feature automation & asset management
comparing the differences between The challenge with system and to display their status at a
two channels and applying small customisation is that it is in the best glance. We’ve also improved the
changes to synchronise the slave commercial interests of both the rules engine, customer-defined logic
channel to the master channel. Each automation supplier and their functions and added a new tie-line
time the channels are compared, customers to maintain a standard engine, all of which we’ll be
Panoplay is in effect taking a fresh code base, so avoiding product life- demonstrating at NAB.
Unlike the
look at the situation and has no expired dead ends, and the It was actually at last year’s NAB
fixed
reliance on any previous changes that increased costs of bespoke solutions that we launched another product
may or may not have been
capabilities
in general. that has since become established as
successful, or that may or may not
of competing
Pro-Bel engineers have also an affordable integrated playout
still be relevant. created a new capability in Morpheus platform - Morpheus ICE. The idea‘automation
By removing the dependence on that allows users to automate behind ICE was to combine standard
in a box’
multiple related changes often found repetitive tasks, dramatically IT hardware with industry-leading
systems, the
in conventional redundant system improving productivity and automation software to deliver
architectures, Panoplay will not fail
modular
consistency. Anything that users do automation, master control, media
after any communication interruption
Morpheus ICE
via the user interface is captured playout and storage within a single
or corruption, and full engineering can be scaled within macro code, which can then package.
logs are generated for later analysis if be mapped onto LCD panels. Unlike the fixed capabilities of
up simply by
required. From that point on, specific scripts competing ‘automation in a box’
adding more
Morpheus has always supported will be faithfully performed every systems, the modular Morpheus ICE
of the
regional commercial breaks (‘opt- time an operator presses the can be scaled up simply by adding
outs’) with a facility to edit across all
compact 3RU
appropriate button on the panel. more of the compact 3RU units as the
regions within a single operation.
units as the
Alternatively, the script could be operation expands, or could even be
However recent demand, particularly mapped to a GPI and operated by used to add capability to largeroperation
from customers in the US and simply pressing a button on a desk. automation systems. ICE was
expands, or
Australia, has led Pro-Bel to The aim is to allow users to place unveiled to the UK at the new BVE
could even
significantly enhance this multi- custom features into a system show earlier this year, and you won’t
region commercial break capability.
be used to
without the delay, complication, and be surprised to hear that we’ll also
The new fast commercial break
add
cost of having to write custom code. be showing the latest version of this
feature dynamically tracks all capability to For example, operators could add a truly future-proof automation building
commercials within a schedule, secondary event to an on-air event block at NAB. ICE is compatible with
larger
allows an operator to quickly swap (such as a logo), and then sophisticated features normally
automation
and move commercial breaks, and immediately execute that secondary associated with far more expensive
systems.
provides detailed information on event. systems, as it shares the common
what has been aired and what is left What’s particularly good about this code base used across the entire
to ‘make good’. is that it is written into the as-run Morpheus range.
Alternative breaks are provided for logs, because it’s still being One example is Morpheus Media
the operator in a hotlist, allowing performed through the automation Ball secondary event management,
them to quickly select a specific system. In other systems this function where customers create and store
duration break rather than manually may have to be carried out using a their own treatment for a given
having to create a new break by manual downstream device, and as asset. Results are either delivered on
editing individual commercials. All of such wouldn’t get captured by the the fly, or archived as a VoD
these functions work in single automation system, thus hindering programme for example. Each Media
channel or opt-out configurations. accountability. Ball ‘macro’ could include instructions
The commercial break feature is This is important as broadcasters to insert logo bugs, ticker messages
enhanced by another recent always want an accurate record of or define a predetermined format,
development called scripting. This what went to air. They need to thereby eliminating repetitive
was developed to help address the reconcile this for billing commercials, keystrokes and the risk of operator
common need to create custom
Pro-Bel’s Morpheus
with ‘Advanced
for example. In the case of a logo error.
operations for a specific broadcaster. Search’ feature. being inadvertently keyed over a Whether used for scheduled
commercial for instance, precious channel playout, previews of regional
advertising revenue could be lost. opt-out to an existing Morpheus
Accurate logs of who did what and installation or web and mobile
when are therefore essential. delivery, ICE can do it all. This even
In the real world of course includes ‘evergreen’ content for
customers use systems from a replacing all programming in the case
variety of manufacturers, so as part of a catastrophic world event or other
of a development project to add breaking news, which can be
third-party control and monitoring, provided very cheaply by a separate
Pro-Bel’s Morpheus Control & channel running ICE.
Monitoring (MCM) system now So we like to think that, if it ever
seamlessly integrates with systems existed, the runaway broadcast
from two additional manufacturers. automation train is a thing of the
Meanwhile new MCM routing past. In fact, we believe modern
configurations offer loyal users of systems offer more control than ever.
recent Pro-Bel routers the capability But this time it’s Dave and not HAL in
to control and monitor more features, charge.
26 l ibe l march/april 2009 l www.ibeweb.com
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