyser

A **17×11 pixel grid** that shows individual code values around a chosen position. Drag to reposition the analyser area on the image.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1eb3f2f3db12188d99bf5ec9cfef1ad468c223ed%2F2026-02_source-signal-data-analyser.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Data Analyser showing 10-bit code values</p></figcaption></figure>

| Setting                    | Description                                                                 |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Format**                 | 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit, 32-bit float, Nits, Nits per channel                 |
| **Source**                 | Input Source, Rescaled Source, or Working Signal                            |
| **Analyser readout range** | Source values, Decoded RGB, Video range, or Full range for non-Nits formats |
| **Font size**              | Small or large                                                              |

The status bar at the bottom shows the video data type (RGB/YCbCr), format, line number, and sample number.

As with the picker, the analyser readout range only changes how sampled values are displayed. Source values are reconstructed from the decoded signal; they are not bit-exact packed or subsampled capture values.

See also: [Data Analyser (QC)](/nobe-omniscope/qc/data-analyser.md)

## Focus Peaking

Edge-detail overlay that highlights in-focus areas. Requires **Live Pack**.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e3f0f41c36d3cc039fce209f24a43fa37ebea533%2F2026-02_source-signal-focus-peaking.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Focus Peaking in Regular mode</p></figcaption></figure>

| Setting        | Description                                                                                                                               |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mode**       | **Regular** — colored edges over the image · **Edges** — enhanced white edges on black · **Enhanced Edges** — binary white edges on black |
| **Threshold**  | Edge sensitivity (0–100 %)                                                                                                                |
| **Peak color** | Color used for the Regular mode highlight (default: red)                                                                                  |

See also: [Focus Peaking (Live Pack)](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/focus-peaking.md)

## Chroma Boost

Available in version **1.11.33+**.

**Chroma Boost** is a preview-only inspection aid that amplifies subtle color differences in low-saturation areas. Use it to spot faint green, magenta, or blue contamination in whites, grays, walls, fabrics, skin-adjacent neutrals, and other nearly neutral surfaces.

Unlike a global saturation control, Chroma Boost is strongest near neutral colors and tapers off as saturation increases, so already colorful parts of the image stay more stable.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-74131eefdd635ecec3deb0ed065cd9703d2c347d%2F2026-03_chroma-boost.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Chroma Boost amplifies subtle color differences in near-neutral areas</p></figcaption></figure>

| Setting          | Description                                                                                                           |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Chroma Boost** | Enable or disable the inspection mode. Also available from the Source Signal right-click menu.                        |
| **Amount**       | Controls how strongly low-saturation colors are amplified. Start low for subtle checks and increase only when needed. |

### What it affects

* **Source Signal preview only**
* **Does not** modify the source signal
* **Does not** affect scopes, QC measurements, outputs, or recordings

When enabled, the Source Signal tab shows a **Chroma Boost** status badge so it is easy to see that the viewer is in a temporary inspection mode.

## Zebra Overlays

Diagonal stripe patterns warn about overexposure or illegal saturation levels.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-54561d720c00bd86593afe99337a13365accd826%2F2026-02_source-signal-zebras.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Luma zebra overlay</p></figcaption></figure>

### Luma zebra

| Setting           | Description                                                                                                             |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **IRE threshold** | 0 %–110 % (default 100 %). Regions above the threshold show **black stripes**; sub-black regions show **blue stripes**. |

### Saturation zebra

Enable alongside luma zebra for additional saturation warnings:

* Saturation above **70 %** → yellow stripes
* Saturation above **99 %** → orange stripes

## Safe Area Guides

Built-in overlay guides accessible from the scope settings or right-click menu.

| Guide                        | Description                                                                                      |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Title Safe / Action Safe** | Two concentric rectangles. Default: Title 90 %, Action 95 %. Configurable color and percentages. |
| **Thirds**                   | Rule-of-thirds grid with configurable color                                                      |
| **Crosshair**                | Center crosshair with configurable color                                                         |

## Custom Overlays

Load **PNG images with alpha transparency** on top of the Source Signal — safe-area guides, framing references, branding, or composition grids. Select the active overlay in the scope settings or from the [Overlays](/nobe-omniscope/features/overlays.md) window.

See [Overlays](/nobe-omniscope/features/overlays.md) for full details on managing overlays.

## HSL Range Mask

Isolate a hue/saturation/luminance range on the preview. Pixels outside the range are rendered as black.

| Setting        | Description         |
| -------------- | ------------------- |
| **Hue**        | Start/end (0–360°)  |
| **Saturation** | Start/end (0–100 %) |
| **Luminance**  | Start/end (0–100 %) |

Use **Load from mask** / **Save as mask** to sync with the global mask.

## Mask Drawing

Click and drag to draw a mask shape directly on the preview.

| Shape         | Description               |
| ------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Ellipse**   | Draw an elliptical region |
| **Rectangle** | Draw a rectangular region |

Draw modes: **Draw**, **Paint In**, **Paint Out**. A **single line** mode isolates a single scan line.

### Keep a selection mask on iPad

On iPad, a selection mask normally clears when you lift your finger. To keep it active, open the advanced input settings and enable **Keep Selection Mask After Drag**. Drag again to replace the mask.

## Snapshot Compare

When a [snapshot](/nobe-omniscope/features/snapshots.md) is loaded, compare it against the live signal:

| Mode                | Description                                          |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Horizontal wipe** | Vertical divider — **W + drag** to adjust position   |
| **Vertical wipe**   | Horizontal divider — **W + drag** to adjust position |
| **Opacity blend**   | **W + drag** to adjust blend amount                  |

## Blanking Alarm

When [Blanking Detection](/nobe-omniscope/qc/blanking-detection.md) is enabled globally, the Source Signal draws colored bars over detected blanking regions on all four edges, with optional **blinking alert** (1-second cycle).

## Display & Color Management

| Setting                 | Description                                                                 |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Brightness**          | Override global brightness per scope (10–100 %)                             |
| **Monitor ICC profile** | Apply system or custom ICC profile                                          |
| **OCIO color space**    | Select input and display color spaces (requires OCIO config in Preferences) |
| **Rotate**              | Rotate the frame 90° CW or CCW                                              |
| **Flip / Mirror**       | Flip or mirror the preview                                                  |

### macOS Quick Presets

| Preset                   | Configuration                      |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| **Match Resolve Viewer** | Rec. 709 preview with tone-mapping |
| **Match NDI Monitor**    | Unmanaged, no ICC, no tone-mapping |

### Raw, SDR, and HDR preview

The following controls are included in **1.11.55 (unreleased)**.

For a PQ or HLG source, the viewer shows a **Raw | SDR | HDR** switch in its header beside the zoom indicator and menu button. The same control is available in **Preview Settings > HDR** when the header is hidden or too narrow, and the selection is saved with the viewer.

* **Raw** shows the encoded signal without viewer color conversion, monitor ICC correction, or HDR display mapping, giving PQ and HLG footage its flat signal appearance. Input processing still applies; this is not camera RAW decoding.
* **SDR** (default) adapts HDR highlights and wide-gamut colors for a standard display.
* **HDR** uses the current display's available extended brightness range on the macOS Metal renderer. No developer preference or restart is needed. Selecting HDR also selects **sRGB** under **Preview Colorspace**; that window color-management setting is shared by the viewers.
* **SDR fallback** appears if HDR is selected but the display currently has no extra brightness range, or Preview Colorspace has been changed away from sRGB. The HDR selection is retained, so moving back to an HDR-capable display restores HDR preview automatically when headroom is available.

Raw is also available on Windows. HDR display preview requires macOS with Metal; HDR is disabled on unsupported systems.

In the automatic SDR/HDR preview on macOS with Metal, PQ and HLG are decoded according to their transfer functions. Preview brightness is relative to a 203-nit HDR reference white, with highlights adapted to the available range. This is a display-adapted preview, not a fixed-nit reference-monitor mode. Keep the input and working color spaces set correctly: preview controls cannot recover highlights already clipped by an upstream transform.

For these HDR previews, the viewer uses automatic display mapping and macOS display color management. The separate **Use Monitor ICC profile** and **Use Tone-mapping for display** options are bypassed. SDR-source previews retain their existing settings. Custom OCIO configurations must provide the **Rec.2100-PQ - Display** color space to use this automatic HDR preview; otherwise their normal display transform is used.

The switch affects only the viewer. It does not change scope measurements, HDR statistics, QC, recording, or video outputs.

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| macOS         | Windows       | Action                |
| ------------- | ------------- | --------------------- |
| Mouse wheel   | Mouse wheel   | Zoom in/out           |
| Space + drag  | Space + drag  | Pan                   |
| Middle-click  | Middle-click  | Reset zoom            |
| Alt (hold)    | Alt (hold)    | Show color picker     |
| Shift + Click | Shift + Click | Copy HEX to clipboard |
| Ctrl + Click  | Ctrl + Click  | Add as global target  |

## Stream Deck / Action Editor <a href="#streamdeck-action-editor" id="streamdeck-action-editor"></a>

| Action                      | Description                           |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **SourceTogglePeaking**     | Toggle Focus Peaking                  |
| **SourceTogglePeakingLuma** | Toggle Focus Peaking + switch to Luma |
| **ClearAllPins**            | Remove all color pins                 |
| **ToggleLoupe**             | Toggle loupe magnifier                |

## Related

* [Focus Peaking (Live Pack)](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/focus-peaking.md)
* [Overlays](/nobe-omniscope/features/overlays.md)
* [Snapshots](/nobe-omniscope/features/snapshots.md)
* [Global Targets](/nobe-omniscope/features/global-targets.md)
* [Crop](/nobe-omniscope/features/crop.md)
* [Data Analyser (QC)](/nobe-omniscope/qc/data-analyser.md)
* [Blanking Detection](/nobe-omniscope/qc/blanking-detection.md)