Information, thoughts and white papers

http://alternative-oasys.blogspot.com/

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/penton/be0610/#/20

Here is an interesting article on automated graphics production.

Interestingly we can do this with our integrated graphics module, which has the advantage of not having to look at several different sources to check the running order, the grahics are populated with metadata already in the playlist, so if the playlist changes, so do the graphics, and its all done on one system.

http://broadcastengineering.com/production/channel-in-box-0510/index.html

Here is a dicussion on use of "channel in a box".  Whilst we agree with the sentiment, we also think that the concept can be applied to any broadcast channel, and if you look at the features of our Player software with integrated graphics, import capability, advertising insertion and sub-titling, then you will see that the technology has a wide application.

IT based automated playout versus
Traditional playout automation with video servers
for broadcasting
and a review of extended workflows

Why would you select an IT based automated playout rather than Traditional playout automation with video servers?
Surely a Traditional solution is better “engineered”, and more reliable because it is based on Broadcast technology!
Isn’t this is better than relying on IT for broadcasting? We think not, and here is why.

What makes up Traditional playout automation:
• An IT based automation control software system
• Video Server(s)
• Separate graphics package
• Master Control Switcher/Mixer
• Other devices controlled by GPI/O
• Other devices controlled by RS232
• Other devices controlled by VDCP
• Other devices controlled by API or TCP/IP

Who supplies Traditional playout automation solutions:
• Around 25 companies – 60% of which are based in USA

What is the main hardware behind these solutions:
• Video Servers
o Omneon
o 360
o Seachange
o Grass Valley
o Harris

• Master Control Switchers/Mixers
o Harris
o Grass Valley
o Ross Video
o Evertz
o Snell
o Miranda

How does it all fit together:
• The computerised automation control system sends commands to multiple devices – electronic pulsed (GPI/O), slow speed COM (RS232), and API based.
• The separate devices outputs are mixed together by the Master Control Switcher/Mixer creating a finished output – the channel
• The Video Servers are IT based – effectively single function computers
• The Switcher/Mixers are IT based
• The graphics packages are IT based

What makes up IT based automated playout:
• An IT based automation control software system
• An IT based Video Server using a computer and a broadcast input output video card
• An integrated graphics package
• A software based mixer
• Software based secondary event management
• A broadcast router controlled by the automation control software
• Other devices controlled by GPI/O, RS232 and API

Who supplies IT based automated playout:
• Around 20 companies – 70% of which are based in Europe

What is the main hardware behind these solutions:
• IT servers with audio video cards like those used in post production
• IT workstations
• Broadcast Routers (supplied by – amongst others)
o Grass Valley
o Harris
o Ross Video
o Evertz
o Snell
o Miranda

How does it all fit together:
• The computerised automation control system sends commands to a single IT based server
• The server handles primary and secondary events and mixes them together in software, with live feeds input by control of the broadcast router
• The graphics packages are integrated

So the primary differences between the two approaches are:
• A single device and software control or multiple devices and software control over different device driver protocols
• A multi function video server or a single function video server
• A broadcast router or a broadcast switcher (made by the same companies)
• Hardware like other parts of the extended workflow or playout specific hardware

 
So the similarities between the two approaches are:
• IT based automation control
• Hardware with an IT core
• IT based mixing process

So what are the advantages of each solution:
• Traditional
o Specifically engineered single function hardware
o Able to select from Mix of vendors
o Broadcast engineers understand it
• IT based
o Single point of responsibility for support
o Simple redundancy management
o Feature changes in software not hardware
o Less physical space
o Less power consumption
o Higher return on investment
o Future proof
o More open standards compliant

How do you do other things in the extended workflow of either solution:

• Ingest
o Performed on Video Server or IT Server
• Editing
o Has been running on standard IT hardware for years
• Asset management
o IT based
• Storage
o IT based
• Re-purposing
o IT based, for IT devices
• Compliance recording
o IT based

So our conclusion is:
• The lower risk option is IT based automated playout

What can you do with a multi award winning IT based broadcast workflow and automated playout solution from OASYS

• Ingest in multiple file formats with low resolution proxy files and metadata creation
• Cuts edit ingested media
• Quality control ingested media
• Quality control transferred media
• Move media to and from storage
• Import, create and manage schedules
• Move media to playout
• Control all primary and secondary event playout
• Log and report
• NRCS, proxy editing and asset management in conjunction with development partners
• A reliable, scaleable, frame accurate solution that can be integrated with many broadcast workflow products

More specifically what are some key features:

• Multiple file format support in the same playlist
 MXF, MOV, MPG, AVI, WMV files all supported in SD and HD
• Scaling
 On an HD system you can have SD and HD content in the same playlist, and it will auto up-scale the SD content
 The HD system can then auto down-scale and output simultaneously in SD
 Maintains correct aspect ratio or applies conversion
• Picture in Picture transitions and displays
 Add multiple secondary live and file sources
 Transition in and out, as well as cut
• Event Transitions
 Transition between items using cut, dissolve or wipe effects – without the need of a vision mixer
• Playlist changes up to the last 3 seconds
 Drag and drop, cut/copy and paste, insert, delete, and append
• Playlist changes after loading
 Edit event timing, and secondary events at any time, including editing the event currently playing
 Video and audio can be previewed and have trim in and out points set
 All events can be saved with all trim points for later re-use
• Redundancy management
 A synchronised backup is a single piece of equipment, so no complex redundancy management is required
• Aspect Ratio Conversion
 Automatically control the aspect ratio of the output without the need of an ARC

• Control Live, VTR and Streaming Inputs
 Playlist can contain file based, but also LIVE based elements, where you can control your live sources directly from the same software
• Fully keyed, multi layered graphics overlays
 A full set of 2D graphics template editors allows for channel branding, and all graphics can be ordered in layers
 3D animations created automatically from TGA sequences or uncompressed AVI
 Playlist and metadata based graphics provide for full channel branding and now/next features
• Integrated Sub-Titles
 Play EBU or Cavena sub-title files directly in your playlist, avoiding re-purposing and sub-title equipment
• Record during playout
 Record items as they play for later re-use, either as clean feed or with graphics
• Hotkeys
 Flexible control of overlays and emergency events using Hotkeys, which can be triggered simply in the GUI over an IP connection
• Audio ducking and mixing
 Add voice overs and change audio levels
 Multi track mixing
 Multi audio outputs including Dolby E
• Automatic Filling, playlist loading and deletion
 Automatically fill gaps in the playlist
 Automatically or manually load playlists
 Automatically delete used playlists and unwanted media

• Grouping, repeating and looping
 Playlist items can be grouped and sub-grouped
 Any event or group can be looped and individual events can be set to repeat any number of times you wish
• Search and replace
 A full search and replace facility to make simple multiple changes to a playlist
• Integrated reporting
 A single system to report on all playlist errors
 A single system to report on all AS-RUN logging
• Advertising Insertion
 Fully control downstream advertising insertion with VBI based playlist timing
• Commercial counters
 Mark events for commercial content
 At a glance commercial rules compliance
• Media Library
 Centralised store of all media content
 Real file naming based, so no database conversions
 Multi-channel filtering
• Trigger other equipment
 Using VBI, VITC, WSS, HTTP, UDP, GPI

no need to enter user id and password, you can get direct access to documentation at:

ftp://ftp.oasys.com.hr

here you can also download the Player VGA Demo - a fully working version of our software for your PC