How To: Create a Multiview Layout on the USP-CBOX-HA

Overview

The USP-CBOX-HA Video Wall & Multi-View interface allows you to create custom multiview layouts (also called tiling) that will combine multiple video sources into a single output display. This guide will walk you through the complete process of creating and activating a multiview layout from scratch.

Creating a New Multiview Layout

Step 1: Access the Multiview Interface

Navigate to the MULTIVIEW tab in the Video Wall & Multi-View section of the web interface. The interface is divided into several key areas: the Layouts panel on the left, template selection in the center-left, the layout canvas in the middle, and the Encoders List on the right.

Step 2: Create a New Layout

Click the ADD layout button located at the top of the Layouts panel. You'll be prompted to name your new layout. Enter a descriptive name without spaces (use underscores or hyphens if needed, such as "Lobby_Display" or "Control-Room-View"). Once named, your new layout will appear in the layouts list below the control buttons.

Step 3: Select Your Layout

Click on the newly created layout name in the list to select it. This activates the layout for editing, allowing you to configure its template and sources. The selected layout will have a GREEN outline surrounding the name.

Step 4: Choose a Template

From the template column (located between the Layouts panel and the canvas), select one of the pre-constructed layout templates that best fits your needs. Common templates include 2x2 grids, picture-in-picture arrangements, and various asymmetric configurations. When you select a template, the individual windows (also called “tiles”) will automatically populate on the canvas in the center of the interface. In this scenario, a Picture-In-Picture template will be chosen.

Step 5: Assign Video Sources

With your template displayed on the canvas, you'll now assign video sources to each tile. Sources can either be USP Encoders, or external streams such as PTZ Cameras. On the far-right side of the interface, you'll find the Encoders List showing all available video sources. Drag and drop the desired encoder from this list into the corresponding window on the canvas. Each tile should be assigned an encoder that represents the video source you want to display in that position. Available sources will show their MAC addresses (like "188a6a0384d2") or descriptive names if configured.

When a window is placed within the canvas, the window is assigned a respective Window ID (WindID) and Layer ID. The Window ID and Layer IDs will increment upwards for each additional multiview window that is placed. Multiview windows will cover another window, if the window’s layer value is higher. The higher the layer value, the more “in front” the window will be. 

If a window is right-clicked, additional window manipulation options will populate. The options are:

• Bring Tile To Front: Clicking this will bring the target window in front of all other windows on the canvas, by assigning the window the highest layer value. The other multiview windows will have their layout values adjusted to compensate.
• Send Tile To Back: Clicking this option will place the target window behind all other windows on the canvas, by assigning the window a layer value of 1. The other multiview windows will have their layout values adjusted to compensate.
• Bring Tile Forward: Clicking this option will increase the layer value of the target window by 1. 
• Send Tile Backward: Clicking this option will decrease the layer value of the target window by 1. 

When creating a multiview layout, it is important to keep in mind the limitations of each USP endpoint. 

• The AC-MXNET-USP-ES can support up to four multiview windows at 1080P 60Hz. 

• The USP-ES does not support 4k multiview windows.

• The AC-MXNET-USP-PL can support up to eight multiview windows at 1080P 60Hz. 

• The USP-PL can support one window at 3840x2160, with 7 additional windows at 1080P.

• The AC-MXNET-USP-PR can support up to sixteen multiview windows at 1080P 60Hz. 

• The USP-PR can support up to four windows at 3840x2160, with 12 additional windows at 1080P.

Below is a video demonstration for creating a Picture-in-Picture multiview layout. 

Step 6: Select the Output Decoder

Use the Multiview Decoder dropdown menu (located above the canvas) to select which USP decoder will receive and display the multiview layout. This determines which physical output display will show your configured multiview. Only one decoder can be assigned to a multiview layout.

Step 7: Configure Audio Settings

Choose how audio should be handled using the Audio Output Mode dropdown menu. Three options are available:

Follow Window allows you to select a specific window (by Window ID) whose audio stream will be decoded and sent to the decoder's HDMI or analog audio output. This is useful when you want the audio to match a specific tile in your multiview.

Follow Source lets you choose a specific encoder, and the decoder will subscribe to that encoder's audio stream regardless of which windows are being displayed. This option is ideal when you want consistent audio from a particular source.

No Audio disables audio output entirely, with the decoder subscribing to no audio streams.

Step 8: Set Output Resolution

The Multiview Resolution dropdown allows you to adjust the output resolution of the multiview layout. Options range from 720p at 50Hz up to 4K at 60Hz. The default setting is 1920x1080p at 60Hz, which provides a good balance of quality and compatibility for most applications.

Step 9: Save Your Configuration

After completing all configuration steps, click the Save Changes button. This stores your multiview layout configuration but does not yet activate it on the decoder.

Step 10: Activate the Layout

Once your layout is saved, click the Activate Layout button to generate and deploy the multiview to the selected decoder. The decoder will begin subscribing to the configured video sources and display them according to your layout template.

Managing Existing Layouts

The interface provides additional management options through the buttons at the top of the Layouts panel. Delete layout removes a selected layout from the system. Recall loads a previously saved layout configuration for editing or reactivation. Copy duplicates an existing layout, which can be useful when creating variations of a similar multiview setup.

Tips for Best Results

When naming layouts, use descriptive names that indicate the layout's purpose or location, making it easier to manage multiple configurations. Before activating a layout, verify that all tiles have been assigned encoders and that your decoder selection is correct. If you need to make changes to an active layout, you can edit the saved configuration and click Activate Layout again to update the decoder with the new settings.

The multiview system provides a flexible way to monitor multiple video sources simultaneously, making it ideal for control rooms, security operations, broadcast facilities, sport bars, and any environment requiring simultaneous viewing of multiple video feeds.