Heat Block Element

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

VBOX Video HD2 software allows the user to add a heat block element, which will vary in colour throughout a recording, dependent on the live channel selected.
 

HB GIF

Heat block elements are particularly useful when used in conjunction with Tyre Temperature Sensors to represent live tyre temperatures on the video recording. Full Tyre Temperature Sensor connection and configuration instructions are available here.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Tyre Temp

To add a new heat block element, click the ‘Heat block’ icon from the top panel buttons menu.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Button

This will cause a new block element to be added to the main view window. Once a block element has been added to the scene, it can be clicked and dragged to the desired location.


The heat block element can be resized using the icon in the bottom right-hand corner.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Resize

When an element is selected, its settings are shown in the right hand panel.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Main

To set live data to display on the text element, the two drop-down menus within the 'Parameter' section must be used.

The first drop-down menu defines the source. Select either GPS, CAN or OBD.

Note: CAN and OBD options will only appear if they have been set up by the user.
 

VBVS Mac Parameter

The second drop-down list defines the channel to be shown. In the example above, GPS Speed is set to display in km/h.

VBVS Mac Channel Settings

Selecting the  button opens up a Channel Settings window where you can configure CAN and OBD channels.

A number of GPS parameters are available to choose from, such as the following:

  • Satellites
  • UTC time
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Speed
  • Heading
  • Height
  • Longitudinal acceleration
  • Lateral acceleration
  • Combined acceleration
  • Vertical speed
  • Local time
  • Day of month
  • Month
  • Year
  • Distance since power-up
  • Distance since stationary
  • Time stationary
  • Time moving
  • Radius of turn
  • Gradient (%)
  • Solution type

More information on the parameters can be found here.

Within the parameter section, speed, acceleration or distance channels can be set to display in different units.

The options available are:

  • Speed – km/h, mph, kts, m/s, ft/s
  • Acceleration – g, m/s², ft/s²
  • Distance – m, ft, km, mi, nmi

Define the minimum and maximum values of the heat block. Use the 'Test Value' box to check which colour will be shown when different values are received.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Range

After the heat block size, location and range values have been set, the colour settings can be changed if required.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Colour2

After the heat block size, location and range values have been set, the colour settings can be changed if required.
 

VBVS Mac Heat Block Colour2
VBVS Mac Heat Block Colour

The heat block colour will vary on a spectrum in relation to 4 colours; defined as 'Minimum' 'Stop 1', 'Stop 2' and 'Maximum'. Colours can be changed by selecting the existing colour and choosing from the colour wheel. The opacity of the colours can also be changed here.
 

To set a specific RGB value, click on ‘Color sliders’.

Elements and their associated settings can be duplicated within a scene by either right-clicking on the element, selecting 'Copy' from the dropdown then right-clicking in an empty area and selecting 'Paste' from the dropdown, or by using keyboard shortcuts 'Command + C' (Copy) and 'Command + V' (Paste).

VBVS Mac Copy
VBVS Mac Paste
VBVS Mac Copy
VBVS Mac Paste

Elements can be removed from the scene in two ways; either by right-clicking on the element, selecting 'Delete' from the dropdown and confirming the prompt, or by pressing the 'Backspace' key on a keyboard, and again, confirming the prompt.
 

VBVS Mac Delete