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Operator Guide (match-day workflow)

Follow these steps to select a match, connect its data to MagicSoft, and generate graphics. Set up and check your projects before the broadcast.

Before you start​

You will need:

  • Via-B installed on Windows and a valid license
  • an Opta account with access to the competition
  • MagicSoft CG and its connection address and ports
  • the MagicSoft XML projects you want to use
  • a folder that both Via-B and MagicSoft can access for generated graphics

Keep license keys and Opta credentials private when sharing screenshots.

1. Start Via-B​

  1. Start Via-B Operator App.
  2. If this is the first launch, enter the issued key in the masked license field and select Activate license.
  3. Wait for the main window to open.
  4. If startup fails, read the message and use the action shown beside it.
  5. Confirm the tray icon is present. Closing the window hides Via-B; Quit Via-B stops the app and automatic updates.

See License and Updates for activation and startup problems.

2. Connect and test Opta​

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Confirm Test mode is off for live operation.
  3. Under Opta live data, turn on Enable Opta live data.
  4. Enter the service addresses and credentials supplied for your Opta account.
  5. Use the Opta connection test before selecting the match.
  6. If the test fails, check the error message. Confirm your credentials and that the subscription includes the competition you want to use.

See Connect to Opta for the connection settings.

3. Connect MagicSoft CG​

  1. Start MagicSoft CG and load the intended project.
  2. In Via-B Settings, open LiveManager connection setup.
  3. Enable delivery and enter the MagicSoft address, command port, and acknowledgement port in their named fields.
  4. Wait for the save result and the automatic backend restart that applies the connection settings.
  5. Return to Operate and check that MagicSoft is connected with a project loaded.

The separate MagicSoft LiveManager desktop application is not required for Via-B delivery. If you also use it, give it a separate pair of ports. See LiveManager Integration.

4. Connect a Text item to match data​

  1. In MagicSoft CG, select the intended Text item.
  2. Click TCP/IP Variable and save or refresh the project.
  3. In Via-B Mapping, select the intended profile and scan that saved XML project.
  4. Map the required Via-B or Opta source to the exact bracketed scanned target.
  5. Click Apply mapping. Click Save profile only when it is enabled, then click Validate mapping.
  6. Stay in Mapping with the intended profile open. Scroll to Match assignments and click Edit assignments.
  7. Under Profile matches, click Select from schedule.
  8. Search for or select the match, then click Add matches to profile.
  9. Back in Match assignments, click Save, then click Done.
  10. Open the match selector in the top bar, select that match again, and click Set match and run modules in the confirmation dialog.
  11. Check that the Text item in MagicSoft shows the expected value.

See Mapping MagicSoft TCP/IP Variables for the complete mapping and recovery procedure.

5. Prepare and run a module graphic​

  1. In Modules, open the graphics module you want to use.
  2. Complete its settings for the selected match. In Player Stats, choose one player and three statistics. In Match Stats, choose three statistics; in End Stat, choose ten for each phase. Set their display order and save.
  3. Check that the graphic folder is available to both Via-B and MagicSoft.
  4. Prepare the MagicSoft picture-sequence item with TCP/IP Variable, save the project, rescan it, and map the module output.
  5. Apply and validate the mapping, assign the profile, and reselect the match.
  6. Open the menu beside Run and select the animations to generate. Click Run.
  7. Inspect the preview for the correct teams, player, language, and statistics.
  8. Play the graphic in MagicSoft and check its entrance and final frame before air.
  9. To install the supplied XML projects, select Install MagicSoft projects. Wait for the visible success result listing the destination and filenames. If the action fails, follow the displayed recovery instruction and retry.

Selecting a different match clears the prior Player Stats player because that player may not belong to either newly selected club. The Player Stats card then shows Setup required; open it and select a player for the new match. Selecting the same match does not clear the player. English and Thai player/club overrides remain editable in the Players and Clubs modules.

See Modules and MagicSoft Playout.

6. Schedule updates​

In Mapping, click the schedule icon beside the graphic. Choose a preset time, add a match event such as half time, or enter a specific time. You can combine these in one schedule. Review the entries in the panel on the right and click Save schedule to store them.

Choose Real time instead if you want the graphic to update when match data changes. To pause either kind of automatic update, turn off Automatic updates enabled in the schedule dialog and click Save schedule. Run remains available when you want to generate the graphic yourself.

Return to Operate to follow scheduled updates in the Scheduler card. See schedule and Prewarm instructions.

7. Get help with a problem​

  1. Read Priority actions in Operate for the problem and available action.
  2. If you need help, open Support and download a support package.
  3. Send it to support with the match name, profile, error message, and a description of what you were trying to do.

For recovery by symptom, see Support and Troubleshooting.