maestro user guide v7 - avid...
TRANSCRIPT
User
Version 7.4Maestro
Guide August 2017
Copyright © 2017 Avid Technology, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, photographing, and recording, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Avid Technology, Inc.Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice.TrademarksAvid, the Avid Logo, Avid Everywhere, Interplay, ISIS, Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius, and all related product names and logos, are registered or unregistered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The Interplay name is used with the permission of the Interplay Entertainment Corp. which bears no responsibility for Avid products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For a full list of Avid trademarks, see: http://www.avid.com/US/about-avid/legal-notices/trademarks
August 2, 2017
Contents
1.Introduction ..................................................................10
Workflow .........................................................................................11
New Features in Maestro 7.4 ..............................................................14
System Requirements........................................................................15
Conventions Used in this Document.....................................................16
Related Documents ...........................................................................16
2.Getting Started ..............................................................17
Starting Maestro ...............................................................................18
Maestro Main Screen .........................................................................20
Menus..........................................................................................21File Menu................................................................................. 21
Edit Menu ................................................................................ 21
Control Menu ........................................................................... 22
Customize Menu ....................................................................... 23
Toolbar ........................................................................................23
3.Page Creation ................................................................26
The PageEditor Layout .......................................................................27
Creating Pages .................................................................................30
SubPages .....................................................................................32Placing Exports in a Page ...................................................................33
Arranging Controls in a Page...........................................................36Page Properties.............................................................................37Control Properties..........................................................................39
The Timeline ....................................................................................42
Linear Timeline .............................................................................47Setting Page Behavior in the Timeline ..............................................47
Filtering Controls and Content ............................................................48
Saving/Loading a Page ......................................................................49
Triggering Events..............................................................................50
Triggering Events with Signals ........................................................50
Triggering Events with Interactive Controls .......................................50Using Clip Status as a Trigger .........................................................51Writing Basic Scripts ......................................................................52
Timeline Scripts........................................................................ 52
Script Editor - Coding Scripts for Pages or Controls........................ 53
Global Parameters.............................................................................54
World Mapper Plugin .........................................................................55
4.Building a Rundown .......................................................58
Creating/Opening a Rundown .............................................................59
Rundown Area ..............................................................................60Customizing the Rundown View.......................................................61
Stories ............................................................................................61
Adding Rundown Items......................................................................62
Using the Browser .........................................................................62Video Item Options........................................................................64
Editing Rundown Items......................................................................66
Data Fields ...................................................................................66Textures ......................................................................................66Animating Transitions Between Rundown Items.................................66Saving Rundown Items ..................................................................67
Assigning a Channel ..........................................................................67
Previewing and Airing Items ...............................................................68
Media Type Indicators Displayed in the Maestro Rundown ...................69Playback Control ...............................................................................71
The Asset Browser.........................................................................72Searching for Assets in the Asset Browser.........................................73Working with Tickers......................................................................74The Image Browser .......................................................................76The Clip Browser ...........................................................................79
5.Data Sources..................................................................81
Setting up a Data Source ...................................................................82
ODBC Data Source ........................................................................83Database (SQL) Data Source ..........................................................84Excel Data Source .........................................................................85Text Data Source ..........................................................................86News (RSS) Data Source ................................................................87XML Data Source...........................................................................88
JSON Data Source .........................................................................89SMH Data Source ..........................................................................90
Using Queries...................................................................................91
6.Customizing ...................................................................95
Setting Preferences ...........................................................................96
Appearance ..................................................................................96Asset Database .............................................................................97Automation ..................................................................................98
Configuring an Automation System ............................................. 99
3DPlay Device ........................................................................ 100
Avid ControlAir / Sony Protocol ................................................. 100
CII Protocol............................................................................ 100
Orad Control Device ................................................................ 101
Data Location ............................................................................. 102External Devices ......................................................................... 103External Tools............................................................................. 105GPI ........................................................................................... 106iNews ........................................................................................ 108JStation ..................................................................................... 109Log ........................................................................................... 110MAM.......................................................................................... 111MAM file transit ........................................................................... 112Miscellaneous ............................................................................. 113MOS Protocol .............................................................................. 115PGM & PRV................................................................................. 117
Defining Channels ................................................................... 118
Play........................................................................................... 120RenderServer ............................................................................. 123SceneEdit................................................................................... 124Shortcuts ................................................................................... 125SmartShot.................................................................................. 126
Setting the LCD Button Functions.............................................. 127
Transitions ................................................................................. 131VDCP Protocol ........................................................................ 132
VideoEngine ............................................................................... 133Virtual Slots................................................................................ 134
Customizing the GUI ....................................................................... 135
Creating Groups in Windows............................................................. 136
7.Maestro Monitor...........................................................137
Using Maestro Monitor ..................................................................... 138
8.Journalist Station.........................................................140
Setting Up JStation ......................................................................... 141
The Journalist Station Main Screen .................................................... 142
Working in JStation ......................................................................... 143
Setting JStation Preferences ............................................................. 144
Asset Database .......................................................................... 144Log ........................................................................................... 146Appearance ................................................................................ 146Hosts......................................................................................... 147Miscellaneous ............................................................................. 148Shortcuts ................................................................................... 149Preview...................................................................................... 150
9.NLE Plug-in ..................................................................151
Maestro NLE Server......................................................................... 152
NLE Server Preferences ................................................................... 152
Login ................................................................................... 153
Log ....................................................................................... 154
NLE Renderer ......................................................................... 155
Miscellaneous ......................................................................... 156
Shortcuts............................................................................... 157
NLE....................................................................................... 158
Using the Plug-in ............................................................................ 159
Avid Media Composer................................................................... 159Adobe Premier ............................................................................ 161
Using the NLE Template Linear Timeline............................................. 163
10.NRCS Integration .......................................................164
NRCS Plugins ................................................................................. 165
Constraints ............................................................................ 165
Setup ............................................................................................ 166
System Configuration................................................................... 166Requirements ............................................................................. 167
Maestro MOS Gateway............................................................. 167
Maestro Controller .................................................................. 172
NRCS Client ........................................................................... 173
NRCS Server .......................................................................... 178
NRCS MOS Gateway................................................................ 179
Using the Maestro Plugin.................................................................. 181
Opening Items ............................................................................ 181Editing Items .............................................................................. 182
Editing Items from the Database............................................... 182
Editing Items from a Rundown.................................................. 182
Previewing Items......................................................................... 183Direct iNews connection................................................................... 184
Direct iNews configuration ............................................................ 184Working with iNews rundowns....................................................... 185
11.Scene Editor...............................................................189
Getting Started with Scene Editor ..................................................... 190
Scene Editor Menus and Toolbar.................................................... 191Editing Scenes................................................................................ 195
Animation Strip ........................................................................... 195Defining an Animation Sequence............................................... 195
Key Frame Fields .................................................................... 196
Changing Key Frame Properties ................................................ 196
Creating Multiple Animation Groups........................................... 197
Editing Animation Ranges ........................................................ 198
Transformation Strip.................................................................... 198Property Editors .......................................................................... 198
Saving Scenes ................................................................................ 199
12.Maestro in MediaCentral | UX.....................................200
Connecting to and Browsing a Maestro Database................................. 201
Maestro Media Browser ................................................................ 202Viewing and working with Maestro Templates ..................................... 203
Item Support .............................................................................. 204Ticker Support ............................................................................ 204Editing and Previewing a Graphic Template ..................................... 204Previewing the Graphic Template in the Media Pane ......................... 205Searching for assets .................................................................... 205
Adding Maestro Assets to an iNews story............................................ 207
Synchronize Maestro graphics with a MediaCentral | UX sequence ......... 208
Maestro Settings in MediaCentral | UX ............................................... 209
13.Interplay Integration .................................................210
Interplay | MAM Integration ............................................................. 211
Interplay | MAM configuration in Maestro........................................ 211MAM file transit configuration in Maestro......................................... 212Video Engine configuration ........................................................... 212Browsing graphics and clips in Interplay | MAM ............................... 213Adding Metadata ......................................................................... 214Searching for assets in Interplay | MAM.......................................... 214
Interplay | Production Integration ..................................................... 216
Interplay | Production configuration in Maestro................................ 216Browsing for media in Interplay | Production................................... 217Searching for assets in Interplay | Production.................................. 217
14.Access and Permissions .............................................219
Starting Maestro Administrator ......................................................... 220
Maestro Users ................................................................................ 221
Creating New Users................................................................. 221
Importing Users...................................................................... 222
Limiting Functionality ...................................................................... 224
Restricting Access ........................................................................... 225
Adding Metadata Fields ................................................................ 225Displaying Metadata Fields for Assets ............................................. 226
Creating User Groups ...................................................................... 226
Adding Users to a Group............................................................... 226
15.M6 Scripting API ........................................................227
Timeline and Macro API ................................................................... 228
Item level API............................................................................. 228Playlist Level API ......................................................................... 231Application level API .................................................................... 233Asynchronous Communication....................................................... 234External Device Communication .................................................... 235
CMD Device ........................................................................... 235
GPI Device............................................................................. 236
VideoEngine Device................................................................. 236
Datasource................................................................................. 237
Page Level API ............................................................................... 238
Page Object................................................................................ 238Subpage Object .......................................................................... 240Control Object ............................................................................ 242
Media Manager API ......................................................................... 244
Metadata API.................................................................................. 245
Basic Use ................................................................................... 245
16.Appendix....................................................................249
Maestro Render Server Installation.................................................... 250
Prerequisites............................................................................... 250Minimum Hardware Requirements............................................. 250
System Components ............................................................... 250
Preparing the Software Package................................................ 250
Shared Data........................................................................... 250
Installing and configuring the RenderEngine.................................... 251Installing and configuring the Video Engine ..................................... 251
Video Engine Settings.............................................................. 252
Installing the Maestro Render Server ............................................. 254Configuring the Maestro Render Server .......................................... 255Frame Rates Check...................................................................... 258
1. Introduction
The Maestro Controller is intended for managing template-based, on-air 3D graphics. After creating a data entry template (page), you can choose graphics, update data elements in real time, preview graphics and then play them directly to air. You can schedule the playback sequence of animations and monitor them.
In this section:
Workflow on page 11
New Features in Maestro 7.4 on page 14
System Requirements on page 15
Conventions Used in this Document on page 16
Related Documents on page 16
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Workflow
A typical workflow using Maestro PageEditor and Maestro Controller looks something like this:
1. Scene creation in 4Designer.
Complex scenes and animations composed of layers of graphic elements and animation channels are created in 4Designer by the graphic designers. Exports created in 4Designer are used in Maestro for data updates. Exports are parameters of the 4Designer graphic objects that are exported by the graphic designer and can be edited in Maestro. Animations tracks for different graphics in a scene can be set. Interactive objects that can be controlled through Maestro from a touch screen are defined. Key frames can be set to trigger various actions. Graphic sets are saved in 4Designer as a scene.
For more on 4Designer, see the 4Designer User Guide.
2. In PageEditor:
Create a data entry template (=a page)
Create a page that will be based on a 4Designer scene. Create as many pages (i.e., data entry templates) as required. Each scene is later loaded to one VSlot.
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Add controls to a page that are connected to scene exports.
Save a snapshot as a background image for easy orientation, and add export controls with content that can be updated at any time.
Create a timeline for the page.
Create a timeline for template behavior to implement the playout logic with various tracks: cue track, take track, out track, animation track, ticker track, slot track, clip status track, and external manipulation track. Connect to the required data sources to update your content in real time.
Save the page in the database.
Save your template in the Maestro database to make it accessible for all Maestro users connected to the database (depending on their user-permissions).
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Create a rundown from your pages.
Create a rundown for your program, and add items. A rundown item is an instance of a page/template (with its own data set) that is added to the rundown.
Preview the item and then play it on air.
While one item is playing on air, you can preview other items on a preview channel and make sure it is ready to be played.
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New Features in Maestro 7.4
Ticker: fixed time mode
It is now possible to set a fixed duration time for a ticker.
For more information, see Working with Tickers on page 74.
Ability to rearrange buttons in the SmartShot configuration tool
It is now possible to copy and move buttons in SmartShot configuration dialog.
For more information, see SmartShot on page 126.
Access to new playlist properties by Maestro script API
New options in the Maestro script API have been added.
For more information, see Playlist Level API on page 231.
XML Data Source enhancements
A full SQL syntax may be used to query the XML table.
For more information, see XML Data Source on page 88.
JSON Data Source
It is now possible to select a JSON file type (with .json file extension) to create a new data source.
For more information, see JSON Data Source on page 89.
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System Requirements
The optimum platform for Maestro uses an HDVG for rendering, while authoring on Microsoft Windows®.
Minimum hardware specifications:
• Windows 7 64-bit Edition.
• Intel Core i5-3470 3.2G 6M HD 2500 CPU and above.
• 8GB of physical memory.
• 500GB 7200 RPM 3.5 HDD.
• NVidia Geforce card GT640 2048MG DDR3.
• Two onboard or PCI Intel NIC Ethernet cards 1000mps (It is recommended that only the card connecting the PC and the HDVG should be enabled, the second card is intended for support purposes and should be disabled.)
• 24" 1920x1080 resolution capable monitor (24/32 bit color)
• USB Keyboard and Mouse
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Conventions Used in this Document
This symbol marks a step-by-step procedure.
NOTE:A note specifies useful or optional information, relevant to the preceding text.
TIP:A tip provides useful information on shortcuts, or how to do things differently.
Bold text marks a part of the GUI, such as a menu item, dialog box name, or GUI button. For example, “click OK”.
ALL CAPITALS text specifies a keyboard key. For example, “press CTRL and drag the name...”.
Related DocumentsThe following related documents are available:
• 4Designer 1.3 User Guide.
• Social Media Hub 3.1 User Guide.
• Avid MediaCentral | UX User’s Guide.
Conventions Used in this Document |
2. Getting Started
In this section:
Starting Maestro on page 18
Maestro Main Screen on page 20
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Starting Maestro
Maestro is opened from the Start menu in Orad > Maestro 7.4.
You can also use the shortcuts placed on the desktop during installation, as shown
below.
To start Maestro:
1. Select Start > Orad > Maestro 7.4,
-Or-
Use the desktop shortcut .
The Login dialog box is displayed.
2. Enter the required parameters, and click Login.
The required parameters are:
Login User name.
Password Password.
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Server name Host name or IP address of the computer on which the Server is installed (database location). Server name must be in the following format: <hostname or IP>\<DB instance>.
Database name Name of the asset database. (Default values is maestro_3 for the native Maestro database 2).
Server type Choose the type of Server on which the asset database is stored.
Authentication Choose the type of authentication method to log in with; Windows, SQL or Avid MediaCentral Platform. If you choose Windows authentication, no password is required, and the Windows login name is used. When Avid MediaCentral Platform is selected, enter the MediaCentral user name and password.
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Maestro Main Screen
Maestro’s main (default layout) screen looks like this:
Different layouts are provided, available from the tabs in the upper right corner, for convenient access to different tasks. Layouts can be modified by dragging the different windows and tabs, and then saved as described in Customizing the GUI on page 135.
The typical workflow (see Workflow on page 11) requires the use of pages. Pages are generally created in the PageEditor layout, described in the Page Creation on page 26. Once you have the required pages, a rundown can be created in the default layout. Playout is better controlled from the Playout layout.
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Menus
The following sections provide information about the Maestro menus, available in all the layouts.
File Menu
Edit Menu
New Create a new rundown.For more information, see Creating/Opening a Rundown on page 59.
Open... Open an existing rundown.For more information, see Creating/Opening a Rundown on page 59.
Save... Save the current rundown.
Save as... Save the current rundown with to a different location/with a different name.
Import Playlist
Import an MOS rundown (in XML) from a third party system.
Close Close the current rundown.
<list> List of recently opened playlists.
Insert new item Insert a new rundown item.For more information, see Adding Rundown Items on page 62.
Cut Cut the selected rundown item.
Copy Copy the selected rundown item.
Paste Paste the rundown item from the clipboard.
Delete Delete the selected rundown item.
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Control Menu
Connect renderer(s)
Connect all defined render and video channels.For more information, see Previewing and Airing Items on page 68.
Load all Load all scenes used by items present in the current rundown.
Unload all Unload all scenes used by items present in the current rundown.
Load clips of selected items
Load all clips referenced by the selected rundown items.
Unload clips of selected items
Unload all clips referenced by the selected rundown items.
Cue Execute the timeline Cue track.For more information, see Playback Control on page 71.
Take Execute the first timeline Take track.For more information, see Playback Control on page 71.
Out Execute the timeline Out track.For more information, see Playback Control on page 71.
Preview Play animations to the RE window.For more information, see Playback Control on page 71.
Vslot + Set the next Vslot in the list of defined Vslots (see Virtual Slots on page 134).
NOTE:Virtual Slots are like visual layers (in the preview or on-air). Different scenes can be played to different Vslots. The result would be one scene appearing superimposed upon another, or one scene loaded in the ‘background’ waiting for a scene in the ‘foreground’ to play out.You can define up to 256 Vslots. 0 is the back layer, and 255 is the front layer.
Vslot - Set the previous Vslot in the list of defined Vslots
Move focus to UniqueID field
Move the cursor to the Page selector field. For more information, see on page 71.
Take output snapshot
Open the Take output snapshot dialog box and select the image source, storage location, and format.In the PageEditor layout, save the current frame as a background for the current page.In the Playout layout, save a snapshot for external use.
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Customize Menu
Toolbar
Additional controls that don’t appear in the menus are available in the toolbar.
Active Mode
Toggle this option to switch between Active and Passive modes. In Active mode, Maestro receives commands from automation devices, and sends commands to RenderEngine and channel status updates to the controlling device. In Passive mode, Maestro receives commands from automation devices, but does not send commands to RenderEngine or send channel status updates.To start the system in Passive mode, see Virtual Slots on page 134.
Settings Open the Settings dialog box.For more information, see Customizing on page 95.
Layout(Selected options are marked with )
Lock - Lock the current layout to prevent floating, moving, or closing the displayed panels. Resize is still available.Auto save - When this option is selected, changes to the current layout are saved automatically as the current layout. When this option is cleared, changes to layout must be saved manually in order to retain them when Maestro is next opened.Save current - Open the Save layout dialog box to save the current layout using the current name, or create a new layout with a new name.Remove - Open the Remove layout dialog box to select a saved layout for removal.
New Create a new rundown.
Open Open an existing rundown.
Save Save the current rundown.
Cut Cut an element (story or item).
Copy Copy an element (story or item).
Paste Paste an element (story or item).
Delete Delete an element (story or item).
Start Log Opens the Log Viewer dialog box to view the contents of any log file.
Connect All
Connect/disconnect all defined renderers.
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Load All Load all scenes referred by items in an open rundown.
Unload All Unload all scenes referred by items in an open rundown.
Clear Instantly clears all output being broadcast on all channels, and recalls the mute preset set in the preferences.
Load Clips Loads the video clips used by the selected rundown items to the available caches (set in the HDVG Control Panel), so that they are ready to be played.
Unload clips
Unloads the video clips used by the selected rundown items from their cache, to free the cache.
Take output snapshot
Open the Take output snapshot dialog box and select the image source, storage location, and format.In the PageEditor layout, save the current frame as a background for the current page.In the Playout layout, save a snapshot for external use.
Connect Automa-tion Devices
Connect/disconnect all defined automation systems.
Update Playlist
Update the current rundown, with all data (applies only to imported playlists from .lst or .xml files).
Data Query Refresh
Refresh data in all database queries used in the open playlists.For more information, see Using Queries on page 91.
Passive mode
Activate Passive Mode. In Passive mode, Maestro receives commands from automation devices, but does not send commands to RenderEngine or send channel status updates. (See also Enter passive mode on application start on page 114.)
Asset Browser
Show/hide the Asset browser.For more information, see The Asset Browser on page 72.
Timeline Show/hide the Timeline.For more information, see The Timeline on page 42.
Browser Show/hide the Browser.For more information, see Using the Browser on page 62.
Data Sources
Show/hide the Data Sources tab.For more information, see Data Sources on page 81.
Control Show/hide the Control panel.Playback Control on page 71.
PageEdi-tor
Show/hide the PageEditor tab. (Available only when using a layout other than the PageEditor layout.)
Rundowns Show/hide the Rundown area.For more information, see Rundown Area on page 60.
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Global parame-ters
Show/hide the Global parameters tab.For more information, see Global Parameters on page 54.
Macros Show/hide the Macros panel for creating controls (using scripts or a wizard) to trigger sets of commands.
PGM manager
Show/hide the PGM manager tab to show the status of the scenes and clips that are loaded on the defined channels.
Metadata Show/hide the Metadata tab.For more information, see Adding Metadata on page 214.
Scene Editor
Show/hide the Scene Editor list.For more information, see Scene Editor on page 189.
VE manager
Show/hide the VE manager to show the status of loaded and playing clips and images.
VE Decks Show/hide a defined VE Deck window to view the live stream in the selected output. For more information, see PGM & PRV on page 117.
Local RE window
Show/hide the local RE window.
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3. Page Creation
Maestro uses the 4Designer scenes as a basis for the graphics it broadcasts during a production. Data entry templates (pages), use scene graphics, and allow modification of elements marked as exports in 4Designer.
In this section:
The PageEditor Layout on page 27
Creating Pages on page 30
SubPages on page 32
Placing Exports in a Page on page 33
Saving/Loading a Page on page 49
Saving/Loading a Page on page 49
Triggering Events on page 50
Global Parameters on page 54
World Mapper Plugin on page 55
3. Page C
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The PageEditor Layout
Maestro has a predefined PageEditor layout, convenient for creating pages. This layout can be changed as required, or new layouts can be created for your convenience. (For more information, see Customizing the GUI on page 135.)
NOTE:PageEditor can be opened as a standalone application from the Start menu.
To work in the PageEditor layout:
■ Click the PageEditor tab in the upper right corner.
The PageEditor layout displays modules that are especially important for setting up a page:
• The Workspace – where you can set up pages visually, set page properties, and view scene elements. This is where the PageEditor toolbar is located.
• The Timeline (tab) – is where you set the animation sequence in a page, when to update data, run a script, and all other graphic actions. For more information, see The Timeline on page 42.
• The Data Sources tab – where you can create queries, and assign them to parameters in a page. For more information, see Data Sources on page 81.
The PageEditor Workspace
The PageEditor workspace is where a page template is displayed, together with its properties and the elements used in the scene that it is based on (exports, animations, etc.).
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At the top of the PageEditor workspace is a toolbar dedicated to the PageEditor.
New Select a scene from which to make a new page, from a browser window.
Open Open an existing page, from a browser window or click the arrow to see a list of recently opened pages.
Save Open a browser window to save the current page or click the arrow to save with a different name or save all open pages.
Cue Execute the Cue track in the timeline.
Take Number(field)
The amount of ‘takes’ defined for the page, and the current position.
Take Play the current take in the RE window.
Play all Play all takes that appear in the linear timeline in the RE window. For more information, see Linear Timeline on page 47.
Out Execute all events in the Out track, in the RE window.
Undo Undo last action.
Redo Redo last action.
Copy Copy a control.
Paste Paste a control.
Cut Cut a control.
Delete Delete a control.
Spell check
Check spelling in all text fields in the page, that are not connected to data sources.
Tab ordering
Show tab ordering (the order of filling controls inside the item), so that when you press TAB (or when an automation system fills in items), the next control according to this order, is selected. Press SHIFT+TAB to select the previous control.
Show control names
Show labels for all controls, displaying the name of the control.
Show invisible controls
Show controls set as invisible in the page.
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Snapshot Take snapshot of RE window to use as page background.
Alignment Use to align all selected controls in the page (CTRL+click to select multiple controls);
Align right
Align left
Align top
Align bottom
Align to horizontal center
Align to vertical center
Unify control widths
Unify control heights
Arrange controls
Use to arrange controls in a page as a table.
Control orderBring to front or Send to back
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Creating Pages
To create a page, you must first select a 4Designer scene containing the graphics and object exports that you want to use.
When selecting a scene, you begin to build a page to use for airing graphics. You can take a snapshot of a scene, a single frame from a scene that is used as a background for your page, or use any image as a background, to represent the scene.
The main functions performed in the PageEditor are:
• Building timeline event sequences for the page.
• Specifying the export elements (data entry fields) that you want to include in the page.
• Defining links to data sources.
Data entered in the PageEditor is the default data shown when the page is loaded in Maestro Controller and other Maestro suite applications and plug-ins.
To create a page:
1. Select New in the PageEditor toolbar.
2. The Select Scene dialog box opens:
3. Select the scene that you want to create a page for, and click OK.
Creating Pages |
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The scene is loaded to the RE window. In the work area, an empty data page for this scene is created.
4. If you want to set a background for the page from the RE window, in the toolbar,
click Snapshot .
The snapshot appears as the background of your page.
NOTE:Snapshots can only be taken when the local RE window is open.Most scenes start with a blank screen, so if you take a snapshot as soon as the scene is loaded, you will have a black background. In most cases you need to play the timeline animations, and then take a snapshot.
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SubPages
You can save a single page with different variations or a group of different pages for greater versatility. The subpage that is saved as the active tab will be the page that is sent to air. Subpages can be based on the same scene, a different scene, or page.
To create a subpage:
1. Click the arrow to open the list next to the page tab.
2. Select the required option from the list:
A new page tab is added, and saved with the page tabs. The selected/active tab is the subpage that will be broadcast when the page is aired.
Add empty page Add an empty page from the current scene.
Add empty page from scene...
Open a browser window to add an empty page from any scene.
Add and copy from...
Add and copy a page from one of the current page tabs.
Import from asset...
Add and copy a page from any scene.
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Placing Exports in a Page
Exports in a scene are made editable by adding their controls to a page so that you can edit their content during a broadcast. Any export created in a 4Designer scene is available as a control in Maestro. The available exports are listed in the workspace in the Scene tab, and control types are listed in the Controls tab.
CTRL+click allows you to drag and drop multiple exports. The table tool can be used to create an array of exports according to your specifications (see Arranging Controls in a Page on page 36).
Most of the properties in the Properties window can be applied to more than one control (including, for example, Size). For more information, see Control Properties on page 39.
Clicking on the background of the page displays page properties. Setting these parameters is important when setting up a page. For more information, see Page Properties on page 37.
To add a linked export control to the page:
1. Find the export in the Scene tab, and drag it to the page in the workspace.
A list of control types is displayed.
2. Select the appropriate option.
Label Add a label without input options.
Single Line Text
Add a standard text input box. The text in PageEditor is the default text that appears in all Maestro-related applications.Link this text input box to a database query, for automatic data retrieval.
Multi Line Text
Add a text input box that allows carriage returns. Can be linked to exports that require a carriage return (SHIFT+ENTER).
Decorated text
Pastes a text input box that allows you to format different parts of the text. In Play mode, formatting options are available above the text box, that can be used.These formatting options are available later in the export seen on the Maestro Controller.(The export in 4Designer must have the Use Style Modifier option enabled.)
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Drop down list
Add a drop-down list from which to choose items. List items can be added manually or from a data source. Each list item has a label that the user sees in the list, and a value that is the text that will be aired or a path that calls a file. See also Control clip on page 46.
To populate the list manually:
1. Drag and drop an export as a drop-down list.
2. Under Properties click ... to open the Items dialog box.
3. Enter and item label and value.
To add items, click .
4. Click OK.
To add items from a data source:
1. Open the Data Sources tab, and drag the required query to the export.
2. Under Properties, select a value for the CurrentItemIndex and click OK.
The items now appear in the drop-down list.
Image selector
Add a button to open a file browser. Browser buttons allow you to change textures that have been assigned to scene elements, such as team logos, correspondent’s photos, etc. For more information, see The Image Browser on page 76.
Clip selector
Open a browser window to select a clip. The clip browser allows you to preview, manage, and search for clips in the system or a connected MAM system. The folder set in PageEditor is the default folder that is displayed.For more information, see The Clip Browser on page 79.
Boolean value
Add a check box that acts as an on/off switch. A check box can be linked to exports from a scene, such as video on/off, tracking on/off, object show/hide, to provide simple controls for scene attributes.
Integer value
Add a text input box for integers only.Value constraints can be edited under Properties. The GuiType property allows you to set the control style: spinbox, horizontal slider, or vertical slider.
Double value
Add a text input box for decimal numbers only.Value constraints can be edited under Properties. The GuiType property allows you to set the control style: spinbox, horizontal slider, or vertical slider.
Date selector
Add a text box containing the current date. The default date or date format can be edited under Properties.
Time selector
Add a text box containing the current time (time format: hh:mm:ss. This control is not updated). The default time or time format can be edited under Properties.
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3. Right-click the page background to display a context menu and set the following:
Timecode selector
Add a text box containing the current time (time format: hh:mm:ss:ff. This control is not updated). The default time or time format can be edited under Properties. This control is intended to be connected to the 'Wait time' event in timeline. The value of this control affects the timing between events in the timeline. (Maestro 5.X legacy).
Run Script Add a control to execute a page script that is connected to this control.
Maestro5 script
Add a control to execute Visual Basic or Java scripts for this page. (This control is available to support legacy content from Maestro 5.X and earlier. It will be removed in future versions.)
WNM clip selector
Open the World Mapper plugin to use WM templates. This option is available when the World Mapper application is installed and working in server-client mode. For more information, see World Mapper Plugin on page 55.
Fit in View Scale the page to fit the browser window.
Channels Define the default output channel(s) of the page. This can be changed.
Vslot Define the default Vslot on which a page will be run. This can be changed later.
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Arranging Controls in a Page
In PageEditor, you can arrange the controls in a page, as required, using the
Arrange controls tool.
To arrange controls as a table:
1. In the page, select the controls that you want to arrange.
2. Click in the PageEditor toolbar.
The Arrange parameters are displayed.
3. Double-click the Value column to set the following:
Table position Set the position of the top left corner of the table from the top and left edges of the page.
Table size Set the table size, regardless of the size of the controls to be included.
Rows, columns
Set the number of rows and columns in the table.
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4. Click Apply.
The controls are arranged as specified.
Page Properties
You can set various properties for a page in the Properties window. Use the Filter field to filter properties by name or type.
To set page properties:
■ Select the property in the Properties window, and set its value as required:
Fill order Set the order in which the controls will be arranged in the table.
Fill order Set the starting point for the order of the controls.
Control size Set the size of each control in the table.
Name Page name.
Size Page size.
Project The 4Designer project to which the page belongs.
Scene The 4Designer scene on which to base the page.
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Unique ID The unique identifier of the page in Maestro.
Background color
The background color of the page.
Background image path
The name of the image file used as the page background.
Vslot The Vslot on which the page is displayed by default.
Channels The channel(s) to which the page is played by default.
Audio preset
The audio preset number from the audio preset file.
Show control names
Show the control names as labels in the page.
Item duration
Duration of all takes in the page, as set up in the linear timeline. For more information, see Linear Timeline on page 47.
Item default color
The background color of items based on this page when added to a rundown.
TakeCount Number of takes in the timeline. When this is set to Auto, the number of takes is equal to the number of take tracks. You can set this manually, to reflect the actual number of takes for instances when takes are conditional.
Transition The default page transition effect that is used in the rundown. For more information on transition effects, see Animating Transitions Between Rundown Items on page 66 and Virtual Slots on page 134.
Scripts Page scripts are triggered when a defined condition occurs in a page. (I.e., the page is saved, or a given tab is selected).On SubpageSelected - script is executed when a specific subtitle that is connected to the script is selected.OnSave - script is executed when an item based on this page is created.
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Control Properties
Different export controls can have different properties. The common properties are described in the first table, and specific properties in subsequent tables.
To set control properties:
■ Select the property in the Properties window (with the relevant control selected), and set its value as required:
Specific controls have their own set of properties. All available properties are listed here in alphabetical order:
Name Control name.
Position Position of the control in the page.
Size Control size.
Visible Show/hide the control.
Read only Lock/unlock the control for editing.
Use in item title
Use control content in item title. (Enable page parameters in item’s title must be selected, see page 113.)
Layout direction
Left to right or Right to left settings.
Scripts OnDataChanged - run the selected script when the data of the control is changed (all control types).RunScript - run the selected script when the Run script control is activated (Run script controls).
AllowInsert Allow or prevent adding items to a drop-down list.
Alpha channel
Enable or disable the alpha channel.
Aspect Set the aspect ratio of an image. X:Y=displayed value.
Audio Set the audio to play (true) or not to play (false).
Background color
Set the background color.
Case Set the case for text entry; mixed, upper-case, lower-case, or title-case.
ConvertLineBreaks
Set whether or not to convert line breaks (from the data) in the text item.
CropSize Set the size of the cropped image (for an image selector control).
Current item index
Set the currently displayed item (for a drop-down list).
Data Set the content of the control.
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Data format
Select the type of time selector to use; time, minutes, seconds, frames, etc.
Date format
Select the date format; ISO, long, or short.
Date order Select the order of the elements for displaying a date.
Date separator
Set the character to use as a separator for the date elements.
Default value
Set the default value displayed.
Font Set the text font (all types except Script controls).
GUI type Set the type of control that you want to display for setting a numeric value; spin box, horizontal slider, or vertical slider.
Input mask Limits the format in which text can be entered in a line text control, as follows (for Single line text controls):• A – ASCII alphabetic character required. A-Z, a-z.• a – ASCII alphabetic character permitted but not required.• N – ASCII alphanumeric character required. A-Z, a-z, 0-9.• n – ASCII alphanumeric character permitted but not required.• X – Any character required.• x – Any character permitted but not required.• 9 – ASCII digit required. 0-9.• 0 – ASCII digit permitted but not required.• D – ASCII digit required. 1-9.• d – ASCII digit permitted but not required (1-9).• # – ASCII digit or plus/minus sign permitted but not required.• > – All alphabetic characters following > are uppercase.< All
alphabetic characters following < are lowercase.• ! – Switches off case conversion.• \ – Use \ to escape the special characters listed above to use
them as separators.
Interlaced Enable or disable interlacing.
Items Open a dialog box to display the available items in a drop-down list, and add or delete items, as required.
Loop count Set the number of times a clip is played.
Maximal value
Set the maximal value allowed.
Minimal value
Set the minimal value allowed.
Parameter list
Open the Run script dialog box to set a script to run automatically when the value of a [selected] control is changed.
Precision Set the allowed variation for value controls.
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Reversed polarity
Enable or disable reversed polarity.
Script code Open an editor window to enter the script code (for a Maestro5 script controls).
Script file Open a browser window to select a script file to use when the control is activated (for Maestro5 script controls).
Script language
Set the script language to use; Visual Basic or Java (for Maestro5 script controls).
Search directory
Set the default folder to search for files.
Text Set the check box label text.
Text alignment
Set the text alignment.
Text color Set the text color.
Text max length
Set maximum character length for text field. This setting is ignored if an input mask is defined.
Time Set the time in the 24-hour time format, regardless of the data format.
Time format
Select the time format.
Time separator
Set the character to use as a separator for the time elements.
Video Set the video to play (true) or not to play (false).
WorldNewsMapper Path
Set the WNM project to use.
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The Timeline
The Timeline tab displays the tracks you define for your page, and the events in each track.
Tracks are executed according to their type, triggered by an action or by defined conditions for execution. Set conditions for track execution by selecting the track and using the wizard or script editor in the Event property window to set the condition. For more information, see M6 Scripting API on page 227.
To add a track:
1. Click .
A Take track is added to the timeline.
2. Click the arrow in the new track to open a list of track types.
3. Change the track type, if required, according to the types described below:
Take All events in this track are executed when you play an item. (Multiple take tracks can be added to the page.)In the Event property window, you can set the take number. (By default, numbers are assigned automatically according to the order of the tracks in the timeline, and the numbers change if a track’s position in the timeline changes.)
Cue All events in this track are executed when you cue an item.
Linear
LineTime
EventPropertyWindow
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Out All events in this track are executed when you play an item’s out sequence.
Callback tracks, executed when a page is on-air and its defining condition is true:
Animation started
When the animation defined in the Event property window is started, the events in this track are executed.
Animation finished
When the animation defined in the Event property window is finished, the events in this track are executed.
Animation paused
When the animation defined in the Event property window is paused, the events in this track are executed.
Animation resumed
When the animation defined in the Event property window is resumed (after a pause), the events in this track are executed.
Ticker: item needed
When the ticker that is currently running does not have any more items to display, it informs the controller so it sends new content. This track type is created automatically when you use the ticker plug-in to create a ticker or it can be added manually to define an action to perform when ticker data is played out.In the Event property window, define the ticker name. If required, set the data index to send a callback according to the number of cell specified here.
Ticker: item left
When each individual ticker item leaves the ticker, events in this track are executed.
Slot: signal received
When a signal, defined in the Event property window, is received, the events in this track are executed. For more information, see Triggering Events with Signals on page 50.
Clip status changed
When the status of a clip is changed to the status specified in the Event property window (CLIP_CB_TYPE), the events in this track are executed. For more information, see Using Clip Status as a Trigger on page 51.
External manipula-tions
When an interactive object is activated as specified in the Event property window, the events in this track are executed. For more information, see Triggering Events with Interactive Controls on page 50.
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To add events to a track:
■ To each track, you can drag different Events.
Each type has properties that must be defined in the Event property window in the Timeline tab.:
Send Export Update the export data. In the Event property window, select or clear the exports to be updated, as required. (Use the Export name field to find exports quickly.)When an event is selected (under Use), double click any parameter (except the Name) to edit; if the data is taken from a data source, you can set the displayed value, and switch to the next field in the data source by setting the iteration interval.
Wait Time Wait before proceeding to the next item.In the Event property window, define the wait duration or connect this event to a timecode selector control.
Script Event Run a script, written in JScript. Must run the return true command in order for the remaining timeline events to be executed.You can use the Wizard to create a script. For more information, see Triggering Events with Interactive Controls on page 50.
Signal event Signal Maestro to start a signal received-type track.In the Event property window, define the name of the track to be executed.For more information, see Triggering Events with Signals on page 50.
Send global export
Send a RenderEngine parameter (such as settings) dynamically. RenderEngine must be configured to receive data for a given parameter.
Start Play an animation group.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be played, as required.
Stop Stop an animation group.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be stopped, as required.
Pause Pause an animation group.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be paused, as required.
Resume Resume playing a paused animation group.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be resumed, as required.
Break loop Stop a looped animation group when the current loop plays out.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be stopped, as required.
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Set Position Go to a defined frame in an animation.
Rewind Rewind an animation group.In the Event property window, select or clear the animations to be reset, as required.
Load Load the specified scene. Scene is specified in the Event property window.
Activate Activate a scene with its default values.An activated scene is visible in the output. Activate is not required for the scene used by the page, but it can be useful for other scenes.In the Event property window, you can set the VSlot and specify a different scene.
Deactivate Clear the scene from the output (scene remains loaded).
Reset Reload a scene with its default values. In the Event property window, you can set the VSlot.
Transition Set the transition type to use for this page when playing items to rundown.
Start Start a ticker.In the Event property window, select the ticker, the offset between ticker items, and the ticker speed.
Stop Stop a ticker.In the Event property window, select the ticker.
Pause Pause a ticker.In the Event property window, select the ticker.
Resume Resume a paused ticker.In the Event property window, select the ticker.
Send data Update ticker data.In the Event property window, the ticker data to update.
Init fixed time mode
Start a ticker with a fixed duration.In the Event property, set the duration of the ticker. The speed and offset are calculated automatically.
Load clip Load the clip. Select the clips to load in the Event property window.
Unload clip Unload the clip. Select the clips to unload in the Event property window.
Unload all clips
Unload all loaded clips.
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NOTE:Timeline elements can be resized by dragging the corners of the track labels or the linear timeline separator.
Control clip NOTE:
This event type is a legacy from previous versions. In this version it is recommended to use the Clip controller control type, instead.
Play a clip as required. Define the required command for a clip in the Event property window. (Options are - Pause, Play, Pause and Cue, Cue and Play, Rewind and Play, Pause and rewind, Rewind.)
Activate audio preset
Specify an audio preset to activate (as defined in the audio presets file).
Position Define a keyframe position for an object, to change its timing (available only for key frames defined in the scene).
Value Define a keyframe value for an object to change its properties (available only for key frames defined in the scene).
Command line
Use a Windows-type command line to run programs from Maestro. For more information, see Customizing the GUI on page 135.
SMH device Send events and parameters to a Social Media Hub server. For more information, see Customizing the GUI on page 135.
3DPlay Device
Send parameters to a 3Dplay system previously configured in the settings. For more information, see Customizing the GUI on page 135.
GPI device Activate a GPI output (in a previously defined GPI device) to send a signal to an external device. The device must be defined in preferences. For more information, see Customizing the GUI on page 135 and Customizing the GUI on page 135.
Telestrator Draw on a screen interactively. Here you can select the telestrator type.
Transforma-tion
Use this tool to set specific coordinates when an interactive object for zoom is created in a scene.
Interaction Set interactive elements in the scene to be activated.
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Linear Timeline
At the bottom of the timeline tab is a linear timeline that, by default, displays all the tracks in the [visual] timeline in chronological order. The linear timeline can be edited to include only certain tracks for previewing or working in NLE or NRCS (where scripts cannot be executed), can be seen in the PVW channel, and can set timing. The linear timeline is used to preview items when defined.
To edit the linear timeline:
■ Right-click and reset.
All Take tracks are added, and you can rearrange the tracks, move the cursor to adjust time, and set the frame to use when Single image preview is enabled (see PGM & PRV on page 117). You can also drag any element from the visual timeline to the linear timeline. Tracks can be added manually by dragging from the main timeline.
Setting Page Behavior in the Timeline
Define the sequence in which animations and other actions are played and executed by adding them to the timeline.
To set how an animation plays:
1. Choose an animation group or any scene object from the Scene tab.
2. Drag it to the timeline.
The event is placed in the timeline. For more information on using the timeline, see The Timeline on page 42.
Define the required Event Properties.
3. Select additional events, as required.
4. When your sequence is complete, click Take in the PageEditor toolbar to preview, or save the page, and play the item from the Playout layout.
You can also connect to a remote rendering host, and preview the page using Remote Preview.
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Filtering Controls and Content
Controls in a page can be filtered to allow selection of controls by type (or free text).
To filter controls or content:
1. In PageEditor, open the Page tab.
2. Click the arrow next to None to display a list of control types,
Or-
In the Filter field, type in a text string to search for.
The relevant search results are displayed.
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Saving/Loading a Page
After editing a page, you must save the page so that it can be loaded into Maestro Controller for airing and accessible from Maestro modules (NRCS or NLE).
To save a page:
■ Click Save in the PageEditor toolbar.
The arrow by the Save icon opens a context menu allowing you to Save the current page, Save As..., or Save All open pages.
To load an existing page:
1. Click Open in the PageEditor toolbar.
The Open Page dialog box opens.
2. Choose the folder and page you want to open.
3. Click OK.
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Triggering Events
Events can be triggered in a number of ways:
• Triggering Events with Signals on page 50
• Triggering Events with Interactive Controls on page 50
• Using Clip Status as a Trigger on page 51
Triggering Events with Signals
Signals allow you to use basic internal logic without the need for programming syntax.
Using a signal event, you can trigger any track in a page. A signal track is played when a signal of that name has been received, only if the item is on-air. If the signal has the direct option enabled, the signal can be triggered off-air, as well.
To add a signal to be sent:
1. Add a Signal event to an appropriate track in the timeline, as described in The Timeline on page 42.
2. In the Event properties, assign a name to the signal event.
The signal is sent when its track is played, and any Slot:signal received track with the same name is executed.
You can assign a name and value to the event to allow triggering of other events according to the value and name.
To add a Slot:signal received track:
1. Add a Slot:signal received track in the timeline, as described in The Timeline on page 42.
2. In the Event properties, fill in the signal name under Name.
All events placed in this track are played when the matching signal event is played.
Triggering Events with Interactive Controls
Interactive, touch-screen manipulated controls can be used for triggering actions during a production. In order for an object to be interactive, it must be defined as such in the 4Designer scene. In Maestro, you must define the type of manipulation, and the required result in the Timeline.
To set object interactivity:
1. Add an External Manipulation type track to the timeline. (See The Timeline on page 42.)
2. In the Event properties, double-click the TYPE parameter value to open the list, and select an option:
Tap Tap the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Drag begin Begin dragging the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
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3. In the Event properties double-click the NODE_NAME parameter value to set the object to use as the trigger.
Using Clip Status as a Trigger
Maestro can use clip status to trigger events in a timeline track. This can be used for various purposes when a clip status is changed to: Cuing, Cued, Paused, Playing, Error, Unloaded, Invalid.
To create a clip status track:
1. Add a Clip status changed type track to the timeline. (See The Timeline on page 42.)
2. In the Event properties, double-click the CLIP_PATH parameter value to open the list, and select a clip.
3. In the Event properties, double-click the CLIP_CB_TYPE parameter value to open the list, and select the status that will trigger the events in the track.
Drag update Drag the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Drag end Release the dragged object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Hold begin Begin holding the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Hold update Hold the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Hold end Release the held object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
Start free manipulation
Begin any manipulation of the object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
End free manipulation
Release the manipulated object (node) to trigger the events in the current track.
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Writing Basic Scripts
Maestro allows you to use Java scripts for more complex operations. Maestro provides both a script assistant and wizard for easier script creation, and a built-in syntax checker. Scripts can be added to a track in the timeline using a script event, or added for a page or a control in the Script Editor from scratch, if you are proficient in Java script. For more information, see M6 Scripting API on page 227.
Timeline Scripts
To add a script to a timeline track for execution:
1. Add a script event to an appropriate track in the timeline, as described in The Timeline on page 42.
2. In the Event property window, use the wizard to compose a script (in the Wizard tab) or enter the script code in the Script tab.
Using the Script Wizard
When you select a script event in the timeline, the relevant tabs are displayed in the Event property window. In the Wizard tab, compose a script as described here.
To write a script using the wizard:
1. Click to add a new line.
2. In the new line, double-click the Action column to allow you to display a list of commands that you can use in the script.
3. Select the required command.
4. Double-click the Parameters column to reference the required item.
5. Click Copy to script.
The script is now in the timeline, and is coded in the Script tab.
Undefined No action (default).
Take item Play a rundown item defined by a unique ID.
Out item Play the out track of an item defined by a unique ID.
Cue item Cue a rundown item defined by a unique ID.
Load item Load a rundown item defined by a unique ID.
Unload item Unload a rundown item defined by a unique ID.
Send event Add a signal event.
Send event direct
Add a signal event that is executed even for unactivated items.
Set playlist variable
Create a rundown variable with a set name and value.
Set app variable Create a application variable with a set name and value.
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Script Editor - Coding Scripts for Pages or Controls
Right-click the Page Editor toolbar and select Script editor to show or hide the Script editor window.
The script editor allows you to write executable scripts for pages or controls in Javascript, with different event types.
To write a script for a control:
1. In the Scripts tab, select Control scripts.
An empty script is displayed in the Script editor.
To edit an existing script, select one of the nested scripts.
2. Select the Event type:
OnDataChanged The script is executed when the data of the connected control is changed.
RunScript The script is executed when the connected Run Script control is activated.
Script editor Scripts tab
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3. Type in your code as required.
Press F5 to check your syntax.
4. When your script is finished, Name it, and click Save script.
The script is listed in the Scripts tab under Control scripts.
5. Select the control to connect to the script.
6. Under Properties, select the script event type, and set the required script.
This connects the script to the control.
7. Click Execute script to test the script.
To write a script for a page:
1. In the Scripts tab, select Page scripts.
An empty script is displayed in the Script editor.
To edit an existing script, select one of the nested scripts.
2. Select the Event type:
3. Type in your code as required.
Maestro displays a list of relevant commands for pages when you type page. Press F5 to check your syntax.
4. When your script is finished, Name it, and click Save script.
The script is listed in the Scripts tab under Page scripts.
5. Select the page to connect to the script.
6. Under Properties, select the script event type, and set the required script.
7. Click Execute script to test the script.
Global Parameters
Global parameters are user-defined parameters that can be used for a production, together with other commands. Global parameters are given a value that can be used by a script or set by a script, as required.
You can define two types of global parameters; integer and string. (In Java scripts there is no need to define the type.) In the Global Parameters tab, when you click
Add , you are asked to select integer or string.
OnSave The script is executed when the page is saved.
OnSubPageSelected
The script is executed when a subpage of the current page is selected.
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World Mapper Plugin
The World Mapper plugin is used to create map-based clips for broadcast.
The World Mapper tool is based on high quality and resolution maps that come from Microsoft Bing, Blue Marble Maps or Open Street Maps. Clips are used to show a location-based event, for example: a road accident, a hurricane, a parade, etc.
The templates created in World Mapper are available in Maestro. The template that you select is the starting frame of your clip, and you can set the target location (end frame) and other options.
Add a World Mapper (WNM clip selector) control to a page as described in Placing Exports in a Page on page 33.
To create a World Mapper clip:
1. Double-click the WNM clip selector.
The following dialog box is displayed.
2. Select a template.
Templates
Template folders
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The template is opened in a new window.
3. Use the mouse to drag the view to the required target location.
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Search for the target location; click Add Location to open the Locations dialog box, type in the required Location, and click Go.
4. Click Flight record to preview the clip.
5. Add labels and shapes as required; click Shapes or Free Objects to open a dialog box to display a list of all graphic objects available in the clip.
6. Click Flight Target to save the selected target location.
7. Click Done to save the clip to the WNM control.
Plugin Options
Go Home Return to the main template selection window.
Add location
Open the Locations dialog box to search for a location and set the fill color of the location (Add Shape) and the style of the location labels (Add Item).
Flight target
Set the current view as the target location (and last keyframe) of the clip.
Flight record
Preview a low resolution version of the clip.
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Done Close the current dialog box, create a high resolution clip, and assign it to the control in Maestro.
Free objects
Select graphic objects (user-defined in the World Mapper) to add to the clip.
Object to front
Send a selected graphic object to the front layer.
Object to back
Send a selected graphic object to the back layer.
Delete object
Delete the selected graphic item.
Flight start
Go to the first frame in the clip.
Flight end Go to the last frame in the clip.
Refresh map
Refresh the map.
Properties Open a dialog box to display the clip properties.
Shapes Open a dialog box to display a list of all graphic shapes available in the clip.
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4. Building a Rundown
This section explains how pages are used and edited for broadcast.
For any production, you create a rundown that contains the items that you want to display. The rundown is subdivided as follows:
• Rundown – top element, usually the rundown is a playlist identified with a program (e.g., “News at 10”, “Closing Markets”, etc.). A rundown can contain both stories and play items. Multiple rundowns can be open together. The terms ‘Rundown’ and ‘Playlist’ are used interchangeably in Maestro.
For information on creating a rundown, see Creating/Opening a Rundown on page 59.
• Story (optional) – divides the rundown into logical sections. This element can be used if a show naturally breaks into subsections. A story can contain only play items.
• Item – an instance of a page, an essential element of the rundown, identifies a graphical template containing the data/animation/tickers/etc. to be displayed during production.
In this section:
Creating/Opening a Rundown on page 59
Stories on page 61
Adding Rundown Items on page 62
Editing Rundown Items on page 66
Assigning a Channel on page 67
Previewing and Airing Items on page 68
Playback Control on page 71
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Creating/Opening a Rundown
Before you load items, you must create a rundown. The rundown acts as a container for all the items that you plan to load.
To create a new rundown:
■ Select File > New.
A new rundown is created.
When you save this rundown, you are asked to name it.
To load a previously saved rundown:
1. Select File > Open.
The Open asset dialog box is displayed, with recently opened folders displayed.
NOTE:Playlists are stored in the "workspace" folder in the database. Playlists that were stored in "list" mode in previous versions (Maestro 5.0 or earlier), must be converted to "folder" type playlists.
2. Browse to the required rundown, and click OK.
The rundown is opened.
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Rundown Area
The Rundown area is where you create and edit rundowns/playlists. Multiple rundowns can be opened simultaneously, each in its own tab.
The column headings displayed in the Rundown area can be shown or hidden, depending on your requirements. For more information, see Customizing the Rundown View on page 61.
The Rundown area toolbar contains the following buttons:
NOTE:Multiple rundowns can be open in the work area simultaneously, as tabs or thumbnails. Toggle View mode in the rundown toolbar to switch between views.
View mode Toggle the available display modes:List - display the rundown with all defined details.Thumbnail view - displays the content of the rundown as large thumbnails with a representative item of the graphic, and other information.Dual view - display both detailed list and thumbnails.
Rundown item
Show/hide special items (with associated timeline) that are associated with the rundown.
Parameters Show/hide the parameters panel.
Hide empty stories
Show/hide empty stories (that is, stories that don’t contain items) in the Rundown area. (Most commonly used with NRCS integration and MOS rundowns.)
Channel filter
Show/hide the items assigned on the selected channel.
Playlist Status
Show/hide the playlist status panel.
Start Start scheduling to play all items in the rundown according to their start and duration parameters.
Pause Pause the rundown run by the auto-scheduler.
Play in loop Apply continuous play (loop) to the rundown in the auto-scheduler.
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Customizing the Rundown View
Customize the columns in the Rundown area by right-clicking the table header of the rundown view (below the toolbar). You can choose to hide or display columns, and drag displayed columns to the required location. Parameters in the these columns can be edited by double clicking. The following columns can be displayed:
Stories
Stories divide the rundown into logical sections. This element can be used if a show naturally breaks into subsections. A story can contain only play items.
To create a story:
1. Right-click in the rundown area.
A menu is displayed.
2. Select New > Story item.
The new story now appears in the rundown.
3. Press F2 to rename the story (type the name, then press ENTER).
VSlot The VSlot to which the rundown item is assigned
Unique ID The Unique identifier assigned to the rundown item.
Chained Indicates if the start time of each rundown item is dependent on the start time and duration of the previous rundown item, or if start times are absolute.
Start The start time of the rundown item from the start of the production.
Duration The play duration of the rundown item.
Audio Preset
The audio preset number from the audio preset file.
Transition The transition type that will be used when transitioning to the next rundown item.
Played Played status.
PVW Indicates if the item is assigned to the preview channel and if the scene is loaded to the channel.
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Adding Rundown Items
After creating a rundown (see Creating/Opening a Rundown on page 59), you can load any page created in PageEditor to the rundown.
To add an item to the rundown:
• From the Browser (see Using the Browser on page 62):
Drag a page to the rundown.
A rundown item with default data and animation settings is created.
• From the Asset Browser:
Drag the required item from the Asset Browser to the Rundown.
• From a page (that is open in the Browser and has been changed):
Drag the Drag item button from the Browser to the rundown or press the INSERT key.
• From the popup menu (see Editing Rundown Items on page 66):
Right-click a rundown/story/item element and select New, and then select the required item type.
Using the Browser
The Browser provides access to all of the pages created in PageEditor and other sources, such as video items, tickers, Morpho pages, and 4Designer scenes.
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Pages and folders can displayed as Thumbnail images or in detail view in the display options, with or without search tools.
Double-click a page to open it, and enter data.
Double-click a folder to display its contents.
The tools available in the Page Browser toolbar are:
Maestro Display the Maestro asset directory, which contains the pages saved in PageEditor.
VideoEngine Display all available video clips and images.
Tickers Display tickers available to Maestro and the ticker data window to define ticker content.
Morpho Display all available Morpho pages.
4Designer Display all available 4Designer scenes.
Drag Item Drag and drop this icon into the rundown to add a Maestro page with data changes, a ticker, 4Designer scene, or a Morpho item as a rundown item.
Save as template
Save the currently selected rundown item as the current template (page).
Up directory Moves the browser up one level in the directory.
Home directory
Moves the browser to the root directory.
Spell check Check spelling for all controls that are not connected to data sources.
Metadata Display the assigned metadata of the selected asset.
Show Config bar
Display a toolbar for defining Vslot, transition, and selected channels.
Show alpha assets
Select a different Video engine item to act as the alpha channel for the current Video engine item.
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Video Item Options
Maestro 7.2 provides a video engine for control of dedicated video playout channels. In the Browser, select the Video item option to preview the video clips or images stored in the File system (g:) or registered in the video engine database.
The video engine database provides greater search capabilities in the asset metadata.
Double-click any asset to display its preview and playout options.
Use the controls in the Preview window toolbar to navigate the clip:
Go to the previous frame.
Go to the next frame.
Rewind to the beginning of the clip.
Play the clip in the Preview window.
Pause the clip at the current frame in the Preview window.
Break loop, when part of the clip is looped.
Display the alpha channel of the selected clip/image.
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You can set the clip to play as is, or set various options to play the clip in the rundown, as follows:
Mute the embedded audio in the Preview window.
Open the current frame as an image in the Image Editor and save as required. For more information, see The Image Browser on page 76.
In/OutMark the start and end points for the current clip. Click to mark
the point from which the clip starts to play, and click to mark the point at which the clip ends.
Loop Set Count to the number of times you want to repeat the clip or the defined section. Set the start and end points of the defined section
below by clicking .
Alpha Click Use embedded to use the alpha channel embedded in the selected image or clip (as opposed to selecting an alpha channel from a different asset described in Show alpha assets on page 63).
Image If using a graphics file sequence, select the first image to be displayed as the current asset. Select Use as sequence to display all images with the same file names and subsequent numbering in a sequence.
Click the icon to set the current frame in the preview as the thumbnail displayed in the rundown.
Duration The current duration of the clip, from the default or set start point to the default or set end point.
Position The current frame in the preview.
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Editing Rundown Items
In the Browser, you can change the page data components used by an item:
• The content of Data Fields
• Textures and Clips that need to be updated
In the Browser, you can update both text and graphic exports in the page, but you cannot move, add, or rearrange the labels themselves. If you want to do so, you must return to PageEditor and edit the page there.
Editing a play item will not alter the original page. Each item receives a unique ID that is displayed in the rundown.
Data Fields
Depending on the control type added in PageEditor, you can edit the content of the controls in the browser; select the displayed item in a drop-down list, the state of a check box, the text in a field, etc.
Textures
To apply a texture to a control in a scene:
1. Click the Select Image control that was added in PageEditor.
A Browser window opens.
For more information, see The Image Browser on page 76.
2. Select an image file to be used as the texture. You can select an image stored on your computer, or one stored in the GMAM database, if relevant.
3. Click OK.
The texture is assigned to the exported object, scaled to fit the object to which it is mapped.
Animating Transitions Between Rundown Items
You can set an animated transition between rundown items, for example fade in/out, to add effects to your graphics. Transitions are created in 3Designer or 4Designer scenes. the scenes to be used must be defined in the Preferences dialog box in the Transitions settings (see Customizing the GUI on page 135). Transition scene should be in full frame.
There are three ways to set a transition between rundown items;
To set a transition in the Rundown window:
1. In the Rundown window, right-click the heading row.
A context menu is displayed.
2. Verify that Transition is selected to display a column showing the transitions set for each item.
3. Double-click the required transition and open the list to select one of the transitions defined previously. (See Customizing the GUI on page 135).
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To set a transition in the timeline:
1. In a Take track, place a Transition event.
2. In the Event property, select the transition to use for this take.
To set a transition in the page properties:
■ With the page open in PageEditor, double-click the Transition value in the Properties window, and edit as required.
NOTE:Each item with a transition effect should be assigned to a different V-slot.
Saving Rundown Items
After editing a page to be used as a rundown item, you have various options for saving your changes. If you don’t save the item, its data is the same as other rundown items created from the same page.
Click Save to save the items with their new content, without replacing the original page.
NOTE:If the Automatically save changes for edited items option (in the preferences) is selected, the save option is disabled (See Automatically save changes for edited item on page 113).
If you want to save the original page with the new content, or with timeline modifications, use the Save as template option.
Assigning a Channel
When an item is added to the rundown, an output channel should be assigned. Maestro Controller can control up to sixteen channels. Define channels as described in PGM & PRV on page 117.
To assign a channel to an item:
1. Right-click in the channel column of the item to which you want to assign a channel.
A menu opens.
2. Select Add to Channel.
3. Select the playback channel(s) to be used.
Each item can have a predefined channel assignment, and can be changed with shortcuts (1,2,3,4...).
New items will be added to a rundown assigned to the default channels set in PageEditor.
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Previewing and Airing Items
After each item has been added to the rundown, preview the rundown and then make any required changes to the items, before sending to air. Rundowns can be previewed on multiple preview channels and aired to multiple program channels.
To preview the rundown:
1. Click Connect to connect renderer devices.
As each host connects, the status lights for each rendering host in the bottom right hand corner changes. Green indicates that the host is connected, and Red indicates that the host is not currently connected. For more information on connecting to preview devices, see PGM & PRV on page 117.
Click the arrow next to each host alias to open a menu that allows you to connect or disconnect from individual hosts.
Items are initially displayed as Not Loaded.
2. Click Load All to load all items in all open playlists (or use CTRL+L.)
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Right-click the status indicator to load the specific item in the channel that you chose. (If multiple items are selected, you can right-click and select Load Selected.)
Each item in the rundown changes to READY when they are ready for use.
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The status buttons are colored as follows (by default. This can be changed in the Miscellaneous preferences. For more information, see page 113.):
3. Once the items are loaded, play the items as follows:
• Press CTRL+SPACE to view playback on local preview.
• Press CTRL+ENTER to view playback on PGM channel only.
NOTE:To configure keyboard shortcuts, see Miscellaneous on page 113.
Additional status information is shown in the status bar in the lower left corner of the screen.
Gfx shows scene status, and Clip shows if the clips in the item are cached and ready. Color coding is as described above.
Media Type Indicators Displayed in the Maestro Rundown
Video item media types in the rundown are marked with different colors.
gray
Neither graphics nor clip is loaded.
light green
Item is loading/unloading, or item is partially loaded. For example, graphics are loaded but clips are not.
green
Item is loaded – graphics and clips are ready to play.
orange
Item is loaded, but MAM media is missing.
red
Item is being aired to assigned channel.
Red Video.
Pink Image.
Yellow-Green Image sequence.
Green Media with alpha
Yellow Media with configured loop count.
Blue Sub clip (IN OUT points).
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Media Type Indicators
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Playback Control
The Playback Control allows you to Preview, Cue, Take and play Out pages from the rundown. Actions initiated with the Playback Control are for the currently active item only.
To display the Playback control:
■ Click in the main toolbar to toggle the Playback Control.
To select a channel for an item:
■ In the rundown list area, right-click in a channel column, select Add to Channel, and then select the required channel. Channels can be assigned automatically to all default channels defined in the settings window. Each page will then be added to these pre-assigned channels.
Cue Activate any Cue track in the timeline and its events.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+O)
Current Take Number
Display the total number of takes required to play an item and the current status of the item, for example, 2/3 means that there are three "takes", two that have been already executed.
Take Play the next Take track in the timeline on the assigned program channel(s) until next break event or end of events. (Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+ENTER)
Out Run all events in the Out track in the timeline.
Preview Play the selected item on the assigned Preview channel(s). Generally the RE window is the local preview.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SPACE)
Page selector
Input box for unique ID. The unique ID for page can be entered here, to send that page to air at the next ‘Take’. Selected either with keyboard shortcut CTRL+‘ or onscreen with the cursor. The following color-coding is applied:• Red when: the unique ID is not in the current rundown or
the database.• Yellow when: the page is in database, but is not loaded.• Green when: the page is loaded in the current rundown.
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The Asset Browser
The Asset Browser is for quick management of all Maestro assets (templates, data sources, workspaces, data sets, tickers), and for search capabilities.
The data sources folder contains all the defined queries.
The templates folder contains all available pages.
The workspace folder contains all playlists and items.
When working with GMAM, additional folders are available.
To display the Browser:
■ Click Asset Browser, to show/hide the Asset Browser.
The Asset browser has a toolbar for easy management.
Navigate to the previous or next folder.
Up Navigate one level up in the folder hierarchy.
Search Open a window that allows you to search for an asset.
Folders Open a sidebar showing the folder hierarchy.
Details view/ Thumbnail
view
Display the assets according to details or as thumbnail images.
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Searching for Assets in the Asset Browser
You can use a simple or advanced search to find pages, items, rundowns, and data sources. The search will be conducted in the native Maestro database.
To search for assets:
■ In the Asset browser, click Search.
A simple search allows you to search by name, asset type, unique ID, and dates.
Cut Cut an asset.
Copy Copy an asset.
Paste Paste an asset.
Delete Delete an asset.
New folder Create a new folder.
Metadata (Available when working with GMAM or the native Maestro database 2)
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The advanced search uses queries of metadata fields, and is not limited by conditions.
To save a search:
■ After filling in the search values, click Save.
The search is saved. You can use the search values to run a new search as required.
To load a search:
■ Click Load/Del and select the saved search to load.
Working with Tickers
Tickers in a scene can be controlled from Maestro; you can control both the ticker content and when and how the ticker is run.
To add a ticker item:
1. To show the available ticker templates, select in the Browser.
All saved projects and scenes are displayed.
2. Select a scene from the G: directory.
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The Browser displays the Ticker settings.
3. If required, click Ticker to select the ticker exports with the content that you want to update manually or connect to a data source.
4. Click Add under Ticker data to display ticker exports. Use and to add or remove the ticker content rows.
5. Select Fixed duration if you wish to set the ticker’s duration time, without specifying the speed and offset time.
6. Click Build timeline.
Tracks are built for the ticker in the timeline.
7. In the Timeline, select the Start Ticker event, and set the ticker properties in the Event property window.
Use additional events to modify the ticker timeline events, such as Start animation, Call signal, etc. as required.
To add a ticker to a rundown:
■ With the ticker open in the Browser, drag the button to the rundown or press the INSERT key.
Edit the ticker as required.
NOTE:In case Fixed duration is selected, to define the duration time, change the 'Init Change time mode' event in a timeline.
Tickers can be saved as templates using Save item as template in the Browser window.
NOTE:If Save item as template is not available, show it by changing its visibility in the Miscellaneous settings. For more information, see Show "Save as template" button in Browser on page 114. See also Setting up a Data Source on page 82.
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The Image Browser
For Image selector controls, you can open a browser that allows you to select an image to display from any directory defined in the Virtual Slots preferences (see page 134). You can also edit the image itself.
To open the Image Browser:
■ Double-click the export control in the page (open in the Page Browser).
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To edit an image (only from the native Maestro database and the native Maestro database 2):
■ Right-click an image, and select Edit.
The Image Editor is displayed.
Edit graphic parameters as required.
Adjust Adjust the following effects in the image editor, using the sliders, arrows, or by setting the numerical values:• Brightness• Contrast• Gamma• Hue• Saturation• Lightness• Sharpness
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Deinterlace Discard one of the fields that compose a frame, by selecting one of the available options:Keep upperKeep lower
Flip Flip the image horizontally or vertically.
Resize Resize your image as required, using the required resampling algorithm from the Method list.
Crop Use the cursor to mark the required area, while pressing CTRL. Click Crop to crop the selected area. When an area is selected, you can resize it using the cursor while pressing CTRL.
NOTE:If the page aspect ratio is set to anything other than 0, a selection rectangle with the correct aspect ratio is marked.
Display For editing purposes, you can choose to fit the image in the Image Editor, or display it at its normal size.
Reset Cancel all settings made in the Image Editor.
Save Save the image using its current name.
Save as Save the image using a different name.
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The Clip Browser
For Clip selector controls, you can open a browser that allows you to select a clip from any directory defined in the Virtual Slots preferences (see page 134), to play, preview in the Clip Browser, or set the clip properties that determine how it will be played by RenderEngine.
To open the Clip Browser:
■ Double-click the clip control in a page open in the Browser.
To preview a clip:
1. Select a clip.
2. Set the required properties:
Loop count The default number of loops for which a new clip added to a page. By default, the value is Infinite.
Video When set to true clips are treated as video clips. When false, video stream is ignored.If clips are marked as video clips, you can set:• Alpha channel - when true, clip is played with an alpha channel.• Interlaced - when true, clip is defined as interlaced, with or without reversed polarity, as required.
Audio When set to true, clips are played with audio. When false, audio is ignored.
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3. To preview, click .
NOTE:Certain clips might require installation of extra codecs for preview.
Clips can be previewed with Qt Media Player or with Windows Media Player, Select the required option in the Miscellaneous settings. For more information, see Clip preview on page 115.
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5. Data Sources
This section provides information on retrieving content from external data sources.
Using a database is a way of airing content without manual inputs. You can determine the rate at which content is refreshed, if at all, and retrieve that content from various sources, as required.
In this section:
Setting up a Data Source on page 82
Using Queries on page 91
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Setting up a Data Source
When drawing content from a data source, you must define the source and the specific query from which to take the content. Data sources have their own dedicated tab in Maestro, for managing data source setup and queries.
To define a data source:
1. Open the Data Sources tab.
2. Right-click in the Data Sources column and select Add Data Sources.
The Data Source dialog box is displayed.
3. Define your data source as required.
4. Define your data source according to its type. For more information, see:
• ODBC Data Source
• Database (SQL) Data Source
• Excel Data Source
• Text Data Source
• News (RSS) Data Source
• XML Data Source
• JSON Data Source
• SMH Data Source
Factory name Set the format of the data source; each type requires installation of its own dedicated driver.
Type Set the data source file type.
(All other settings derive from the data source type)
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ODBC Data Source
ODBC data sources must be defined in the ODBC Data Source administrator in Windows in order to be used as data sources for Maestro. (Select Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC) to open the ODBC administrator and add a data source for your system).
To define an ODBC data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select ODBC from the Type list.
2. Select a DSN Connection Name from the list (this must be defined in the ODBC data source administrator),
-Or-
Type the path and filename of a File DSN Connection.
3. Type a User name and Password if necessary (this should be available from the database administrator).
4. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
5. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
6. Click OK to save the data source information.
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Database (SQL) Data Source
Connection to SQL databases can be defined using the Database Server type.
To define a database data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select DATABASE from the Type list.
2. Under Enter database server location, type the path.
3. Type the database file name under Enter database name (<Server name>\<Instance name>).
4. Type a User name and Password if necessary (this should be available from the database administrator).
5. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
6. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
7. Click OK to save the data source information.
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Excel Data Source
Microsoft Excel files can be used as data sources.
To define an Excel data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select EXCELFILE from the Type list.
2. Specify the path of the Excel file.
3. Type the database file name under Data source name.
4. Type a User name and Password if necessary (this should be available from the database administrator).
5. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
6. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
7. Click OK to save the data source information.
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Text Data Source
Text files can be used as data sources.
To define a text data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select TEXT_FILE from the Type list.
2. Specify the folder containing the file.
3. Type the User name and Password if necessary (this should be available from the database administrator).
4. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
5. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
6. Click OK to save the data source information.
NOTE:Text formatting is controlled by a file (schema.ini) that must reside in the same location as the text file. The syntax of this file can be found at: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms709353(v=vs.85).aspx.
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News (RSS) Data Source
RSS news feeds can be set up as a data source.
To define a news (RSS) data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select News as the Factory name.
2. Select RSS/ATOM news feed as the source Type.
3. Specify the URL address of the news feed.
4. If you are using a proxy server, select Use proxy server, and set the required parameters.
5. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
6. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
7. Click OK to save the data source information.
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XML Data Source
XML files can be used as data sources.
To define an XML data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select XML as the Factory name.
2. Specify the file path or URL of the XML file.
3. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
4. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
5. Click OK to save the data source information.
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JSON Data Source
JSON files can be used as data sources.
To define a JSON data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select XML as the Factory name.
2. Specify the file path or URL of the .json file.
3. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
4. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
5. Click OK to save the data source information.
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SMH Data Source
A Social Media Hub connection can be set up as a data source.
To define a Social Media Hub data source:
1. In the Data Source dialog box, select SocialMediaHub as the Factory name.
2. Specify the name of the SMH host.
3. Type the Data source name as it will appear in the Data Sources and Queries dialog box.
4. Click Test Connection to verify the connection has been made.
5. Click OK to save the data source information.
For more information, see the Social Media Hub 2.3 User Guide.
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Using Queries
Database queries allow you to draw certain data from a given data source.
Once the data source is defined, you must create a query to use in Maestro. You can type an SQL query in the Query Editor tab at any time, or use the query wizard as follows.
To define a query:
1. Under Data Sources, select the required data source.
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2. In the Query Columns subtab, in the Table/Column window, the available tables in the data source are shown with their columns.
Select the columns from which you want to read data, and click to display the
column names in the right window.
3. Open the Query Order subtab.
Under Column, select the table column by which to arrange the data items, from the list.
4. Under Order, select ASC (ascending) or DESC (Descending), as required.
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5. Open the Query Editor subtab.
The tab displays the syntax of your query and allows you to set the following options:
Wizard/editor Wizard is selected by default, to write the syntax of the query automatically. If you want to edit the query manually, select the editor option.
Select top Select this check box and set the number of rows to use from the top of the data source, or clear to use all rows in the data source.
Refresh query results every
Select this check box and set the frequency at which to refresh the query results, or clear to use the current results (until data source is refreshed manually or from the timeline).
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6. Open the Query Conditions tab.
Set conditions to filter the query results, as required.
7. Open the Query Result subtab. All defined cells from the selected table(s) are displayed.
8. Define a Query Name, and click Save Query As.
NOTE:The Query Parameter tab is intended for advanced users to create parameterized queries that allow connecting the data from one control to the data from another control.
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6. Customizing
This section includes information on customizing Maestro for your needs.
In this section:
Setting Preferences on page 96
Customizing the GUI on page 135
Creating Groups in Windows on page 136
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Setting Preferences
Open the Settings dialog box (Customize > Settings) to configure system preferences for Maestro.
Appearance
The Appearance settings show you the location of the default Maestro style sheet, which defines the appearance of the GUI.
Style sheet Define the style sheet to use to define the user interface. This file is an HTML cascading style sheet (CSS) file and can be used to customize the Maestro GUI.
Item colors Define the colors used in playlists to color-code item status.Select the check box of an item status to display it using the color defined here. When a check box is selected, you can edit the color. Edit color by clicking the color display. A color pallet dialog box opens to select a new color.
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Asset Database
The Asset Database settings display the defined storage database for all of your Maestro assets and the login information used during login.
NOTE:These settings are defined during Login, and it is recommended not to change them here.
Login/ Password
Set the username and password used to login to Maestro Asset Database. The username is defined during Maestro installation.
Server name Set the name and path of the current database server (<database server>\<database instance>).
Database Name
Set the name of the selected Maestro asset database. Default name is "maestro_3" for the native Maestro database 2.
Server type Set the type of database/asset management server to which the system is connected.The Native Maestro DB 2 option is SQL based with extended capabilities for user rights, advanced searching, and metadata.
Authentication The type of database/asset management server authentication protocol.
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Automation
In the Automation settings, define the Maestro behavior when controlled by one or more external automation systems.
Unique ID Length
Set the allowed length of Item and page IDs (default=8, max. of 32 characters). ALL applications connected to the same database need to use the same unique ID length.
Warning:Changing the ID length might reset all IDs in the database. Do not change the length.
Login process to application
Select this check box to display login window upon next startup, clear to connect to same database upon startup without having to login.
Root folder Define the location in which to save external automation-related items. This definition is important especially for systems using a VDCP protocol, because only items within this folder or in the current rundown can be played.
Use Prefix Define the prefix to use when saving external items (only used when check box is selected).
Use Current Date in Prefix
Select this check box to add the date to the name of an external item. Valid only when “use prefix” is selected.
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Configuring an Automation System
Maestro can be controlled by an Automation system using multiple 3DPlay, Avid ControlAir, CII, Orad control, Sony protocol, and VDCP devices. In order to work with an automation system, the appropriate driver must be installed, and you must configure Maestro, as described here.
To configure an automation system:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences window opens.
2. In the Automation options, under Automation devices, click Add to add a device to the list.
3. Double-click the device name to rename it, as required.
4. Select the device type from the list.
5. Click Configure to open the device configuration dialog box.
Continue as required.
Connect to automation systems whenever PGM channels are connected
When selected, automation system is connected whenever a PGM channel (RenderEngine) is connected.When cleared, you must connect the Automation system manually by left-clicking its device indicator.
Remove item from playlist on STOP event
When selected, if the automation systems sends a 'STOP item' command, the item is removed from the rundown.When cleared, the items are not removed, and the rundown becomes longer over time.
Force item reload on CUE event
Select this check box to reload items whenever a cue command is received from the automation system to ensure that the latest data is always aired.
Force item focus on CUE event
Select this check box to highlight the relevant item in the rundown when a Cue command is received from the automation system.
Force item focus on PLAY event
Select this check box to highlight the relevant item in the rundown when a Play command is received from the automation system.
Move item to playlist end on CUE event
Select this check box to move the relevant item to the end of the rundown when a cue command is received.
Automation devices
Define the automation systems that Maestro can receive commands from.For more information, see Configuring an Automation System on page 99.
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3DPlay Device
To configure a 3DPlay device:
■ Type in the host name and port number.
Avid ControlAir / Sony Protocol
NOTE:ControlAir and Sony Protocol are legacy systems, no longer sold, and only work when the iNews system is used.
To configure an Avid ControlAir system:
■ Load a Profile and specify the MOS page number, then click OK.
A default profile is provided with Maestro in the file called:C:\Orad\Maestro\DM\oradDM.dmp.
The following settings must be modified in this file according to the settings in ControlAir.
• SvrHostName=serveName (ControlAir Server host name)
• DeviceName=oradCG (Avid device name in NRCS)
CII Protocol
To configure the CII protocol:
1. In the Driver tab, select the required options:
2. In the Settings tab, set the following:
Port Select Serial or TCP/IP according to the automation system requirements.
Charset Set the character set to use for communications between the automation system and Maestro.
Logger Select the Logger check box to create a log for Maestro’s interaction with the automation system.
ID length Set the required length of the item IDs that the automation system can send to Maestro.
Play item with READ/UPDATE command
Select this check box to automatically play an item when an update command is received from the automation system. Clear to update the item without playing.
Signal item take finished
When selected, Maestro notifies the automation device when the execution of a PLAY event is complete (useful for multi-take items, so the automation device does not play the next take before the previous take is completed). When cleared, no notification is sent.
Execute OUT command only for played IDs
Select this check box to ignore OUT commands that arrive for items that have not been played. When cleared, OUT commands are executed regardless of item status.
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3. In the Macros tab, you can set a name for any macro command not defined in the protocol (double-click to select), to be triggered by the CII protocol.
This searches for a name in the CII macros list, and if not found, tries to execute a normal macro in Maestro with the same name (if this macro exists).
Orad Control Device
To configure an Orad control device:
■ Type in the port number.
Cue Timeout - the maximum time that an automation device waits for a response to a command. Return status - When an automation channel is mapped to more than one program channel with different statuses, set which status should be sent to the automation system;Minimal - the highest status is sent. (For example, if one channel is ready, and another is not ready, a READY status is sent.) Complete - The lowest status is sent. (For example, if one channel is ready and another channel is not ready, a NOT READY status is sent.)
PGM channel assignment
Assign a Maestro channel and Vslot to each automation system output.
Heartbeat The heartbeat is the verification of communication between the automation system and Maestro.Set when Maestro stops responding to the automation system; when one (any) of the defined program channels is down OR when one (any) of the defined ACTIVE (assigned) channels is down.
Use timecode Set a timecode device (Host) to set playout to a future time, Offset by a few frames, to correct asynchronous operation.
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Data Location
Define the default location for assets. Only the locations defined here will be available to users for clip/image selection. Under Transition, define the path for scenes that will be used as transition effects and will be available in the transition settings. (see page 135, in Preferences > Transitions). These settings affect all devices connected to the db: JStation, NRCS plugins, etc.
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External Devices
Maestro can send commands to external devices; 3DPlay (to update exports, for example), Social Media Hub (to define the SMH server and publish content, for example), GPI devices (to control other GPI devices from Maestro, for example), and generic CMD lines. External devices defined here can be used by events in the list of events in the timeline (see Command line, SMH device, 3DPlay Device, and GPI device on page 46).
To add an external device:
1. Click Add .
A device is added to the list.
2. Click the device name and give it a descriptive name.
3. Click under Type to set the device type.
4. Click Configure to display a dialog box appropriate for the selected device type, and set your preferences;
For a GPI device, enter the device name.
For 3DPlay and SMH devices, enter the host name and port number.
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For a command line device, set the following:
Working directory
Set the path of the directory where the process should be started.
Environment Set the environment variables required by the target application, if different than the default variables.
Program Click ... to browse to the executable application file.
(select one) If the program is not running then start (only when not already running), If the program is already running, close it before start (to restart), or If the program is program is already running, start another instance of the program (every time).
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External Tools
Maestro allows you to start external applications or scripts and to add them to the Toolbar.
To add a command to the Toolbar:
1. Click Add .
A browser window opens.
2. Browse to the required executable, and click Open.
The application icon is added to the toolbar. Icon and application parameters can be defined as required.
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GPI
NOTE:The GPI option is licensed separately and is available only if an appropriate card is connected.
Set up a GPI device to send and receive commands.
Connect to automation systems whenever PGM channels are connected
When selected, the device is connected whenever a PGM channel (RenderEngine) is connected.When cleared, you must connect the device manually by left-clicking its device indicator.
Device Select the installed GPIO device from the list. Devices compatible with Maestro: Adlink PCI-7256, Adlink PCIe-7230, and Sealevel (Sea IO).Once the card is physically connected to the system, and the device is added to this list, the connection indicator appears at the bottom of the Main screen with the channel indicators.
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GPI configuration
Define what action to execute when the GPIO device status changes; double click the Action name to open a list of possible actions, or Data to enter an item’s unique ID.• Cue selected - cue the item selected in the rundown.• Cue ID - cue an item with the specified ID.• Take selected - play the item selected in the rundown.• Take ID - play an item with the specified ID.• Preview selected - cue the item selected in the rundown.• Clear output - clear output from all Vslots.• Clear output on Vslot - clear output from specified Vslots.• Out selected - play the out sequence of the item selected
in the rundown.• Out ID - play the out sequence of the item with the
specified ID.• Start / Pause / Resume / Stop of scheduling of an active
rundown. • Play macro - configure a GPI trigger to play a selected
macro. Available macros are displayed in the dropdown list.
• Play last cued clip on VE channel - play the last cued clip on the selected VE channel.
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iNews
In the iNews section you can configure MOS-less configuration with iNews through the MediaCentral | UX web services.
Webservice connection
Set the iNews Webservice URL, the IP address of the iNews server host, and the username and password to login to iNews.
Load rundowns on application start
When this option is selected, active rundowns from iNews are loaded when Maestro is started.
Manual rundown update
When this option is selected, the Update playlist button is available in the toolbar. This button is inactive when no updates are present; the button blinks several times when an iNews rundown can be updated.
Interplay PAM clip search
Set the Webservices URL of Interplay | Production, and the username and password to login to Interplay | Production. Set the Search folder URL location on Interplay | Production, which will be used to conduct the Video-ID search and the System ID of Interplay | Production (usually it is global). Enter the Video-ids of the items to be ignored by Interplay | Production.
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JStation
The Journalist Server (known as JServer) is enabled here. By activating the JServer, multiple journalists, working remotely, can view, edit, and add items to playlists.
It is used to receive items entered by remote users using JStation. These items are added to a rundown, that is updated automatically when new items are added.
NOTE:JStation uses existing playlists only. New playlists cannot be created in JStation.
To enable the Journalist Station:
■ Select the Accept incoming connections from JStation on port check box, and set the port number.
NOTE:Journalist station requires additional software. JStation should not be enabled unless required.
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Log
In the Log options, you can define application log storage options.
To view a log file:
■ Click to open the log viewer.
Log File Path Specify the location where the log files are saved.
Remove older than
Logs older than the time defined here will be automatically deleted.
Remove when larger than
Logs larger than the size defined here will be automatically deleted.
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MAM
You can connect to MAM storage for clips and images as an additional media assets location.
Identity The MAM system must be configured in Maestro to allow the
connection. To configure a new system, click Add . With the connection selected, type in a connection Name, and then set the following fields: System ID - MAM System ID (for Interplay | MAM this value is taken from the MediaCentral | UX settings or the web interface of Interplay | MAM);MAM type - MAM system type (Maestro supports Interplay | MAM and Interplay | Production).
Database server
Set the database server name (for Interplay | Production, enter the IP address of the ACS bus; for Interplay | MAM, enter the IP address and the port number of the MAM services on the MAM server) and select SQL server or Windows authentication.
Login/Password
Type in the user name and password for logging in to an Interplay | MAM SQL Database Server. Click Test to verify the connection.
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MAM file transit
In setups where Maestro integrates with MediaCentral | UX, MAM file transit option can be configured to enable media copying to a local (or closer to playout) storage.
MAM file transit
Select Central location if you want to transfer items from all channels into a single location. Select Distributed locations if you want to differentiate the target locations based on the channel assigned to the item.
ACS gateway host
Set the IP of the ACS bus (MediaCentral | UX).
ACS gateway port
Set the port of the ACS bus (default port numbers: 9500, 9900).
Zone ID, Token valid time
Set the Zone ID and the Token valid time.
User name, Password, Role,Transcoding system
Type in the MediaCentral | UX user name and password and set the role of the user. Set the Transcoding system to 1.
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Miscellaneous
In the miscellaneous options you can define various system parameters.
Enable page parameters in item’s title
When selected, item name/content is displayed in the rundown page title for easier identification. If required, you can display only certain items, by setting the UseInItemTitle property (for an object/control) in PageEditor. (True (default)=display, False=hide). When this option is selected, you can modify the contents of the item by pressing F2 and TAB to move between fields in the title itself.When cleared, only the item name is displayed in the rundown.
Automatically save changes for edited item
When this option is selected, changes made to the current item in the rundown are saved automatically when a different item is selected. When this option is cleared, changes made to an item are discarded when a different item is selected, unless the item is saved manually in the Browser.
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Check user profile
When selected, access to various functions is applied according to permissions given to logged in user. When cleared, user profile is not checked and users have access to all functions.Once you activate this option, you cannot access preferences unless you belong to the right group. (In order to allow different permission levels, users must belong to one of four Windows administrative groups, defined by the system administrator.)
Silent mode When selected, user confirmations are not requested, default response is sent automatically. Messages and alerts are not displayed.
Turn off thumbnails for rundowns
When selected, rundown item are displayed without thumbnail images; when cleared, a thumbnail is displayed for each rundown item.
Open rundown in separate tab
When selected, each rundown is opened in a separate tabbed window, displayed alongside previous rundowns. when cleared, rundowns are opened as tabs, one in front of the other.
Load static scenes when channel is connected
When selected, scenes marked as static in PGM manager are automatically loaded when the respective channel is connected.
Enter passive mode on application start
When selected, system is started in passive mode; in passive mode Maestro does not send RenderEngine commands or channel status updates.
Show filesystem files in Image and Clip browsers
When using GMAM database, when selected, you can choose assets from GMAM database and data locations. When cleared, you can take assets from GMAM only. This setting is disregarded when no GMAM database is available, assets are taken from data locations only (see Virtual Slots on page 134).
Reset item’s TAKE COUNT when scene is unloaded
When selected, the Take count is reset to 0 after a scene is unloaded. When cleared, the Take count increases incrementally after each take, regardless of the scene status.
Start time is chained
(Relevant when scheduling is used.) When this option is selected, rundown items are played only if the previous item in the rundown is finished (the time displayed in the Duration column). When cleared, rundown items are played as scheduled (and might be played simultaneously).
Show "Save as template" button in Browser
When selected, the Save as template button is displayed in the Playout browser. When cleared, the button is not available.
Spell check Define the dictionary language and path to use when running the spell-checker.
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MOS Protocol
In the MOS settings, you can set preferences for using the MOS protocol for communication with newsroom clients.
Language Define the language displayed in the Maestro GUI. Select Get from System to use the default language of the operating system.
Data path mapper
Map the locations to be used for asset storage (usually the virtual G: drive).
Graphics event prefix
Define the prefix for items that Maestro should use in a .lst format file. (Default=G)
Dummy item template
Define the template to use as a dummy item when using third level rundown items in imported .lst rundowns.
Gfx device name
Define the device that should be imported from the rundown file.
.tbl file path Define the path of the file used to format of the rundown file.
Clip preview Select the player to use for previewing clips.
Use MOS connection
When this check box is selected, MOS communication with newsroom systems is enabled.
Listen Port It is recommended to leave the default. This parameter defines the communication port between the Avid MOS Server and Maestro. (Default = 6001)
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roChannel(s) This parameter defines channel names, as defined in the newsroom system, that Maestro should listen to. If left empty, Maestro receives all active playlists in the newsroom system.
Host Used for accessing the MOS database. Host should be the location of MOS database.
Database Name of the MOS database (‘CyberGraphics’ by default).
User/Password
Set the user name and password for connecting to the MOS database (by default the user name is ‘sa’, and the password is ‘Maestro’).
Initialize MOS on application start
When this option is selected, MOS is started when you open
Maestro. When this option is cleared, you must use Start MOS in the toolbar to start MOS.
Allow syn-chronization command
When this option is selected, the Sync MOS List button is available in the toolbar. When this button is clicked, all active playlists are resent from the newsroom system.
Manual rundown selection
When this option is selected, the Select playlist button is available in the toolbar. This button opens a window that displays a list of active playlists in the newsroom system, and allows you to select playlists to open.
Manual rundown update
When this option is selected, the Update playlist List button is available in the toolbar. This button is inactive when no updates are available to the active playlists in the newsroom system; the button blinks several times before becoming active when any modification to an active rundown in the newsroom system becomes available.
Automatically load active rundowns
When this option is selected, active rundowns in the NRCS are loaded when Maestro is connected to MOS.
Send ‘media missing’ item status
When this option is selected, if a rundown item is missing an asset, the controller is alerted. When cleared, the rundown item is reported as ready.
Don’t update status for ‘on-air’ items
When this option is selected, on-air items are not updated with NRCS updates. When this option is cleared, items are updated while on-air.
Show story number
Select this option to display the story number with the story name. Choose an option to determine the numbering used for each story;Automatic numbering - Maestro numbers NRCS stories incrementally.Use storyNum - Maestro uses the original story name from the NRCS.
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PGM & PRV
In PGM & PRV, define output settings, DVG channels, and local and remote RenderEngine behavior. Settings can be changed only when renderers and VE decks are not connected (see Connect All on page 23).
NOTE:While connected to your devices, you cannot change any of the remote program channel definitions.
Ignore roDelete command
The roDelete command is sent from the NRCS to Maestro when a rundown is unloaded in the NRCS.Select this option to ignore the roDelete command in Maestro when a rundown is deleted in the MOS database, and not delete the rundown in Maestro. When cleared, the rundown is deleted in Maestro is unloaded in the NRCS.
Copy item data
When this option is selected, when receiving a MOS rundown, Maestro copies the images from their original location to a location accessible to the playout engine. Type in the path of the destination location.
Frames Select the frame rate (frames per second). This setting affects the time displayed in the duration of the timeline.
RE lock logic When selected, you can edit the Priority level of RE tasks, when cleared, Priority level setting is disabled.
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Defining Channels
Before you begin previewing and airing items, you must define the channels on which they will be played. For example, define a program channel that is played on air, and a backup channel.
To define a channel:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences dialog box is displayed.
2. Select PGM & PVW on the left.
The PGM & Preview settings are displayed. You can define settings for multiple program and preview channels. Type and Host must be defined for each channel, in order for them to be connected.
3. Under PGM or PRV, click Add .
A new empty channel slot is appended. Each of the program channels is assigned a letter (A, B, C, etc., to P).Each of the preview channels is assigned a number.
Priority Set the priority given to the current Maestro station by RenderEngine. If RenderEngine is in use by another application with a higher priority, the connection to the current Maestro station is rejected.
Timeout Set the timeout in which Maestro will wait for RenderEngine to respond.
PGM Define program channels. See Defining Channels on page 118.
Connect PGM(s) on application start
When this option is selected, all remote program channels are connected upon application startup, when cleared remote program channels must be connected manually. (Cleared by default.)
PRV Define preview channels. See Defining Channels on page 118
Aspect Select the aspect ratio of the RE window.
Single Image Preview
When this check box is selected, only a given frame of the animation is shown. This frame is defined in PageEditor for each page. A yellow triangle is displayed on the required frame on the linear timeline. See Linear Timeline on page 47.
Single Vslot Preview
When this check box is selected, only a single scene can be displayed in the preview, regardless of different Vslots defined for each scene. Dynamic blending is disabled.
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4. Enter the channel Type and name of the remote Host or IP address to be used, and if required, give an Alias Name that will be used in the status bar and in the rundown as the channel name.
NOTEAlias names for channels are unique across all Maestro family applications connected to the same database. If you want different channel definitions on each Maestro station, leave the Alias names blank.
For program channels, the default channel(s) can be set here as well; whenever a new item is added to the rundown, it is automatically assigned to the default channels listed here.
For preview channels, select the PGMs column and click ... to open a dialog box to define the channels on which to preview items.
Under On select the check box to activate a channel.
5. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog box.
In the status bar you see all of the channels and devices that have been defined, listed at the bottom of the controller. You have the option to disconnect device in the status bar.
Type Set the type of channel:RE – graphics channel for program output.VE – video channel that shows the program output in real time. For each VE channel that you define, a VEDeck window is available in the main view.VE-R – video recording channel. Records the video input from defined port.This setting must be consistent with the setting in the Video Engine configuration.
Host Set the name of the remote host or IP address to be used.
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Play
In the Play options you can set default scene options that are executed when cueing, playing or fading out, as well as audio presets.
Cue\Explicit CUE only
When this option is selected, cue functions in the timeline are executed only you press CUE. When cleared, Maestro cues the as necessary.
Cue\Reset scene
When selected, the scene is reset when cued. When cleared, scene remains in its current state when an item is cued.
Cue\Activate scene
When selected, scene is activated upon cue; that is - the scene is displayed, if not already visible. When cleared, nothing new is displayed upon cue.
Cue\Load scene When selected, the scene used by the cued item is loaded upon cue. When cleared, the scene is not loaded upon cue, and must be loaded manually.
Cue\Load clip When selected, clips used by the cued item are loaded upon cue. This can be used as an alternative to smart clip management. When cleared, clips are not loaded upon cue.
Cue\ Cache images
When selected, images used in an item are cached upon cue. When cleared, images are not cached upon cue.
Take\Advance to next item
When selected, advance to next item in rundown after the last take in the item. When cleared, an item remains selected in the rundown after it has been played out.
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Take\Force CUE before item is activated
When selected, items in timeline are automatically cued before being executed. When cleared, timeline items are executed as is.
Take\Cue next Video item
When selected, after the current playlist item has started playing, Maestro searches for the next item, checks whether it is a video item, and cues it (with children).
Take\Cue next Gfx item
When selected, after the current playlist item has started playing, Maestro searches for the next item, checks whether it is a graphics item, and cues it (with children).
Out\allow out action for off-air items
When selected, if you click Out during playback, the out track is played (even if the item is off-air). When cleared, the out track is played only if the item is on-air.
Out\Reset scene
When selected, the scene is reset upon scene out. When cleared, scene is not reset.
Out\Deactivate scene
When selected, scene is deactivated upon scene out. When cleared, scene might remain active or even displayed after scene out.
Out\Mute audio When selected, the ‘mute’ audio preset is set upon scene out. When cleared, audio plays.
Out\Stop Playing
When selected, stop playing loaded items when scheduling mode was stopped. In this case Allow Out action for 'off air' items should be selected.When cleared, out track is played even if scheduling is stopped.
Preview\Use PlayAll track for preview
When selected, all Play tracks in the timeline (or linear timeline) are played to the preview channel. When cleared, first Play track will be played in preview.
Smart Clip Management
When selected, Maestro looks ahead at items in the rundown, and preloads any clips to an available cache. If you air items randomly (not according to their order in the rundown), disable this option, and cache clips manually.Select the number of items that should be inspected for clips in advance, when smart clip management is enabled. The number of caches is set in the HDVG Control Panel. For more information, see the HDVG Control Panel Configuration Guide.
Audio\Audio channel
Select the channel on which to play audio.
Audio\Preset file
Select the XML file that contains the definitions for audio presets. This file is created in the HDVG audio panel.
Audio\Mute audio on channel clear
When selected, the preset defined under Mute Audio Preset will be recalled when one channel output is cleared. When cleared, nothing is changed in audio processing when a channel is cleared.
Audio\Mute audio preset
Define the audio preset that is used when 'Mute audio on channel clear' is selected.
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Misc\Unload gfx on rundown closure
Select this check box to unload all rundown scenes from RE channels when the rundown is closed. When cleared, scenes remain loaded to channels.
Use timecode source
Connect a timecode source (for frame accuracy).
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RenderServer
The RenderServer automates the rendering of existing graphic items, and automates the creation of clips in a variety of formats to be used in a post-production environment, web or second screen applications.
Configuration Specify your working configuration;Local - when working with a single Maestro system.Global - when working with more than one Maestro system. This configuration is saved in the Maestro database and is available for all Maestro stations.
Enable “Render to file”
Set the connection settings for the RenderServer database.
Default render options
Set the default options for clips that are created by the RenderServer. (Enabled when the RenderServer database is connected.)
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SceneEdit
SceneEdit is a graphics editor, integrated into Maestro, used for creating and editing 4Designer graphic scenes in a playout environment.
Start SceneEdit on Maestro Start
Select this check box to start the application with Scene Editor open.
NOTE:This option requires Scene Editor to be installed and licensed separately.
Host / Port Set the host and port name for the Scene Editor system.
Remote port Set the port for Maestro to connect to the Scene Editor system.
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Shortcuts
You can define keyboard shortcuts for many of the actions in Maestro. You can save personal settings as a file, and load them when required between systems. In the left window shortcuts are sorted by category, and in the right window shortcuts are sorted alphabetically.
To edit/create a shortcut:
1. In the Shortcuts dialog box, select an action in the left window.
2. Place the cursor in Press shortcut keys, and press the required key combination.
3. Click Assign.
To cancel a shortcut:
■ Select the action and click Remove.
When you are finished customizing the settings, click OK.
To save all shortcuts to a file:
■ Click Save.
A browser window is displayed, allowing you to select the location to which to save the file (in STC format).
To load a shortcut file:
■ Click Load and select an STC file to load.
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SmartShot
The SmartShot Controller boxes (SmartShot or SmartShot II) provide an easy button interface with Maestro. You can assign commands and graphic templates to SmartShot’s LCD keys for quick access. SmartShot must be licensed separately.
To add a SmartShot controller:
1. Click Add to add a controller. Use the arrow to select the controller type;
2. Select the Name check box and under Host, type in the IP address of the SmartShot controller box. (See Network Configuration on the SmartShot console.)
3. Set the incoming Port and Configuration file path as required. (See Ports Configuration on the SmartShot console.)
NOTE:Each model has its own configuration file; do not use the wrong file with the wrong Shotbox.
SmartShot 28-key controller box, with a 21:9 ratio screen.
SmartShot II 24-key controller box, with a 16:9 ratio screen.
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Setting the LCD Button Functions
You can define the commands to be executed by each LCD key on the controller box to streamline the workflow. The Bank buttons beneath the Touch screen allow you to switch between ten sets (“banks”) of LCD key definitions. Each bank corresponds to a bank button on the controller box. (The above image is of the SmartShot I unit.)
Touch Screen Bank Buttons
LCD Keys
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To customize the SmartShot LCD keys:
1. In Customize > Settings > SmartShot, click to open the specified configuration file for editing.
Each Bank tab represents a Bank button on the controller box.
NOTE:The buttons in the SmartShot configuration dialog can be rearranged by dragging a selected button and dropping it into the new position. The rest of the buttons will be rearranged accordingly. Dragging of a button with the pressed CTRL key copies the selected button into another one.
2. Double-click any LCD key to open the Key Editor.
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3. Open the Action list, and select the command that you want to associate with the key from the following list.
You can use any 32*32 pixel image PNG file, smaller than 32 KB.
Cue Cue the selected item.
Preview Play the selected item to the PVW channel.
Play Play the selected item to the PGM channel.
Stop Play the Out track for the selected item.
Select previous item in playlist
Select the previous item in the rundown.
Select next item in playlist
Select the next item in the rundown.
Select first item in playlist
Select the first item in the current rundown.
Select next playlist Move to the next rundown (in the Rundown tab).
MOS manual refresh Manually refresh the NRCS playlist.
Data source refresh Refresh all data sources referred to by an item in the rundown.
Load all Load (to RE) all scenes used by the items open in Maestro.
Unload all Unload (from RE) all scenes used by the items open in Maestro.
Load selected Load (to RE) all scenes used by the selected items.
Unload selected Unload (from RE) all scenes used by the selected items.
Load clips of selected items
Load (cache) clips of selected items.
Unload clips of selected items
Unload (cache) clips of selected items.
Clear output on all channels
Clear output from all connected channels.
Connect/disconnect RE
Connect or disconnect all defined channels.
Channel A-P Show and toggle channel status (loaded/not loaded/on-air).
Cue item ID Cue an item by its unique ID. (The unique ID is displayed in the rundown.)
Play item ID Play an item by its unique ID. (The unique ID is displayed in the rundown.)
Stop item ID Stop an item by its unique ID. (The unique ID is displayed in the rundown.)
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4. If required fill in the necessary parameter values.
5. Click OK to close the Key Editor.
6. Click Save to save the key and close the Configuration dialog box.
The SmartShot box is now configured to work with the Maestro station.
A page thumbnail is displayed when the page is loaded or played to indicate the connection status to Maestro.
Toggle Channel Filter
Turn channel filter in rundown on/off.
Start/Stop scheduling
Start/stop current rundown according to schedule.
Pause/ Resume scheduling
Pause/resume schedule of current rundown.
Load Layout Load the defined GUI layout.
Play macro Execute the defined macro.
Cue and Play Item ID
Cue, then play a rundown item with an assigned shortcut with each press (the shortcut must be assigned in the shortcut settings as a SmartShot shortcut.)
Cue/Play/Stop Item ID
Cue, then play, then stop a rundown item with an assigned shortcut with each press (the shortcut must be assigned in the shortcut settings as a SmartShot shortcut.)
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Transitions
Set the graphic scenes that will be available as transitions in Maestro as animated transitions between rundown items and the transition applied to clips (animated transitions are only applied when transitioning between items on different Vslots) or set the transition effect to be used between clips.
To set a graphics scene as a transition:
1. In Settings > Transitions, click Add .
The Transition scenes dialog box opens, displaying all the scenes in the Transitions directory in the G:/ drive or any folder that is defined in the Virtual Slots settings (see page 134).
2. Select a scene to use as a transition and click OK.
The scene is added to the Transitions list.
3. Click OK to close the Settings dialog box.
To set the VideoEngine transition:
■ Under VideoEngine transitions, select the transition effect to apply when transitioning between clips. If no effect is selected, a standard cut is used.
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VDCP Protocol
To configure the VDCP protocol:
1. In the Driver tab, select the required options:
2. In the Settings tab, set the following:
3. Click OK.
Communication protocol
Select Serial or TCP/IP according to the automation system requirements.
Logger Select the Logger check box to create a log for Maestro’s interaction with the automation system.
File path Set the path and file name of the log file.
Trace levels Select the trace level check boxes to set which types of messages are written to the log file.
ID length Set the required length of the item IDs that the automation system can send to Maestro.
Cue Timeout - the maximum time that an automation device waits for a response to a command. Return status - When an automation channel is mapped to more than one program channel with different statuses, set which status should be sent to the automation system;Minimal - the highest status is sent. (For example, if one channel is ready, and another is not ready, a READY status is sent.) Complete - The lowest status is sent. (For example, if one channel is ready and another channel is not ready, a NOT READY status is sent.)
Port to channel mapping
Assign a Maestro channel (mandatory) and Vslot (optional)
to each automation system port. Click Add to add new ports, double click the port/channel/Vslot name to edit.
Heartbeat The heartbeat is the verification of communication between the automation system and Maestro.Set when Maestro stops responding to the automation system; when one (any) of the defined program channels is down OR when one (any) of the defined ACTIVE (assigned) channels is down.
IDReqest:Cue ID on validation
Select this check box to cue items once they are validated by the automation system. When cleared, validated items must be cued independently.
IDList Set which item IDs to send when the automation system requests a list of items; Return automation root folder content - list the item IDs that are in the folder specified in Root folder on page page 98. Return playlist content - list the item IDs in the currently active rundown.
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VideoEngine
Maestro provides a Video Engine for previewing clips and playing them to air. It can control multiple video server channels. Here, specify the connection details to the video engine database where the media catalogue is stored.
Configuration Specify your working configuration;Local - when working with a single Maestro system.Global - when working with more than one Maestro system. This configuration is saved in the Maestro database and is available for all Maestro stations.
Ingest folder Set the default folder for clips ingest.
Add item to playlist when media is dragged into VE deck
With this option enabled, when a clip is dragged into a connected VEDeck, it is automatically added to an active playlist.
Host Set the IP address or host name of the clip database video server.
Port Set the clip database communication port.
Database Set the clip database name.
User/Password
Set the user name and password for connection to the video server.
Communication port
Set the clip player communication port.
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Virtual Slots
Virtual Slots (Vslots) are visual layers in a channel (preview or on-air). Different scenes can be played simultaneously to different VSlots. The result would be one scene appearing to be superimposed upon another. You can define up to 256 Vslots. 0 is the back layer, and 255 is the front layer. In the VSlots settings, you can define slots 0-255.
To define a slot:
1. Click Add and add a layer.
2. Set a VSlot number.
3. Double-click the Alias column and type a name for the slot.
4. Press ENTER.
NOTE:The Virtual Slots definition is applied to the resource database. You can modify the Vslot; changes made here affect all hosts connected to the current database.
To delete a VSlot from the list:
■ Select the VSlot from the list, and click Delete.
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Customizing the GUI
By default, Maestro has three pre-configured layouts for convenience when working in PageEditor, playout, or a third, default layout, optimized for rundown creation in high resolution screens, with access to all available tools.
You can save a layout with a new name, for a tabbed option that will be available whenever you start Maestro, or lock the current layout so that windows cannot be moved or closed (but can still be resized).
To create your own layout:
1. Arrange the GUI as required; open or hide windows and panels, and resize them as required.
2. Select Customize > Layout > Save Current.
The Save layout dialog box is displayed.
3. Type in a new name, or select an existing name from the list.
4. Click OK.
The layout is saved, and its tab appears alongside the default tabs.
To automatically save changes to the current layout:
■ In the Customize menu, select Layout > Auto save.
To lock the current layout:
■ In the Customize menu, select Layout > Lock.
The layout is locked against moving, opening, and closing windows.
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Creating Groups in Windows
In order to allow different permission levels, users must be part of one of four Windows administrative groups, defined by the system administrator. The Check user profile option (on page 114) must be selected during setup (if the option is cleared, all users have full control). Each group has the permissions specified below:
Avid Administrator
• Locked features: None
• Allowed features:
a. All features currently available
b. Full Assets administration
Avid Super User
• Locked features:
a. Change in Default Pages
b. Add/remove renderer
c. Change rendering format
• Allowed features: everything else
Avid Standard User
• Locked features:
a. Changes in Configuration menu
b. Change layout
c. Query assignment to items
d. Changes in VSlot assigned to items
• Allowed features: everything else
Avid Restricted user
• Locked features
a. Changes in Configuration menu
b. Change layout
c. Access to Timeline editor
d. Add items to rundown
e. Add items to Quick Pages
f. Changes in VSlot assigned to items
g. Changes in item’s duration or start time
h. Query assignment / modification
i. Change Clip / Texture browsing filter
j. New ticker creation
k. Access to DB “folders” without proper user permissions
l. Scene edit.
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7. Maestro Monitor
In this section:
Using Maestro Monitor on page 138
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Using Maestro Monitor
Maestro Monitor is a monitoring and control tool for all Maestro applications and MediaCentral | UX integration related services. It is a Windows Service application that can be set to run at startup of the computer to ensure continuous monitoring. The Maestro Monitor GUI, which connects to the Avid Maestro Monitor Service, provides a common way to configure startup and recovery modes for all Maestro software components, irrespective of how the component runs: as a Windows Service or as a Windows application.
For a Windows application that doesn't run under the control of the Service Control Manager, Maestro Monitor can restart the application if it stops responding or is accidentally closed by a user. It is also possible to change the startup mode of the services to manual, automatic or disable.
Maestro Monitor is a part of the MaestroBusServices installation.
To enable / disable Maestro monitoring:
1. Open the Services window by going to Control Panel > Administrative Tools.
2. Right-click on the Avid Maestro Monitor Service to start, stop or pause it.
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To access the Maestro Monitor GUI:
■ Go to Start > Programs > Orad > Maestro Monitor.
Main Maestro Monitor Window
Asset Access Service
Configure and control the Asset Access Service, which enables the Maestro pane in MediaCentral | UX to use the Maestro assets database.
Data LinkService
Control the Data Link Service, which enables DB-linked controls within graphic pages to access data from external databases.
MaestroCtrl60.exe
Start or Stop the Maestro Controller.
Media Browser Service
Administer the Media Browser Service, which enables the Maestro Media Browser in MediaCentral | UX. For more information, see Maestro Media Browser on page 202.
Render Service Provide the connection between Maestro UX and Maestro Render Server.
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8. Journalist Station
This section covers the setup and use of Journalist Station (JStation).
The JStation provides access to the Maestro Assets for operators outside of a newsroom environment. Users can open Maestro Workspaces and add pages with new data.
The JStation workflow is straightforward: choose pages, edit data as required, and save the item in an existing rundown. If the rundown is open in Maestro and the JStation is connected, the new item will appear at the end of the rundown, and it can be sorted, previewed, modified, and played in Maestro. JStation is recommended when distributed data entry is required, and newsroom systems are not in use.
In this section:
Setting Up JStation on page 141
The Journalist Station Main Screen on page 142
Working in JStation on page 143
Setting JStation Preferences on page 144
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Setting Up JStation
The JStation provides access to Maestro assets for operators during a broadcast. Users can open Maestro workspaces and add items with new data. Pages sent from JStations are added to the rundown while Maestro is running.
You can specify ‘custom columns’ that are used to display additional information about an item; for example, journalist name, location, etc.
Each title that is added is displayed as an additional column in the rundown. JStation operators can use the same column settings, and send data with each item in Maestro’s rundown.
Once JStation is enabled, a connection light is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen. (Working, and adding items to playlists does not require a connection, however to send new items to an active rundown, you must be connected.)
When JStation connects, the indicator switches to green. The displayed number indicates the number of connected JStations.
For more information on enabling JStation for Maestro, see JStation on page 73.
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The Journalist Station Main Screen
JStation software provides a simple interface for newsroom operators to add their items to rundowns on the main controller.
After installation, you can launch JStation from the desktop shortcut, or from Start > Programs > Orad > Journalist Station.
Main JStation Window
Each area in the GUI is used as follows:
• The Asset browser showing the workspaces available to the JStation operator, where you can add items (this list is updated when new playlists are created) and the selected folder content display. Pages added to the rundown will be listed in this window. Their order is unrelated to the place of items in the rundown.
• Display of all pages stored in the Maestro database (Browser). You can select pages from here, and provide new data prior to adding to the rundown.
• Custom data (metadata) for use and identification in Maestro.
• RE window for previewing pages.
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Working in JStation
After starting JStation, the status light in the bottom right hand corner is green when connected to the JServer. The folders listed in the browser can be selected; the contents of the folder will be displayed.
Operators can select pages from the right browser window, which can be modified and added to the currently selected rundown.
To create a new item in a rundown:
1. Select the rundown that you want to use in the Asset browser.
2. Select the page or template in the Browser.
3. Enter data to the input boxes.
4. Click Save to add the page to the rundown.
You can also preview a page using the Play button in the local or remote preview, to check playback.
The Custom data is also displayed in the custom data columns in Maestro.
When the page is saved, it is appended to the end of rundown. Existing items are not affected. The item is also added to the currently selected rundown in the JStation.
If the Maestro Controller operator has the same rundown open, they will see the item added to the end of the rundown.
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Setting JStation Preferences
The Customize > Settings menu allows access to various preferences that can be personalized as required.
Asset Database
Login Set the username used to login to Maestro Asset Database. The username is defined during installation.
Password Set the password used to login to Maestro Asset Database. The password is defined during installation.
Server name
Set the name and path of the current database server (IP/IP+instance).
Database Name
Set the name of the current Maestro Asset database.
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Server type
Set the type of database/asset management server to which the system is connected.The Native Maestro DB 2 option is SQL based with extended capabilities for user rights, advanced searching, and metadata.
Authenti-cation
The type of database/asset management server authentication protocol.
Unique ID Length
Set the allowed length of Item and page IDs (default=8, max. of 32 characters). ALL applications connected to the same database need to use the same unique ID length.
Warning:Changing the ID length might reset all IDs in the database. Do not change the length.
Login process to application
Select this check box to display login window upon next startup, clear to connect to same database upon startup without having to login.
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Log
Appearance
In the Appearance settings, select a style sheet to set the look and feel of the user interface.
Log file path Set the location of the log file.
Remove older than
Send log files older than the limit defined here to the recycle bin.
Remove when larger than
Send log files larger than the limit defined here to the recycle bin.
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Hosts
In the Hosts settings, set the name of the Maestro station to which JStation connects. You can add additional hosts by clicking Add, and setting the host name and port.
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Miscellaneous
Custom data Set metadata fields here, to be used in Maestro for asset sorting and searching. You can add as many fields as required.
Check user profile
When selected, the system verifies that you have user rights for changing the JStation preferences against your user name. This only applicable for users working via an asset management system.IMPORTANTIf you select this check box and do not have a user name and password, you will not be able to access these settings again.
Spell check Define the dictionary language and path to use when running the spell-checker.
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Shortcuts
You can define keyboard shortcuts for the available actions and save personal settings as a file, to load when required between systems. Shortcuts in the left window are sorted by category, and shortcuts in the right window are sorted alphabetically.
Set shortcuts as described in Miscellaneous on page 113.
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Preview
Local Select this to display a local RE window in the JStation Main window.
Aspect Select the aspect ratio of the RE window.
Single Vslot Preview
When this check box is selected, only a single scene can be displayed in the preview, regardless of different Vslots defined for each scene. Dynamic blending is disabled.
Single Image Preview
When this check box is selected, only a given frame of the animation is shown. This frame is defined in PageEditor for each page, by placing taking a snapshot or by setting the Background image path property (see page page 38).
Setting JStation Preferences |
9. NLE Plug-in
The Maestro plug-in for non-linear editing requires a separate license. The plug-in works with Avid Media Composer, Avid Newscutter, Avid XpressPro, Adobe Premier, Quantel qEdit, Sobey, GV Aurora, EVS Xedio, and Sony XPRINS (SONAPS), and S4M VPMS to allow adding Maestro graphics to video. Integration in with each system is slightly different due to the different capabilities each system provides.
In this section:
Maestro NLE Server
NLE Server Preferences
Using the Plug-in
Using the NLE Template Linear Timeline
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Maestro NLE Server
In order to run the plug-ins, the NLE server must be running.
To start the NLE Server:
■ Double click the Maestro NLE shortcut on the desktop.
The server functions as a browser only, for viewing the pages available from Maestro.
In order to set the proper connection to allow you to connect to the server from external applications, you must set the connections in the external application’s Server.
To set connection preferences:
■ Right-click one of the empty spaces in the menu bar, and click Preferences.
The Preferences dialog box opens.
NLE Server Preferences
Set the system preferences for the NLE Server, as described in the following sections.
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Login
Login & Password
The user name and password for logging in to the required Maestro database.
Server name The name of the computer where the Maestro database is stored.
Database name The name of the Maestro database.
Use DSN connection
Select to use a DSN Connection, and specify the connection name (this must be defined in the ODBC data source administrator).
Server type Choose the type of Server on which the asset database is stored.
Authentication Choose the type of authentication method to log in with; Windows or SQL. If you choose Windows authentication, no password is required, and the Windows login name is used.
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Log
Log file path Set the location of the log file.
Remove older than
Send log files older than the limit defined here to the recycle bin.
Remove when larger than
Send log files larger than the limit defined here to the recycle bin.
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NLE Renderer
Local RenderEngine
Select this check box to display a local Preview window. If this is selected, you must specify the path of the Render engine application and the work directory. When cleared, no local Preview window is displayed.
Remote RenderEngine
Select this check box to use a remote HDVG as a PVW device, and specify the host name.
ClipPlayer Set the communication port for the ClipPlayer.
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Miscellaneous
Spell check Define the dictionary language and path to use when running the spell-checker.
Remember last folder
Select to remember the last folder opened in the browser, or clear to return to the root folder each time the browser is opened.
Show buttons Select to display or clear to hide the buttons shown in the NLE plugin user interface.
Data path mapper
Set the path where the required graphics are stored.
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Shortcuts
You can define shortcuts for of the actions and save personal settings as a file, and load them when required between systems. In the left window shortcuts are sorted by category, and in the right window shortcuts are sorted alphabetically.
To edit/create a shortcut:
1. In the Shortcuts dialog box, select an action in the left window.
2. Place the cursor in Press shortcut keys, and press the required key combination.
3. Click Assign.
To cancel a shortcut:
■ Select the action and click Remove.
When you are finished customizing the settings, click OK.
To save all shortcuts to a file:
■ Click Save.
A browser window is displayed, allowing you to select the location to which to save the file (in STC format).
To load a shortcut file:
■ Click Load and select an STC file to load.
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Communication Port
It is recommended to leave the default. This parameter defines the communication port between plugins to NLE and the Maestro NLE server. (Default = 2310)
Response timeout Set the duration before the system time out.
Renderer Set the maximal number of scenes that can be loaded to RenderEngine simultaneously.
Use Prefetch Select this option to set RenderEngine to generate frames before the editing system requests them for faster rendering time. This should only be disabled if using a remote RE that is not dedicated to a single NLE station.
NLE Server Preferences |
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Using the Plug-in
Avid Media Composer
To use the NLE plugin in Media Composer:
1. In Media Composer, right-click in the timeline and select New Video Track.
A new video track is added to the timeline.
2. Select Tools > Effect Palette to open the Effect Palette.
3. In the Effect Palette, select Maestro in the left pane.
The Maestro effect is displayed in the right pane.
4. Drag the Maestro effect to the new video track in the timeline.
5. In the timeline toolbar, click Effect mode .
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The Effect editor is displayed.
6. Set the following effects, as required:
Page selector
Select this check box to open the NLE plugin. The plugin is connected to the Maestro database. From here, select a template and an item to add to your clip. You can see the graphics rendered in the local Preview window.
Flicker filter
Select this check box to apply a filter to prevent flickering.
Overlay Select this check box to ignore the alpha channel overlay graphics on video.
Autoscale timeline
Select this check box to adjust positions of events on the linear timeline, to adapt for effect length.
Fast rendering
Select this option for faster rendering. Only one effect at a given point of the timeline is allowed. (When using Fast rendering overlapping effects are not rendered.)
Disable rendering
Select to enable using graphic elements in production without burning graphics to video. (Requires configuration with Maestro IPM, Interplay | Production or Command, etc.)
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Adobe Premier
To use the NLE plugin in Premier:
1. In the Effects directory, select Video Effects > Generate.
2. Drag the Maestro effect to the timeline, to a video track.
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The effect is displayed in the Effect controls.
3. Set the following effects, as required:
Browse Open the NLE plugin. The plugin is connected to the Maestro database. From here, select a template and an item to add to your clip. You can see the graphics rendered in the local Preview window.
Aspect Set the aspect ratio to use for the effect.
Autoscale timeline
Select this option to adjust positions of events on the linear timeline, to adapt for effect length.
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Using the NLE Template Linear Timeline
In the NLE template linear timeline you can change event timing. Move tracks in the timeline as required. For more information, see Linear Timeline on page 47.
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10. NRCS Integration
In this section:
NRCS Plugins on page 165
Setup on page 166
Using the Maestro Plugin on page 181
Direct iNews connection on page 184
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NRCS Plugins
Maestro can be integrated into newsroom systems.
The Maestro plugin for NRCS enables access to graphic templates that can be inserted into Newsroom rundowns. When linked to a newsroom system, published templates are accessed from the newsroom system itself. Journalists can browse or search templates, enter relevant data (either manually or retrieved from an external data source), preview it on their workstation, and add it to the newsroom system rundown. Once updated, a mirrored rundown within Maestro Controller is automatically updated, as well.
Avid iNews, AP ENPS, Octopus, Dalet+, Annova Open Media, Snews, LifeNews, NorCom NC Power, Sobey and Dayang are some of the supported newsroom systems.
Constraints
Graphic templates must be created in the 4Designer authoring tool. Data templates (called pages) are created using Page Editor (part of the Maestro Graphics Suite). Both graphics and data templates are saved to a database and are accessible to network clients. They can be accessed from Maestro, Journalist Station, and the Maestro plugin for NRCS.
For more information on creating graphics, see the 4Designer User Guide.
For more information on creating data templates and rundowns, see the Maestro User Guide.
This manual assumes that graphics and pages already exist in the database.
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Setup
This section describes the one-time setup process required, when you first install the Maestro plugin on the NRCS client.
System Configuration
The following diagram describes the communication (via IP) that takes place between all the modules, and the port used in each case.
Each part of the system must be configured, as described in the following sections:
Maestro MOS Gateway on page 167
Maestro Controller on page 172
Maestro Controller on page 172
NRCS Client on page 173
NRCS Server on page 178
NRCS MOS Gateway on page 179
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Requirements
• All elements must be part of the same network (able to reach each other at IP level).
• NRCS server and client are installed and properly configured for normal operation (without plugin).
• All ports of communication between the various system components must be open.
• Maestro is installed and properly configured (without NRCS integration).
• NRCS MOS Gateway is already installed.
• NRCS MOS gateway and Maestro MOS gateway are not installed on the same station.
• Maestro MOS gateway can be installed on the same station that acts as file server and database server.
Maestro MOS Gateway
The Maestro MOS Gateway is configured in the Settings dialog box.
To configure the Maestro MOS Gateway:
1. Open the Maestro MOS Gateway on the desktop (double click the MOS Gateway icon).
2. From the menu, select File > Settings.
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The Settings dialog box opens.
3. Set the parameters in the MOS tab as described below:
NCS - Host The IP address of the server where the NRCS MOS communication service is running.
NCS ID The name of the NRCS Server.
Upper Port Communication port from the NRCS server to the Maestro MOS gateway.
Lower Port Communication port from the Maestro MOS Gateway, to the NRCS server.
MOSID The ID of the device inside the NRCS.
MOS Upper Port
Set the upper MOS communication port.
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MOS Lower Port
Set the lower MOS communication port.
Send Item Status
When this check box is selected, Maestro keeps NRCS clients updated about the working status of and item (not loaded/ loaded/on-air).
Send mosObj Select this option when the NRCS requires every newly created item by the plugin to be sent to the NRCS server in MOS format. (For Dalet systems, e.g.)
Sync with NCS When this check box is selected, Maestro keeps NRCS clients updated about changes made in items from within Maestro.
Send Rundowns to Cyg after Sync
When selected, rundowns are sent to Maestro as soon as the synchronization process is finished.
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4. Open the Database/GAM tab.
NOTE:Configuring the Maestro Database/GAM tab is only required when NRCS systems are used to perform maintenance operations (like deleting items) in the Maestro DB. For these options to work, GAM Accessor must be installed.
5. Set the parameters as described below:
Lower Port Set the communication port between the Maestro MOS gateway and the Maestro plugin for NRCS.This port number must be the same as the number used for the NRCS client communication with the Maestro database.
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6. Open the CyG Clients tab.
7. Define the IP address and the Port number of the Maestro Controller. At least one controller should be enabled.
For each MOS Gateway, you can define up to 16 controllers to receive updates.
Host/Database name/UserName/Password
Login information to the MOS database, for security purposes. The default username is: sa, password: maestro. An account with administrative privileges must be set up.
Maestro Database/GAM
Login information to the Maestro database. Maestro systems that are defined in the CyG Clients tab, will be connected to this database.
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Maestro Controller
Maestro requires an additional license for MOS in order to receive MOS commands. When this option is licensed, you can configure the MOS settings, as follows.
The Maestro Controller is configured in the Preferences dialog box.
For more information on configuring Maestro to receive MOS commands, see Customizing the GUI on page 135.
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NRCS Client
The NRCS client is configured in the Preferences dialog box.
NOTE:The NRCS client station must have a license enabled and/or a dongle installed in order to perform the following configuration.
To configure the NRCS Client:
1. In the NRCS client, select Tools > Plugins > Maestro Editor Class.
The MaestroBrowser window opens.
2. Right-click anywhere within the toolbar area of the MaestroBrowser window, and select Preferences.
NOTE:By default, access to preferences is blocked, contact Avid support to unblock this, if required.
The Preferences dialog box opens.
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3. In the Login settings, set the parameters as described below:
Login and Password
The username and password that you use to log in to Maestro.
Server name The name and path of the current database server.
Database name Enter the database name.
Use DSN Connection
Select to use a DSN Connection, and specify the connection name (this must be defined in the ODBC data source administrator).
Type Select one the database to use:The Native Maestro DB 2 option is SQL based with extended capabilities for user rights, advanced searching, and metadata.
Authentication Windows authentication – The Windows username and password is used, and the username and password entered here are ignored.SQL authentication – use the default username and password.
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4. In the MOS item settings, set the following parameters.
5. Set the parameters as described below:
MOSID The ID of the device inside the NRCS.
NCS Type The type of the NRCS System.
MOS Server When this check box is selected, the MOS server is notified of new item creation. When cleared, new items are created in the Maestro DB without notifying the MOS server.Set the Host IP address and the Port number of the Maestro MOS gateway.
Enable asset drag to NCS
When this check box is selected, the puzzle piece icon for dragging newly created MOS items to the NRCS rundown is enabled. When cleared, item insertion must be done automatically upon save.
Timebase Select the required video format time base.
Use aliases as channel names
Use aliases defined in the Maestro DB instead of the channel code (A, B,C) in the channel selection bar.
Insert itemEdStart and itemEdDur tags
Use tags to define the duration and the start time (measured from the beginning of the story).
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6. In the Preview application settings, set the following parameters.
NOTE:The preview application is used to view items in the NRCS client, and requires a separate license. See Previewing Items on page 183.
Aspect Set the video format to use.
Mode Set RenderEngine behavior when the aspect ratio of the scene used is different than the aspect ratio with which the RE is configured.
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7. Click OK.
Local RenderEngine
Initialize on application start - When this check box is selected, the local Preview window is started when iNews is started. When cleared, the local Preview will either start when you open the plugin, or when you request the preview.
Shut down RenderEngine on exit - When this check box is selected, RenderEngine is shut down when iNews is closed. When cleared, RE is left running, so the next time that the plugin is open, the local Preview will be available immediately. (if a floating license is used, the RE will use a license even if not in use).Limit scenes loaded by RenderEngine - limit the number of scenes loaded to RenderEngine to the specified number.Single image preview - When this check box is selected, only a given frame of the animation is shown.Single Vslot preview - When this check box is selected, only a single scene can be displayed in the preview, regardless of different Vslots defined for each scene. Dynamic blending is disabled.Clear output before preview - clear any remaining graphic in the preview before playing the next graphic.
Remote Preview Renderer
Select this option to define a renderer to be used from a remote system.
Studio Preview Launcher
Select this option to define an application to launch to preview graphics as they will be displayed in a video wall.
Start in split-view
Select this option to start the preview side-by-side with the page view (rather than above it).
Clip Player Define the port used to communicate with Video Engine when Video Engine is used for preview.
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NRCS Server
Configuration of the NRCS Server is done from the NRCS client. Two system files must be configured, in order for the plugin to run smoothly. The following is an example of how to configure iNews via MOS. To learn about the direct connection between Maestro and iNews, see Direct iNews connection on page 184.
To configure the NRCS Server:
1. In the tree, select the MAP file from the SYSTEM folder.
The file’s code is displayed. This file contains a list of rundowns that can be sent to the Maestro controller.
2. For each rundown that needs to be sent to the Maestro controller, verify that the MOS configuration line is correct, as explained in the following example:
The line ‘mos orad’ specifies that a MOS device named ‘orad’ is connected to the NRCS MOS Gateway that is running on ‘kajko’.
3. In the tree, select the MOS-MAP file from the SYSTEM folder.
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The file’s code is displayed. This file specifies mapping between the MOSID and the computer name (used by MOS).
4. Verify that the mapping is correct, as explained in the following example:
In the line <MOS ID> <iNews Dev Name>;
• The <MOS ID> parameter is the name of the Avid device in NRCS (it must match the ID given in the Maestro MOS gateway and in the NRCS client).
• The <iNews Dev Name> parameter must match the internal iNews name specified in the MAP file.
NRCS MOS Gateway
Configuration of the Avid iNews MOS Gateway is done from the Avid iNews client. The mosconfig.xml file must be configured.
To configure the NRCS MOS gateway:
1. Open the file: c:/program files/Avid/MOSgateway/mosconfig.xml.
2. Under the MOS device definition, set the following:
• IP or Host name of the ORADMOS PC (10.10.1.81 in this example), as required.
• Set the <mos> object to match the name of the MOS ID.
• Set the internal iNews name to match the <amcp> object.
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Using the Maestro Plugin
This section describes the process of editing rundown items in the Avid iNews client, and inserting them in a rundown.
Opening Items
In order to edit a rundown item in an iNews client, you must open the MaestroBrowser.
To open an item:
1. Select Tools > Plugins > Maestro Browsing Class.
The MaestroBrowser window opens.
2. Browse to the required item, and double click to open it.
The item opens as shown in the following example.
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Editing Items
You can edit new items just opened from the Maestro database, or items that were opened previously, and added to a rundown.
Editing Items from the Database
Edit the data within an item by selecting the required data field with the cursor, and editing it as necessary.
Once you’re done editing, click Save to save the changes. This saves the item in the Maestro database. (See also Previewing Items on page 183.)
To insert the item to a rundown, with the rundown selected in the tree, click the Item button, and drag it to the lower right window in the NRCS client, then save the rundown.
Editing Items from a Rundown
In order to edit items from a rundown, you must select the item in the Avid iNews application (double click). A plugin opens (MaestroEditor), allowing you to modify the item, preview it, and re-save it in the Maestro database. The plugin switches to edit mode, and when using iNews, must be restarted after being used for editing.
You can use the toolbar options to find assets available in the following locations:
Assign channels, vslots, and transitions to the rundown item at the bottom of the plugin window.
Maestro Display the Maestro asset directory, which contains the pages saved in PageEditor.
VideoEngine Display all available video clips and images.
Tickers Display tickers available to Maestro and the ticker data window to define ticker content.
Morpho Display all available Morpho pages.
4Designer Display all available 4Designer scenes.
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Previewing Items
NOTE:This feature requires a separate license. For more information, contact the Avid support team.In order to use preview capabilities, the templates folder in the central server should be available as a local unit, named g:/ in the NRCS client.
You can preview the changes made in the Avid iNews client, before sending them to the controller.
To preview an item:
■ Click Play in the NRCS client.
The scene associated with the active page is displayed in a RenderEngine window. (preview will behave differently, depending on settings).
Press Play again to replay the animation.
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Direct iNews connection
Maestro 7.2 provides a MOS-less iNews communication through the MediaCentral | UX web services.
Direct iNews configuration
To use the direct iNews connection, you need to configure it in the iNews tab of the Settings dialog box.
To configure direct iNews connection:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences dialog box is displayed.
2. Select iNews on the left.
The iNews settings are displayed.
3. Set the preferences in the Webservice connection section as described in iNews on page 108.
4. To retrieve items from Interplay | Production, which are nested inside an iNews rundown, you need to enable the Interplay PAM clip search. For more information, see Interplay PAM clip search on page 108.
5. Click OK and close the Preferences dialog box.
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Working with iNews rundowns
Now that the connection to iNews is fully setup, you can easily retrieve iNews rundowns. Once the rundown is loaded, you can preview and air the video items.
To select an iNews rundown:
1. Click on the Select iNews rundown button.
The Select iNews queues window appears.
2. Double-click on the chosen queue and click OK.
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The selected queues appear in the Rundown area. The items in the rundowns can be organized and the video items can be previewed. For more information, see Building a Rundown on page 58.
The elements of the imported rundown are described in the below table:
1 iNews story An iNews story becomes a Maestro story.
2 Video item with a valid Video-id
Video item recognized by Interplay | Production through a valid Video-id property. A video, which is found in Interplay | Production, has a valid Duration and the Video Id is inserted in brackets before the clip name.
3 Graphic item with timing information
Graphic item set with a timing information in iNews. It is nested inside the video item.
4 Video item without a Video-id
Video item missing a valid Video-id. This video item has duration set to 00:00:00:00.
5 Media type indicator
Video item media type indicator. For more information, see Media Type Indicators Displayed in the Maestro Rundown on page 69.
6 Graphic item without timing information
Graphic item which does not have a timecode information. It is displayed as an independent, manually playable item.
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In the iNews system, a video production cue is usually entered into the story form, using the field labeled Video Id. The Video Id property is assigned to the file in Interplay | Production.
When an iNews rundown is imported into Maestro via a direct connection, the Video Id of the video items is retrieved amongst other information. Interplay | Production retrieves the video item by looking for the Video Id property.
When no valid Video Id is found, the video item appears with the Video Id inserted as the title and the duration is set to 00:00:00:00.
When the Video Id is recognized by Interplay | Production, the video item is inserted with the correct duration and the information about the video id is shown in brackets before the clip’s title.
Some graphic items are nested within the video items and will be automatically cued according to their timing information. This option can be enabled in the iNews system.
To enable the “Use TC” option in iNews:
1. Right-click anywhere within the toolbar area of the MaestroBrowser window, and select Preferences.
The Preferences dialog box opens.
2. In the MOS item section, enable the Insert itemEdStart and itemEdDur tags option.
3. Click OK and close the Preferences dialog box.
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4. Select the graphic asset to be inserted into a story, and click on the Show time
code icon.
5. Set the required timecode values to allow for automatic cuing of the graphic in the queue.
6. Save the changes and drag the graphic into the iNews story.
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11. Scene Editor
Scene Editor is an optional Maestro tool that allows you to create or make simple changes to page/scene content prior to airing.
Scene Editor is a basic version of 4Designer that allows making limited changes to scenes.
For more detailed information on any of the Scene Editor functions, see the 4Designer User Guide.
NOTE:Scene Editor requires a separate license. For more information, contact Avid support.
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Getting Started with Scene Editor
Scene Editor can be opened independently (C:\Orad\4Designer_1_0\sceneEdit.exe) or from within Maestro. To make the Scene Editor options available in Maestro, Scene Editor must be enabled in the Maestro preferences. For more information, see Virtual Slots on page 134.
To open Scene Editor from Maestro:
1. In the lower right corner, verify that Scene Edit indicator is connected (green), and click Scene Edit.
2. Click Scene Editor to open the Scene Editor tab.
3. Click New Scene to create a new scene or to open an available scene,Or-drag a page to the Scene Editor tab to open the scene to which it refers in Scene Editor.
In Scene Editor, you can add new graphics (based on assets created in 4Designer), or edit objects in the current scene. Construct scenes quickly and easily, without interrupting the on-air production.
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Scene Editor Menus and Toolbar
File Menu
Edit Menu
Animation Menu
New Scene Open the Create Scene dialog box to create a new scene from a 4Designer template.
Open Scene
Open the Load Scene dialog box to open an existing 4Designer scene.
Save Scene/Save Scene As
Open a dialog box to save the scene. It is recommended to always save the scene under a different name.
Close Close the current scene.
Recent scenes
Display a list of recently edited scenes.
Undo Undo the last action.
Redo Redo the last action.
Cut Cut the currently selected object.
Copy Copy the currently selected object.
Paste Paste the currently cut or copied object.
Delete Delete the currently selected object.
Go to start Go to the beginning of the current animation group.
Go to previous Go to the previous keyframe.
Play Play the animation.
Continue Continue the animation from the current keyframe.
Stop Stop the animation.
Finish loop and continue
Finish loop and continue the animation.
Go to next Go to the next keyframe.
Go to end Go to the end of the animation.
New animation group
Create a new animation group.
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Remove animation group
Remove current animation group.
Mirror animation group
Mirror current animation group.
Edit key Edit keyframe.
Record Start / Stop record.
Set start range
Set the start frame of the animation range (to the left of the Timeline in the Animation strip).
Set current frame
Select the current keyframe to display.
NOTE:This field is not displayed if the timeline is set to use a timecode.
Set end range Set the end frame of the animation range (to the right of the Timeline in the Animation strip).
Jump Use the SPACE bar to jump forward 10 frames on the timeline.
Set snap to frames
Select to set the animation timeline to Snap to Frames or clear to Snap to Fields (0, 0+, 1, 1+, etc.).
Clone animation group
Clone current animation group.
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Renderer Menu
View Menu
The Scene Editor toolbar contains additional tools:
Show Translation Manipulator
Activate the translation (positioning) manipulators for the selected object.
Show Object Scale Manipulator
Activate the scaling manipulators for the selected object.
Show Rotation Manipulator
Activate the rotation manipulators for the selected object.
Show Text Manipulator
Activate the text manipulators for the selected text object.
Show Selection Manipulator
Activate the select manipulators.
Show Active Camera Manipulator
Activate the current camera (layer) manipulator.
Show All Cameras Manipulator
Activate the manipulator for all cameras.
Save Camera Position
Save the current camera position before using the camera manipulators
Restore Camera position
Restore the camera position to the last saved camera position.
RE Connection Open the RE connection dialog box.
Dock RE Window Dock the local RE window in place or undock as a free window.
Show alpha Display the alpha channel output.
RE settings Open the RenderEngine settings.
Windows Show or hide the various Scene Editor windows.
Layout Load Layout - Load a saved GUI Layout (from a browser window).Save layout - Save the current GUI layout with an assigned name.Restore layout - Restore default menu layout to Scene Editor.
Settings Customize Scene Editor with various system settings.
New Scene
Open a dialog box to create a new scene/project.
Open Scene
Open a dialog box to open an existing scene.
Save Scene
Save the current scene.
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If an item was loaded in the RE window of Maestro Controller, it is displayed in the Scene Editor RE window. However, in order to change a scene, it must be opened from the File menu.
You can also create a new scene in SceneEditor. If there are any default templates that have been created in 4Designer, they will be listed when you select File>New.
Build a scene using the assets available from the Asset Strip. This can be saved as a scene for airing or as a template for reuse in other scenes.
When a scene object is selected, the editors and manipulators are enabled. Using the animation, position, and object properties, you can create new animations, adjust object properties, assign materials and geometry, and export variables for updating via a page.
Undo Undo the last editing action.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+Z).
Redo Redo the last editing action.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+Y).
Cut Cut an object from the scene to the clipboard. Can be pasted if required.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+X).
Copy Copy an object. The selected object, together with all stored information, is copied to the clipboard.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+C).
Paste Insert the contents of the clipboard into the scene.(Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+V).
Delete Delete an object from the scene without copying it to the clipboard.(Keyboard shortcut: DEL).
Lock Object
Lock all selected objects to prevent editing.
Unlock Object
Unlock all selected objects to allow editing.
Show selected object
Make all selected objects visible in scene.
Hide selected object
Hide all selected objects.
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Editing Scenes
Scene Editor enables you to open scenes for minor editing while working in Maestro, or to create new scenes with basic capabilities. This section describes what is available in Scene Editor.
To open a scene in Scene Editor:
■ Drag a scene from the browser to the Scene Editor tab.
Or-
Click New scene to open a new scene in Scene Editor. (New scenes are based on templates that exist in the 4Designer database.)
Animation Strip
In the Animation strip, the timeline displays key frame markers for animation sequences, to indicate the points of change on the timeline.
Defining an Animation Sequence
For each animated sequence, you need to define the parameters that determine the starting status of the object before the animated action, and to define start and end key frames for the animation, which constitute the range.
To record an animation sequence:
1. Click Record in the Animation strip.
The background turns red.
2. Select the object you want to animate, and set the animated parameters to their start point.
NOTE:When using the record function the starting properties of an object are not recorded. If you want any property to be animated, you must record its values
(by making a change) after you click Record.
3. Enter the next keyframe number in the Current Keyframe field (or use the
yellow slider).
4. Change the object as required.
5. Enter a new keyframe number in the Current Keyframe field (or use the yellow slider).
A keyframe is added at the current frame.
6. Add as many keyframes as required, by changing parameters, and setting the current frame.
7. Click Record again to stop the recording.
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The background turns gray.
A small pink indicator appears in the Scene tree near the property that was animated (in the Transformation column); clicking the square displays the Animation window.
Key Frame Fields
The animation timeline displays the current keyframe number when you move the
yellow slider . If you enter a value in the current keyframe field, the slider jumps to that position.
The timeline also displays the start and end frame numbers of the section of the timeline that is currently in view. By entering new values in these fields, you can rescale and move the timeline. You can also drag the slider, to view the hidden sections. The values in the first and last keyframe in view are automatically updated to reflect the visible section.
To create a key frame:
There a number of ways to create a key frame:
• After you change an object’s parameters for animating, click the Extension button next to the parameter, and select Set Key. This can be done to change all parameters: transformation, geometry, color, etc.
A key frame is recorded for the parameter at the current point on the animation timeline.
Changing Key Frame Properties
Change key frame properties in the Key Edit dialog box.
To change key frame properties:
1. On the timeline, right-click the key frame you want to change.
A menu is displayed.
2. Select Edit Key.
A list of the recorded channels is displayed for the selected key frame.
3. Select the required channel.
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The Key Editor dialog box opens for the selected keyframe.
4. Change the parameters as required, then click Close.
Creating Multiple Animation Groups
To create multiple animation groups
1. In the Animation strip, click the New Animation Group button. The default name for a new group, Animation, appears in the drop-down list as the current animation group.
2. Change the name as required. The animation group is automatically saved and added to the list.
3. Define the animation, as described in Defining an Animation Sequence on page 195.NOTE:The displayed animation group and the playback controls are applicable only to the currently selected animation group in the list of animation groups.
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Editing Animation Ranges
Each animation channel range can be manipulated to allow the operator to retime the key frames. In the Animation strip, the frame range of the timeline is displayed.
On the timeline, the duration of the current animation channel is displayed. Using the control handle at the end of the animation (highlighted in the following image), you can change the duration of the timeline; all the key frames are re-timed accordingly.
Transformation Strip
The position of objects can be changed in two ways:
• In the RE window, you can use the manipulators to reposition objects (right-click to select a manipulator). For finer control, there is the transformation strip:
From here, you can control the position, rotation, and scale of any object in the scene precisely. Click the extension button, next to each value to open a menu. Using this menu, you can export variables from the scene; these variables will then be available in PageEditor. You can also set key frames, or edit any existing key frame.
Property Editors
Property Editor tabs are available in Scene Editor. When each object is selected, the appropriate parameters become active.
For comprehensive information on editing scenes, see the 4Designer User Guide.
CurrentKeyframe
Timeline Range
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Saving Scenes
Once you are finished editing a scene, you must save it. The saving options vary, depending on how the scene was opened.
If you opened a scene by dragging an item (that refers the scene) to the Scene Editor tab, and then save it with a new name, Maestro changes the reference of the item to the new scene.
Scenes made in 4Designer and opened for editing in Maestro Scene Editor using
New Scene can be saved with their current name or with a new name. Changes to existing scenes apply to all pages referencing the scene.
Discard changes made in Scene Editor by selecting File>Close, without saving.
New scenes created in Scene Editor must be named.
To save a scene:
1. Select File>Save Scene As.
The Save Scene dialog box is displayed, prompting you to enter a name for the new scene. You can save it with the original name.
2. Save the scene as required.
Scene Editor is closed.
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12. Maestro inMediaCentral | UX
Starting with MediaCentral | UX v2.7.1, a plug-in named Maestro is available. This plug-in lets you connect to an Maestro asset database and work with Maestro graphics directly within MediaCentral | UX. Within MediaCentral | UX, you can add graphics to an iNews story.
In this section:
Connecting to and Browsing a Maestro Database on page 201
Viewing and working with Maestro Templates on page 203
Adding Maestro Assets to an iNews story on page 207
Maestro Settings in MediaCentral | UX on page 209
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Connecting to and Browsing a Maestro Database
When the Maestro MediaCentral | UX plugin is correctly installed and configured, the Maestro pane and Maestro Media Browser icons are available in the Launch pane.
To open the Maestro pane:
■ Double-click the Maestro pane icon.
■ Right-click the highlighted Maestro icon and select “Open in New Assets Tab.”
The Maestro pane is opened showing the catalogue of templates in the Maestro database.
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Maestro Media Browser
The Maestro Media Browser allows to bind file system paths to MediaCentral | UX. This mechanism supports an unlimited number of locations. The default location is the virtual G: drive. Each one of the configured locations is visible in the Launch pane as a separate tab.
There is a dedicated icon for graphic items and for video items .
Clicking on one of these icons opens the video clips or images stored in the file system.
NOTE:New locations can be added in the MaestroMediaBrowser service’s configuration file.
Maestro Media Browser shows thumbnails for media (images and clips) in the binded file system locations.Both Maestro Media Browser and MAM asset types are supported, as illustrated below:
Connecting to and Browsing a Maestro Database |
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Viewing and working with Maestro Templates
You can view and work with Maestro graphic templates in the Maestro Browser pane.
To view a graphic template:
■ In the Assets pane, double-click the graphic template you want to view.
The graphic template opens in Maestro Browser pane. The following illustration shows an example of a graphic template. This template includes exports that allow drag and drop of media (as indicated by “Drag image here”) and editing of text (as indicated by outline boxes). Buttons and controls are described in the accompanying table.
1. Pane menu Open the MediaCentral | UX Help menu.
2. Viewer Area inside the Maestro Browser pane.
3. Puzzlebutton
Click this button and drag it to the iNews story to create a production cue.
4. Refresh all data source
Click this button to refresh data sources.
5. Play button Click this button to generate a preview for the selected template and display it in the Media pane. As the item loads, the button shows the percentage loaded.
6. VSlot button The VSlot button allows to assign specific vSlot or Channel to the selected template.
7. Timecode button
Allow automatic cuing of a Maestro graphic at a specified time in a rundown queue. You can set it as a MOS object that is set as a production cue.
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Item Support
A Maestro page can be saved as a special Maestro asset type - an Item. An item contains a reference to the Maestro page and control values (optionally). Every time a page item is opened, the parent page is loaded with all parameter values and rendering settings.
To enable Item Support:
1. Go to the MediaCentral | UX System Settings and select Maestro from the list.
2. Check the Save item in asset DB box to enable Item Support.
3. Enable the Create new item on edit setting to prevent any items from being overwritten.
For more information, see Create new item on edit on page 209.
When Item Support is active, in Maestro Browser a page first needs to be saved as an
item using the Save button before it can be dragged to the rundown. Only after saving the item, the Cancel and Drag buttons appear
and the item can be moved to the rundown.
Ticker Support
Starting with the 7.3 version, another type of Maestro assets is supported in MediaCentral | UX - a Ticker. In the Maestro Browser it is possible to modify ticker content and add it to an iNews rundown.
Editing and Previewing a Graphic Template
The Maestro pane within MediaCentral | UX allows access to the catalogue of Maestro templates in the Maestro database. From the Maestro Browser pane, it is possible to fill the graphic template and add it to an iNews story. A Video ID can be assigned to the story using Interplay | Production. The created rundown containing graphic and video items can be played on the Maestro Media Engine.
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To add media to a graphic template:
1. In MediaCentral | UX, use the Launch pane to open the Interplay | MAM or Interplay | Production catalogue of media assets.
2. Use the Assets pane to browse through the Interplay | MAM or |Production database or use the Search pane to perform a search for the desired media to be used to fill in the graphic template. You can also use the Maestro Media Browser to locate the desired media from the File system.
3. Drag the media asset to the template in Maestro Browser pane and drop it in the image control area.
To edit text in a graphic template:
■ In the Maestro Browser pane, double-click an outlined box and enter the text.
Previewing the Graphic Template in the Media Pane
You can preview the complete graphic template in the MediaCentral | UX Media viewer.
To load a graphic in the Media viewer:
■ In the Maestro Browser windows, click the Play button.
The graphic begins to render. The Maestro Render Server generates preview frames when requested by MediaCentral | UX and provides these frames to the MediaCentral | UX server to be displayed in the Media pane.
After the graphic is loaded, you can click on the Play button in the Media viewer to view the graphic or drag the position indicator to scroll through the timeline.
Searching for assets
MediaCentral | UX allows to browse and search for assets, preview them and use them to fill graphic templates.
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To search for assets:
■ The Search bar in the top right corner of the application window has a menu that you use to select the type of the asset, a text field to enter the search criteria, and a Search button to conduct a simple search.
The results of the search appear below as a list. You can adjust the size of the Search bar by clicking and dragging the edges or corners.
You can display the search results in a pane, and then an advanced search can be performed, using complex Interplay media parameters.
To display the search results in a pane:
• Click the Detach Search icon and drag the bar into any area in the MediaCentral | UX window.
• Click the Pane Menu button and select Detach Search.
The Search Pane provides advanced search criteria for federated and indexed search that let you conduct a more precise and faster search.
You can use search criteria to reduce the number of results from the main search results list. You can also save the created search.
For more information on the search criteria, see the Avid MediaCentral | UX User’s Guide.
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Adding Maestro Assets to an iNews story
Journalists can create iNews rundowns within MediaCentral | UX with the option to assign Video Id's and create graphic items in iNews stories.
Maestro Controller receives the iNews rundowns, containing both video and graphic items, and displays them in the rundown. If Maestro Controller is connected to a Video Engine channel, it will also show the status of each Video Engine item on playout.
To add a Maestro item to an iNews rundown:
1. Click the puzzle button in the bottom left of the Maestro Browser window, drag the icon to the Queue/Story pane, and drop it on a segment of an iNews story.
A production queue is created in the cue list. An asterisk indicates that the cue is a machine control instruction.
2. Save the story.
3. You can double-click the production cue to modify the graphic template in the Maestro Browser pane. In this case, a Save button is displayed in the bottom row of the Maestro Browser pane.
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Synchronize Maestro graphics with a MediaCentral | UX sequence
In case the 'Use TC' option is selected in Maestro item that was added to an INEWS story, it will be shown in an associated MediaCentral UX script sequence. The graphics in the story are synchronized with the graphics in the sequence, so that if you add a Maestro graphic to a story in MediaCentral UX, the graphic is automatically added to the sequence. If you change the timing of a graphic in the sequence, or delete a graphic, the change is also made in the story. Graphics items with different VSlot will have separate tracks in a sequence.
There are two types of graphics you can work with:
Both types of graphics are shown as production cues in a story. In a sequence, untimed graphics are shown as production cues, and timed graphics are shown as editable segments, each on a separate track. The following illustration shows graphics as production cues in a story (top) and the same graphics as production cues and graphics tracks in a sequence (bottom).
For more information, see “Synchronizing Maestro Graphics with a MediaCentral | UX Sequence” in the Avid MediaCentral | UX User's Guide.
Untimed graphic No specific In point or Out point is set. During broadcast an operator needs to play the graphic manually.
Timed graphic An In point is set; an Out point is optional.During broadcast, playback is automatic, based on the In pointand Out point as they are set within a timing block in thesequence.
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Maestro Settings in MediaCentral | UX
Users with Administrator permissions can access and modify the Maestro pane settings from the System Settings layout.
To configure Maestro pane settings:
1. Sign in to MediaCentral | UX as an administrator.
2. Select the System Settings from the Layout selector.
The System Settings layout opens.
3. In the Settings pane select Maestro.
The Maestro pane settings are displayed in the Details pane.
MOS Object Timebase
Select either NTSC or PAL.
MOS ID Enter the ID of the Maestro MOS Gateway.
Enable page parameters in the item’s title
When selected, the Maestro page control's values are added to MOS item title.
Save item in asset DB
Check this box to switch on Item support. If this option is enabled, the Save button appears instead of the Drag one. Only after saving the item to the database, the Drag button becomes active.
For more information, see Item Support on page 204.
Create new item on edit
If Item support is enabled, this options prevents an existing item from overwriting. Check this box to create a new item upon each save.
Render server profile
Enter the name of the of the render profile. For more information, see the Avid MediaCentral Platform Services Installation and Configuration Guide.
Single image preview
Enable this option to show a given frame of the animation in the preview window. For more information, see Single Image Preview on page 118.
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13. Interplay Integration
In this section:
Interplay | MAM Integration on page 211
Interplay | Production Integration on page 216
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Interplay | MAM Integration
Interplay | MAM is a powerful media asset manager that can track a large number of digital assets throughout their life-cycles, enabling you to browse, find, and retrieve content quickly.
You can access and use images from the Interplay | MAM as textures in graphic items or use clips as video items in Maestro.
Interplay | MAM configuration in Maestro
Maestro allows unlimited number of Interplay | MAM connections.
To add an Interplay | MAM connection:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences dialog box is displayed.
2. Select MAM on the left.
The MAM settings are displayed.
3. Click Add to add an Interplay | MAM connection.
4. Under Identity, type in the Name of the connection, the System ID and select Interplay MAM as the MAM type.
5. In the Database server section, set the database server name; the host name or IP address of the computer on which the server is installed. Select the SQL server or Windows authentication.
6. In the Login section, type in the user name and password for logging into the MAM SQL database server.
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7. Once the new connection has been configured, press the Test button to verify it. After clicking Apply, the status of the connection changes from “Test OK” to “Connected”.
MAM file transit configuration in Maestro
In setups where Maestro is integrated with MediaCentral | UX, the MAM file transit option can be configured. With this option enabled, you can avoid playing large files over the network, as the files will be transfered directly to the configured location.
To configure the MAM file transit:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences dialog box is displayed.
2. Select MAM file transit on the left.
The MAM file transit settings are displayed. For more information on the MAM file transit options, see MAM file transit on page 112.
With the MAM file transit setup, when a file in Maestro is dragged into the rundown, it is automatically transfered to the specified location.
Video Engine configuration
To preview video from Interplay | MAM, you need to enable Video Engine.
To authenticate Interplay | MAM on a Windows Video Engine:
■ Map the Interplay | MAM as a local drive from the File Explorer on the Control PC.
NOTE:Windows Video Engine accesses the Interplay | MAM via an UNC path and you need to provide login credentials in advance.
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■ Using the net use method, map Interplay | MAM in the Windows command line.
NOTE:With this method, manual mapping will be required after each system restart.
To authenticate Interplay | MAM on a Linux Video Engine:
■ Create a mount point corresponding to Interplay | MAM on the Media Engine server itself, provide the required permissions and update the fstab file.
Browsing graphics and clips in Interplay | MAM
You can use image and video assets from Interplay | MAM to fill Maestro graphic templates from Maestro Controller, its plugins or MediaCentral | UX.
To use images from Interplay | MAM:
1. Open a graphic template containing an image selector control and double click the export control.
The Image Browser opens.
2. Select the Interplay | MAM tab on the left and browse for the image you want to insert into your page.
3. Click Open.
To use clips from Interplay | MAM:
■ To fill in a graphics template with a video item, open a graphic template containing a clip selector control and double click the export control.
■ Select the Interplay | MAM tab on the left and browse for the desired clip. Double-click on the video asset to use it in the graphic template.
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■ Select the Video item icon to display all available video clips.
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The Clip Browser opens.
■ Select the Interplay | MAM tab on the left and browse for the desired clip.
■ Double-click on the video item to display its preview and playout options. For more information on video items, see Video Item Options on page 64.
Adding Metadata
Different metadata can be configured for templates and items. Each type of asset has its own metadata.
To fill in metadata for a page, item, or asset:
1. Select the required asset.
2. If necessary, click Metadata to display the Metadata tab.
3. Fill in the available fields as required.
Searching for assets in Interplay | MAM
You can use a simple or an advanced search (based on asset metadata), to find assets in Interplay | MAM.
To search for assets in Interplay | MAM:
■ In the Browser, select an Interplay | MAM instance and click Search.
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A simple search allows you to search by name, asset type, unique ID, and dates
The advanced search uses queries of metadata fields, and is not limited by conditions.
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Interplay | Production Integration
Interplay | Production is an asset management system, which lets you easily manage content creation.
You can browse Interplay | Production video sequences and media and add them directly to the rundown.
Interplay | Production configuration in Maestro
Maestro allows multiple Interplay | Production connections.
To add an Interplay | Production connection:
1. Select Customize > Settings.
The Preferences dialog box is displayed.
2. Select MAM on the left.
The MAM settings are displayed.
3. Click Add to add an Interplay | Production connection.
4. Under Identity, type in the Name of the connection, the System ID and select Interplay Production as the MAM type.
5. In the Database server section, set the database server name; the host name or IP address of the computer on which the server is installed. Select the SQL server or Windows authentication.
6. In the Login section, type in the user name and password for logging into the SQL database server.
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Once the new connection has been configured, press the Test button to verify whether it has been setup correctly. After clicking Apply, the status of the connection changes from “Test OK” to “Connected”.
Browsing for media in Interplay | Production
You can use video assets from Interplay | Production to create new Rundown items.
To use media or assets from Interplay | Production:
1. Open the Browser , navigate to the Video tab and select the Interplay | Production tab on the left.
The list of available folders and clips opens.
2. Browse for the desired clip. Double-click on the chosen click to preview it in the Browser. For more information on video items, see Video Item Options on page 64.
3. Using the Drag item from here button, you can drag the clip directly into the rundown and assign a channel. For more information, see Editing Rundown Items on page 66.
Searching for assets in Interplay | Production
You can use a simple search to find assets in Interplay | Production.
Before you can use the search option, you need to enable it in the Preferences.
To enable the Interplay PAM clip search:
1. Open the Settings dialog box (Customize > Settings) and select iNews on the left.
2. Under Interplay PAM clip search, enter the required connection details. For more information, see iNews on page 108.
3. Click OK and close the Preferences dialog box.
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To search for assets in Interplay | Production:
■ In the Browser, select an Interplay | Production instance tab and click Search.
You can only search by the name of the asset.
Once the item is found, you can view or change the clip’s metadata by clicking on
the Metadata button , or preview the clip in the Browser by double-clicking on the asset. You can also drag it directly into the rundown to preview the video on multiple channels, before sending it on air. For more information, see Previewing and Airing Items on page 68.
Interplay | Production Integration |
14. Access andPermissions
MaestroAdministrator is a tool designed for an administrator to allow setting user and group permissions for functions in Maestro and access to assets in the Native Maestro Database 2.
In this section:
Starting Maestro Administrator on page 220
Maestro Users on page 221
Limiting Functionality on page 224
Restricting Access on page 225
Creating User Groups on page 226
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Starting Maestro Administrator
To start the Administrator tool:
■ Run the MaestroAdmin.exe file in C:\Orad\Maestro64_7_3.
The Access Control Administration window is displayed.
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Maestro Users
The Native Maestro Database 2 has its own Maestro User Management model. The Maestro Administrator is a tool dedicated to manage this model.
It allows the Maestro administrator to:
• create new Maestro users and groups of users;
• grant or revoke access to folders for a given user or a group of users;
• add or remove permissions for certain actions that a given user can perform in the Maestro Controller;
• create and assign metadata fields for a given asset type.
Creating New Users
To create a new user profile:
1. In the Users tab, click New User.
The New User dialog box is displayed.
2. Select the form of the Authentication for the user: Windows Authentication, Microsoft SQL Server, or Avid MediaCentral Platform.
3. Depending on the selected Authentication form, type the necessary user details:
Windows Authentication
NOTE:For this type of authentication to work, the user must be a member of the Active Directory domain and must be logged in to the domain account.
• Check the Do not create SQL Server login box if a corresponding SQL login should not be created. It is possible that this particular user already has access to the database, or the whole Active Directory group has been given access to the SQL and Maestro assets database.
With this option disabled, a matching SQL Server login with access to the current Maestro database is created.
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• Enter the details of the new user:
Microsoft SQL Server
• Check the Do not create SQL Server login box if a corresponding SQL login should not be created, because the access has already been granted.
With this option disabled, a matching SQL Server login with access to the current Maestro database is created.
• Enter the details of the new user:
Avid MediaCentral Platform
NOTE:For this type of authentication, the access to the SQL database is granted with the login details used during the Maestro installation.
• Enter the details of the new user:
4. Click OK.
The user name is created. All existing names appear in the User list.
Importing Users
It is also possible to import a list of existing MediaCentral Platform or Active Directory users.
To import MediaCentral Platform users:
1. In the Users tab, click on the Import button.
User name The user name (must contain at least one letter).
Full name The full name of the user.
User name The user name (must contain at least one letter).
Full name The full name of the user.
Password The user password.
Confirm password
Retype the password for verification.
User name The Avid MediaCentral Platform user name.
Full name The full name of the user.
Password The Avid MediaCentral Platform user password.
Confirm password
Retype the password for verification.
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The Import window appears.
2. Select Import from MediaCentral Platform.
3. The Import users window appears, where the users can be selected and imported into Maestro Administrator.
4. The imported users can now be added to groups and mapped to roles.
To import Active Directory users:
1. In the Users tab, click on the Import button.
The Import window appears.
2. Select Import from file (LDIF, DSML, TXT).
3. Browse for the necessary file and click on Open.
4. Choose the users to be imported, or press Select All, and click on Import.
The users can now be added further managed in the Maestro Administrator tool.
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Limiting Functionality
Functionality within the Maestro application is limited for each user according to the role assigned to a user. By default, new users are assigned a System operator role. System operators have full functionality for working in Maestro. To limit user functionality’ you must create a new role and assign it to the required user.
To create a role:
1. In the Roles tab, click New Role.
The New Role dialog box is displayed.
2. Type in a Name and Description for the role.
3. Click OK.
The role is created. All existing groups appear in the Role list.
4. With the role selected, select the functions that the user has or doesn’t have permission to use.
Permissions for this role - move allowed functions to this column using the
and arrows.
Operations - move restricted functions to this column.
To assign a role to a user:
1. In the Users tab, select the user from the User list.
2. From the User’s Role list, select a a role.
The role is assigned to the current user.
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Restricting Access
Access to the assets and their metadata stored in the Native Maestro Database 2 is restricted by Access mode;
Private - when you want assets to be available to the creator and to administrators.
Public - when you want assets to be available to all.
Group - when you want assets to be available to members of a group.
To restrict access to assets or metadata in the database:
1. In the Folders or the Meta Fields tabs, select the folder or field to which to restrict access.
For more information, see on metadata fields, see Adding Metadata Fields on page 225.
2. Select the Access Mode from the list.
If you selected group access, set the access type (View or Modify) for each group.
Adding Metadata Fields
Add metadata fields in the MaestroAdministrator and set the access permissions as required. Metadata fields are displayed in the Maestro interface in one of the following property sets:
• Page properties
• Rundown properties
• DataSource properties
• DataQuery properties
• Item properties
To add metadata fields:
1. In the Meta Fields tab, click Create.
The Create New Meta Field dialog box is displayed.
2. Type in the required Field Name and select the Data Type from the list.
3. Click OK.
The field is added to the list of fields.
NOTE:When you set the Selection data type, you must add selection items in the list that is displayed on the right.
Access permission to the metadata fields is described in Restricting Access on page 225.
Deleting Metadata Fields
If you delete a metadata field, it is deleted from the database together with all metadata that was added to the field, and cannot be restored.
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Displaying Metadata Fields for Assets
Once you define metadata fields, you can set what fields are available for your database assets in Maestro.
To set metadata fields per asset:
1. In the Meta Data tab, select the Asset Type.
2. Using the and arrows, move fields to be displayed in the asset properties to the Meta Data list, or fields to hide to the Meta Fields list.
Creating User Groups
Groups allow you to set access to assets for all users in the group.
To create a group:
1. In the Groups tab, click New group.
The New group dialog box is displayed.
2. Type in a Name and Description for the group.
3. Click OK.
The user name is created. All existing groups appear in the Group list.
Adding Users to a Group
To add a user to a group or groups:
1. In the Groups tab, select a group from the Group list.
2. With the group selected, select the users to be included in this group;
Move the users to the left column using the and arrows to include in the group or to the right column to exclude.
Creating User Groups |
15. M6 Scripting API
In this section
Timeline and Macro API on page 228
Page Level API on page 238
Media Manager API on page 244
Metadata API on page 245
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Timeline and Macro API
All level APIs in this section can be used in timeline script events.
Item level API
Item Level Properties
Several items properties are accessible directly from a script through the item object. You can read and set values of the following item properties:
• item.Title – item title, displayed in rundown view
• item.Project – name of project of graphic scene
• item.Scene – name of scene
• item.TakeCount – number of OnTake events
• item.CurrentTake – current take number (takes are numbered from 0)
• item.UniqueID – item unique id (read-only)
• item.VSlot – vslot for item returns integer value (not alias name)
• item.Channels – channel list
Example:
var arrayChannel = item.Channels;
for( var i = 0 ; i < arrayChannel.length ; ++i )
{
app.addParameter( arrayChannel[ i ] );
}
Item Level Parameters.
Script parameters are accessible by their names. To set the value of a parameter it is enough to type:
item.parameter_name = some_value;
To read a value from a parameter, use the same semantics with reversed order of script parameters:
var script_value = item.parameter_name;
NOTE:Because of scripting, parameter names are limited to alpha-numeric strings with '_' character. Other characters are forbidden.
In Maestro parameter can be a single value, or an array value. In order to operate on array parameter, in scripts you can use parameter's properties:
• "item.parameter_name.Data – Returns data as array of strings
• "item.parameter_name.Size – Returns size of array (read-only)
• "item.parameter_name.Index – Returns current index of array
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• "item.parameter_name.Value – Returns value of current index from array (value of this property is updated automatically when Index or Data is modified)
• item.parameter_name.QueryValid – Turn off/on query for parameters, returns true if query is on, else return false
• item.parameter_name.Visibility – Turn off/on visibility for parameters
• item.parameter_name.ReadOnly – Turn off/on modifiable for parameters
Item Level Functions
• bool addParameter (string name);
Set value of parameter to parameter_value, if parameter "name" does not exist, create a new one. Return true on success. If parameter with name exists, return false.
• bool deleteParameter (string name);
Delete parameter "name". Return true on success.
• bool hasParameter(string name);
Return true if parameter name is defined.
• Object findItem( string uniqueID )
Tries to find an item in rundown. On failure returns null.
Example:
var uniqueID = "JKP";
var item1 = app.findItem( uniqueID );
var item2 = app.findItem( '1LINE' );
• void loadItem( Object obj )
Function will try to load graphics to RE.
Example:
var item1 = app.findItem( '1LINE' );
if ( item1 != null )
{
app.loadItem( item1 );
}
void unloadItem( Object obj )
(On-Air mode only) function will try to unload graphics to RE
• bool isItemLoaded( Object obj )
Returns true if item is loaded
• void cueItem( Object obj )
Execute 'CUE'
• void takeItem( Object obj )
Execute 'TAKE'
• void outItem( Object obj )
Execute 'OUT'
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Examples
Changing item's title during play operation:
This example uses a simple scene with one text export, and two 'IN' and 'OUT' animations; the first take sends a text export, and plays the 'IN' animation and the second 'take' plays the 'OUT' animation.
Script for first 'Take':
if(TAKE_NO === "0")
{
item.Title = "First take: info bar IN";
return true;
}
return false;
Script for second 'Take':
if(TAKE_NO === "1")
{
item.Title = "Second take: info bar OUT";
return true;
}
return false;
Using one item to display different data for each take:
This example uses a simple scene with one text export, and two 'IN' and 'OUT' animations, but the scripts for the Take events are different. In this scene there is a newsText parameter, which holds an array of text data (e.g. from data query).
if((TAKE_NO % 2) === 0)
{
item.Title = 'Data to display: "' + item.newsText.Value + '"';
return true;
}
return false;
Line 1 checks if the take number is an even number. Line 3 changes the title of the item.
Second script:
if((TAKE_NO % 2) === 1)
{
item.newsText.Index += 1;
if (item.newsText.Index === item.newsText.Size)
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{
item.Title = 'End of data';
item.newsText.Index = 0;
}
return true;
}
return false;
Line 1 checks if the script call parameter is an odd number. In line 3 the current index of item.newsText.Index is increased by 1; we want to display next data. Line 4 verifies that the current index does not exceed the size of data (the first index is 0). After the last index, the item's title is changed to 'End of data'.
Playlist Level API
The Playlist can be accessed in scripts through 'playlist' object.
Item can only access it's 'parental' playlist.
Playlist Level Properties.
Sample properties (not available in first version):
• playlist.Name – Name of playlist, without location prefix (read-only)
• playlist.Type – {MOS, MANUAL, ....}
• playlist.MOSDurationStr - MOS playlist duration (parameter roEdDur) as string;
• playlist.MOSDurationFields - MOS playlist duration (parameter roEdDur) in fields;
• playlist.ActualDurationStr - playlist actual duration as string (calculated in Maestro based on start point and duration of items in the rundown);
• playlist.ActualDurationFields - playlist actual duration in fields (calculated in Maestro based on start point and duration of items in the rundown);
Playlist Level Parameters
Playlists like items can have parameters. Playlists parameters are identical to item's parameters.
We can access parameter object by its name.
• playlist.parameter_name
Playlist Level Functions
Similar to item object, playlist will have functions to manipulate its parameters.
• bool addParameter(string name);
Set value of parameter to parameter_value, if parameter "name" does not exist, create a new one. Return true on success.
• bool deleteParameter(string name);
Delete parameter "name". Return true on success.
• bool hasParameter(string name);
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Return true if parameter name is defined.
• bool deleteAllParameters();
Delete all parameters. Return true on success.
Item enumeration functions, is a set of functions for easy navigation between items (for accessing individual playlist items).
• int getItemCount();
Returns number of items in playlist.
• Object getItem(int anIndex);
Returns reference to item.
• Object getFirstObject();
Returns first item in playlist
• Object getNextObject(Object aPreviousObject);
Returns next object or null;
• Object findItemByID(string uniqueID);
Returns item with uniqueID or null;
• Object findItem(string uniqueID)
• Find an item in the playlist. On failure returns null. For example;
var uniqueID = "JKP";
var item1 = app.findItem( uniqueID );
var item2 = app.findItem( '1LINE' );
Examples
1. Change the project name in each item in playlist. With this simple script we can quickly replace graphics in each item in playlist.
function changeGraphics()
{
var oldProject = playlist.old_project; // get old project name from playlist parameter 'old_project'
var newProject = playlist.new_project;
var nextItem = playlist.getFirstObject(); // take the first item from playlist while (nextItem != null)
{
if (nextItem.Project == oldProject)
{
nextItem.Project = newProject;
}
/*nextItem = playlist.getNextObject();*/
nextItem = playlist.getNextObject(nextItem);
}
}
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Application level API
Application object in script will be named 'app'.
There will be only one application object, it can be accessed from any script. (Item cannot access other playlist than its own).
Application Level Properties
• app.Name – Name of application (in case of Maestro it will be 'Maestro', MOS plugins might have different names);
• app.Version – Version number
• app.User – Name of current user (user name is set during application start);
Application Level Parameters
Like item and rundown objects, application will have parameters. Parameters can be accessed by their names:
• app.parameter_name
Application Level Functions
Like item and rundown objects, application will have functions to manipulate parameters.
• bool addParameter( string name );
Set value of parameter to parameter_value, if parameter "name" does not exist, create a new one. Returns true on success. If parameter with name exists, Returns false.
• bool deleteParameter( string name );
Delete parameter "name". Returns true on success.
• bool hasParameter( string name );
Returns true if parameter name is defined.
• bool deleteAllParameters();
Delete all parameters. Returns true on success.
Playlist enumeration functions is a set of functions for easy navigation between playlists (accessing open playlists).
• int getPlaylistCount();
Returns number of opened playlists.
• Object getPlaylist(int anIndex);
Returns reference to playlist.
Another proposition for enumeration functions:
• Object getFirstPlaylist();
Returns first playlist
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• Object getNextPlaylist();
Returns next object or null
• Object getActivePlaylist();
Returns playlist marked as active
• void closeAllPlaylists();
Closes all playlists ex: app.closeAllPlaylists()
• void loadScene(string aChannel, string aProject, string aScene);
Loads scene to specified channel, for example: app.loadScene("A", "Demo", "CNBC")
• void clearChannel(string aChannel);
Clears specified channel, for example: app.clearChannel("A")
• void clearAllChannels();
Clears all channels, for example: app.clearAllChannels()
Asynchronous Communication
General information on the SIGNAL / SLOT communication mechanism
SIGNAL/SLOT is an abstract name for asynchronous event which can be sent from and item and received and handled by another item, playlist (only item's playlist can receive its SIGNALS), or application.
SIGNAL has two parameters: signal name (string) and signal value (variant).
Signals can be sent from the timeline or using script code. In the timeline using Signal event. (Signals are posted immediately; the Wait command does not apply for scripts or signal events.) In the script code use the postSignal(name, parameter) function.
Signals can be received by items, playlists, or applications. Only items with on-air status receive signals (performance constraint). Playlists will receive signals from their children only. Applications use a global handler.
Sending signals from a script:
Two global functions are provided in the script API:
• postSignal(signal_name, parameter);
Send signal to all slots (items, playlist, application).
Parameters:
• 'signal_name' – first parameter will allow receiver to recognize type of signal
• 'parameter' – each signal can 'carry' some value with itself.
• postSignalDirect(signal_name, parameter, recipient);
Send signal only to recipient object. This function guarantees that only one object will receive this signal.
Parameters:
• 'signal_name' – first parameter will allow receiver to recognize type of signal
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• 'parameter' – each signal can 'carry' some value with itself.
• 'recipient' – signal destination, it can be item, parent playlist, or application.
Receiving signals in items
A new type of callback can be added to the timeline. The callback will have following interface:
• bool function OnSignalEvent(var SIGNAL_NAME, var SIGNAL_VALUE)
{
return true;
}
External Device Communication
General access to external device properties and function:
• device_name.device_property
• device_name.device_function();
CMD Device
CMD object in script will be named 'cmd'. It can be accessed from any script.
CMD Device Properties
• cmd.WorkingDirectory – The path to the directory in this directory will run the program
• cmd.Arguments – Argument list (array type is required)
• cmd.ProgramPath – Path to .EXE file
CMD Device Functions
• void Run()
start program
Examples
Start notepad.exe from Maestro script:
Script:
cmd.ProgramPath = 'c:/start.bat';cmd.WorkingDirectory = 'c:/';cmd.Run();
In start.bat:
start c:\windows\notepad.exe
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GPI Device
GPI object in script will be named 'gpi'. It can be accessed from any script.
GPI Device Properties
• gpi.DeviceName – Device name
GPI Device Functions
• void setPortStatus(int aPortNumb, bool aPortStat)
Set port
VideoEngine Device
The Blend VideoEngine is an Avid product.
VideoEngine Properties
• videoengine.DeviceName – Select device, use names set in 'External devices' preferences
• videoengine.ClipId – Select clip name (or ID)
• videoengine.Channel – VideoEngine channel ID
• videoengine.IsConnected – VideoEngine device connection status (true when connected)
VideoEngine Functions
• videoengine.Cue()
• videoengine.Play()
• videoengine.Stop()
Example
videoengine.DeviceName = 'a';
videoengine.ClipId = 'MOV00000075_ducati_1080i_48';
videoengine.play();
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Datasource
Update Specific Query
• datasource.updateQuery (<ds name>,<query name>)
where <ds name>,<query name> is name existing query
Update Query For Parameters
• datasource.updateData( Object object )
updates all parameters in object (parametrized query get all values from object) where object is (e.g.)
• item
• playlist
• app
or one parameter when pass object 'parameter' (parametrized query get only value from this parameter)
• app.parameter_name
• playlist.parameter_name
• item.parameter_name
Individual parameters can be updated also by a function from the Page level API (parametrized query get only value from this parameter).
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Page Level API
The scripting APIs in this section are used exclusively to create page scripts in PageEditor.
Page Object
Page Level Properties
• page.SubpageCount – Count of subpages, integer, (read-only)
• page.UniqueID – Unique id, string, (read-only)
• page.AppName – Application name, string, (read-only)
Subpages
• page._1 – First subpage, object, (read-only)
• page._2 – Second subpage, object, (read-only)
• page._3 – Third subpage, object, (read-only)
• page._current – Current subpage, object, (read-only)
Page Level Functions
• bool hasSubpage( int aSubpageIndex );
• bool hasSubpage( string aSubpageName );
Returns true if subpage with specified index/name exists, otherwise false.
• aSubpageIndex – index of subpage where first subpage has index = 1.
• Array getSubpagesNames();
Returns array containing of names of all subpages
Example:
var subpageNames = page.getSubpagesNames();
for (var i = 0; i < subpageNames.length; i++)
{
var subpageName = subpagesNames[i];
...
}
• Array getSubpages();
Returns array containing of all subpages objects
Example:
var subpageObjects = page.getSubpages();
for (var i = 0; i < subpageObjects .length; i++)
{
var subpageObj = subpageObjects[i];
subpageObj.Width = 520;
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...
}
• Object getSubpage( int aSubpageIndex );
• Object getSubpage( string aSubpageName );
Returns subpage object with specified index/name.
• aSubpageIndex – index of subpage where first subpage has index = 1.
Example:
var subpage = page.getSubpage(1);
subpage.Width = 520;
• void selectSubpage( int aSubpageIndex );
• void selectSubpage( string aSubpageName );
Selects subpage specified index/name.
• aSubpageIndex – index of subpage where first subpage has index = 1.
Example:
page.selectSubpage(1);
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Subpage Object
Subpage Level Properties
• page._current.Index – Index of subpage, integer, (read-only)
• page._2.ControlCount – Count of subpage controls, integer, (read-only)
• page._current.Name – Name of subpage, string, (read-only)
• page._current.Width – Width of subpage, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.Height – Height of subpage, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.Project – Project of subpage, string, (read/write)
• page._current.Scene – Scene of subpage, string, (read/write)
• page._current.Visible – Visibility of subpage, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.BackgroundColor – Background color of subpage, string, (read/write), format: "#RRGGBBAA"
Example:
page._current.BackgroundColor = "#FF0000FF";
• page._current.BackgroundImagePath – Path to image background of subpage, string, (read/write)
• page._current.VSlot – VSlot of subpage, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.Channels – Channels of subpage, array, (read/write)
Example:
page._current.Channels = new Array("A", "B", "C");
• page._current.AudioPreset – Audio preset of subpage, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.ShowControlNames – Show/hide of controls' names, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.ItemDuration – Duration of subpage in fields, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.ItemDefaultColor – Default color of item, string, (read/write), format: "#RRGGBBAA"
Example:
page._current.ItemDefaultColor = "#FF0000FF";
• page._current.TakeCount – Number of takes of subpage, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.Transition – Transition of subpage, array, (read/write) first array element is transition scene name, second is transition duration in fields
Example:
page._current.Transtion = new Array("transition", "50");
• page._current.AppName – Application name, string, (read-only)
Subpage Level Functions
• bool hasControl int aControlndex );
• bool hasControl( string aControlName );
Returns true if control with specified index/name exists, otherwise false.
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aControlIndex – index of control where first control index = 0
• Array getControlsNames();
Returns array containing of names of all controls
Example:
var controlNames = page._current.getControlNames();
for (var i = 0; i < controlNames.length; i++)
{
var controlName = controlNames[i];
...
}
• Array getControls();
Returns array containing of all controls objects
Example:
var controlObjects = page._current.getControls();
for (var i = 0; i < controlObjects .length; i++)
{
var controlObj = controlObjects[i];
controlObj.Width = 120;
...
}
• Object getControl( int aControlIndex );
• Object getControl( string aControlName );
Returns control object with specified index/name.
aControlIndex – index of subpage where first control index = 0.
Example:
var control = page._current.getControl(1);
control.Width = 120;
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Control Object
Control Properties
• page._current.SingleLineText.X – x position of control, integer, (read/write)
• page._1.SingleLineText.Y – y position of control, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.Width – Width of control, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.Height – Height of control, integer, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.Visible – Visibility of control, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.ReadOnly – Set/unset control to read-only state, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.QueryActive – Enable/disable of control's query, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.UseInIemTitle – Set/unset control to used in item's title, boolean, (read/write)
• page._current.SingleLineText.LayoutDirection – Layout direction of control, integer, (read/write)
Possible values:
0 – LeftToRight
1 – RightToLeft
2 – Auto
• page._current.SingleLineText.TextColor – Text color of control, string, (read/write), format: "#RRGGBBAA"
Example:
page._current.SingleLineText.TextColor = "#FF0000FF";
• page._current.SingleLineText.BackgroundColor – Background color of control, string, (read/write), format: "#RRGGBBAA"
Example:
page._current.SingleLineText.BackgroundColor = "#FF0000FF";
• page._current.SingleLineText.Data – Data of control type depends on control type, (read/write)
example:
page._current.SingleLineText.Data = "Some text";
page._current.IntegerValue.Data = 10;
• page._current.SingleLineText.AppName – Application name, string, (read-only)
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Control Functions
• bool hasProperty( string aPropertyName );
Returns true if control has property specified by name, otherwise false.
• Array getPropertiesNames();
Returns array containing names of control specific properties
Example:
var propertyNames = page._current.SingleLineText.getPropertiesNames();
for (var i = 0; i < propertyNames.length; i++)
{
var propertyName = propertyNames[i];
...
}
• Variant getProperty( string aPropertyName );
Returns value of property specified by property name. Returned value type depends of control type.
Example:
var isVideo = page._current.ClipControl.getProperty("Video");
var imgAspect = page._current.ImageControl.getProperty("Aspect");
• void setProperty( string aPropertyName, Variant aValue );
Sets of properties specified by property name
Example:
page._current.ClipControl.setProperty("Audio", true);
page._current.ImageControl.setProperty("Aspect", 0.5);
• void updateQuery();
Updates of query assigned to control
Example:
page._current.SingleLineText.updateQuery();
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Media Manager API
Properties
• mediaMgr.CLIP_CUING - clip status: cuing, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_CUED - clip status: cued, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_PAUSED - clip status: paused, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_PLAYING - clip status: playing, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_ERROR - clip status: error, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_UNLOADED - clip status: unloaded, read only
• mediaMgr.CLIP_INVALID - clip status: invalid, read only
Functions
• int getClipStatus( string aChannel, string aClipPath );
Returns status of specified clip (aClipPath) on specified channel (aChannel)
Example:
var status = mediaManager.getClipStatus("A", "g:\clips\clip.avi");
if (status == mediaManager.CLIP_CUED)
{
...
}
• Array getClips( string aChannel );
Returns array containing of paths of clips on specified channel (aChannel)
Example:
var clips = mediaManager.getClips();
for (var i = 0; i < clips.length; i++)
{
var clip = clips[i];
...
}
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Metadata API
This API extension provides direct access only for reading asset metadata from the database in scripts using 'metadata' objects and the MetaDataContainer. Changing metadata using this API does not affect the database, only Maestro memory.
Functions
• MetaDataContainer get( string asset_GUID );
Returns MetaDataContainer containing asset metadata. Takes asset GUID to query.
• MetaDataContainer get( item );
Returns MetaDataContainer containing item metadata. Takes item to query.
• MetaDataContainer get( page );
Returns MetaDataContainer containing page metadata. Takes page to query.
MetaDataContainer
This is a JavaScript Object with metadata fields as its properties. If you are not familiar with JavaScript, think of the MetaDataContainer as a container that maps metadata names to their values. You can access metadata by name from MetaDataContainer.
NOTE:MetaDataContainer is an idea, not a real JavaScript Object. Everything that applies to a JavaScript Object, applies to the MetaDataContainer, since MetaDataContainer is a JavaScript Object. Knowledge of JavaScript Objects is not
necessary to use MetaDataContainer, but will be helpful (especially regarding properties).
You can comment scripts with text, for example:
// Two slashes begin comment - this line is ignored in a script var item_metadata = metadata.get( item );
Basic Use
Accessing item metadata
To access item metadata in TimeLine Script Event, simply call: var item_metadata = metadata.get( item );
Predefined metadata object returns item metadata via its 'get()' method. Variable item_metadata is MetaDataContainer that contains all accessible item metadata. Let's assume, that item has metadata field with name 'AssetName'. It is possible to access this metadata using two methods:
Method 1
meta_data.AssetName; //read
meta_data.AssetName = 'NewName'; //write
Method 2 (recommended)
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meta_data['AssetName'] //read
meta_data['AssetName']= 'NewName'; //write
NOTE:Changing MetaDataContainer will not change metadata in the database, only in Maestro memory.
The second method is recommended because some metadata names may contain spaces. For example 'File Type' metadata field, can not be accessed with first method, only with second:
meta_data['File Type'] //read
meta_data['File Type']= 'JPG'; //write
Accessing page metadata in PageEditor Scripts (Page Level API)
Access for page metadata is same as access for item metadata, but instead of using item object page object to metadata 'get()' method:
• var page_metadata = metadata.get( page );
Accessing asset metadata
Access for asset metadata is the same as access for item metadata, but instead of using item object pass asset GUID to metadata 'get()' method:
• var asset_GUID = 'c9431f15-d167-458f-92a8-1409c6476df5';
var asset_metadata = metadata.get( asset_GUID );
Checking if MetaDataContainer contains a specific metadata field
To check if MetaDataContainer contains 'AssetCreationDate' metadata field, use JavaScript hasOwnProperty() method:
• if ( item_metadata.hasOwnProperty( 'AssetCreationDate' ) )
doSomething();
NOTE:Since the MetaDataContainer is just a JavaScript Object, and it contains metadata as its properties, above code snippet ask object item_metadata if it has property called 'AssetCreationDate' using built-in JavaScript
hasOwnProperty() function.
List all contained metadata from MetaDataContainer
To see what metadata fields are in MetaDataContainer use a JavaScript for...in... statement:
• for ( field in item_metadata )
doSomething( item_metadata[ field ] );
Assume that item_metadata contains following metadata fields: 'AssetName', 'AssetCreationDate', 'AssetType'. The above code will iterate through all them;
In the first iteration the field variable will be equal to 'AssetName',
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In the second iteration the field will be equal to 'AssetCreationDate',
In the third iteration the field will be equal to 'AssetType'.
Using a for...in... statement, you can to iterate all contained metadata.
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16. Appendix
In this section:
Maestro Render Server Installation on page 250
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Maestro Render Server Installation
Prerequisites
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• 6th generation Core i7 or Xeon with minimum 4 cores (8 threads)
• 16 GB RAM
• GeForce GTX 960 or higher
System Components
The complete Maestro Render Server environment consists of the following items:
• Maestro Render Server
• Render Engine (with Shared Data)
• Video Engine
Preparing the Software Package
Before you can start the installation, you must obtain the software and copy it to the server where the Maestro Render Server will be installed.
Unzip the GraphicsSuite_<version>.zip file to its own folder.
Shared Data
The Render Engine and Maestro Render Server require access to the Shared Drive (mapped as G: drive), as it contains the necessary content required for Maestro page creations.
To install Shared Data:
1. Open the GraphicsSuite_<version> folder and double-click the Shared Data installer“Shared Data_<version_build>.exe”.
2. The “Welcome to Shared Data Setup” screen appears.
Click Next.
3. In the “Setup Type” window, select the Typical button and click Next.
Shared Data features will be installed to C:\Data. Select Custom Setup to choose adifferent installation drive.
4. In the “Ready to Install” window, review the entered information and click Next tobegin the installation.
If the installation summary contains any errors, click the Back button to return to aprevious step and correct the error.
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5. Once the installation is complete, click the Finish button to exit the installer.
Installing and configuring the RenderEngine
This package installs the Avid Render Engine.
To install the Render Engine:
1. Open the GraphicsSuite_<version> folder and double-click the Render Engine installer “RenderEngine64_<version_build>.exe”.
2. The “Welcome to Render Engine x64 Setup” window appears.
Click Next.
3. In the “Setup Type” window, select the Typical button and click Next.
4. In the “Access to Shared Data” window, point to the location of the Shared Data (mapped as drive G:) and click Next.
5. In the “Ready to Install” window, review the entered information and click Next to begin the installation.
If the installation summary contains any errors, click the Back button to return to a previous step and correct the error.
6. Once the installation is complete, click the Finish button to exit the installer.
Installing and configuring the Video Engine
This package installs the Avid Video Engine.
To install the Video Engine:
1. Open the GraphicsSuite_<version> folder and double-click the Video Engine installer “VEServerWin_<version_build>.exe”.
2. The “Welcome to VEServerWin Setup” window appears.
Click Next.
3. In the “Setup Type” window, select the Typical button and click Next.
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4. In the “Select work mode” window, select the RenderServer option and make sure “force default settings” is enabled.
5. In the “Application components and parameters” window, the following options are enabled by default:
• Websettings server
• Video Engine commander
• Video Engine: number of inputs 4; number of outputs: 0.
Click Next.
6. In the “Ready to Install” window, review the entered information and click Next to begin the installation.
If the installation summary contains any errors, click the Back button to return to a previous step and correct the error.
7. Once the installation is complete, click the Finish button to exit the installer.
Video Engine Settings
To view VE settings, or restart the VE Server, login to the Websettings.
To log in to the Web Configurator to view VE settings:
1. Open a web browser.
2. Open the page: http://localhost:8080.
The Login window is displayed.
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3. Type in the username and password and click Login.
Default login details: Username: avid and Password: Avid123.
The VideoEngine tab is displayed.
NOTE:When adding a new channel, make sure to set the Transfer mode to Asynchronous.
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Installing the Maestro Render Server
This package installs the Server and Client software for the Maestro Render Server and the Maestro Render Manager. These applications allow users to manage render templates and start the Render Server Engine.
To install the Maestro Render Server:
1. Open the GraphicsSuite_<version> folder and double-click the Maestro Render Server installer “MaestroRenderServer64_<version_build>.exe”.
2. The “Welcome to Maestro Render Server (x64) Setup” screen appears.
Click Next.
3. In the “Setup Type” window, select the Typical button and click Next.
If required, the Custom Setup option allows you to select a custom installation path. For consistency, selecting the Typical installation option is recommended.
4. In the “MaestroRenderServer components categories” window, select the following options as required by your installation:
• Server components: This option installs the Maestro Render Server components on the local hard drive.
• Client component (optional): This option installs the Maestro Render Server COM API component used by the Render Service.
The Maestro Render Server Client components must be installed on the server that you plan to install the Render Service. The Server components must also be installed prior to installing the Render service. However, the Client software does not necessarily need to be installed on the same system as the Server software.
5. Click Next.
6. In the “MaestroRenderServer - Database access” window, enter the following information:
• Host: Enter the host name of the server running the MSSQL Maestro Render Server database as well as the instance name of the database.
Example: qa-mserver-f\maestro
NOTE:The Maestro Render Server database is different than the Maestro Asset database. Verify that you are entering the correct information on this page.
• User: Enter the SQL user name to be used by the Render Service to access the database.
Example: sa
• Password: Enter the password for the above user.
• Database name: Enter the name of the Maestro Render Server database.
Example: MaestroRenderServer (default)
7. Click Next.
8. If the installer detects that the MaestroRenderServer database already exists, a window appears asking if you want to either use the existing database or create a new database.
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Select the button to either “Use existing” or “Create new”.
NOTE:If you select “Create new” and an existing database is in place, the database will be replaced and the original data is unrecoverable. Make sure to select the correct option in this window.
9. Click Next.
10.In the “Maestro Database Server” window, select the Native 2 option.
Do not select the “use trusted connection” option (typical for most installations).
11.In the “Access to Maestro Database” window, enter the following information:
• Server: Enter the IP address or host name of the server running the MSSQL Maestro Asset database as well as the instance name of the database.
Example: qa-mserver-f\maestro
• User: Enter the SQL user name to be used by the Maestro Bus Service to access the database.
Example: sa
• Password: Enter the password for the above user.
12.Click Next.
13.In the “Ready to Install” window, review the entered information and click Next to begin the installation.
If the installation summary contains any errors, click the Back button to return to a previous step and correct the error.
14.Once the installation is complete, click the Finish button to exit the installer.
Configuring the Maestro Render Server
Once installed, the Maestro Render Server must be configured to specify a rendering profile and a rendering channel.
To configure the render settings:
1. Launch the Maestro Render Server software at:
C:\Orad\MaestroRenderServer64\RenderManager.exe
2. At the Login window, enter the following information:
• Login and Password: Enter the user and password that can access the MaestroRenderServer database.
Example: sa
• Server name: Enter the host name of the server running the MSSQL Maestro Render Server database as well as the instance name of the database.
Example: qa-mserver-f\maestro
• Database name: Enter the name of the Masestro Render Server database
Example: MaestroRenderServer (default)
• Server type: Select MSSQL database
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• Authentication: Select SQL ServerAuthentication
3. Click the Login button to log in and open the Maestro Render Server Manager.
4. Define a rendering profile to specify the format and resolution of the images to be processed by the Render Server. Begin by clicking on the Profiles tab.
5. Double-click on one of the predefined profiles or define a custom profile by pressing the “+” button in the tool bar.
6. Adjust the configuration of the profile. Enter the name and choose the encoding method for the profile (the player mechanism in MediaCentral | UX currently supports the TGA with Alpha preset). When choosing the Layout, note the selected frame rate. The frame rates in Maestro Render Server, the Render Engine and the Video Engine need to correspond. For more information, see Frame Rates Check on page 258.
Do not configure the fields in such a way that the final resolution is too high. A high resolution image slows down the preview generation process.
7. Once the profile is complete, click OK.
8. Next, you must configure a rendering channel. Begin by clicking on the Channels tab.
9. Click the “+” button in the tool bar to create a new Render channel.
10.Adjust the configuration of the profile:
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• Channel name: Enter the name of the Render channel.
The Channel name must not contain spaces.
• Under the Render Engine category, verify that the Local check box is selected.
This document instructs you to install the Maestro Render Server and the Render Engine on the same server. Selecting “Local” assumes this was completed.
• Output id: enter VE1 to point to the default channel id in the Render Engine settings.
• API port: set the API port to 8765
• FS port: set the FS port to 8755
• Verify or configure the Output folder. The default value configured for this field is “G:\RenderServerOut”. However, an alternate path can be specified if preferred.
11.Click OK to save the profile.
12.Finally, start the Maestro Render Server application as an administrator.
Click the Setup button to access the Render Server Setup window.
13.Set the “Channels limit” (up to 4 channels can be configured).
The “Channel 1 name” should already have been configured during the Render channel setup process. If the channel does not have a name, assign one at this time.
14.Click OK to save the Render Server Setup window.
15.Click the Start button to start the server.
After a few moments, you should see a “All channels are active” message indicating that the channel creation process was successful.
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The following image depicts the completed configuration:
Frame Rates Check
Before selecting a Layout for a Maestro Render Server profile, you need to make sure that the chosen frame rate corresponds to the frame rate currently set in the Render Engine and the Video Engine.
The following values can be set for the Render Engine’s FieldsPerSecond option:
• 25
• 29.97
• 30
• 50
• 59.94
• 60
To check or change the Render Engine frame rate:
1. Go to C:\Orad\RenderEngine64<version>\bin and open the RE.xml file.
2. In the Video section, check the value of the FieldsPerSecond option.
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To check the Video Engine frame rate:
1. Login to the Video Engine Websettings as described in Video Engine Settings on page 252.
2. Check the value of the FPS option.
When adding a new profile or editing an existing profile in the Maestro Render Manager, please note the frame rate of the selected layout:
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Index
A
addingevent to time line 44export to page 33item to channel 71rundown items 62track to time line 42vslots
aligning controls 29animation
defining 195animations 47application window 20asset browser 72assigning a channel 67
B
browser 63
C
CII system macro 101clips 79cloning pages 32coding scripts 53control properties 39creating
rundown 59story 61
D
data entry form 62data source 82defining animation 195defining HDVG channels 118dummy playlist item 62
E
editingimages 76scenes 195
enabling JStation 109error log 23Excel data source 85export, adding to page 33external devices 103
G
GUI 20GUI layout 135
H
HDVG channels 118
I
ID 98, 145input mask 40interactive controls 50
J
JStationenabling 109main window 142user interface 146
L
layout 23linear time line 47loading
page 49rundown 59scene 30shortcuts 125, 157
log 23
M
main window 20
N
new page 28newsroom systems 165NLE 160NLE server 139, 152, 201, 203, 205, 207, 211, 212, 213, 216, 217NRCS client 173NRCS server 178numbering tabs 28
O
ODBC data 83opening
page 28out 28
P
page 30loading 49new 28opening 28properties 37saving 28, 49tabs 32variation 32
passive mode 24, 114play 28play out track 28playback control 71playing animations 47playlist vs. rundown 58plugin for NRCS 181preview 28previewing
clips 79NRCS items 183playlist 68
Q
queries 91
R
retaining GUI layout 135RSS data source 87rundown
creating 59items 62
loading 59tabs 114thumbnails 114
rundown vs. playlist 58
S
savinglayout 135page 28, 49playlist item 67
scenes 30scripts
coding 53editor 53wizard 52
search browser 63setting
control properties 39default page directory 97, 111page properties 37shortcuts 125, 157vslots 134
signals 50silent mode 114snapshot 29spell checker 28SQL data source 84starting Maestro 18story 61
T
tab order 28text data source 86texture 66ticker 74
speed & offset 75time line
linear 47new event 44new track 42
U
user interface 20, 96using NLE 160
V
virtual slots 134vslot see virtual slots
X
XML data source 88, 89, 90