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Heat Block Element

Updated on May 10, 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.  

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.  

Screenshot of the software with a Heat Block element added.


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

Screenshot of the Elements buttons with Heat Block highlighted.

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.  

Image depicting how to resize the Heat Block.


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

Screenshot of the software with a Heat Block element added and the Heat Block Settings pane highlighted on the right hand side.

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.  

Screenshot of the parameter settings with GPS, Speed and km/h selected.

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

Selecting the Channels Settings 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.  

Screenshot of the Range settings with the minimum value set to 0 and the maximum value set to 100.

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

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’.

Screenshot of the Outline settings with minimum, Stop 1, Stop 2 and maximum colours selected.
Screenshot of the Outline settings with a colour selector for the minimum value.
Screenshot of the Outline settings with minimum, Stop 1, Stop 2 and maximum colours selected.
Screenshot of the Outline settings with a colour selector for the minimum value.


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).

Screenshot of the Elements menu with Copy highlighted.
Screenshot of the Elements menu with Paste highlighted.
Screenshot of the Elements menu with Copy highlighted.
Screenshot of the Elements menu with Paste highlighted.


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.  

Screenshot of the Elements menu with Delete highlighted.