Aion
Speaker Timer

INTELLIGENT SPEAKER MANAGEMENT Pre-program unlimited speaker presets with one-click switching during live events. Each speaker gets their own dedicated timing profile, custom messages, and visual alerts—instantly recall any speaker’s complete configuration with a single button press. Optional Stream Deck integration gives your show caller tactile physical control from front-of-house—start timers, switch speakers, and manage countdowns with broadcast-style button presses instead of hunting for mouse clicks during critical transitions.

VIDEO OVERLAY: TWO PROFESSIONAL WORKFLOWS

Aion’s video overlay engine doesn’t just display timecode—it transforms how speakers see their timing information through intelligent integration with your existing video infrastructure.

WORKFLOW 1: PASS-THROUGH WITH OVERLAY Feed your PowerPoint Presenter View (or any HDMI/SDI source) into Aion’s video input. Aion overlays the countdown timer, warning messages, and critical alerts directly onto the incoming video, then outputs the combined signal to speaker monitors. Your presenter sees their slide notes, upcoming slides, and current slide—all with Aion’s professional timing overlay in the corner or wherever you position it. Zero-frame delay pass-through means no lag between their laptop and their monitor. Customize overlay position (top, bottom, corner), size, colors, and transparency to ensure perfect visibility without obscuring presentation content. The speaker gets everything they need on one screen: their presentation tools AND their timing information, professionally integrated.

WORKFLOW 2: OVERLAY ON BLACK (DOWNSTREAM KEYING) Disable video input and Aion outputs just the timer graphics and messages on a black background—perfect for downstream keying workflows. Send this clean overlay feed to your video switcher or production system where your video team keys the timing graphics onto whatever source they choose. Want the timer on the confidence monitor but not the main projection? Key it selectively. Need different timing displays for different speaker positions? Route the overlay independently. This workflow gives maximum flexibility to production teams running complex multi-screen setups, allowing them to composite Aion’s timing information with complete creative control over placement and blending.

CUSTOMIZABLE ON-SCREEN MESSAGING Both workflows support fully customizable messages with independent color and flash effects. Welcome messages greet speakers when their timer starts. Warning alerts (typically 5 minutes remaining) display in yellow with slow flash. Critical alerts (typically 1 minute remaining) flash red with urgency. Expired messages notify when time runs out—all with colors, flash speeds, and text you define per speaker. Messages are optional—configure only what you need for your event style.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TIME ACCELERATION Innovative Accelerate feature (1:1 to 1:2 ratio) speeds up the visible countdown WITHOUT changing actual timing. Speakers see a faster-moving clock and naturally pace themselves quicker, while producers maintain perfect scheduling accuracy behind the scenes. A 30-minute presentation with 1:1.5 acceleration shows the speaker a countdown moving 50% faster—psychological motivation without affecting your schedule.

DISTRIBUTED CONTROL ARCHITECTURE Show caller at front-of-house opens admin interface on their laptop, connects Stream Deck for tactile timer control—start/stop/reset with physical button presses. Technical director in the back manages video routing and overlay positioning. Talent coordinator backstage monitors timing on their tablet. Everyone sees synchronized status, but only authorized admins control configuration. Password protection keeps critical settings secure while allowing unlimited viewer access for production staff.

FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DISTRIBUTION Speaker monitors receive the video overlay feed (pass-through or black background). Stage managers see timing on tablets via the TCV Android app. Production crew monitors status on any network browser. Audience-facing displays stay blank or show countdown if desired—complete flexibility in who sees what. All displays frame-synchronized with automatic latency compensation, ensuring everyone’s view stays perfectly aligned.

INSTANT SPEAKER TRANSITIONS Click any speaker button mid-event for immediate timer reset, automatic message display, and seamless visual transitions. No lag, no manual configuration—just instant professional presentation flow that keeps your event moving on schedule. Stream Deck buttons provide tactile confirmation—press John Smith’s button, feel the physical click, see the countdown reset and welcome message appear on speaker monitors instantly.

PROFESSIONAL VIDEO INTEGRATION BENEFITS

For pass-through workflow:

• Speakers see their presenter tools with professional timing overlay
• Single-screen solution reduces speaker cognitive load
• Presenter View stays private (not mirrored to audience projection)
• Zero-latency means no delay between laptop and monitor

For downstream keying workflow:

• Production teams control overlay placement and blending
• Clean graphics output for professional switcher integration
• Independent routing to confidence monitors vs projection
• Maximum creative flexibility for multi-screen productions

Both workflows deliver broadcast-quality overlay graphics with pixel-perfect positioning, customizable fonts, background opacity, border styling, and real-time color changes—professional presentation timing that integrates seamlessly with your existing video infrastructure instead of replacing it.