Why I built VTR-PON
Sometimes you just want to play one video at a small event with friends, or show a fullscreen clip during a presentation. I wanted a tool that could put it on screen with a quick press, without showing the controls.
I could not find something that felt right for me, so I made VTR-PON. It is for occasions that do not need a big production setup but still deserve a little care in how things look. I would be happy if it helps in those moments.
For important live events
The moment a video starts can be the most important cue in an event. VTR-PON is free software made by one person, with no guarantee of operation. Please test thoroughly beforehand with the actual PC, media, and connected equipment.
Where failure is not an option, consider experienced operators and reliable professional equipment too. I want to respect both the convenience of an accessible tool and the responsibility that comes with a live event.
Using AI
I am not a programmer. I tell AI how I want something to work, run it to check, and discuss it again when it does not work. VTR-PON is built through that repeated process.
A tool that was only in my head can now actually work. It feels like an interesting time to be making things. Still, checking the result remains an ongoing task. I also share the experiments along the way in my development notes.
Future features and requests
Here are features I would like to work on and requests I have received. Release dates have not been set.
Ideas for future development
- ATEM LAN connections using a specified IP address
- Backup-system integration over OSC
- Dedicated Stream Deck integration
- Map playlist numbers to switcher input numbers during external switcher integration
Longer-term ideas
- Macro editor
- Linux version
Information and contributions welcome
If you have device information or suggestions, see Development & feedback.
About the Name VTR-PON
The name combines VTR (Video Tape Recorder) with “pon,” the sound of something appearing in an instant. In Japan, “pon-dashi” means bringing video or audio in right on cue. The name keeps that quick, hands-on feeling.
If it has helped you
If VTR-PON saved you some effort or helped at an event, buying me a beer instead of a coffee would be much appreciated.
Hearing what you noticed or how you would like to use it also encourages development. See the Development & feedback page.
The pondashi.com family
Clocks, timers, video, and photos: other tools that began with the thought, “This might be useful.”
- Event clock (digital)A simple digital clock for a large display at your venue.
- Event clock (analog)The same event clock in an analog view.
- TIME-PONA speaker timer with separate control and display screens.
- TIME-PON DESKTOPA desktop timer with a transparent overlay.
- PHOTO-PONBatch portrait cropping, resizing, and related processing.
- 4K-UVC-PONA prototype for switching between multiple views from one 4K UVC camera.
- SPLIT-PONDistribute video and audio to multiple uses and destinations.
- SPLIT-PON Network Video Output AdapterAn adapter that sends SPLIT-PON video and audio over network video.
- PET-PONA pet camera using Jitsi Meet and Google Sheets.
Network access and usage data
The license page explains update checks, usage notifications, and download counts.
Older version: VTR-PON 2
VTR-PON 3 is a separate software project from VTR-PON2. Importing or migrating VTR-PON2 settings and playlists is not supported.
If you need the older VTR-PON 2, visit the VTR-PON 2 official site.
Official development of VTR-PON2 has ended.
Features from VTR-PON2
Some VTR-PON2 features developed by contributors other than me have not been included in VTR-PON 3 for now, due to licensing changes and related considerations. With those contributors' agreement, I would like to add similar features to VTR-PON3 in the future.