A cross-platform Electron application that simulates broadcast video routers. Supports multiple protocols including Blackmagic VideoHub and SW-P-08 (Probel/Grass Valley). Perfect for testing router control software, developing integrations, or training purposes without requiring physical hardware.
Download Latest Release (v2.3.1)
| Platform | Download |
|---|---|
| macOS (Intel + Apple Silicon) | Router Protocol Simulator-2.3.1-universal.dmg |
| Windows Installer | Router Protocol Simulator Setup 2.3.1.exe |
| Windows Portable | Router Protocol Simulator 2.3.1.exe |
- Multiple Protocol Support - Switch between VideoHub, SW-P-08, and GV Native protocols
- Configurable Router Size - Simulate routers from 12x12 up to 288x288
- Custom TCP Port - Configure the server port for each protocol
- Real-time Routing Matrix - Interactive UI to view and change routes
- Editable Labels - Customize input and output names
- Pre-populated Labels - Comes with TV station/edit suite example names
- Multi-level Support - SW-P-08 matrix levels (video, audio, etc.)
- Multi-client Support - Multiple control applications can connect simultaneously
- Persistent Settings - Configuration saved across app restarts
- Auto-start Option - Server can start automatically on launch
- Live Activity Log - Monitor all protocol commands and client connections
- XY Crosspoint Grid - Visual crosspoint matrix view for intuitive routing
- TCP port 9990 (default, configurable)
- Text-based protocol v2.8
- Full support for routing, labels, and locks
- Compatible with all VideoHub control software
- TCP port 8910 (default, configurable)
- Binary protocol with DLE/STX framing
- Standard and extended (16-bit) addressing
- Crosspoint routing and interrogation
- Source/destination name queries
- Multi-level matrix support
- TCP port 12345 (default, configurable)
- Grass Valley native protocol for Series 7000 routers
- Multi-level matrix support
Download the appropriate installer for your platform from the releases page.
- Node.js 16 or later
- npm
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/videojedi/VideoHubSim.git
cd VideoHubSim
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Start the application
npm start
# Build for your platform
npm run build:mac # macOS
npm run build:win # Windows- Select Protocol - Choose VideoHub or SW-P-08 from the Protocol dropdown
- Configure Router - Set the number of inputs/outputs, TCP port, and other options
- Start the Server - Click "Start Server" to begin listening
- Connect Clients - Point your control software to the appropriate port
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Protocol | VideoHub, SW-P-08, or GV Native |
| Model Name | Device model reported to clients (VideoHub only) |
| Friendly Name | Custom name reported to clients |
| Inputs | Number of input ports (1-288) |
| Outputs | Number of output ports (1-288) |
| TCP Port | Server port (default: VideoHub 9990, SW-P-08 8910, GV Native 12345) |
| Matrix Levels | Number of levels for SW-P-08/GV Native (video, audio, etc.) |
| Auto-start | Automatically start server when app launches |
The simulator implements the Blackmagic Videohub Ethernet Protocol including:
PROTOCOL PREAMBLE- Version handshakeVIDEOHUB DEVICE- Device information blockINPUT LABELS- Input port namingOUTPUT LABELS- Output port namingVIDEO OUTPUT ROUTING- Route assignmentsVIDEO OUTPUT LOCKS- Port locking (O/U/L states)PING/ACK- Keep-alive support
Example session:
PROTOCOL PREAMBLE:
Version: 2.8
VIDEOHUB DEVICE:
Device present: true
Model name: Blackmagic Smart Videohub 12x12
Video inputs: 12
Video outputs: 12
INPUT LABELS:
0 CAM 1
1 CAM 2
...
The simulator implements the SW-P-08 router control protocol including:
- Message Framing - DLE/STX start, BTC, checksum validation
- Crosspoint Connect (0x02) - Route source to destination
- Crosspoint Interrogate (0x01) - Query current route
- Crosspoint Tally (0x03) - Route change notifications
- Crosspoint Connected (0x04) - Route confirmation
- Tally Dump Request (0x15) - Bulk routing table query
- Source Names (0x64/0x6a) - Input label request/response
- Destination Names (0x66/0x6b) - Output label request/response
- Extended Commands (0x81-0x84, 0xe4-0xeb) - 16-bit addressing for large routers
This simulator works with router control software including:
VideoHub Protocol:
- Bitfocus Companion
- vMix
- Blackmagic Videohub Control
- Ross DashBoard
SW-P-08 Protocol:
- Bitfocus Companion
- Ross Ultrix/Carbonite
- Grass Valley NV Series panels
- Lawo VSM
- Calrec consoles
- Many broadcast automation systems
# Run in development mode (with DevTools)
npm run devVideoHubSim/
├── package.json
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── .gitignore
├── build/
│ ├── icon.icns # macOS icon
│ ├── icon.png # Windows/Linux icon
│ └── icon.svg # Source icon
└── src/
├── main.js # Electron main process
├── preload.js # Preload script for secure IPC
├── index.html # UI and renderer process
├── videohub-server.js # VideoHub protocol implementation
├── swp08-server.js # SW-P-08 protocol implementation
└── gvnative-server.js # GV Native protocol implementation
If you see errors about Electron running as Node, the start script should handle this automatically. If issues persist, run:
unset ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE && npm startIf the port is already in use, either:
- Stop the other application using the port
- Change the port in the simulator's configuration panel
Ensure the server is started (green status indicator) before connecting clients.
- Ensure your client is configured for TCP (not serial)
- Default port is 8910
- Some clients may require specifying matrix/level 0
- Fix auto-connect on launch not working when simulator is also auto-starting
- Fix auto-connect and auto-reconnect settings not being saved
- Salvos: Capture and recall crosspoint configurations
- Select specific destinations or capture all routes at once
- Multi-level support: choose which level to capture for SW-P-08/GV Native
- Quick-access salvo recall buttons on XY grid panel
- Salvos persist across sessions
- Import/Export salvos as CSV with duplicate resolution (overwrite, rename, skip)
- Router history entries now show a visible delete button
- Fill and Increment now supports letter sequences (e.g., "VTR A" → "VTR B" → "VTR C")
- Tab key cycles vertically through label fields with wrap-around
- Auto-update notification: checks GitHub releases on startup and shows banner when new version available
- XY Grid: Minimap overview in top-left corner showing entire matrix with viewport indicator
- XY Grid: Click/drag minimap to navigate large routers quickly
- XY Grid: Separate row/column for input and output index numbers
- XY Grid: Auto-scroll when dragging crosspoints near viewport edges
- Controller: Router connection history dropdown with recent routers
- Controller: Saves router name, address, port, and protocol for quick reconnection
- Added About panel with Video Walrus Ltd branding and copyright
- Application menu with About option on macOS and Windows
- Enhanced Labels panel with combined input/output view
- Multi-selection support (Shift+Click for range, Ctrl/Cmd+Click to toggle)
- Right-click context menu with Cut, Copy, Paste operations
- Fill and Increment: auto-generate sequential labels (e.g., "CAM 1" → "CAM 2", "CAM 3")
- CSV import/export with 4-column format (Input Index, Input Label, Output Index, Output Label)
- Tab key navigation through label fields
- Controller mode: label editing disabled until connected to router
- Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+A (select all), Ctrl+C/X/V (copy/cut/paste), Escape (deselect)
- Simplified architecture: Simulator and controller now fully independent
- View toggle switches between simulator and controller display
- Start simulator and connect controller in any combination
- Controller defaults to localhost (127.0.0.1) for easy local testing
- Collapsible activity log panel with disclosure triangle
- XY grid now fills the available panel space
- Header shows both SIM and CTL status indicators
- Removed "Dual Test" mode (no longer needed)
- Added destination lock support for BlackMagic VideoHub protocol
- Lock/unlock buttons in routing grid and XY crosspoint view
- Visual lock status indicators (red=locked by you, orange=locked by other)
- NAK response handling reverts crosspoint to previous state
- Lock status changes shown in activity log
- Added Dual Test mode for local controller testing
- Major refactoring: Protocol logic separated into dedicated controller modules
- UI improvements and layout enhancements
- Cleaner code architecture for better maintainability
- XY grid: Hover highlights row and column headers
- XY grid: Click-and-drag for sequential 1:1 routing (diagonal or vertical)
- Added GV Native (Series 7000) protocol support
- Added XY crosspoint grid view for visual matrix routing
- Model selection now auto-populates input/output counts
- Decode SW-P-08 command names in activity log
- Add destination and input numbers to routing matrix display
- Fixed TCP port configuration not being applied
- Added funky router-style app icon
- Fixed port field not being editable
- Initial release
- VideoHub protocol support
- SW-P-08 protocol support with multi-level matrix
- Persistent settings
- Auto-start option
MIT License - See LICENSE for details.
- VideoHub protocol based on Blackmagic Videohub Developer Information
- SW-P-08 protocol based on Grass Valley SW-P-88 Router Control Protocols
- SW-P-08 implementation informed by Bitfocus Companion Generic SWP08 Module