Automated Master Control
We’re going to play like we’re
going to win…not like we’re afraid
we might lose…
About Tony
• Tony Mancari, VP Eng & COO, WVPT TV
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40 years in broadcasting (radio & TV)
Built 13 automated TV master controls
Degree in Broadcast Engineering
Serve as Certification Chair, SBE – 78
Serve as Chair, PBS NGIS subcommittee
Automation
• Wikipedia.org Definition is…
• …the use of control systems, in concert
with other applications of information
technology, to control machinery and
processes, reducing the need for human
intervention.
In my opinion - Automation
• Should not be used to reduce the
workforce
• Should not be used to do what it is not
designed for
Automation
• Should be used to allow the repetitive
tasks to be accomplished by the installed
systems
• Should allow us to use the time gained by
automating master control to do the
creative tasks or tasks that require human
decisions
How to plan for automation
• What processes are in place today?
Basics
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Generate schedules
Load play / record lists
Setup records
Check and time records
Cue programs
Set levels
Execute on air playback…
Basics
• You fill in the blank for your store…
Realize- In an Automated Master
• Once the lists have been configured to do
these time consuming tasks…
• The multi-output record and play channels
are handled by the automation systems
• You move to more of an exception
monitoring type of operation
Develop your discovery list
• What do you need to automate
• Get input from everyone who currently
does a task in and around Master Control
• Involve every member of the staff in
understanding why you are automating
Think Shopping List Complete?
• Ask your automation vendor if they can…
Want fries with that…
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Put server into record by a list
FTP copy from one to another server
Build a promo on the fly at play out
Put in and take out the lower 3rd crawl
Put in and take out the lower right bug
Perform a time correction with clock trigger
Play several very short events very quickly
Send warning messages to techs on call
Ask Your Auto & Traffic Vendors
• To review your schedule file before and
after a list is generated for any errors
• How does it handle several offset events?
• Can BXF work with my auto & traffic?
• Will template schedules work in traffic?
• Is there a single point of failure here?
• Can you have a standby source?
Ask your Engineering Manager
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Can Remote Desktop be used to look?
Can you see the monitor wall?
Can you see the transmitter controls?
Can you view physical plant alarms?
Can automation be restarted by remote?
AND…
Tech easily respond to issues by remote?
Ask your Board
• How quickly is a failure response required?
• Within seconds
• Within minutes
• Within an hour
• Each requires a different set point in design of
an automation system…
One minute…
• You might want to keep a body in the shop
One hour during overnight…
• You will want to keep a tech on call with a
wireless internet connection
Finalize the needs
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Specify what you want to do in writing
Talk to the all your preferred vendors
Talk with the integrators as well
Expect lots of return questions
Interested parties should visit you
Interested should learn your work flow
Hard Part - Manage the change
• Everyone on the staff needs to understand
the written requirements and agrees on
the outcome…
• The staff determines what is automated…
• Automation can possibly help you focus
staff efforts…to be more creative
The change is coming
• You must have total buy-in from your
Board, Management, and all the affected
staff to successfully implement any Radio
or TV fully automated master control
Change
• Plan and implement the change like you
are going to win…
• Not like …you are trying… not to lose!
So you’ve gone automated…
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Reality check - How are you doing?
On air discrepancies up or down?
Any problems noticed? These fixed?
Staff feels good about their roles?
Staff trained and understand systems?
How does on air look?
• NOW WHAT?
Unattended Operation
• Determine if you are going to operate
unattended any portion of the day
• Insure everyone knows who is responsible
for day to day operations duties
• Repurpose staff via assignments to insure
the work load is spread out evenly
• Try it for short periods of time slowly
moving to longer periods
Real World Example-WVPT
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Today- we operate 24 x 7 unattended
EAS is in an automatic run and pass thru
Silent/Freeze detectors on all critical paths
SNMP traps are used to capture alarms
Physical Plant is monitored and notifies
Multi-viewers system logs & notifies
7 Transmitters seen by remote login
Basic System
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Record/play with a file based work flow
On air switching, branding, voiceovers
Audio & Video Processing
Signal Quality Management with alarms
FCC required remote transmitter control
EAS in automatic
Text, auto dialers, cell phone to techs
Process
• In 2001… we began our discovery process
for our desired workflow (about a year)
• In 2002…we constructed a multi-channel
master control site
• 4 SD and 2 HD channels with sync roll for
each service with no single point of failure
• On air Nov. 4, 2002
Nov. 5, 2002…
• We operated with 6 FTE and 2 PT
By Nov. 5, 2003
• With the new automated Master Control…
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One op has moved to traffic
One op to Engineering Field Services
3 ops slid over to Production
1 op is in our Eng maintenance team
Our process discovered
• Although not designed to be op free
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We found with a good design…
Using good engineering practices
Good monitoring
Good teamwork
Good communications…
WVPT realized…
• Allow the repetitive tasks to be performed
solely by automation
• Gave us much more time for the creative
process in traffic, production, & marketing
Automation
• Doesn’t have to be done overnight…
Doesn’t have to be…
• All or nothing
• Expensive
• Hard to train on or operate
• Impossible to understand
Start with
• Simple alarms and auto notification
• Add one play record channel
• See what happens
Ways to evolve
• Inexpensive silent sense & freeze
detectors are readily available
• Multi viewers can generate alarms
• A thermostat can monitor temperatures
• Automation can gpi/gpo or text message
• A web cam can work wonders for viewing
• Windows Remote Desktop can be a start
• Security Systems can ring over to on call
Use of on call tech…
• Give out the on call number on your
automated telephone attendant…
• Cable, SAT, or Translator viewers can call
and report issues that won’t be readily
noticeable to an automation SQM
• Teach your tech about customer service
• Member$ are our customer$
Summary
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Fully review current process in place
Determine exactly what you need done
Use the available technology to do it
Run w/ops (attended) for a while mirroring
Look for areas to possibly improve
Refine the process in place/unattended?
Let automation do the repetitive tasks
How I knew it was working
• 15:04 - We had a live on air satellite failure
• I watched us go to black on air briefly
• Silent Sense put up the cover slide
• When I arrived in Master Control to see
what had occurred…
Unattended…not un-monitored
• 5 people were standing there hi 5’ing each
other how quickly they had all
responded…the credit that the system
worked goes to the staff!
The 5 that arrived
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A former op …now a production person
A Corporate Support Rep
The receptionist
A traffic person
The General Manager!
• And…Yours Truly…That is total buy-in!
Interesting…
• An engineer was not required to react…
THANKS – Q & A
• 1st- There are no dumb questions
• But, what about…
• 2nd- See number 1
Contact Info
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Tony Mancari, VP Eng & COO
WVPT DTV
298 Port Republic Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 437-2451
(800) 345 WVPT
(540) 434-7084 (fax)
tmancari@wvpt.net
www.wvpt.net