The RFD-TV Finance app is a custom XPression application developed for RFD-TV to generate and display commodity charts and quote tables live in broadcasts. It uses data from barchart.com.
It is split into 2 components: 1 client app and 1 XPression server app. The server app runs on the XPression machine while the client app can be installed elsewhere on the network. The client app is responsible for all communication with the barchart web service.
Finance Client App
The client application can be installed on any machine that will be able to access the XPression machine via a network address. It is responsible for all communication with the barchart internet data service.
Prerequisites
Windows 8, 10, or Windows Server 2012 or greater is recommended.
Microsoft .NET Framework 6.1 or greater which can be downloaded from a Microsoft website to suit your version of Windows. This must be the FULL version and not the Client Profile version.
Initial Configuration
The first time you install the application you will need to customize a few settings and preferences.
XPression Server Connection
The client’s remote config settings must match what is set on the XPression server application to enable a successful connection. The server provides support for using either TCP or HTTP protocols. The TCP protocol is recommended.
NOTE: the client app can be run without connecting to the XPression server. Press the Don’t connect button to launch the client app in standalone mode. This allows you to test data access and other client features.
Barchart API Key
To access the data the application requires the use of an api key that will be provided to you by barchart when you subscribe to the service.
The key is set via the File menu - Preferences option. It is the first value displayed at the top of the Preferences window.
No XPression Mode
You can run the client application without connecting to the XPression server. Press the Don’t connect button to launch the client app in standalone mode. You will be able to:
search for commodities available to you for chart generation
generate and preview charts with data from barchart
generate and preview commodity quote table data from barchart
build playlists of charts and tables to be used in a later session.
update preferences
Preferences
You can change many of the features of the generated charts with the Preferences window. It is accessed via File menu - Preferences...
NOTE: the changes apply only to charts that are generated after the changes are saved and do not apply to existing charts. The exception to this is the chart preview background which is used in local preview only and is not part of what is displayed in XPression.
Barchart API Key
Without a valid API key you won’t be able to access any data to generate charts or commodity tables.
Chart Size
The chart size here controls the size of the generated chart image. It should match the size of the object in the XPression scene that is used to display the chart.
Search - Exchanges
This list of exchange codes is used to filter the search results. Note that you can only use exchanges that are included in your barchart API license.
The default value of this preference is: CBOT, CBOTM, CME, MGEX, KCBT, WCE
Auto-Update
This intraday values displayed on a generated chart scene can be automatically updated just before the graphic is sent to air. This only affects the intraday current value and change. It does not regenerate the chart image.
Create Charts
Search for the first symbol by typing it in the search box #1
You can search by typing a name or a symbol
Click on the item you wish to use. The first item is selected by default.
If you want to compare 2 on one chart
click on the Compare checkbox to display it’s checkmark
search for the second by starting to type its name or symbol in the filter box for #2
select the item you wish to use from the filtered list
Select a Range
Click the Generate Chart button
This will cause the current data to be downloaded and transformed into the corresponding chart
You will see the retrieved data and thumbnail of the chart displayed in the preview section
The values used to calculate the time frame deltas can be seen as a tool-tip of the previewed delta values displayed in the chart preview area.
Preview Generated Chart
When there is a generated chart you can preview it in a larger popup window by clicking on the thumbnail. This preview works with and without a connection to the XPression server. It's purpose is to provide a more detailed preview of the chart and related numbers that were generated and may be used in display since the main thumbnail is limited in its usefulness. The background image can be changed in the Chart Preferences window accessed via File menu. Look for it in the Other Options section.
Display Charts
Once you have generated a chart that you want to display you have a couple ways of managing doing so.
Now
The quickest way to display the chart you last generated is to press the Show button beneath the thumbnail.
Later
If you want to save the chart for display later press the To List button beneath the thumbnail. This will add a copy of it to the end of the active Playlist.
You then trigger it to display from the playlist by clicking the green button. It will turn red and it will be displayed through the XPression system.
Use the + key to send the currently selected item to air and advance to the next item in the playlist.
If the currently selected item is already on-air, pressing the + key will set it offline and advance to the next item in the list.
Use the - key to take the currently selected scene offline without advancing to the next item in the list.