MLCG.RestControl 1.0.0

MLCG.RestControl

C# wrapper for controlling MLCG live sessions through the REST API.

MLCG is the MediaLooks HTML5 CG editor and live graphics service. Operators use it to create, publish, and play browser-rendered broadcast graphics such as lower thirds, scorebugs, tickers, fullscreen boards, and other live templates.

• Hosted service: https://cg.medialooks.com/
• Documentation: https://docs.medialooks.com/mlcg

Use this library from a desktop controller, automation tool, newsroom system, scoreboard integration, or any C# application that needs to read sessions and update live binding values.

Install

dotnet add package MLCG.RestControl

Client Setup

using MLCG.RestControl;

using var client = new MlcgRestClient("https://cg.medialooks.com");
client.ApiToken = "mlcg_your_rest_token"; // Optional when the hosted service requires account access.

For a local broker, use:

using var client = new MlcgRestClient("http://127.0.0.1:3101");

Commands

Read Sessions

var health = await client.GetHealthAsync();
Console.WriteLine($"REST online: {health.Ok}, sessions: {health.SessionCount}");

var sessions = await client.GetSessionsAsync();

foreach (var session in sessions)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{session.Id}: {session.Name} ({session.BindingCount} bindings)");
}

Read Bindings and Elements

var session = (await client.GetSessionsAsync()).First();

var bindings = await client.GetBindingsAsync(session.Id);
var elements = await client.GetElementsAsync(session.Id);

foreach (var binding in bindings)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{binding.Key} = {binding.Value}");
}

foreach (var element in elements)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{element.DisplayName} / {element.Type} / {element.Animation}");
}

Update One Binding

await client.UpdateBindingAsync(
    sessionId: "live-show-main",
    key: "player_name",
    value: "MARTA KOVACS");

Update Multiple Bindings

var updatedBindings = await client.UpdateBindingsAsync(
    "live-show-main",
    new Dictionary<string, string>
    {
        ["player_name"] = "MARTA KOVACS",
        ["team_name"] = "RIVER CITY FC",
        ["score"] = "2 - 1",
    });

The REST server broadcasts binding updates to subscribed live output pages.

Control Timeline Playback

await client.SendTimelineCommandAsync("live-show-main", "restart");
await client.SendTimelineCommandAsync("live-show-main", "set-loop", loop: false);

Supported commands are play, pause, stop, restart, seek, and set-loop. seek requires positionMs; set-loop requires loop.

Replace All Bindings

Use ReplaceBindingsAsync only when your application owns the complete binding list.

var currentBindings = await client.GetBindingsAsync("live-show-main");

var replacement = currentBindings.Select(binding => new MlcgBinding
{
    Id = binding.Id,
    Key = binding.Key,
    Label = binding.Label,
    Value = binding.Key == "player_name" ? "MARTA KOVACS" : binding.Value,
});

await client.ReplaceBindingsAsync("live-show-main", replacement);

For normal operator control, prefer UpdateBindingAsync or UpdateBindingsAsync.

Build a Live Output URL

var outputUrl = client.BuildOutputUrl(
    outputBaseUrl: "https://cg.medialooks.com",
    sessionId: "live-show-main",
    background: "transparent",
    autoplay: true,
    loop: true);

Console.WriteLine(outputUrl);

BuildOutputUrl includes both broker and legacy rest query parameters so output pages can subscribe to live binding updates.

API Token

When using a hosted/account REST service, generate a REST token in the web editor and assign it to ApiToken.

The client sends the token as:

• Authorization: Bearer <token>
• x-mlcg-token: <token>

Error Handling

The wrapper uses HttpResponseMessage.EnsureSuccessStatusCode(). Failed REST calls throw HttpRequestException.

try
{
    await client.UpdateBindingAsync("live-show-main", "player_name", "MARTA KOVACS");
}
catch (HttpRequestException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"REST update failed: {ex.Message}");
}

For the full integration guide, see https://docs.medialooks.com/mlcg.