Animated graphics for the Mac

Open and intuitive user interface

Easy-to-use character generator
Publish Items for use by the OnTheAir Video and OnTheAir Node attributes
Output to SDI or NDI®
Built-in RSS feed
Crawls (either to left or to right)
Use an additional video input as background
Play animated image sequences or videos
Remotely controllable

Now with Live input !

OnTheAir CG 3 now supports "Live inputs". You can create multiple Live inputs in the preferences of OnTheAir CG and use them as you would use other media in a CG project. The beauty is that for your Live input you can either use a real video input (AJA, Blackmagic-Design, M|family or NDI®) or use the direct link feature to receive the frames directly from a OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node that is running on the same computer. You can now use just one video output device to output both video and graphics.

Watch

1 - First Start

2 - User interface

3 - Text

4 - Tickers

5 - Timeline

6 - Images & Video

7 - CG Server

OnTheAir CG Advanced integration at IBC18

Price

$ 2 495

The price is valid per video output. You can use the license with OnTheAir CG Designer OR OnTheAir CG Server, but not both at the same time. Click here to read more about the differences between OnTheAir CG Designer and OnTheAir CG Server, and how to use licenses.

For more detailed prices check here.

Downloads

Download OnTheAir CG

OnTheAir CG 3
Version 3.5.4 - 2 April 2021

Useful Resources

Release Notes
System requirements: macOS or driver requirements may change between versions, so make sure to check.
Help Center: Includes a lot of useful information, sometimes not available in the user manual
User Manual
YouTube Channel

Installation instructions

Once downloaded, unzip the file, and drag and drop the Folder "OnTheAir CG" in your Applications Folder.

Make sure also to download and install the drivers for your video device:

AJA,
Blackmagic-Design
Deltacast (For the M|Family).

DEMO Limitations

In DEMO mode, OnTheAir CG 3 will burn a blue demo frame in the recorded file every few seconds, and output a blue demo frame every few seconds. That's the only limitation and difference. After your test, you will keep on using the same application, just with the demo mode unlocked

How to unlock the DEMO version ?

Purchase a license through one of our resellers or the Softron online store, then just activate your serial number in the License window or plug your dongle in the computer.

Upgrade/Update instructions

Just download the latest version and replace your previsous version. It is always recommended to run extensive tests with your specific workflow and setup before putting a new version in production. You can use a free demo version for that on a separate computer. Previous legacy versions are available from the general downloads page.

You do not need to deactivate and reactivate your serial number when updating your Softron software. Read the following article to know when to deactivate.

This software uses code of FFmpeg, licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here.

Resources

Resouces

Manuals & Quickstart

Resources

OnTheAir CG - User Manual

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Product Features

Features

Main Features

Video & Audio

Playlist & Schedule

Media Management

Other Features

Codecs

Features and Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Features

Main Features

Multiple Layers and project control
"Smiley" feature for graphics integration in Tickers
Integration with the playout applications

Overlay RSS feeds
Create graphics with OnTheAir CG Designer for OnTheAir CG Server

Items Types

Text
Shapes
Tickers (the content is automatically read from a folder where text files are placed)
Video files

Animated sequence tag or png
Analog Clock
Digital Clock
Variables (to update content from third parties)

External Controls

REST API
AppleScript

Integrates with OnTheAir Video (using OnTheAir Video Actions)
Integrates with OnTheAir Node (using Attributes and the OnTheAir CG plugin for OnTheAir Node)

System Requirements

System requirements

Compatible macOS	Version 3.0 to 3.2: macOS 10.9.5 until macOS 10.12.5 Version 3.3 to 3.4: macOS 10.10.5 or later Version 3.5: macOS 10.12.5 to macOS 10.15.7 Version 3.6 and later: macOS 10.13.5 or later*
Required Version by some macOS Version	macOS 10.13 to macOS 10.15: Version 3.3 or later (For dongle compatibility) macOS 11 or later: Version 3.6 or later (Because of UI glitches in the playlist playback controls, and NDI compatibility)
Recommended macOS (for latest version)	macOS 10.14.6 or later*
Supported Mac computers	Intel Processors: Version 3.0 until 3.4: Warning there is an issue with the graphics cards of the latest Intel MacBook Pros and iMacs. Except for this limitation, all other computers should work provided the required macOS version above can be installed, and you have the appropriate resources for what you need to achieve. Don't do 4K on a 2010 MacBook Air... Version 3.5 and later: A graphics card that supports Metal is required for the SMART Resize and Graphics option (OnTheAir Video and OnTheAir Node). Apple Silicon Processors: Version 3.6 and later
Recommended RAM	8 GB
Supported Graphics Cards	Version 3.0 until 3.8: A graphics card that supports Metal is recommended. WARNING: the latest MacBook Pros and iMacs have a bug with macOS OpenGL, and you won't be able to use the SMART playout engine of OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node. More info here... Version 4.0 and later: Requires a graphics card that supports Metal for the SMART Resize and Graphics option (OnTheAir Video and OnTheAir Node).. Check the list of Macs that support Metal.
Supported Outputs	AJA, Blackmagic-Design, M\|Family, NDI
Hardware acceleration to decode Apple ProRes	2019 Mac Pro, equipped with an "Afterburner card" and running macOS 10.15.2 or later and OnTheAir Video Express, OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node version 3.8 or later.
Hardware acceleration to decode H.264	Intel Processors: With all Mac computers with i5 or i7 processors, running macOS 10.9.5 or later for one channel. macOS 10.13 or later is required for multichannel support. Apple Silicon Processors: All models support hardware acceleration, but they are more optimised for HEVC, so we recommend using HEVC whenever possible
Hardware acceleration to decode H.265 / HEVC	Intel Processors: With all Mac computers with 6th generation of intel processors (2016 and later), running macOS 10.13 or later. Macs with M1 chips or later can support multichannels as well. Apple Silicon Processors: All models support hardware acceleration, and are optimised for HEVC
Compatible Storage	Most storage that can sustain the required constant read speed (depending on the number of channels, the codec and format). If you need to run tests, make sure to do long term tests.
Requires Monitor Connected	Yes. Even if it should behave fine in most cases, it is recommended to keep a monitor connected at all times for best performances. Or you should make the macOS think that there is a monitor connected. Beware of some KVM switches that can cause interrupts in the signal.
Number of license required	One complete license required per channel (source).

* We know that some of our users can not upgrade their macOS very often. This is why Softron tries to maintain compatibility with older versions of macOS as much as possible, but it is not always possible to achieve. Because Operating Systems are usually significantly improved over previous versions, Softron must use many of the more capable built-in functionalities inherent in Apple's latest OS releases. Failing to do so would mean that Softron software would essentially be blocked from using the new Frameworks provided in the OS. For this reason, Softron's free support is provided only on the current and previous macOS versions. Also, most of our tests will be done on these macOS versions, and only basic tests will be done on the previous OS. We will always try to help, but in some cases, the best solution is to upgrade your macOS to a more recent version.

Softron does not warrant that these recommended configurations will always meet specific user requirements. They are intended as guidelines and are based on extensive testing that Softron has done, they can be changed without notice. Hardware, drivers, software and operating systems change regularly and we advise users and prospective users to evaluate their requirements in their specific environment/workflow using Softron demo licenses that are available for downloading from Softron's web site.

Supported Outputs

For more information on the supported devices, the number of possible inputs and more, check this Help Center article.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When using AJA cards, there are specific setups, things to do and not to do that you should know before using them. Please read the article in our knowledge base that gives recommendations on using AJA devices with our ingest applications. You may also want to check if we did not issue a Warning for some cards or drivers.

Compatibility chart - AJA drivers

MovieRecorder Version	First Supported Drivers	Last Supported Drivers
OnTheAir CG 3.0 to 3.1	12.1.2	14.3
OnTheAir CG 3.2 to 3.3	12.4.2	14.3
OnTheAir CG 3.4	12.4.2	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.4.2	15.0.0	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.6 and later	16.0.0	latest

WARNING: Apple Silicon computers require AJA drivers 16.0 or later.

Compatibility chart - Blackmagic-Design drivers

Application Version	First Supported Drivers	Last Supported Drivers
OnTheAir CG 3.0 to 3.2	10.3.1	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.3 or later	10.9.5	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.5 or later	11.1	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.6 or later	12.0	latest drivers

WARNINGS:

macOS 11 (Big Sur) requires Blackmagic-Design drivers 11.7 or later.
Apple Silicon computers require Blackmagic-Design drivers 12 or later.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Deltacast cards are OEM cards that we use for some of our M|Family products. They are usually not available for end users. We only validate using the deltacast cards that we provide. Other models may work, but not all have been tested.

Compatibility chart - Deltacast drivers

Application Version	First Supported Drivers	Last Supported Drivers
OnTheAir CG 3.0 to 3.1	5.17	5.18
OnTheAir CG 3.2 to 3.2.1	5.21	6.01.01 (but not 6.0 nor 6.01)
OnTheAir CG 3.2.4 or later	5.21	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.5 or later	6.15	latest
OnTheAir CG 3.6 or later	6.16	latest

WARNINGS:

macOS 10.15 (Catalina) requires drivers version 6.13 or later
Apple Silicon computers require Deltacast drivers 6.16 or later.
You should only download the Deltacast drivers from our website. Indeed we validate them with our applications before putting them online.

NDI Compatibility

WARNING: Apple Silicon computers require NDI library 4.6 or later used in OnTheAir CG 3.6 or later.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Always check the System requirements for multiple inputs. If most recent computers can now handle multiple SD inputs without problems, for HD, you will need a higher end computer, and for 4K, you may only be able to perform one video output.
Softron does not warrant that these recommended configurations will always meet specific user requirements. They are intended as guidelines and are based on extensive testing that Softron has done, they can be changed without notice. Hardware, drivers, software and operating systems change regularly and we advise users and prospective users to evaluate their requirements in their specific environment/workflow using FREE Softron demo applications that are available for download from Softron's web site.