playbox reference manual
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
1/527
www.playbox.tv
REFERENCE MANUAL(Version: 17.6, February 2014)
Current software versions:
AirBox: 4.2
CaptureBox: 2.9
FinishBox LE: 2.9
DataBox: 2.3
TitleBox: 4.1
ListBox: 4.2SafeBox: 1.0
Trimmer Server: 1.0
Multi AirBox Manager: 1.0
Multi Backup Manager: 1.0
Multi Playout Manager 1.1
ScheduleBox 1.2
AlarmBox: 1.0
TimeShiftBox: 2.1
Universal Matrix Controller 1.0
UDP Switcher 1.0
Live Viewer 1.0
VDCP Manager 1.1QCBox 1.1
TitleBox Dashboard 1.1
TitleBox ListPlayer 2.1
This guide explains how to use the basic functionalities of the PlayBox Technology software modules.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
2/527
2
Legal noticeThe information in this manual is furnished for informational use only. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior written permission of DMT Ltd.
The software, described in this manual, is owned by DMT Ltd. It is protected by Bulgarian Copyright Law, as well as by international copyright treaties, and
may be used or copied only in accordance with the license agreement.
DMT Ltd. provides this manual as is without any warranty, either express, or implied.
This publication may contain typographical errors or technical inaccuracies. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document,
DMT Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages, resulting from the use of the information, contained
herein. Changes are periodically made to the information herein.They will be incorporated in new versions of the manual. Please, check the PlayBoxwebsite
regularly for User Manual updates.
DMT Ltd. may introduce changes or improvements in the products, described in this manual at any time, without any special notice.
Please, address your comments or questions to:
Digital Media Technologies Ltd.
7Iskarsko shose Blvd.
Building 15, 5thFloor
1528 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: +359 2 9703050
Fax: +359 2 9717700
www.playbox.tv
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/ -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
3/527
3
Table of ContentsLEGAL NOTICE ........................................................................................... 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................. 3
PREFACE.................................................................................................... 10
STYLE CONVENTIONS............................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW ........................................................................ 12
PLAYBOXMODULES ................................................................................................... 12
AirBox ............... ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ........... 12
CaptureBox .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
DataBox .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
ListBox ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
TitleBox ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
SafeBox............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
SOFTWAREUPDATESANDPROTECTION ........................................................... 12
Software Updates ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Software Protection .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
WORKFLOWBASICS .................................................................................................... 13
Media Input ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Content Management................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Program Schedule Creation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Content Playout ............... ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ........ 14
CHAPTER 2 AIRBOX ............................................................................. 16
GETTINGSTARTED ....................................................................................................... 16
Quick Start ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. 16PREAMBLE ....................................................................................................................... 16
Multi-format playout SD/HD .................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Pumping playout ................ ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ...... 16
Live input ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 16
USERINTERFACE ........................................................................................................... 17
Title Bar........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Menu Bar ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 17
Multi-purpose zone..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
AirBox Playlist ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 19
Status Bar ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 44
Playback Control and Counters ............................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Playlist Control Buttons ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 45
The Volume Slider ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Trimmer Server............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 46
MENUBAR ....................................................................................................................... 46
File Menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 46
Edit Menu ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
View Menu ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. 57
Settings Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Tools Menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 135
Commands Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 141
Help Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 142
CHAPTER 3 - LISTBOX .......................................................................... 143
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
4/527
4
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 143
QUICK START.................................................................................................................... 143
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 143
Playlist Control Buttons ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 143
Playback control and counters ............................................................................................................................................................................ 143
Playlist Grid ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 144
Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 145
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 146
File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 146
Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 146
View menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 146
Settings menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 146
Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 147
Commands menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 147
Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 147
CHAPTER 4 - MULTI BACKUP MANAGER .......................................... 148
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 148
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 148
Quick start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 148
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 149
The Toolbar ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 149
Master and Slave configuration .......................................................................................................................................................................... 150
The active switches monitoring ........................................................................................................................................................................... 154
Log view ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 154
SWITCHRULES ............................................................................................................. 154
CHAPTER5 - MULTI AIRBOX MANAGER ........................................... 158
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 158
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 158
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 158
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 159
AirBox Browser ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ..... 159
AirBox control panels ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 160
Content Bin ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 161
MENU BAR........................................................................................................................ 163
WEBINTERFACE .......................................................................................................... 164
CHAPTER 6 CAPTUREBOX ................................................................. 167GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 167
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 167
CAPTURE SETTINGS.......................................................................................................... 167
MUSE ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 167
IP Capture ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 177
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 179
Capture Mode ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 179
Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 187
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 189
File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 189
View Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 193
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
5/527
5
Capture Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 194
CHAPTER7 - FINISHBOX LE ................................................................. 195
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 195
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 195
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 195
Standard mode .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 196
Folder Watch .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 198
CHAPTER 8 DATABOX ....................................................................... 200
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 200
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 200
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 201
Tree View ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 201
Search Fields .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 203
Data Grid ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 204
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 207
Grid ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 207
New Record ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 207
Options ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 217
Media Types ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 226
Qualities ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 226
Classification ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 227
Credits .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 228
Print ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 228
Media Folders ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 229
CHAPTER 9 TITLEBOX ........................................................................ 231
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 231
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 231
Manage TitleBox Instances ................................................................................................................................................................................... 231
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 232
Work Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 232
Toolbars ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 233
Object Palette ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 237
System Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 238
Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 238
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 239
File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239
Network Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239
Object Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 240
Project Menu .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 241
Help Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 248
CREATINGOBJECTS ................................................................................................... 248
Step By Step ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 248
Editing Objects .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249
Deleting Objects ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249
Object List ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249
Object Properties ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
6/527
6
SCHEDULER ....................................................................................................................... 272
Scheduler Commands ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 272
Object Settings .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 272
Objects List.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 273
SLIDEMANAGER ......................................................................................................... 274
Slide control buttons ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 274
Project control buttons ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 274
Project Preview area................................................................................................................................................................................................ 274
Slide Controller.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 280
DATA SOURCE MANAGER............................................................................................... 281
Weather Data Provider .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 284
FileLink Data Provider ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 284
ODBC Data Provider ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 286
XML Data Provider ............... ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ 287
RSS Data Providers .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 288
HTML Table Data Provider ................................................................................................................................................................................... 289
EAS (Emergency Alert System) Data Provider ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... .............. 290
TASK MANAGER ............................................................................................................... 291
Tasks ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 291
Input Events ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 307
Assigning a task to an event ................ ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... .............. 309
AS-RUN LOG..................................................................................................................... 310
User Interface .............. ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 310
Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 311
CHAPTER 10 - CLIP TRIMMER ............................................................. 313
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 313
Preview Screen .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 313
Trimmer Control ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 313
Volume Control ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 316
Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 316
TRIMMERPAGES ......................................................................................................... 316
Video Clip Info ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 317
Clip Zones ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 317
Clip Shots .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 318
Clip Streams ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 319
Extra .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 319Clip Filters ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 320
External Output Configuration ............................................................................................................................................................................ 320
CHAPTER11 - SAFEBOX ........................................................................ 321
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 321
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 321
USER INTERFACE............................................................................................................... 321
SAFEBOX OPTIONS.......................................................................................................... 323
General......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 323
Removal ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 325
Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 326
OML ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 326
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
7/527
7
Attached files .............. ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 327
EXPORT MEDIA INFO........................................................................................................ 328
CHAPTER12 - UNIVERSAL MATRIX CONTROLLER ........................... 329
INSTALLATION AND SETUP .............................................................................................. 329
COMMUNICATION WITH AIRBOX................................................................................... 332
COMMUNICATION WITH MULTI-BACKUPMANAGER.............. ................. ................ .... 333
UNIVERSAL MATRIX PLUGIN SETUP............................................................................... 334
CHAPTER 13 UDP SWITCHER ........................................................... 336
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 336
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 336
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 336
CHAPTER14 LIVE VIEWER ................................................................. 339
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 339
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 339
USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................... 339
CHAPTER15VDCP MANAGER ........................................................... 342
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 342
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 342
USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................... 342
CHAPTER16 - ALARMBOX ................................................................... 346
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 346
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 346
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 347
Monitor Sources ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 347
Message Destination ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 348
Rules .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 350
Named values ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 352
CHAPTER17- TIMESHIFTBOX .............................................................. 353
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 353
Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 353
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 353
MENU BAR ........................................................................................................................ 354
Preferences: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 355
Logo config ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 356
CHAPTER 18 - QCBOX .......................................................................... 357
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 357Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 357
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 358
The Menu bar ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 358
The Toolbar ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 358
The Files set area ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 359
Log View ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 359
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 360
File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 360
Settings menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 361
Tests menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 367
Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 367
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
8/527
8
AUDIOLEVELSNORMALIZING .............................................................................. 368
Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 368
What actually happens in AirBox when normalizing? ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ .............. 369
PlayBox workflow ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 369
How to apply the necessary settings? ............................................................................................................................................................... 370
CHAPTER 19 TITLEBOX DASHBOARD ............................................. 372
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 372
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 372
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 372
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 373
Tree View ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373
Main View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373
Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373
Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 374
Right-Click .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 374
Drag-and-Drop ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 377
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 377
File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 377
Edit menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 378
Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 378
Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 380
CHAPTER 20 TITLEBOX LISTPLAYER ............................................... 381
GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 381
Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 381
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 381
USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 382
Main View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 382
Right-Click .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 382
Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 384
MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 385
File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 385
Edit menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 385
Playback menu .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 385
Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 386
Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 387
CHAPTER 21 MULTI PLAYOUT MANAGER ..................................... 388
QUICK ST RT ND SETUP
.............................................................................. 388
USER INTERF CE .................................................................................................. 388
ome View
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 389
System Manager
................................................................................................................................................................................................. 407
CHAPTER 22 SCHEDULEBOX ............................................................ 418
QUICK START AND SETUP............................................................................................... 418
USER INTERFACE............................................................................................................... 419
Home View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 419
System Manager ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 439
APPENDIX 1 - PLAYBOX GPI ............................................................... 453
GPIIN AIRBOX................................................................................................................. 453
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
9/527
9
GPIPINOUT...................................................................................................................... 453
GPI-INIMPLEMENTATION.............................................................................................. 453
GPI-OUTIMPLEMENTATION......................................................................................... 453
AIRBOX AS A GPISLAVE................................................................................................. 453
AIRBOX AS A GPIMASTER............................................................................................. 454
AIRBOX GPISETTINGS PANEL ....................................................................................... 454
RS2329-PIN D-SUBPINOUT REFERENCE............... ................ ................ ................ .... 454
GPIINPUTREFERENCE.................................................................................................. 455
GPIOUTPUTREFERENCE.............................................................................................. 455
APPENDIX 2 EVENTS OFFSET BEHAVIOR ....................................... 456
APPENDIX 3 VDCP IMPLEMENTATION CHART ............................. 457
APPENDIX 4 INTEGRATION OF AIRBOX WITH TITLEBOX ........... 460
APPENDIX 5 PLAYBOX GPI BOARD AND BYPASS RELAY BOARD461
APPENDIX 6 PLAYBOX SNMP MIB SPECIFICATION ..................... 463
APPENDIX 7 AIRBOX AND LISTBOX EXAMPLES ........................... 466
APPENDIX 8 GRAPHIC RULES COMMANDS, USED FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AIRBOX AND TITLEBOX
..................................................................................................................... 477
APPENDIX 9 TITLEBOX SPECIFIC CLASS PROPERTIES, FUNCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES EXPLAINED 479
TTBOBJECT (INHERITOR OF TOBJECT) .......................................................................... 479
TTBSLIDE .......................................................................................................................... 484
TTBSLIDESMANAGER...................................................................................................... 485
TTBDATAPROVIDER ........................................................................................................ 485
TTBDATADISTRIBUTOR................................................................................................... 486
TTBPROJECT..................................................................................................................... 487
TITLEBOX FUNCTIONS ..................................................................................................... 488
TBITMAP32(INHERITOR OF TOBJECT) .......................................................................... 488
TTBSTORAGE ................................................................................................................... 489
APPENDIX 10 TITLEBOX PROGRAM SCRIPT EXAMPLES .............. 491
APPENDIX 11 SETUP AND BASIC OPERATION OF UMC AND MBMSIMPLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
(SNMP) AGENT ......................................................................................... 505
APPENDIX 12 CLOSED CAPTIONS IN PLAYBOX MODULES ......... 508
APPENDIX 13 WINDOWS CONFIGURATIONS FOR USING NON-ENGLISH OBJECT NAMES IN AIRBOX TITLEBOX
NET CONTROL MODE............................................................................... 509
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................. 512
INDEX ...................................................................................................... 520
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
10/527
10
PrefaceDear PlayBoxcustomer,
Thank you for purchasing our product! We would like to assure you that you have chosen the most cost-effective and versatile TV automation system on
the market. As always, we are trying to stay close to our customers needs, making sure they all receive adequate support andsatisfaction. Your opinion
about our product is an exceptionally valuable source of information for us. The ease of working with the PlayBoxproducts results mainly from the
suggestions and comments of our current respected customers.
This manual is structured into several sequential chapters, each aiming to ease the installation, fine tuning, and use of our products. We hope that you will
enjoy working with it, and we are anxiously looking forward to receiving your feedback.
Please, send your questions, suggestions, and assistance requests to:
General feedback:
Helpdesk fax number: +359 2 9717700
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
11/527
11
Style Conventions File names, software, documents or terms are written in italics
The data is written in the settings.inifile.
The file is located in C:\Program Files\DMT\AirBox
For further information read Shortcutsreference book.
The VTR is controlled via RS-422.
Direct quotations from the computer screen are presented as follows:
Menu Items and commands
Tab/Page names
Column names (i.e. in a playlist or another grid) Field names, check boxes
Buttons Screen readings are written in [square brackets] The keyboard keys are enclosed in signs
Termsare defined in the Glossary at the end of the manual The arrows, used in the setting procedures mean as follows:
A menu item follows;
A page(tab) name follows;
A field name, a check box name, or a value name follows.
Except for arrows, you can distinguish between the relevant menu categories also by the styles, listed above.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
12/527
12
Chapter 1 OVERVIEWPLAY BOX MODULES
The PlayBoxsystem consists of several modules, dedicated to separate applications that communicate with each other by proprietary protocols, based
on TCP/IP and UDP:
AirBox
The most important part of a transmission automation system. It performs on-air playback and control. The module is designed for uninterrupted 24 hours
/ 7 days-a-week content playout from online media storage. It can also be used as a production server with interactive capabilities, such as Next, Jump,
Cue, etc.
CaptureBox
Sophisticated ingest round the clock. CaptureBox controls VTRs via RS-422and automatically captures batches of scenes or programs. It also allows
transferring a program to a tape precisely, by using frame-accurate timecode positioning. Needless to say, it also provides semi- or completely automated
scheduled capturing, GPI interface, VU/peak audio meters, and a number of other unique tools.
DataBox
DataBoxrepresents the Database for metadata management of all kinds of content either permanently available from online media, or temporary
available from a removable media, such as videotape or DVD, or archived on a tape or a DVD. The metadata entered during content description is preserved
and sufficient for compiling playlists, even if the media itself is not available.
ListBox
A standalone playlist editor, designed for arranging, previewing, and trimming the available content without any hardware decoder requirements. It
contains useful playlist features, such as text searching, printing, etc.
TitleBox
TitleBoxprovides fully automated or interactive graphics overlay. It can also be synchronized toAirBoxplayout sequence. It allows insertion of text and
dynamic graphic information in accordance to external data sources. Text information is received and rendered into high-quality graphics on-the-fly.
SafeBox
SafeBoxis a flexible content management tool. It allows automated content transfer from remote locations to a local storage and vice versa. There is an
additional facility for automated content removal from local storage when space is limited.
SOFTWARE UPDATES AND PROTECTION
Software Updates
Since all PlayBoxmodules are subject to constant development and improvement, please, check our web sitehttp://www.playbox.tvregularly for the
newest versions. In order to make sure that you need to renew your current version, please, check the Whats Newdocument online before downloading
the new version.
It is not necessary to uninstall the old software versions before installing the new one.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/ -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
13/527
13
NOTE: You will be able to update your software only within the Software Maintenance Period!
You can check the status of your software maintenance period in the Aboutdialog of each module. Just go to Helpmenu About.
The software installer will prevent you from installing software versions, released after the end of the software maintenance period!
Software Protection
All PlayBoxmodules are protected by means of hardware USB keys (also referred to as dongles). You have to possess such a key in order to have a fully
functional PlayBoxmodule.
Before installing any of the PlayBoxsoftware modules, you need to download and install the currently supported WIBU driver from our website.
Then, update your dongle, if necessary. Dongle updates are provided by our License Management department (contact [email protected]). The PlayBox
installer will not let you install any PlayBoxmodules, unless you have them enabled on your dongle.
Then, follow the procedure, as advised by our support team.
WORKFLOW BASICS
As a TV automation system, PlayBoxincludes modules that automate particular processes in a typical TV organization. Most of these processes may
coincide in time, or their results may depend on each other, which leads to different PlayBoxconfigurations.
Media Input
There are several content sources:
Non-linear video editing workstation withMPEG2or DV export.
Most contemporary NLE stations export either in MPEG2 Program or Transport Streams (MPG), or DVfiles. You need to select your export format
based on the playout compression selection.
Tape ingest.
Manual or automated tape ingest either in MPEG2or DVformat.
Live sources satellite feeds, etc.
Some of these sources come as MPEG2TS bouquets that have to be demultiplexed in order to extract the desired channel to be recorded. This is
an integral part of CaptureBox.
Content Management
DataBoxcan be used for classification and navigation through all of the available content. Once classified, the content can be quickly searched, sorted,
and retrieved. All this is done by various properties, such as title, ID, country, keywords, groups, language, distribution & usage rights, media description,
credits, etc. All this metadata is associated with every piece of visual program in DataBox.
Program Schedule Creation
While on-air playlists can be created and edited inAirBox, ListBoxis a full blown playlist editor with sophisticated editing features, such as multi-selection,
Excel export, search, print, etc. As opposed to AirBox, ListBoxdoes not require a special hardware platform in order to preview content and playlist.
ListBoxis typically used by Program Editors to create playlists prior to airing time.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
14/527
14
Content Playout
AirBoxperforms content playout. The on-air program can be started manually or automatically at a particular time, which can be changed during the
actual playback, interrupted when switching to other sources, etc. Various options provide redundant playout, multi-channel or multi-audio, subtitles, etc.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
15/527
15
The PlayBoxsystem is designed to be easily used by everyone. A special training course or deep knowledge in computers is not strictly required.
Anyone with basic computer knowledge will find using thePlayBoxmodules as easy as 1-2-3. Moreover, all modules share the same visual and
logical concept, in order to minimize mistakes and confusion. Thus, we hope to make the operators learning process even easier once acquainted
with some of the modules the others should look quite familiar.
In order to fully utilize the systems potential, we recommend you to read carefully the following subchapters. Each chapter is related to a particular
module and describes its workflow and specifics in detail.
The underlying sections will give you enough information to succeed in getting all the tasks done. In case something is not clear enough, please,
examine the FAQ section atthePlayBoxwebsite:http://www.playbox.tv.The answers to almost all questions that may arise during operation can
be found there. Our support team will be at your disposal, in case you have specific questions or a non-typical problem.
Do not hesitate to contact us [email protected].
NOTE:The features, described below may vary from system to system, depending on the hardware used. This users manual contains a description
of all possible features. Please, contact your dealer and describe your needs, so that you could be advised properly.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/ -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
16/527
16
Chapter 2 AIRBOXGETTING STARTED
Quick Start
Verify all connections and start the workstation;
Make sure that you have suitable content available in the media folders;
If you do not have any available, use the sample clips from the PlayBox CD;
LaunchAirBox;
Click on the Addbutton;
Select the files you wish to playout and click on the Openbutton;
Click on the PLAYbutton;
You should now seeAirBoxvideo on your video output.
Congratulations! You have just launched your firstAirBoxplayout session!
PREAMBLE
AirBox is a universal SD/HD content playout and streaming software. Depending on the hardware platform and supported files in the playlist, there are
different types ofAirBoxplayout (playback modules).
Currently, there are 3 major modules:
Multi-format playout SD/HD
Multi-format playout allows including in the playlist files with different types of video and audio compressions, different resolution, different frame rate,
etc. If the parameters of the file are different from the parameters, set forAirBoxplayback, then the files are transcoded in real-time (during the playback)
to match to the parameters set.
Depending on the hardware installed, there are several multi-format modules (plug-ins). Check our site http://www.playbox.tvfor the latest supported
hardware platforms and for their supported features.
Pumping playout
Pumping playout allows inserting only content with MPEG1-encoded or MPEG2- encoded video into the playlist. There are three Pump plug-insData
pump, IP pump(LAN card based),ASI pump(Deltacast ASI cardbased). Usually, the working module ofAirBoxis already selected and set up when you
buy a turnkey system from PlayBox Ltd.
In case, you are going to select a working module alone, go toAirBox Menu->Settings->Moduleswindow and select the preferred module.
TheAirBoxplayout is defined in theAirBox SettingsOutputmenu.
Live input
Live Input playout allows you to configure up to 128 live presets, which are global for the machine, and therefore can be used with any client, for example
AirBox, CaptureBox, and theMulti AirBox Manager.configuring many different live inputs. There are two major types of life sources that can be set here
fixed and dynamic. The properties of the first type are fixed, i.e., the video parameters and the number of streams cannot be changed. The same
parameters of dynamic sources, on the other hand, change during playout. Check how to define your live inputs in the relevant sectionbelow.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/ -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
17/527
17
USER INTERFACE
The main interface window is divided into several areas:
Title Bar
This is the topmost horizontal bar of theAirBoxwindow. It contains abbreviations of all options, enabled on the dongle, theAirBoxchannel number, and
the name of the currently executed playlist file. If the playlist has been changed, but not saved, there is an asterisk (*) after the playlist name.
Menu Bar
The MENU BARis described in detail in theMenu Bar section.
Multi-purpose zoneThe multi-purpose zone is situated to the left of the master counter. It consists of several tabs that allow quick navigation through the most frequently
used functionalities inAirBox.
Use the arrows in the upper right corner to scroll the tabs.
TIP (!) To show/hide tabs in this zone, right-click on it and check/un-check the ones you need.
Preview
This tab shows the currently playing video.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
18/527
18
The Video window can be moved outside the main window by checking External video windowfrom the Viewmenu. If you accidentally close the window,
you can view it again by checking the Show external video windowin the Viewmenu.
SomeAirBoxconfigurations do not provide such video overlay functionality.
In some cases you might want to disable the window, since it consumes additional resources from the system. Then you will have to uncheckShow External
Video Windowin the Viewmenu.
Counters
This tab contains all counters that can be found in the Viewmenu. Their names are written in the lower left corner. Right-clicking in the Clip timer or in
the Block timer will invoke a context menu to switch it to count-down mode.
Please, check theView menu sectionbelow for a detailed description of the counters.
Current Playlist
This tab contains information and simple controls about the currently loaded playlist.
Namethis is the title of the currently loaded playlist. It is different from its fi lename. You can change it in the dialog that appears after double-clicking in
the string.
IMPORTANT! When you rename the playlist, do NOT use special symbols (like /,\ and ,).AirBoxwill NOT accept names with such symbols and it willreturn an error.
Start timeby default, it is set to zero. You can set a different start time for the playlist by either entering the value, or using the arrow keys.
TCthis is an offset that will be applied to the time code, which is broadcast over the network see Settingsmenu Generalsection.
If the Lock playlistbox is checked, it will prevent you from editing the currently loaded playlist, as well as from loading another playlist. Use it to prevent
accidental changes of the playlist during playout.
Playlist Loopif checked, when the playback of the last clip in the playlist is complete, playback will continue from the beginning of the playlist again.
Clip Loopif checked, the currently playing clip will be repeated until unchecked. WhenAirBoxis in stop mode, this check will loop the first clip to be
played after resuming the playout (i.e. the last played before pushing the Stopbutton).
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
19/527
19
Playlists
In this tab you can view all playlists that are found in the currently selected playlist folder (displayed in the string). To change the folder, click on the
Browse button to the right of the string.
TIP (!)Double-click on a playlist line to load the relevant playlist in AirBox. Please, note that this will interrupt the playback!
Log view
This tab displays a list of all events that have occurred duringAirBoxoperation.
ShotBox
This tab accommodates the live show clipboard. Here you can view and operate with the custom commandbuttons. It duplicates the live showclipboard window that opens from the View menu. Please, check theShotBoxsection for details.
AirBox Playlist
AirBoxworks with play playlists (play order).
You can easily create a playlist manually, just by drag-n-dropping files intoAirBoxgrid (or inListBox).
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
20/527
20
It is also possible to create a playlist with any third party application software. It is necessary that this application can create playlists in a format, compatible
withAirBox.
The AirBox playlist format is described in details in AirBoxSDK. For obtaining AirBox SDK, please contact our PlayBox support team
AirBoxalso provides a possibility to import playlists from simple text files (tab delimited or comma separated text files).
There are two workflows withAirBoxplaylists: ordinary playlist and daily playlist. The difference is that the daily playlist is loaded automatically at an
assigned day and time, while the ordinary playlist should be loaded manually.
Daily playlists require specific naming structure in order to be played on the desired date and time automatically. The structure is:
YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SS, where YYYY stands for year, MM-month, DD-date, HH-hour, MM-minutes and SS-seconds.
For example,if the name of the playlist is 2011_11_20_14_00_00.ply, it will be loaded exactly on November 20th, 2011 at 14.00 h (2.00 pm).
TheAirBoxplaylist contains video clips and events (commands), which are described in details further in this chapter.
Playlist Grid
This is the main part of theAirBoxinterface, dedicated to the playlist (play order) visualization.
When you launchAirBox, depending on your startup settings, you will see an empty window, and you will have to load (create) a playlist, or you wil l see
the opened playlist.
The Grid Columns
If there is a playlist, loaded inAirBox, you will see information about the clips in different columns:
Start Time
This column contains each clips starting time. DuringStopmode,it shows the current time for the clip that will be played first when the Playbutton ispressed. The time refreshes every 2 seconds. The following clips hold positive times calculated according to the current time and the duration of the
preceding clips. DuringPlaymode, this column shows the actual starting time for each clip. If there has been aJumpcommand or a clip has been trimmedduringPlaymode, the starting times of the following clips will be recalculated accordingly.
If for any reason a file is removed or renamed after the playlist is loaded, it will be considered missing and hence - colored in red.AirBoxwill skip it and will
jump to the next available clip.TheStart Timecolumn will be recalculated accordingly.
Duration
Shows the actual duration of each clip. Naturally, if a clip has been trimmed, its actual duration will be reduced. The duration of the part to be shown willbe displayed in the playlist and will be used for calculation of the starting times of all following clips.
Type
Shows the type (such as MPEG) of the clip this is quite useful to determine the major type of compression, since many decoders do not allow different
compression types to co-exist in the same playlist.
Category
Contains category information. This information could be entered manually from the user into the playlist or could be fed from some outstanding database
(for example DataBox).
NOTE: If category is taken from DataBox,you can define a field color for the clip, using DataBox (Options
Default values
Color toAirBox).
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
21/527
21
TheCategoryand its color can also be defined manually inAirBox (or ListBox). You can fill-in the entire clip rows with their Category colors. In order to do
this, go toAirBoxSettingsGeneralInterfaceand select Color entire row by category.
Title
Shows the clips title or filename.
Location
Shows the file location (full path).
Star
Contains data, describing the artists in the clip.
Notes
Contains additional data.
NOTE: If the Note is taken from DataBox, you have to specify in DataBox (Options General Fields toAirBoxNotes) what exactly field to be
transferred.
(!) TIP You can change the columns order by drag-n-droppingthem.
(!) TIP A double-click in the first column that contains the items numbers will invoke the clip properties dialog. Double-clicking in any other column will
open the Clip Trimmer(if it is enabled in SettingsmenuGeneral(seethe descriptionfurther in this manual).
Color coding
The color-coding of the playlists rowsprovides additional information to the user:
Pink rowoutlines the currently playing clip. It is visible inPLAYand PAUSEmodes only. Yellow rowit is visible onlywhile switching between clips. It shows which clip will be played next. In that moment, the yellow clip is being
actually fed into the decoder circuit. This happens during the lastcouple of seconds before the end of the previous clip. The clip cannot bemoved,
trimmed or deleted anymore. Just for comparison, competitive playout solutions tend to permanently lock the clip after the currentlyplaying
one, which reduces on-air flexibility and your last-minute decision freedom.
Blue rowindicates the currently selected clip all actions, i.e.Jump, Move Up/Downwill be applied to it. Red rowhighlights those files in the playlist that are missing/invalid (not supported from the currently installed hardware). The playback skips
such files and plays the next available clip.
If the file is missing, you can set the time interval for automatic check for missing files (Settings
General
Missing Files
Check Missingfiles every [] sec).
Light cyan rowoutlines the playlist events when selected.
NOTE: You can change these colors to fit your personal preferences in SettingsColorsPlaylist tab.
Drag-n-Drop!
One of the main features ofthe grid is thedrag-n-dropfunctionality. It allows dragging clips within the playlist and from one grid to another
(fromDataBox/ListBoxtoAirBoxor from any folder toAirBox). If is being held while dragging a clip in the playlist, the executed operation will be
Copy. By default, each internal (in the grid) dragging meansMoveand dragging between two windows (similar to Windows Explorer) is Copy. Clips that
have already been played-back are grey and cannot be moved, but can be copied.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
22/527
22
Pointing with the mouse cursor at a playlists row displays a hint containing the clips file name and IN/OUT timecode values.
Double-clickover a clip invokes the Clip Trimmer (if it is enabled from Settings
General
General
Use clip trimmer). If you trim a clip in the playlist,the change will not be permanent, but valid ONLY for this playlist. If you add the same clip to another playlist, it will appear un-trimmed there.
A detailed description of Clip Trimmercan be found further in this users manual.
If the use of Clip Trimmeris not enabled, the clips properties dialog will open.
Right-click
Right-mouse click over a rowinvokes a pop-up menu of playlist and events commands:
Addactivates a drop-down list for appending various items to the end of the playlist. See their detailed description in theEdit menu section.
Insertopens a drop-down list for inserting various items before the currently selected item in the playlist. The Add and Insert drop-down lists
are identical.
Deletedeletes the selected playlist row(s); a dialog asks confirmation before the deletion. Jumpclick it to interrupt the currently playing clip and jump to the currently selected (highlighted) item in the playlist.
Loopmarks the selected clip for repeating until this option is cancelled. To remove the check, just right-click in the clip and choose Loopagain.
NOTE: This action differs from the Clip Loopbutton #, which loops the currentlyplayingclip (not the currently selectedone).
Override QC restriction if you have defined a QC restriction inSettingsGeneralQuality Control, and a particular file does not
satisfy these restrictions, it will be marked red, just like a missing file. Thus, this menu option allows you to override the QC setting and play
this particular file. The setting is applied only once during the current playout.
Cut/Copy/Paste these options are self-explanatory.
Clip Trimmeropens the Clip Trimmer application (if it is enabled in SettingsGeneral GeneralUse Clip Trimmer. Otherwise, the
Clip Propertiesdialog will open). Find detailed information about theClip Trimmer in the section of the same name at the end of thismanual.
Propertiesopens a window with clips properties.
Clip Properties
Most of the playlist consists of clips. All metadata, connected with any clip, could be found in the Clip Propertieswindow. It is opened by right-mouse-
clicking over the clip, or trough the Edit Menu.
TheClip Propertieswindow has five tabs: Source, General,Fixed-Time, Transition, and Metadata.
All of these tabs allow you to save your settings, so that you do not have to define the settings for each file every time. In order to do that, once you have
defined your desired settings, enter the Save current settings to new preset button in the Settings presetfield, and enter a name for the
selected preset. Once you have saved some settings for your input, you can load them via theApply settings from selected preset button.You can also remove a preset via the Delete selected preset button.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
23/527
23
Source
The Source tab contains a basic clip description information. The Typefields shows whether the input is from a File, a Live, or a UDPsource.
If the input is a File, the Parametersfield shows the file Path.
If it is a Livesource, then theAddressof the source is indicated in the field below. This Address corresponds to the Nameof the live stream, as it is defined
in theSettingsOutputLive Inputstab.
When the Type of the source is UDP, by default, and the user can enter theIP Addressof the source machine and the number of the Port, which receives
the input. There are also two additional options for this type of input:
Program IDif you check this box, you can to choose which program to be output byAirBox, if the stream has more than one channel.
Sourcecheck this box if the source broadcasts more than one stream, to be able to enter the SourceAddress of your desired stream.
General
The first line in the Generaltab contains the Titleof the selected playlist item.
-
8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual
24/527
24
TheIN,OUTand Durationstrings contain the IN point, OUT point, and clip duration data. You can change these values in order to make your clips shorter.
The Durationis calculated automatically from the INand OUTvalues. Furthermore, if you change the Duration, the OUTpoint will adjust accordingly.
If there is information about the time-codes of the first and last frame in the clip, you can check the TC Valuecheck-box and then into the INand OUT
strings you will see these time-codes.
The TCfield is necessary when there are subtitles to be displayed together with the clip, as the time code is the reference for displaying them. If you change
the TCvalue, it will be saved in the playlist for future use.
When you use subtitles, you should also enter a TapeIDvalue read more about this value in theSubtitleBoxsectionfurther in this manual.
You can view and