Skip to content

Installation and first-time setup

Before installing

Have these items ready:

  • the Controll3r Windows x64 MSI
  • a Controll3r Interface
  • a compatible capture device
  • the required USB and video cables
  • Blackmagic Desktop Video for Windows if using DeckLink

1. Wire the hardware

  1. Connect the target's video output to the capture device input.
  2. Connect a USB capture device to the operator computer, or install the DeckLink card in the operator computer.
  3. Connect the Controll3r Interface control side to the operator computer.
  4. Connect the Controll3r Interface target side to the target computer.
  5. Power on or wake the target.

If the capture device offers video pass-through, its use is device-specific and not required by Controll3r.

2. Install required capture software

For a USB/UVC device, install the manufacturer's driver only when Windows does not provide a suitable built-in driver.

For DeckLink:

  1. install Blackmagic Desktop Video for Windows
  2. reboot if its installer requests it
  3. confirm that Blackmagic Media Express can see the source
  4. close Media Express before starting Controll3r because capture hardware may allow only one active client

3. Install Controll3r

  1. Run Controll3r-<version>-win-x64.msi.
  2. Confirm that Windows shows the publisher for the digitally signed installer.
  3. Review the license.
  4. Choose the install location.
  5. Finish installation and launch Controll3r from the Start menu.

The application installs under Program Files\Controll3r by default. It includes its own .NET runtime. The Start menu shortcut is always installed. The standard interactive installer does not currently present a desktop shortcut option.

4. Complete first-run setup

When no valid saved source is available, the setup window opens automatically.

  1. Select the video capture device.
  2. Select a UVC capture mode, or let DeckLink auto-detect its input.
  3. Select the target audio capture source when applicable.
  4. Select the local audio playback endpoint.
  5. Confirm the setup.

If the target was asleep or not sending video, wake it and use Rescan devices before deciding that the source is unavailable.

5. Verify the live console

You should see the target image in the main viewport.

  1. Move the pointer over the viewport.
  2. Click the viewport or use the Capture button.
  3. Move the mouse and type to confirm that the target responds.
  4. Hold Left Ctrl + Left Alt together to release input back to the operator computer.

Left Ctrl + Left Alt is the fresh-install default. Existing installations keep their configured release chord. The current chord is shown in the capture hint and under Preferences > Input.

6. Save the working setup

  1. Open File > Save As.
  2. Give the session a descriptive name, such as Lab bench - DeckLink.
  3. Save it.

Sessions remember the source and operator preferences needed to restore the setup. They do not install anything on the target.

7. Optional checks

  • Open Tools > Latency Test to measure the input-to-captured-frame delay (the time from a sent input to the change arriving in the captured image).
  • Open View > Diagnostics or press Ctrl+D to inspect video, audio, and interface health.
  • Open Preferences > Device to inspect Controll3r Interface status.
  • Take a snapshot and short recording to verify output folders and codecs.

Updating

Install the newer MSI over the existing version. Versioned packages are designed for Windows Installer upgrades.

Uninstalling

Interactive uninstall:

  1. open Windows Installed Apps / Apps & Features
  2. select Controll3r
  3. choose Uninstall
  4. confirm removal
  5. choose whether to preserve user data

Preserving user data is the default. Silent uninstall also preserves it unless the administrator explicitly passes REMOVEUSERDATA=1.

The current delete option removes %LocalAppData%\Controll3r. Roaming settings and saved sessions under %AppData%\Controll3r remain and must be removed manually when a complete user-data cleanup is required.