Newsroom automation by Aveco provides PCR playout automation in various levels, from fully manual operation to fully automated, 24hour news automation, ingest automation, NLE integration and media asset management, all of this in tight integration with Newsroom Computer System.

These features can be used as one tightly integrated system, or as independent modules.

Newsblock

Manually controlled playout of clips from videoservers. Playout can use one videoserver channel as well as multiple channels. Single clips as well as clip sequences can be played. Alpha clip workflow is supported to run clips with key and fill signal for complex effects.

Newsblock with graphics control

Newsblock can also include graphics events that can be manually started on air. Single operator then controls the videoserver playout as well as graphics. Automatic start of graphics is also possible if NRCS provides the timing information in the story.

News automation

This is a flagship of Aveco news solutions.

Single operator in the Program Control Room controls the live news production through a handful of LCD button presses. The whole technology including video and audio production mixers, graphics, effects, videoservers, camera robots and rear projection displays are under automation control.

The whole operation in newsroom is based on storyboards. Storyboards define the style in which the stories are presented to the viewers. Aveco introduced a technology that allows for defining the storyboards inside the automation. The list of storyboards is presented via MOS to the NRCS. Journalist drags and drops the storyboard name to his story, and automation already knows what is the proper camera postion, what are the graphics styles and templates, what digital effects to use, what viewing options to offer to the operator's control panel

The operator just sets the pace of news airing by pressing the LCD buttons.

Production control

Astra can be used also to control the production of news assets.

Ingest of clips, manual or scheduled, with repetition rules, remotely controlled by EBU modem or hot keys at journalist desktops.

Ingest of files submitted by news agencies or regional bureaus of the customer including import of metadata to the Astra database.

Ingest of files submitted by news agencies or regional bureaus of the customer including import of metadata to the Astra database.

Low res EDL editing feature provides the possibility of the journalists to search archive for relevant source material, browse the low res, set in and out points and prepare an EDL. The EDL is then exported to the NLE where the final cut is made.

Archivists are provided the GUI and browsing tools that allow them for describing the material and select segments that are to be archived.

Integration with Newsroom Computer Systems

MOS is the magic word. Via MOS the following functions are provided:

• rundowns are received by Astra
• story statuses and clip statuses are reported back to NRCS
• Astra replicates via MOS to NRCS it's metadata database
• Astra handles placeholder workflow.