Play-ability

AVECO systems determine the on-air readiness of each clip on the playlist. This includes a check on all devices and systems required to broadcast each event. The automation system maintains an updated, color-coded status indicator by each event on the playlist. On-air readiness is also checked for completed blocks. Therefore, completed blocks can be confidently inserted into the daily schedule and aired, even moments before playout.

The check happens instantly whenever new playlist data are imported or when any playlist editing happens.

Media preparation

If the result of the On-air readiness check is "Missing clip", the automation is not giving up. There are known material sources which are checked, such as production videoservers, networked storages or archive systems. If the missing clip is found there automation takes care of copying the clip over any existing media (FibreChannel, Ethernet, SDI) to the playout videoserver.

If the clip is not found and the playlist includes the master tape No., in point and out point, then the operator has just to load the proper tape into any available VTR and the clip is cached to the videoserver.

Accuracy

The frame accuracy of the system has been discussed within this site.

Al time calculations within the playlists are frame accurate too. Also duration of X-transitions and DVE effect is considered. Anytime the playlist is edited and whenever the event is triggered manually on air the start times in playlist is recalculated.

Indication of heavy/light status is shown which compares the scheduled time of air to the real time of air. This feature allows to keep the playout in sync with published TV program.

Automatic vs. manual

The role of the automation is to automatically control the playout. AVECO's automation systems do more than that, they can be used also as assistance for manual playout, when the automation just gets all TV devices ready and the operator triggers the individual events manually. And these modes can be mixed.

The automation recognizes live events duration of which is only estimated and switches itself to manual mode. When the live event is over, operator triggers the next transition, automation recalculates the playlist accordingly and switches back into automatic mode.

Last minute changes

The playlist remains easily edited and updated as the continuity room operators respond to changing situations. Last second program changes are always possible yet the clip that is on-air is protected so no mistakes will affect it. Having alternate sequences prepared and blocks ready for broadcast helps. Operators or traffic department get ready for critical situations by preparing the alternative sequences and when problem happens the solution is just one button click away. And, automated playout control can be anytime overridden manually.

Emergency events

The automation can be preset events from still store, videoserver, live or any other available sources. When needed, one of these events can be recalled by just pressing a button.

Breaking news is one of the examples. When the news director wants to get the breaking news cast on air instantly, pressing one button is all he needs.

Interrupted events

Automation knows whether the event finished successfully or not. And if not, the not finished part remains in the playlist with in point indicating the position of interruption.

When there is breaking news, or if the VTR heads get dirty, just switch to news/emergency event, the breaking timecode point is stored in the playlist. Move the tape from VTR to VTR if needed and press button. The tape is cued to the proper position and then the broadcasting continues.

Countdown

Countdown to the end of the aired event is shown in the GUI.

Countdown to the start of any selected event of the playlist (for example the live show) can be shown in the GUI. The countdown can be also displayed directly in the studio on the under monitor display.

Feedback

Whenever new event gets on air or off air the automation sends the feedback message to the connected information systems such as traffic or Octopus newsroom. The actual status of airing is then recognized throughout the facility.