Control Applications scroller (1)

Scheduled Actions and Secondary Events

One of the primary pillars of modern broadcast workflows is reducing the number of manual functions that operators are responsible for. Using scheduled actions and secondary events, production automation can be applied to many functions that happen on a daily or weekly basis at specific times of day and can be easily automated to free operators up for more important tasks.

Based on TSL Control, scheduled actions allow a facility to easily automate tasks such as router crosspoint changes, scheduled records, graphics recalls, automatic disaster recovery and failover with scheduled maintenance or GPI-based functions.

Actions can be scheduled using fixed weekly schedules or flexible daily schedules that can be created using provided tools or imported from an existing traffic system.

The result is that operators don’t have to worry about mundane daily tasks and can spend their effort on more important production tasks and reduce errors in their workflow.

Use Case: International Broadcaster Streamlines Broadcast Workflows with TSL Control

A prominent international broadcaster turned to TSL Control solutions to address streamlining its broadcast workflows. The primary objective was to reduce the manual labour involved in routine broadcast functions, which are essential but time-consuming. These functions, occurring daily or weekly at specific times, presented an opportunity for automation, thereby allowing operators to focus on more critical production tasks.

Utilising the scheduled actions feature, the facility was able to automate a range of tasks, including router crosspoint changes, scheduled records, and GPI-based actions.

This automation was achieved through both fixed weekly schedules and flexible daily schedules, which could be generated using the provided tools or imported from an existing traffic system. The implementation of this solution marked a significant shift in the broadcaster’s operational approach, moving from manual to automated processes for routine tasks and the outcome of integrating TSL’s technology into their workflow was transformative.

A TSL controller processor, dedicated to running a list from scheduling software and controlling a Grass Valley NV9000 controller, was instrumental in automating scheduled actions and secondary events such as idents and lower thirds.

Operators were relieved from the repetitive burden of mundane daily tasks, enabling them to redirect their focus and energies towards more important aspects of production. This shift not only enhanced the efficiency of the broadcasting process but also significantly reduced the likelihood of human error.

This case study exemplifies the broadcaster’s successful transition to a more efficient, automated workflow, demonstrating the potential of TSL’s technology in modernising broadcast operations while ensuring flawless execution and precise timing of scheduled actions and secondary events.

Newsroom – MOS/ENPS/iNews

TSL’s Newsroom solution ties into newsroom computer systems to provide clip lists from non-MOS compliant devices and provide control actions from items in the run-down – it pairs perfectly with scheduled actions and secondary events to enhance automation of your news production.

  • Media Object Server (MOS) gateway with ENPS / iNews interface
  • Create run-down lists to play out media using a Windows PC without any additional newsroom computer system
  • Expose the list of clips so that they can be added to the rundown, or add placeholders for clips to be ingested and played out later
  • Bridge non-MOS compliant Digital Disk Recorder (DDR) and media server devices into a MOS environment
  • Control media servers and DDR playout channels
  • Integrate control actions into the playlist to control any
    device connected to the TSL system – trigger alongside media playout

TSL Control SPS-4200 – Playout & Ingest Application

An affordable automated solution that provides the ability to create playlists for programme and commercial playout via a playlist editor interface.

  • Read Digital Disk Recorder (DDR) clips to include in your playlist
  • Create video playout/ingest channels with secondary control events such as graphics, bugs or lower thirds
  • Uses time-based scheduling to playout content and events, and manually created ingest from traffic or other automation systems
  • Includes As-Run logging of playout content and commercials
  • Can be used as a low-cost primary playout automation system
  • Can be used as a backup playout automation system during primary automation downtime
  • Allows control over A/B playout chains
  • Playlist editor application
  • Vendor-agnostic solution to use equipment from multiple manufacturers

An example of an SPS-4200 system

An affordable automated solution that provides the ability to create playlists for programme and commercial playout via a playlist editor interface.

  • Playlist creation tool application
  • TSL control processor with redundant power supplies
  • Video server protocol
  • Switcher protocol
  • Router protocol

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Control Applications scroller (1)

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Grab a quick slot with our tech team.

Router Control

Modern broadcasting technology offers a huge range of signal types which can vary hugely in complexity and that can have a big effect not only on the supporting engineers but the operational staff who are making the content. TSL Control offers a manufacturer-agnostic and cost-effective approach to the control of routing media regardless of format. Discover more

HMI Interfaces

TSL hardware panels give you solutions to niche problems in a simplified way, allowing control of external devices from the button panels without having to go via a control system. It’s direct control. They have their own logical functions and GPIO. Plus, a wide variety of comms mechanisms, that can talk of over IP, over serial and over GPIO. With a small footprint and big performance, the panels can control any GPIO, IP, RS422, or RS232-enabled device, located anywhere, with a single button push.

VIRTUAL PANELS

The TallyMan Virtual Panel (TMVP) is an incredibly powerful addition to the TallyMan control system. The fully customisable user interface brings signal flow management, monitoring and device management to users in an intuitive control surface, enhancing operational workflow to bring flexibility to outside broadcast and transmission facilities throughout the world. Discover more

Tally (UMD, Camera Delegation)

The modern broadcast system contains a vast array of devices that either produce, display or “consume” tallies. Most of these devices will produce or receive the tally information in different ways using different protocols and interfaces. Tally requirements can be very small and contained, but some can be very large systems that are spread across geographical locations. Discover more

Orchestration

Broadcasters deploying ST 2110 infrastructure face complex challenges in orchestrating media flows across diverse IP endpoints. TSL provides a scalable and cost-effective control layer that simplifies IP routing, reduces training overhead, extends the life of legacy systems, and accelerates adoption of ST 2110 without operational disruption. Discover more

Anything-to-Anything (Machine Control Routing)

A broadcaster may wish to have an array (or pool) of devices that can be dynamically allocated or routed flexibly on a production-by-production basis. These devices may be from different manufacturers (EVS, Evertz, Grass Valley, Black Magic etc) and have different control panels, interfaces, and protocols. Discover more

Dynamic Insertion (SCTE)

For broadcasters navigating the thrilling world of live sports and news, the unpredictability of highly reactive content can make signalling ad insertion challenging. Rapid changes in content increase the likelihood of failing to deliver ad breaks at the right time, risking reputational damage with advertisers. Discover more

Facility Control

The modern operator can be faced with a bewildering array of control surfaces, web pages and graphical user interfaces to control even a simple production. This can lead to delays and errors, affecting production values and output, and perhaps even causing a financial penalty (service Credits) from the broadcasters' customers. Discover more

Protocol Translation

Most broadcasters have a wide variety of new and legacy equipment that they need to work together in one cohesive system. These devices will utilise a vast array of different protocols and interfaces, everything from GPIs to xml. Do you need to use your old Evertz control panel with your new Grass Valley Router? Do you need to control your graphics keyer when it is routed to air? This all requires some form of protocol translation. Discover more

Monitoring (SNMP)

Monitoring the status of devices within a broadcast system is vital to its operation: Do you want to know where a fault occurs with a broadcast chain, which device has lost its input or reference, and whether there has been silence on a channel for too long? Has the power supply failed in a key unit? Discover more

IP Transition

More and more broadcasters are moving to IP-based infrastructure over traditional SDI. The promise is that the equipment required (IP switches, router etc.) are more cost-effective than their SDI equivalent as well as opening up broadcast to a huge amount of industry standard tools that are used in the IT industry. The problem is that doing reliable real-time media over IP is hard. There is a significant learning curve and a very different methodology used than with SDI. Discover more

Server/Clip Control (DDR)

Broadcasters may have a number of record/replay devices (DDRs) that they wish to control from a remote operational position, this device could be from a number of different manufacturers (EVS, Blackmagic, Evertz and GrassValley to name a few). It is common practice to bring in rental equipment for some productions, so the make and model can change frequently. Discover more

Disaster Recovery

Many broadcasters need to provide a disaster recovery playout chain but cannot afford a full additional channel of automation from one of the larger broadcast manufacturers. Discover more

Control Room Snapshot and Recall (Presets)

Modern broadcast systems often require reconfiguration, for example, where a production gallery switches the studio floor it has been assigned to or where you switch to a backup system. This action requires the reconfiguration of multiple devices or systems, which can be complex and time-consuming. Discover more

Graphics Management

Modern live news networks will prepare many graphics ahead of time for potential future events, such as various outcomes of elections or sporting events. Managing this workflow and ensuring that the proper versions of graphics make it to air can often fall on the graphics department which can make their daily work more complicated. Discover more

Scheduled Actions and Secondary Events

One of the primary pillars of modern broadcast workflows is reducing the number of manual functions that operators are responsible for. Many functions happen on a daily or weekly basis at specific times of day and can be easily automated to free operators up for more important tasks. Discover more

Control Servers and Other Hardware Solutions

From signal routing to remote device control, by grouping multi-level actions into a single, user-configurable interface, you can do things that will make your production much more efficient. By providing just the controls needed, from simple interfaces for specific tasks to unleashing the full power of a system built on a logic-based and open control layer, customers are able to maintain complete ownership of their systems.

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