ADC LinkList 20-January-2015 Revision: Release
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Contents Contents Overview... 4 About LinkList... 4 System Requirements for LinkList... 4 LinkList Terminology... 5 Master Lists vs. Keyed Master Lists... 5... 6 Configuring Linked Lists... 6 To Configure Linked Lists... 6 Editing Offline Lists... 12 To Open Playlists... 12 To Enable Linking... 13 Linked List Events menu options... 15 To Insert New Events... 17 Offline List Limitations... 18 Resave the Playlist... 20 Transmission List Operations for LinkList... 21 Preparing Master List and Linked Lists... 21 Loading the Online Master and Linked Lists... 21 Master List Control Panel Functions... 22 Transmission List Functions... 22 Missing media... 23 Generate Link Key Column on Transmission List Window and Play List Window... 23 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 3
Overview Overview About LinkList Many broadcasters already are or soon will be faced with the need to originate multiple feeds from a single location. While some feeds might be similar, there may be a requirement to breakaway from the primary feed and insert region-specific spots or to provide dual feeds of standard and high definition material. LinkList provides a simple an effective mechanism for managing break-away list(s) based on the actions preformed on a single master list. Through LinkList an operator can efficiently manage multiple break-away lists for the purpose of playing differing content from what is found on the primary or master list. The typical usage for LinkList is regionalized commercial insertion, where each of the break-away or slave lists are responsible for playing unique commercial material to a specific regions. In this case the programming content is common for all regions. Another common use is to allow a television station to send unique or targeted commercial content to a cable operator. This way the commercials that are sent to the cable operator are different then those that are transmitted on the station s over the air channel(s). This provides an additional revenue stream for the station, as the same commercial positions can be sold twice, and allows for better commercial placement based on cable versus over-the-air viewing demographics. Air Client s automated LinkList solution provides operators with an easy means of creating different playlists for a number of feeds --- each playlist slightly different from the other. It is flexible in that multiple slave lists can be linked to and controlled from a single master, allowing for multiple regionalized commercial insertion workflows. Once playlists are linked, changes made to the master playlist in content or event order are "mirrored" by linked lists, ensuring that all associated events are synchronized. Purchase Note: LinkList is a for-purchase option to Air Client. Contact your Automation Sales representative. About Screen Shots in this document: The LinkList option is available for ADC v11 systems and ADCv12 systems. The screen shots used in this document were chosen to provide a standard look and feel for the content and represent equivalent functionality available across all systems. Your system screens may look different. Note: List Redundancy and LinkList can coexist on the same ADC system, but not use the same lists. System Requirements for LinkList 2 or more Transmission Lists. Air Client v3.x or higher, Air Client v4.13.x or higher The Linklist.bin file is required in the directory where Air Client is installed (e.g.: c:\aclient ) 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 4
Overview LinkList Terminology Event: In this document, an event is any primary or secondary event, unless otherwise stated. Playlist: A timed sequence of events used by the automation to determine what media is required and in what order that they should be played. To control media devices, it must first be loaded into a transmission list. Transmission List: A transmission list is identical to a playlist, however will also control media devices assigned to it. Master List: This is the primary list used to control the Linked (slaved) lists. Linked List: One or more lists that are slaved and controlled by the Master List. LinkKey: The LinkKey is a unique number that is used to provide a logical link for the automation between events on the Master and Linked Lists. When LinkList is enabled, the Compile SOM column is replaced by this field. Online Lists: In LinkList, an Online list refers to transmission lists that are linked. Offline Lists: In LinkList, an Offline list refers to playlists that are linked for the purposes of editing and/or the generation of the LinkKeys. Slug: A slug is a dummy event that is inserted into a Linked list by the Master list, when a new event is inserted. Breakaway: A single location may provide multiple feeds to different locations. Media, such as program segments, are typically common to all these feeds, however commercial and interstitial material may be region specific. When a Linked list plays region specific material, we call it a breakaway event. Master Lists vs. Keyed Master Lists Within LinkList when a List is configured as Master, the Master List will trigger the slave list(s) to play regardless of the Link Keys. So, for example, an A event on the master will trigger an AU event on the Slave. Within LinkList a List can be configured as a Keyed Master. This permits the Master List to trigger the slave list(s) to play based on Link Keys. This allows use of a slave list that is only comprised of targeted material. For example, the slave list can "cover" a single commercial in a break pod. This functionality is desirable for stations that use LinkList to deliver targeted commercial content to multiple markets. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 5
Configuring Linked Lists When the Linklist.bin file is added to the Air Client program directory, the Linked Lists.. menu item is added to the Properties pull down menu. This option is used to configure LinkList. An Online Translation Enhancement Option is Available: There is an option to enhance the Online features with a LinkList translation program that will generate Link Keys automatically and adjust Linked List playlist event types based on customer requirements. This LinkList translator could translate and generate the link keys for the previously translated.lst files from the original traffic schedules for the Master Lists and all corresponding Link Lists. The Link Keys are generated and the newly generated.lst files are then appended to the transmission lists for playout. Please contact automation support for details about this translation option. To Configure Linked Lists 1. From the main menu select Properties > Linked Lists. The Configure Master/Slave Pairs dialog is displayed. The Master List column displays the list (when configured) selected as the master list by list name. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 6
The Slave List(s) column displays the list(s) (when configured) selected as the slave list(s) by name. 2. From the Configure Master/Slave Pairs dialog, select the operation to perform: To add a master / slave pair, select the Add button. The maximum number of master / slave pairs that may be configured on an Air Client is 16. When the number of configured pairs equals 16, the button is disabled. When a master / slave pair is initially defined or subsequently edited, a multi-tab configuration dialog is presented. Continue with Step 3. To edit an existing master / slave pair, select/highlight a master / slave pair from the list pane, and then select the Edit button. If no pair is selected or no pairs are configured, this button is disabled. When a master / slave pair is initially defined or subsequently edited, a multi-tab configuration dialog is presented. Continue with Step 3. To remove an existing master / slave pair, select/highlight a master / slave pair from the list pane and then select the Remove button. If no pair is selected or no pairs are configured, this button is disabled. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 7
3. Select the General tab. Set the following parameters as required: Enable List Linking: This enables linking of the linked lists to the master list. Insert Same Event Into Other Linked Lists: When a new event is inserted into the master list, the same event is copied automatically into the linked lists, based on the event position in the Master list. Insert Slug Into Other Linked Lists: When a new event is inserted into the Master list, a slot or dummy event is automatically inserted on the linked lists with identical event type, duration and LinkKey to that of the event inserted on the master list. The ID name inserted by default is SLUG, which provides an easy indication to the operator which events were inserted by the master list and need to be revised to provide breakaways. The ID name that is automatically inserted is set by SLUG ID: at the bottom of the General tab window. When the Linked lists are used to breakaway region specific program streams from the Master list program stream, there may be instances where media is available to the Master list devices, but not to the devices on the Linked lists. The default SLUG ID can then be set to match a switch only event that switches the Linked list program stream via a switcher or router to the Master list program stream. Prompt for Insert into Other Linked Lists: When a new event is inserted on the master list, enabling this option will prompt the operator what to do with the new event for each of the Linked lists. Selecting Same will insert the same event into the linked list, Slug will insert a slug, and None will not insert the event. It is the operator s responsibility to ensure that the lists remain in sync, when Same or Slug events are not copied over to the Linked lists. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 8
Prompt on Delete: When enabled, a deletion of an event in the Master list will prompt the operator what to do with the ID with the same LinkKey in the linked lists. If left disabled, deleting an event on the master list will automatically delete the event with the same LinkKey on the linked lists. SLUG ID: This sets the default ID name to be inserted when the Insert Slug Into Other Linked Lists is enabled. Unique Key Base: When a new event is inserted on a list, it is assigned a unique LinkKey equal to or above the number specified. This should be set to a higher number than used by the traffic system. 4. Select the Online Options tab: The Online tab configures which transmission list is assigned as the Master List and the transmission lists that are to be controlled as Slave lists. Set the following parameters as required: Master List: Defines which transmission list will act as the master list. Available lists: Shows transmission lists which are available to be linked to the Master List. Highlighting a list and pressing the left/right arrows will de-assign/assign it from the Linked Lists pane. Toggle Hard Starts: If enabled, toggling a Hard Start (ALT+O) on an event in the Master Transmission list will also toggle the Hard Start on the corresponding Linked event. If disabled, then only the Master event will have the Hard Start toggled. Keyed Master: When checked, the list is identified as the keyed master list. If unchecked, the list is a master list. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 9
Checked: When a List is configured as a Keyed Master, the Master List will trigger the slave list(s) to play based on Link Keys. This allows a slave list to be only comprised of targeted material. Unchecked: When a List is configured as Master, the Master List will trigger the slave list(s) to play regardless of the Link Keys. 5. Select the Offline Options tab. It is common practice to check and validate a playlist, by using the Open Playlist option in Air Client, prior to inserting or appending it to a transmission list. The LinkList Offline option tab allows playlists to be edited, in a LinkList environment, without the necessity to load them into their respective transmission lists. Additionally, a traffic system normally generates the linking keys for the master and slave lists. However, if a traffic system is unavailable, the Offline option allows the linking keys to be generated, prior to being loaded into the linked transmission lists. 6. To link the Offline playlists together, press the Add button to assign the playlist to a transmission list. If you previously set Playlist1 as the Master list in the Online tab, select your master playlist for List1. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 10
Browse to locate the file, and then click Open. Similarly, assign the slaved lists to List2, List3 and so forth. The lists selected should correspond to the transmission lists configured as Linked lists in the Online tab. 7. When finished click OK. The Master / Slave lists are shown. If List Linking has been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is Yes. If List Linking has not been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is No. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 11
(See the General tab: "List Linking Enabled" option.) Editing Offline Lists Once the Offline LinkList option paths are configured, open all the playlists for editing. To Open Playlists 1. From the main toolbar select the View list icon ( ). The Choose List dialog is displayed. 2. From the Choose List dialog select the playlists that have been set up for linking. 3. Repeat Steps 1-2 until all target playlists are open. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 12
Example: Unlinked Lists The following example shows 3 standard playlists which do not as yet have linking keys. To Enable Linking 1. From the man menu select Events > Show Linked List Pairs, or press Ctrl+F5 on the keyboard. The Configure Master/Slave Pairs dialog is displayed. The Master List column displays the list (when configured) selected as the master list by list name. The Slave List(s) column displays the list(s) (when configured) selected as the slave list(s) by name. If List Linking has: Been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is Yes. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 13
Not been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is No. 2. Select an entry from the Master/Slave Pairs list pane. 3. Select the General tab and enable (check) or disable (uncheck). Enable List Linking: as required. 4. Click OK. The Configure Master/Slave Pairs dialog is displayed with the specified setting. If List Linking has been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is Yes. If List Linking has not been enabled, the entry in the Enabled column is No. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 14
Linked List Events menu options Once LinkList is set up and configured, other options become available on the Events menu: Show Linked List Pairs (CTL+F5): Provides access to the Configure Master/Slave Pairs dialog Validate List Link Durations (F5): When multiple events are selected on the Master list, this function will check the duration of the corresponding linked events on the Linked list. Only available for Offline lists. Some or all of the following options are grayed out if: The Master Online or Offline list is not the active window. No events are selected on the Master Online or Offline lists. Copy Linked List In (F9): If the Master Online transmission list is the active window, this function will copy the selected Master and Linked event(s) on the Offline linked lists to the Online lists. Conversely, if the Master Offline playlist is the active window, this function will copy the selected Master and Linked events on the Online lists to the Offline lists. Copy Linked List Out (F10): If the Master Online transmission list is the active window, this function will copy the selected Master and Linked event(s) to the Offline linked lists. Conversely, if the Master Offline playlist is the active window, this function will copy the selected Master and Linked events to the Online lists. Move Linked List In (F11): Identical to Copy Linked List In, however the Master and Linked event(s) will be cut from the source list when they are copied. Same as Cut and Paste. Move Linked List Out (F12): Identical to Copy Linked List Out, however the Master and Linked event(s) will be cut from the source list when they are copied. Same as Cut and Paste. Generate Linked List Keys: Only available in Offline mode. This is used to manually generate the LinkKeys for the Offline lists. If your station s traffic system does not generate the Linking keys when the schedules are created, we must manually generate the LinkKeys for the Master and Linked Lists. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 15
Note: Offline lists must be resaved after generating the LinkKeys. About Copy / Move: If a Master list event is copied or moved, and there is no corresponding Linked event, Air Client will report the error. Example: Linked Lists In the following example, the first playlist becomes Master in the title field, and the second and third lists are now Linked. Enabling LinkList causes the Link Keys to be displayed in the Compile SOM field. However, it will not automatically change the name of the column. The user would need to do this manually. For information on creating a Link Key column see, Generate Link Key Column on Transmission List Window and Play List Window (on page 23). 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 16
Example of Linked List with Compile SOM column To Insert New Events New events can be inserted in the usual fashion: INS for a primary event, SHIFT + INS for a secondary event. Inserting a new event into a Linked list will only insert it on that list; whereas inserting on a Master list, will also insert the event or slug into the Linked lists as well. Manually generate the LinkKeys If your station s traffic system does not generate the Linking keys when the schedules are created, we must manually generate the LinkKeys for the Master and Linked Lists. From the main menu select Events > Generate Linked List Keys. Note: This option is only available when the Master list is the active window. Air Client now generates the LinkKeys for each playlist. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 17
If you select an event on the Master list, you will notice that the event with same LinkKey is also highlighted on both Linked lists. In the last linked playlist, there are 2 events with identical LinkKeys (00:00:00:03). This is because the duration of one of the events is less than the same event on the Master list. Deleting the Master list event for this LinkKey will delete both of these events from the Linked list. Note: The LinkKey field can also be edited or updated manually by entering Revise mode (ALT+R) for the selected event. Offline List Limitations The Offline linked playlists can be edited in the normal fashion to that of a normal playlist. However, if you drag and drop an event (from either the Database or Device Storage windows) into the Master list, the new event will not automatically copy over to the linked lists. This also applies to Copy (CTL + C) and Paste (CTL + V). Drag and drop of existing events within the Master list will however move the corresponding Linked list event. Note: This does not apply to Online Transmission lists. When a new event is inserted via Drag and Drop, or Copy and Paste, the new event will also be inserted to the Linked lists. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 18
Checking for Duration Mismatches 1. By highlighting multiple events (called a POD), you can check whether there are any duration mismatches between the Master and Linked lists. 2. Using the SHIFT key in combination with the Left Mouse button, select the POD to be checked on the Master list. 3. From the main menu select Events > Validate Linked List Durations, or press <F5>. This option is only available in Offline mode, and at this stage does not function in Online transmission lists, however this may change in a future release. If durations on the selected pod match between the Master and Linked Lists, Validation result OK. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 19
If there is a duration mismatch on the selected pod, Air Client indicates which list is incorrect. Resave the Playlist When you generate the LinkKeys, each playlist needs to be resaved, regardless of whether any editing of the lists has taken place. A playlist must already have LinkKeys generated to be used in a Linked transmission list. From the main menu select File > Save Playlist, or press <Ctrl+S> 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 20
Transmission List Operations for LinkList Transmission List Operations for LinkList Preparing Master List and Linked Lists On air client application, do the following steps to prepare Master List and Linked Lists. 1. Configure the link list feature as required. (From the main menu select Properties > Linked Lists). For details see Configuring Linked Lists (on page 6). 2. From the main menu select File > Open PlayList and open an off line master list. 3. From the main menu select File > Open PlayList and open an off line linked list. 4. Edit the linked list to match the master list in terms of duration. For assistance use the function Validate Linked List Durations (From the main menu select Events > Validate Linked List Durations). 5. From the main menu select Events > Generate Linked List Keys to generate link keys on the off line lists. 6. Highlight the whole off line master list (the whole off line linked list is also highlighted), and use either function [Copy Linked List In] or function [Move Linked List In] to transfer the linked events from the off line lists to the on line lists. 7. Operate the control panel on the on line master list that also controls the on line linked list. About Minimized Lists: After minimizing the Linked List and then the Master List (or minimizing the Duplication List and then the Normal List), the Close button "x" is disabled on the list. The list cannot be closed until it is maximized or restored. Loading the Online Master and Linked Lists Loading the online Master and Linked Lists is done in the normal fashion of right clicking on an open transmission list and selecting either the load, append or insert list options from the pop-up menu. For LinkList to run correctly, the lists that are loaded to the transmission lists must already have had LinkKeys generated, either by the traffic system or editing in Offline list mode. All transmission lists that are assigned to LinkList must have identical preroll times, and all devices that use Instant Roll should use identical settings to ensure that the lists stay in sync. If an inserted event on a Linked list is of an unknown duration, then the event type for it can be set to Upcount (AU). When the Master list event is completed, the Master list will automatically roll the Linked list into the next event. A transmission list control panel normally controls one and only list. When LinkList is enabled however, any of the control panels for the Master or Linked lists, can be used to control all linked lists simultaneously. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 21
Transmission List Operations for LinkList Example: The control panel for the Master list will control both itself and all Linked lists. Similarly, any of the control panels for the Linked lists, will also provide the same control across all lists. The control panels for the Linked lists are only independent of the other lists if LinkList is disabled. It is recommended however, to only use the Master list control panel. For simplicity, I ll only deal with the Master list control panel. Master List Control Panel Functions The following control panel functions on the Master List apply to all Linked lists simultaneously: Run: Thread and cues the first event in a playlist and any events within the time range specified in the lookahead. Pressing Run on the software control panel for the Master list, will thread both the Master and all Linked lists at the same time. Likewise, the LCP-20 (or OCP) panel PGM RUN button performs the same action to all lists. Play: Plays the first event in a playlist; however, before you can play events, you must first click the Run button. Hold: Holds the countdown of an event that is playing, causing the event to continue playing longer than its duration. Skip: Skips the event currently playing and plays the next event. Also, click this button to skip a frozen or held event. Freeze: Stops play and countdown. Roll: Roll bypasses normal preroll values and plays the next event as fast as the equipment will allow. UnThd: (UnThread). Stops a running transmission list, including the on-air event and any events that follow. All events are uncued and the list goes off-air. +1 Sec: Add one second to the playing event s duration. Each time you click this button, one second is added to the duration. ISSUE Note: There is currently a known issue with using the +1 Second button on the LCP-20 Control Panel when LinkList is enabled. The Air Client application may close unexpectedly. Workaround: Use the Right Click On Air Control Panel if the +1 Second command is required when using LinkList. -1 Sec: Subtract one second from the playing event s duration. Each time you click this button, one second is subtracted from the duration. Transmission List Functions The following transmission list functions however, apply only to the individual lists themselves and do not affect the corresponding LinkKey event(s) on the other lists: 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 22
Transmission List Operations for LinkList Thread: An event that causes a device to cue UnThread: Stop a running transmission list, including the on-air event and uncue any cued events. Recue: Recue an on-air event Ready: Turn on tension to the next VTR event in tension release to prepare upcoming VTR events. Preview play: A threaded and cued event can be selected and previewed while the On Air event is currently playing. Protect: Toggle the signal switching paths between the on-air and protect devices. This is an optional function and may not be available on your workstation. Barcode event: A Barcode Event is the process of loading a VTR with a tape that will be needed for use by a specific ON-AIR Transmission Playlist. Tension Release: Place a cued event s VTR into tension release. Clear Done Events: This acts differently depending on which list it is used on. If Clear Done Events is performed: On the Master list, then the linked events on the Linked lists, will also be cleared. On a Linked list, then only the events selected on the Linked list will be cleared and the other lists will be unaffected. Missing media It is the operator s responsibility to ensure that all media is available to the devices assigned to the Linked lists, and to resolve any loss of synchronization with that of the Master list due to missing media. In some cases, the media that is available to the devices on the Master list may not necessarily be available to the devices assigned to the Linked lists. In these instances, a switch only event is typically substituted for the missing media event. This switch only event is typically configured to switch the program stream (via an automation controlled router or switcher) for the Linked list to that of the program stream from the Master list. Generate Link Key Column on Transmission List Window and Play List Window In Air Client version 2 and version 3, OLE feature was embedded on transmission list window and play list window to allow dynamically generating columns for display. This section briefly describes how to add a column called [Link Key] to both the transmission list window and play list window. The link key values are stored in [Compile SOM] column. To have a [Link Key] column, remove the [Compile SOM] column from the "Displayed columns". 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 23
Transmission List Operations for LinkList 1. Right Click on the transmission list window or play list window, and from the popup menu select Column setting. This opens the Column setting dialog. 2. To create a new column for "Link Key" click on the [Add] button and in the Column Name dialog enter Link Key. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 24
Transmission List Operations for LinkList 3. If working in a play list window, edit the "Link Key" column by entering the following parameters: 4. If working in a transmission list window, enter the following parameters: 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 25
Transmission List Operations for LinkList 5. After editing the "Link Key" column, press > button to move the column to the "Displayed columns": 6. Click OK to save the settings for each list window. 2015 Imagine Communications Corp. Proprietary and Confidential. 20-January-2015 Page 26