Ross Video Integration | XPression, DataLinq & DashBoard Live Graphics Development | SportsFirst

What is Ross Video integration?

Ross Video makes live production gear: switchers, the XPression real-time motion graphics system, the DashBoard control and monitoring software, and the openGear frame platform. Broadcasters, sports networks, in-venue production teams and live event producers use Ross to put score bugs, lower thirds, leaderboards and results on screen.

Integration means connecting your data to those graphics, such as scoring results, timing, stats, entries or sponsor rotations, so operators don't retype anything and the graphics update the moment the result changes.

The main integration points

• XPression: Real-time graphics engine. Templates bind text, images and tables to live data

• DataLinq: XPression's data layer. It pulls from external sources and pushes values into graphics

• RossTalk: Simple text command protocol (TCP, default port 7788) to trigger takes, cue items and set DataLinq keys

• DashBoard: Ross's control software. Custom panels (PanelBuilder) can drive and stream data to XPression

• openGear: Open frame/card platform managed through DashBoard

DataLinq data sources

According to Ross's DataLinq application notes, DataLinq can read from many source types. These include XML, JSON, RSS/HTTP, ODBC/SQL databases, text files, WebSocket and a range of scoreboard sources. That gives a custom platform several clean options:

• Expose a JSON or XML endpoint that DataLinq polls

• Write to a database DataLinq reads via ODBC/SQL

• Stream changes over WebSocket for low-latency updates

• Send values directly with the RossTalk DATALINQKEY command

RossTalk automation examples

XPression accepts RossTalk commands over Ethernet (port 7788 by default). Each command ends with CR/LF:

CUE 3:2:-5            # prepare take item 3 on framebuffer/layer
READ                  # take the current selection to air
DATALINQKEY 0002:Winner:Jane Doe   # set a DataLinq key on take item 0002
LAYEROFF 0000:2       # take layer 2 off air on framebuffer 1

This lets your scoring system cue or take a "result" graphic automatically when a score is confirmed.

What SportsFirst builds

• Live data feed for DataLinq: JSON/XML/WebSocket/DB feed from your scoring, timing or stats platform

• Graphics automation: RossTalk triggers so results, leaderboards and replays go to air on event

• DashBoard custom panels: Operator panels to correct data, approve results and fire graphics

• Data model & mapping: Clean fields for competitors, teams, scores, times, standings, sponsors

• Multi-output distribution: The same confirmed result goes to broadcast graphics, scoreboards, web and fan apps

• Resilience: Local-network operation, buffering and manual-override paths for show-critical moments

Example use cases

• Leagues and tournaments: live score bugs, standings and player stats

• Judged and timed events (rodeo, equestrian, combat sports, motorsport): automatic score/time graphics the moment a judge confirms

• In-venue production: shared data driving both the video board show and the broadcast feed

• Streaming productions: data-driven graphics without a dedicated data operator

Why work with SportsFirst?

• Real-time sports data expertise: scoring, stats and results systems are our core work

• Broadcast-aware engineering: we design around operators, rehearsal and on-air failure modes

• Single source of truth: one confirmed result feeds every screen

• Discovery first: we map your production workflow before writing code

SportsFirst is an independent development studio. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Ross Video. XPression, DashBoard, openGear and RossTalk are trademarks of their owner.

FAQ

Q1. Does Ross XPression have an API?

XPression connects to external data mainly through DataLinq, which reads sources like JSON, XML, databases and WebSocket. It's controlled remotely through RossTalk commands over TCP.

Q2. What is DataLinq?

DataLinq is XPression's data integration layer. It pulls values from external sources and binds them to text, images and tables in graphics templates.

Q3. What is RossTalk?

RossTalk is Ross's text command protocol. XPression listens on TCP port 7788 by default for commands like CUE, READ, NEXT and DATALINQKEY.

Q4. Can DashBoard send data to XPression?

Yes. Ross documents a DashBoard DataLinq source, where a custom DashBoard panel streams its parameters to XPression graphics.

Q5. Can my scoring system trigger graphics automatically?

Yes. A scoring platform can publish results to a DataLinq source and send RossTalk commands to cue and take the matching graphic.

Q6. Can SportsFirst help with Ross Video integration?

Yes. We build the data feeds, automation and operator panels that connect your platform to XPression and DashBoard.