Hardware switchers, sometimes called vision mixers, generally do not natively support SuiteCG’s NDI graphics feed. Using some free third-party software, you can turn your desktop or laptop’s HDMI port in to an NDI player that feeds SuiteCG’s animated graphics in to your switcher, which can then be processed through the switcher’s luma or chroma keyer.
Examples shown here are specifically for Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers. Physical connection of a SuiteCG computer to a different brand switcher is fairly similar, but refer to your product’s documentation on how to perform keying operations.
Graphic overlays consist of a key (transparency, alpha channel) and fill (the graphic’s content). Keying can be performed one of two ways. SuiteCG recommends luma keying. An HDMI connection only lets you send fill information. A two-cable configuration permits key and fill to be sent independently, which produces a cleaner graphic. Connecting a computer to the switcher will cause windows to see the switcher as a second “monitor.” Use Newtek’s NDI Studio Monitor to display the SuiteCG feed full screen on the extended screen to show graphics on the hardware switcher.