Video File

Video File source lets you load local media files and analyze playback with OmniScope scopes and QC tools.

Playback Controls

After connecting a Video File source, use the source options to:

• Play / pause

• Scrub position

• Loop playback

Video file playback controls

Free Run Mode

Free run mode bypasses source FPS and real-time pacing, delivering frames as fast as the processing pipeline can accept them. This is useful for offline analysis, batch QC, or exporting where real-time playback speed is not required.

Enabling Free Run

1. Select the video file source in the Input Strip.

2. Open the Settings tab in the source panel.

3. Under Free run, check Enabled.

Free run option in Input Settings

Speed Indicator

When free run is active, a real-time speed multiplier (e.g. 9x) is displayed above the source viewer area, showing how much faster than real-time the file is being processed.

Speed indicator showing playback rate relative to real-time

Free run is available for all file-based sources (Video File on macOS and Windows) in 1.11.43+.

Reader Selection

On macOS and Windows, OmniScope can use different decoding backends for local video files.

Open Preferences > Video file playback and choose Video file reader:

• Auto: prefers the native system decoder when supported, otherwise falls back to FFmpeg

• AVFoundation on macOS or Media Foundation on Windows: native decoding path

• FFmpeg: software fallback for formats the native reader cannot open reliably

On Windows, the Video file playback preference is available in release builds in 1.11.44+.

Audio Support

Audio from video files is supported on macOS and Windows in 1.11.25+.

Use the Audio Meter scope to verify levels during playback.

Sync and Playback Notes

A/V sync behavior for video playback and looping was improved in 1.11.25. macOS GPU playback was improved in 1.11.24.

Troubleshooting

No audio from file playback

• Confirm the file contains an audio track.

• Check source audio settings and monitor scopes.

• In Preferences > Video file playback, try switching Video file reader between Auto, the native reader, and FFmpeg.

• Try another file to rule out codec/container issues.

Playback stutter

• Reduce active scopes or QC load.

• Use local SSD storage for large files.

• Lower playback resolution if needed.