# Notch

**Notch** layer template was created to play various types of video files.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Good to know**: there is more general information about Notch playback [here](/real-time-content-playback/notch-1.md).
{% endhint %}

## Variables

### **Render**

Explained in [Stock Layer Templates](/layers-and-layouts/stock-layer-templates.md).

### **Notch**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/raYaDMTNi8xMKSJjNYjH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Notch variable group is a dynamic one. Refer to [this page ](/layers-and-layouts/layer-layouts/variables/variable-groups.md)for more information.

* **Asset**: select the Notch asset you want to use.
* **Resolution**: adjusts the resolution Notch block is rendering.
* **Layer:** choose the Notch layer you want to play.
* **Render**: determines if Notch block is rendering every LightAct's frame or every second, every third and so on. Useful if your machine cannot maintain the required framerate.
* **Play mode:** this dropdown has 4 options:
  * *Normal*: in this playmode Notch asset will always follow the position of the playhead relative to the beginning of the Notch layer.
  * *Free run*: in this playmode, the playback will ignore position of the play head and play even when the timeline is in pause mode. If the playhead jumps out of the layer and back onto it again, the Notch will restart from the same position it was at when the playhead jumped out.
  * *Free run & restart*: same as *Free run*, but if you jump out of the layer and back onto it again, the Notch block will always restart from 0.
  * *Timecode*: in this playmode, LightAct will refer to the *Timecode device* as the source of the timecode the playback should follow. It allows you to control the playback of the Notch block with an external timecode source.
* **Timecode**: defines the source of the external timecode that should be used if *Play mode* is set to *Timecode*. This variable is ignored if *Play mode* is anything other than *Timecode*.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Good to know**: as this is a dynamic variable group, the variables will dynamically adapt according to the Exposed properties of the selected Notch block asset.
{% endhint %}

### Other variable groups

Explained in [Content Layer Templates](/layers-and-layouts/stock-layer-templates/content-layer-templates.md).


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