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GPIO and Control

MQTT studio state and signals with VRA

Connect your studio tools to VRA state over MQTT. An external system can follow microphone, switcher and programme information, or work with configured VRA signals to coordinate studio actions.

How MQTT and VRA work together.

React to studio state

Follow the microphone, switcher or schedule information exposed by the studio bus.

Coordinate with signals

Use named signals to exchange configured state between VRA and another studio system.

Limit access to the studio

Use studio-scoped credentials and feature permissions for the connection you are building.

How to set it up.

Requirements

  • An MQTT client or integration capable of using VRA's topic structure.
  • Authorised access to the studio and required features.
  • Renewal of expiring access credentials in the connecting client.
  1. Choose the studio state or signal your external system needs to read or update.

  2. Configure studio-scoped MQTT access and the required feature permissions.

  3. Connect your client with the issued credentials and use the relevant VRA topics.

  4. Test received state and any signal changes before allowing them to trigger on-air actions.

MQTT questions

Is MQTT a plug-and-play GPIO input in VRA? +

No. This page describes the studio message bus. It needs a client configured for VRA's topics and authentication; it is not the hardware GPIO setup used for Ember+ or Livewire.

Does MQTT carry the programme video or audio? +

This connection carries state and control messages. Your configured audio and video transports carry the programme signals.

Visual Radio Assist

About MQTT.

VRA's studio message bus provides MQTT access to studio state. It is an integration surface for engineers building connections to other systems.

Access is scoped to the studio and permitted features. It is separate from the Ember+ and Livewire hardware GPIO connectors, and needs an MQTT client configured for VRA's topics and authentication.

What you can do with this connection

Automated camera switching for radio

Switch cameras from microphone activity and prepare PTZ shots off air.

More info

The products behind it.

Automation

Macros and rules

More info

Audio Triggers

Audio directed switching

More info

More integrations.

Ember+

Connect Ember+ inputs to VRA studio automation. Discover device paths, map incoming state and use it to trigger camera or graphics actions.

Livewire Routing Protocol

Trigger VRA camera, graphics and macro commands from Livewire LWRP GPIO inputs. Discover available paths and map the state changes your studio uses.

Bitfocus Companion

Control VRA studio on/off-air state from a Stream Deck with Bitfocus Companion. Follow the generic HTTP setup and configure button feedback.

All integrations

Check your studio setup with us.

Tell us your camera models, video switcher and radio automation. We will check the connections and show you the workflow that fits your station.