Configure Caption Lines, Rolling, Partials, and Clear Behavior

Tune caption formatting using the Bridge defaults and XPression template constraints.

Written By 4ALL.LIVE

Last updated 12 days ago

Tune caption formatting using the Bridge defaults and XPression template constraints.

Best for: XPression operators, graphics engineers, caption operators, broadcast engineers, production IT, and licensed desktop administrators.

Before you start

Requires an active 4All organization/event, authorized desktop account, eligible XPression Bridge license, supported app build, and a network path to 4All plus the selected XPression protocol.

  • Document the 4All event/language and XPression scene/DataLinq design.
  • Know the bridge/XPression machines, IP interfaces, protocol, direction, port, firewall owner, and final program return.
  • Prepare a backup output and an off-air test scene.

Configuration

  1. Start from current defaults. 40 max characters per line, 2 lines, rolling flow, partials source, word step, leftward horizontal direction, upward vertical direction, and 100% roll speed.
  2. Choose line count. 1, 2, or 3; match the actual XPression text fields.
  3. Choose max characters. Test real font/box; character count is not visual width.
  4. Choose rolling or instant. Rolling reveals progressively; instant replaces state.
  5. Choose partials or final-only. Partials reduce latency but rewrite; final-only is steadier and later.
  6. Choose word or character step. Word is the normal readable baseline.
  7. Choose direction. Left/right and up/down according to scene design.
  8. Set speed. Supported range begins at 25%; 100% is real-time.
  9. Set clear timeout. Test silence, Stop, disconnect, and scene changes.
  10. Run the caption test script. Long words, punctuation, Unicode, speaker changes, clear.

What success looks like: The Bridge transports the correct 4All caption state to the intended XPression scene with verified formatting, timing, monitoring, and recovery.

Check your setup

  • XPression fields never overflow unexpectedly and roll/clear matches the graphics cue.

Troubleshooting

Roll falls behind

Increase speed, reduce characters/lines, or choose instant/finals according to design.

Text repeats

Check partial/final reduction, reconnect, and template polling.

Characters corrupt

Verify UTF-8/parser/font.

Security and operational notes

  • Defaults are starting points, not broadcast standards.
  • Slow rolling creates deliberate lag; monitor rollLagChars/rollLagMs.
  • Test the actual scene font and safe area.

Documentation status: Draft based on XPression Bridge repository version 0.1.59. Validate the installed release, supported OS, license policy, and live graphics workflow before publishing.