The playlist specifies precisely what, when and how content is delivered. Playlists define different types of events, triggering options, transitions, audio modes and editing possibilities for smooth operations and to achieve an error free, attractive on-air look.

AVECO systems support both on-air playlists and blocks, off-air playlists. There is one on-air playlist for every TV channel broadcast. Blocks have the same format as the daily schedule but are their own entities on the system. Blocks are versatile tools for creating, editing and storing sequences of events. Blocks can be used for daily playlist creation, for production, time delay, cut only editing, spot reel creation and more.

Event Types

• Event: Either a independent event on the playlist, or the main event of a sequence.
• Sub events: To define layered sequences, any number of sub-events, such as independent audio sources, keyers and CGs, can be grouped under a main event and broadcast:
• simultaneously
• with any required offset and duration
• in series to each other

Sub-events are tied to a main event whose start and end triggers are decisive and override these setting for all related sub-events.

• Alternate events: Alternate events provide recovery options in case of a programming supply failure. For example, a live football match can be delayed due to rain. Programming alternates could include a long interview with a coach, a shorter overview of the team's record and a quick highlight of last week's great play. Alternate events can have any number of sub-alternate events to make up a complete, layered alternate sequence. When necessary, an alternate event sequences can be started instantly to fill up any programming gap.
• Skipped events: Events that remain on the playlist but will not be broadcast. Support of skipped events gives the master control room flexibility to make last minute changes that can be undone easily since a skipped event's on-air readiness remains intact. Simply undo the skip command and the event is ready for broadcast.
• Groups: The daily schedule supports creating groups of events. Grouping events helps when coordinating sub-events and setting up related serial sequences, as in a series of commercial breaks. Grouped events are indicated as such by a bracket on the daily schedule that encompasses all events in the group.
• Key: Keys can be linked to an event automatically and start and end with that event, or they can be configured as any other event, sub-event, alternative or skipped event.

Event Duration

• Fixed duration: Events of exact duration, like pre-recorded clips, that have precisely defined IN and OUT frames.
• Estimated duration: Events of estimated duration, such a live broadcasts, that may have an exact start point but their out point cannot be defined frame-accurately, or even within seconds or minutes.

Event triggering

• Manual: Event playout is triggered by a manual command on a ASTRA terminal or on the Mastercontrol Switcher, or on the device . Manual triggering will always override the automation system.
• Automatic: Event playout is fully automated under ASTRA and can be configured in three triggering options:
• Follow time: an event's on-air time follows the previous event. If the start time or duration for one event is changed or events are added or deleted, the start time for all following events on the daily schedule are automatically recalculated and adjusted.
• Exact time: events can be set as fixed time events in cases where the on-air time for that event must be exact, as in a regular news program. The on-air time for fixed events does not change as editing changes are made to earlier events on the playlist.
• An external trigger. Triggering can take place in response to any signal including a GPI ignal, a serial line message or a TCP/IP packet.
• Semiautomatic: Used when a manual trigger is required inside of an otherwise fully-automated sequence. For example, when only one event on the playlist does not have a fixed end time, say a live performance of the local symphony. ASTRA will run all events under full automation except the end of the symphony broadcast. For that trigger, the system will set itself in semi-automatic and prompt the operator for the moment of transition, the end of the symphony broadcast. Once the manual trigger is received, ASTRA will re-set itself to fully-automated and continue running through the playlist.

Transitions

Event transitions can be imported from the master switcher and other devices or selected within ASTRA, including:

• Mixers
• A B switchers
• Digital video effect units

Transition duration can be set as well.

Audio mode

ASTRA recognizes three audio modes: MONO, STEREO and DUAL. Each event carries its audio mode description. ASTRA controls the output devices appropriately and puts the mode info in the VPS code.

Views

In addition to the customized views that show different attributes (columns) at each workstation, there are three fixed options currently configured for viewing the row detail on the playlist:

• All events, including skipped and alternate events.
• Only events set for broadcasting.
• Events for broadcasting where groups, such as commercial breaks, are shrunk to a single line.

A toggle button allows users to easily display different levels of detail, as required.

Blocks

Blocks fit seamlessly into the on-air playlist. The procedures for working with blocks are the same as working with the daily schedule. Templates facilitate working with blocks and reduce training requirements. Several templates are already configured and more can be created to suit your needs. In addition to creating playlists, blocks facilitate:

• Inserting ads
• Producing and editing news programs
• Developing station-promotion sequences
• Incorporating a time delay
• Creating spot reels

Playlist Development

AVECO automation also supports full or partial development of playlists directly on an AVECO terminal or via an AVECO client on any terminal connected to the station's information network.