1.Introduction to Radio-Assist

1.1.Opening Radio-Assist

To open Radio-Assist, you can :

Click on the "Radio-Assist" icon available on your desk, and press "Enter" on the keyboard. (Or double-click on the "Radio-Assist" icon )

Once Radio-Assist is launched, you have to log in.

1.2.Log in

Once Radio-assist is launched, an identification window is displayed :

In the dropdown list, choose your name and enter your password.

When you log in, Radio-Assist loads your profile ("Journalist", "technician"...). Thus, it displays only the tools that you need and gives you certain rights.

1.3.Multisite connection

When you start Radio-Assist, the following window opens :

Choose the remote database name to connect to and click on .

The following window will allow you to connect with your username and password

When you log in under your name, Radio-Assist loads your profile ("Journalist" profile, "technician" profile ...), displays only the tools you need and gives you a number of rights.

In the case of a connection with the Active Directory service:

connection to the local base : auto connection

connection to another AD database : auto connection (the database must allow autologinAD)

connection to a base outside AD : login request

1.4.Introducing Radio-Assist : User interface

Radio-Assist is divided into two sections :

The upper part shows the database called the Browser.

The lower part shows the workspace.

Each tab represents one tool. A single click on the tab displays the tool.

1.5.Locking Radio-Assist

You can log out from Radio-Assist without closing the application.

Click on the "Lock button" available at the right hand corner of the screen .

Thus, the next user who wants to use Radio-Assist, has to log in with his name and his password.

This function prevents one user from being connected under another name.

1.6.Closing Radio-Assist

To close Radio-Assist, click on the black cross available in the right hand corner :

A message is displayed to confirm.

2.Activity Watcher

2.1.Presentation

Activity Watcher is a module of Radio-Assist. It allows you to trace back all the actions performed by Radio-Assist users (and services), in your radio station network.

NOTE :

Activating different logs available for "Activity Watcher" will increase the database size. Therefore, you will have to monitor this size by watching the number of logs, or modifying the database server capacity.

2.1.1.Menu

The Activity Watcher menu bar allows you to:

- Refresh the list of traced events (120 possible traceable actions*)

- Clear the list of traced events and reinitialized the filters

(the list is not deleted from the database. Only the Purge can do it

depending on your admin settings.)

- Save this list as a .csv file (usable with a spreadsheet program)

- Select the list of actions to trace in Activity Watcher

The system administrator decides whether all users have access to this button or not.

Tick or untick the criterium you want to trace in the Activity Watcher configuration window: you can select or unselect all criteria by using the 2 dedicated buttons.

The selected items will not only be displayed in the Activity Watcher report, they will also be written in the database. (if events are not selected, they will not be written in the database).

Note that if you change the settings on a machine, you will have to restart the workstation for changes to be applied.

(* to know the complete list of events, see chapter 3)

2.1.2.Activity Watcher Report

The Activity Watcher report displays the list of actions performed on the system by Radio-Assist users.

To see the complete list of activities, click on in the Menu bar.

If you are interested in one Sound item, you can double-click on it to make it the only visible item in the list. It will also be automatically highlighted in the Browser (you can also quickly find it back by using the Ctrl+O shortcut...)

You can also use filters for your searches (see next chapters)

All modifications done on a sound item are visible in its metadata sheet, in the "History" tab:

2.1.3.Filter by Action

When you access the report of activities performed on the system by Radio-Assist users, you have the possibility to search for a specific type of action.

In the drop-down list, you have the possibility to choose which type of action you want to display:

- ALL (9 types of action)

- Created

- Updated

- Deleted

- Undeleted

- Login

- Archived

- Urgent

- Restore

- Export

A color code helps you to know what the nature of the action that has been performed is:

Red (deletion), Green (log in & out), Blue (creation), Black (update)…

Note :

In the case of deleting an item from the database, once the item is deleted, all logs linked to this item (update, RTB, etc...) will be deleted. Only one line will be kept : item deleted.

This line will be kept in Activity Watcher the number of days set in the Purge tool, in the Air Run tab.

2.1.4.Filter by Type

When you access the report of activities performed on the system by Radio-Assist users, you have the possibility to search the list of events by filtering on the type of items that have been impacted by users actions.

There are 6 types of items likely to be impacted by user actions:

- ALL (6 types of items)

Modifications can affect:

- Log Sheet

- Items

- Stack

- Users

- Model

- Cartstack

2.1.5.Filter by User

When you access the report of activities performed on the system by Radio-Assist users, you have the possibility to search the list of events by filtering on users. In other words, if you want to trace the list of actions performed by "Journalist X" when he or she logged in to Radio-Assist, just select his User name in the drop-down list.

2.1.6.Filter by Workstation

When you access the report of activities performed on the system by Radio-Assist users, you have the possibility to search the list of events by filtering on the name of the workstation on which the updates have been done.

2.1.7.Filter by Date

When searching for specific events in the activity report, you can use date criteria.

Tick the Box and choose 2 dates:

2.2.List of Traceable Actions

Remember that you can decide to trace an action or not by ticking or unticking the checkbox located on the right side of the line, in the Activity Watcher Configuration popup window.

3.AirRun

3.1.Definition of AirRun

AirRun is a tab in RadioAssist allowing you to know the list of tunes that have been broadcasted (or that are being broadcasted) in AirDDO.

3.2.Consultative Mode

The consultative mode allows you to select a period of time between two dates via the calendar, so as to be able to know the history of tunes that have been played in AirDDO at that time.

The consultative mode is the mode displayed by default in AirRun. Users know they are in the consultative mode when the box "FollowUp Mode" isn't ticked :

The "Channel" and "Station" fields allow you to have access to the history of elements that have been broadcast by filtering the results, by channel and by station.

To define the dates of beginning and end of the period of time considered, one can use the arrows of the drop-down menu that are located on the right side of the fields "From" and "To":

A calendar allows you to select the desired dates.

The button refreshes the display.

3.3.FollowUp Mode

The FollowUp mode displays the list of elements that have been broadcast in the last 12 hours (this lapse of time is customizable) in AirDDO.

The FollowUp mode requires that you tick the "FollowUp mode" :

The "Channel" and "Station" fields allow you to see the history of tracks that have been broadcast by filtering the results, by channel and by station.

Given the fact that in the FollowUp mode, AirRun displays the list of elements that have been broadcast during the last 12 hours, the "From" and "To" fields appear in grey and are not usable:

When the fields appear in orange, this means that the sound is being broadcasted. If they appear in white, it means that the sounds have already been played.

List of different statuses:

Play: Sound is playing.

Stop : Sound is stopped.

Time_Lag : Sound is marked as false start.

Trim : The sound has been cut with the cuer.

3.4.Broadcast history for one item

If AirRun allows you to see the list of elements that have been broadcast in AirDDO between some specific dates, the tab also allows you to retrace the broadcast history of one particular track.

To do so, you have to choose the specific item via the browser, then double-click on it. The broadcast history of the selected track will appear in AirRun.

To go back to the list of all the elements that have been broadcast, all you have to do is click on the button.

3.5."Refresh" Function

The refresh button () allows you to refresh the list of elements displayed on screen, by updating it. By default, the list is automatically refreshed every 30 seconds.

When the refresh button turns to orange, it means that the search for elements to display is still going on and is not over yet.

3.6.Columns Display

The way one wants to display the different columns in AirRun is totally customizable. You can move the columns, resize them, or add fields from the T_AIR_RUN and T_ITEM tables.

Moving a column : hover your mouse over the column header and move it to another place thanks to your mouse.

Resizing a column : hover your mouse over the separator line of a column and enlarge the column.

Adding a field : hover your mouse over the column header and right-click on it. A window menu will appear, allowing users to add as many fields as they want just by ticking on the appropriate names.

3.7.Export Broadcast Log

From the user interface, you can export your log report in a file with a CSV extension (by clicking on the floppy disk icon ) which can be opened with a spreadsheet such as MS-Excel ©

4.Browser

4.1.Browser definition

The Browser represents the database which gives the access to any stocked items (audio or text).

The items are ordered by categories, and some search filters are available to retrieve an item quickly.

Moreover, some action buttons are available at the right side of the Browser (Play, delete, restore a deleted item, copy, modify, set as urgent, generate a master, create an empty file…).

4.2.Sound status

RAW :

A raw item is an original file.

EDITED ITEMS :

An edit session is a virtual file.

Several types of edited item exist (depending on the tool you use for editing).

The different edited icons :

: edit session coming from the "Snippet" tab.

: edit session coming from the "Multitrack" or "Snippet+" tabs.

: edit session (called "produced item") coming from the "Production" tab.

MASTER :

A master is the transformation of a edit session into a physical sound.

4.3.Available items in the Browser

The items available in the Browser are :

Audio items

Video items

Text items

Playlists

Stacks

Templates (created in the « Grid Editor » tab)

Cartstacks (created in the « Cartstack-prep» tab)

Jingle-Packs (created in the « Jingle-Prep» tab)

Dynamic tabs : additional tabs created on request to add more categories).

4.4.Sorting out the database

To sort out the items of the Browser by chronological order or alphabetical order, click on the column header.

If you click on the "Date" column header, your sort out the database by chronological order, increasing or decreasing.

Example: If you click on the column header having some data like the "title" column, then you sort out the database by alphabetical order.

4.5.Move a tab

It is possible to move a tab of the Browser and thus change the display order.

Here, we will move the "Jingle Pack" tab and position it between the "Advertisement" and "Text" tabs.

To do this, open the list of tabs by clicking on the list button on the right ]:

The list of tabs is displayed. Click on "Jingle Pack" and move it between "Advertisement" and "Text":

The "Jingle Pack" tab is now moved.

4.6.Hide a tab

It is possible to hide one or more tabs in Browser.

To do this, open the list of tabs by clicking on .

The list opens:

Here we want to hide the tab "Automated Programs"

Move the mouse on the desired tab. It is highlighted in yellow with the icon .

Click on .

The tab is grayed out in the list and is no longer displayed in the Browser.

4.7.The search methods

Several ways for searching an item in the Browser are available.

Use the different filters in the left part of the screen. You can combine them to refine your search.

- see the Original items

- see the Edited items (coming from : Snippet / Snippet+ / Production)

- see the Master items

- see the RTB items (Ready-To-Broadcast)

- see the Broadcastable items

- see the RTA items (Ready-To-Archive)

- see the Archivable items

- see the Archived items

- see the locked items

- see the RTW items (Ready-To-Web) which will be retrieved by the Dispatcher* application.

(*Dispatcher retrieves the sounds and convert them into multiple formats for multiple destinations delivery).

NB: when the filter is green, it means that it is activated and that all the elements corresponding to the selected criteria are displayed in the Browser. On the opposite, when the filter is red, it means that you can see only the items which are not corresponding to the selected status.

= the filter is not active (all the items are displayed, whether they are RTB or not)

= the filter is active (only the RTB items are displayed)

= the filter is negative (only the items which are not RTB are displayed)

You can use the different indexing fields (the search is not case sensitive but accents are taken into account).

Attention : when you make a new search, do not forget to delete the previous one by taking the filters off. To do so, you can do a left click on the “Reset” icon or a right click on the "refresh" icon . All filters are cleared.

OR

Drag and drop from the item list to a chosen search field.

Example : in the Browser, select Mariah, and drop it to the "author" field. The Browser displays the item list containing "mariah" in the "author" field.

NB : you can use this search method on any fields.

OR

You can search two terms or more simultaneously by using the "OR".

Example : if you type "Volta" OR "Silversun" in the « author » field, the Browser displays the item list containing "Volta" and/or "Silversun".

Attention : if you use this search method, the « OR » must be in CAPITAL LETTERS.

NB : if you do not know in which category your item is stored, go to the "All" category, and enter a keyword in the "global" field. The search is done on the whole database.

Once the search is done, the result is displayed.

The number of éléments is displayed on the lower left.

And if you do a multi selection of items is the list, the number of items over the total and the total duration of these items is displayed.

• FullText search criteria

Certain search criteria, depending on the configuration of your tabs, can perform a FullText search. This allows you to perform advanced searches in text-type metadata (e.g. the transcription of an audio file).

Here are the different possibilities offered by a FullText search criteria :

Classic search

To carry out a classique search, simply type the phrase you are looking for.

For example: "The president opened the meeting".

The search will return all items whose text metadata contains this phrase (this search is not case-sensitive).

The different operators

4.7.1.The following operators are implemented in FullText search criteria: or, and and near.

4.7.2.Operator Or

This operator is written in RadioAssist as "or" and is not case-sensitive.

So if you search for "president or session", the search will return all items whose text metadata contains the word "president", all items containing the word "session" and all items containing both words.

4.7.3.Operator And

This operator is written in RadioAssist as "and" and is not case-sensitive.

So if you search for "president and session", the search will only show you items whose text metadata contains the word "president" and the word "session".

This search does not take into account the distance between the two words

4.7.4.Operator Near

In RadioAssist, this operator is written as "near" and is not case-sensitive.

So if you search for "president near session", the search will only return items whose text metadata contains the word "president" and the word "session". The two words must be close for the search to return this item.

Advanced Search

The "*" character can be used as wildcard. If you search for "pres*", the search will return all items whose text metadata contains "president", but also "pressure", "prescribe", "presa" and any other combination.

This "*" character must be placed in the last position.

4.8.Initializing a search

To reinitialize a search (it means taking all filters out), click on the "Refresh" button. .

4.9.Saving a search

Once you have made a search, you have the possibility to save it.

To do so, place your mouse on the category. the cursor turns blue.

Double-click on the category. A window is displayed.

Enter the search title. Then, click on the "floppy disk" icon to save it.

Your search is saved. Then you can edit it anytime.

4.10.Editing a search

To edit a search which has been saved :

Place your mouse on the category where you have saved your search. The cursor turns blue.

Click on the category. A window is displayed.

Select the search you want to edit and click on the "folder" icon to edit it.

Your search is edited.

4.11.Playing an item (Ctrl+P)

You can play an item from the Browser and define the speed (from very slow to very fast). To do so :

Select an item in the Browser.

Click on "Play"

A progress bar is displayed. And a volume button to set the sound level as well.

By clicking on the Lock icon, it is possible to modify separately the level for the left and/or the right channel.

While playing a sound, or even when it is paused, if you click a second time on the button , it will place the cursor 5 seconds before the end.

Do a right click on the progress bar. a window is shown as follows :

Choose the speed of your item.

For information :

50% : Plays very slowly

75% : Plays slowly

100% : Plays normally

150% : Plays quickly

200% : Plays very quickly

4.12.Audio resource selection

The audio resource selection window lists the different visible soundboards and allows to select the one we want to use with RadioAssist.

Netia audio engine can only access soundboards which are visible through the Wasapi windows protocol and also Digigram SoundBoard accessed natively through their NP/HR driver.

We call the Audio Resource selection window by clicking on the Speaker icon located on the top right of RadioAssist with the other Browser’s icons.

On initial display, the audio resource selection windows shows the current soundboard being used with its use mode (shared or exclusive). If the current board got input, the bottom of the windows shows the current input selected and the possible input gain we apply on it.

Remark: future version of RadioAssist will allow to select a different card for recordings. In this version, only one card is used for both uses.

Clicking on the output combo shows the different soundboards available at the time we click.

Clicking on the Board Record Input combo shows the different choices available

Warning: Some choices may not work with the selected card (ex: choosing a digital input on an analog board will lead to a failure on first record trial in the record tab)

Audio resource selection window allows to choose a different soundboard than the one which was chosen and configured by the administrator using RadioAssistSetup.

The board selected will remain the one selected during the whole RadioAssist session unless we choose another one. Quitting RadioAssist and launching it again will make us come back on the “administrator” choice.

We can also come back to the administrator configuration by selecting “Default Configuration” in the output combo list. All administrator’s choices are then applied (use mode, input and gain selection), just like when we first start RadioAssist.

Main advantage of the audio resource window is to be able to use “a just plugged in” USB device, immediately in RadioAssist (eg Headset). To do that, just plug in the new resource, wait a little until windows detect it (a black mic icon should appear quickly) and click on the Speaker Icon. The new audio resource will appear in the output combo list. Select it, choose the desired use mode (shared or exclusive). If it got inputs, you may possibly choose a different one and set an input gain. Clicking on OK will trigger the soundboard switch.

Remark: when clicking on OK to trigger the new selection, a control is done on the current soundboard to see if recording or playing is going on. If this is the case a message box appears, telling us that record or play will be stopped if we continue.

Device endpoint selection

In the device / endpoint selection dropdown

The user can select between the following “system” choices (always made available to the user).

Automatic allocation: The application will try to allocate the first free audio resource it can find.

Use Windows Default: The application will try to allocate the audio resource defined as “Default” in Windows

Virtual card: The application will use an internal “virtual” audio card to simulate I/O. This kind of function is also known as “null audio” in some third-party software. This is used for testing or when no audio device is available on the machine (like a server for instance).

Default configuration: The application will use the configuration set by the administrator for that machine.

And some dynamically listed choices starting either by:

NDAW: Audio device endpoint accessible via WASAPI and WDM driver. In this mode a single device will appear once per active connected endpoint (ex: speaker and headphone) or once per channel for multichannel device. Unconnected endpoints will not appear. Since version 8.6.x, RadioAssist supports connection and disconnection of audio devices at runtime. The list will be updated as user connects a new endpoint on an existing device (like a headphone) or plugs a new device (like a USB audio interface). Users can also select the newly detected audio interface without restarting.

NP: Digigram audio device accessible via Digigram proprietary legacy NP API. This mode is available for backward compatibility but is now obsolete due to the technology being phased out by Digigram. In that mode a multichannel card will appear once, and its channel must be set in the “output channel” field.

The input device endpoint/channel used by RadioAssist is the one matching the selected output device (same device or same device and channel for multichannel devices). This is the current behavior, selection of a different device for output and input is planned for a future release, therefore the input device selection combo has been disabled for the moment.

Note that a Digigram card may appear both as a NDAW and NP card if supported by NP drivers and the drivers have been configured accordingly.

See examples below of how different audio device may appear:

Audio device / endpoint on a laptop’s Synaptics chipset

8 channel AXIA virtual audio over IP driver

Digigram PCX 1222e detected via its WDM and NP driver

[Output channel]

In the specific case of accessing a multichannel (essentially for Digigram cards via NP drivers), this allows specifying which channel to use.

0 = First free channel

N = mono input number starting from 1. When in stereo, increase value by two for the next stereo pair.

Ex: 1 is channel one or left of first stereo pair. 4 is channel 4 or right channel of second stereo pair. 5 is channel 5 or third stereo pair …

[Record channel]

This allows the user to select which connection to use for the input device endpoint / channel. As of RadioAssist 8.7.x all possible connections supported by RadioAssist are listed, even if the device endpoint / channel does not support that type of connection. Netia audio engine maps well known drivers I/O to this legacy static input list. Implementation of a dynamic list of connection is planned for a future release.

Input connection selection dropdown

Analog (Line Level): To select line level connection for cards that have one. Note that this is also the “default” connection when there is no specific mapping for an audio device driver. Counterintuitively you may have to select “Analog (Line Level)” for AES only device or AoIP driver that do not have a specific mapping implemented in the Netia Audio Engine.

Analog (Mic Level): To select microphone connection if the audio device has one.

Analog (Aux input): To select Auxiliary input connection if the audio device has one.

Analog (Loopback): Available for audio devices accessed via WASAPI (NDAW prefixed). Not available via NP drivers. Allows to record a copy of the output stream of an output device endpoint. Usage limited to shared mode. Enables scenario where a user can for instance record audio or video played in a web browser without going through and analogue loop or a mixer feeding back and output to an input. (see for more information).

Analog (Stereo Out Mix): Allows for a similar function as loopback. This requires a specific implementation by the driver vendor in its WDM driver. This is available for legacy reasons and is being replaced by the “loopback” input.

AoIP (PCX-LX): Specific AoIP input for (now obsolete) Digigram LX cards.

Digital AES/EBU: Select for using AES/EBU (digital) connection using embedded clock signal.

Digital AES/EBU, Sync Clock Input: Select for using AES/EBU (digital) connection but set the audio device to use the dedicated device clock connection for reference clock signal.

Input gain:

Gain applied on the input signal prior to reaching RadioAssist. Use this for meter calibration purposes.

Shared/Exclusive mode:

The shared mode and its opposite the exclusive mode are features dictating if an audio resource is shared or not during its use by Netia software.

Shared mode:

In shared mode, the selected audio resource can be used simultaneously by several applications.

In this mode the Netia applications I/O go through the Windows audio engine, which allows the mixing of input and output streams of multiple applications. This allows situations where two mixed audio streams can be heard at the same time, one played through RadioAssist and another through a third-party software.

Window's audio engine performs sampling format conversions where necessary, making this mode more "compatible" with many cards but can add some dithering related noise and add latency. This mode also allows access to the Windows digital loopback to record the output of a device via a virtual input (loopback) cloning the audio stream sent to the output of the device. This enables users, for example, to play a YouTube clip in their browser and record its audio directly in RadioAssist etc.

This mode is therefore the recommended mode for office PCs or some production platforms.

Exclusive mode:

If Netia software is being used in exclusive mode on an audio resource, no other application will be able to allocate and therefore use that same audio resource.

The exclusive mode theoretically allows lower latency because it gives direct access to the drivers of the card without going through the Windows mixer. However, this requires that the driver supports the format requested by the Netia audio engine, which is in the most general case 48kHz, stereo, 16 bits. Depending on the implementation of the driver this may require manually setting the format at the Windows level in the audio config dialogs for the card.

For this reason, Netia usually recommends using exclusive mode on playout machines.

Specific considerations for Digigram cards:

Please note that these modes do not apply to the use of Digigram cards via their native NP/HR driver (when selecting the Digigram card via its drivers prefixed by “PCX” in the Netia audio device selector). These concepts do not exist in this case. A PCX card allocated via its Digigram drivers is necessarily allocated exclusively.

On the other hand, the shared mode will be operational for the same PCX allocated through NDAWave7 (driver prefixed by NDAW or DX depending on the version), as exclusive/shared modes are features of WASAPI.

Specific consideration for AoIP virtual audio cards drivers:

Regarding AOIP virtual audio cards, it is recommended to use shared mode even on playback machines due to performance issue of WDM drivers of some manufacturers (such as Dante and LAWO) in exclusive mode. It may also be necessary to adjust some parameters depending on the drivers used (for example the AXIA driver requires increasing the nLatency parameter to 30 ms).

More info on WASAPI's exclusive mode:

and on WASAPI in general:

4.13.Adding a new item

A new item can be added by clicking on the button on the right side of the Browser window.

It is used to create :

- an empty item witout physical item for the SOUND, VIDEO, TEXT or IMAGE items

- a contact

- a basket

- a cartstack

- a Jingle Pack

For the following type :

- Project

- Edit from Snippet/Snippet+ or Multitrack

- Playlist/Stack/Template

- Asset

- Event

...the dedicated tool should be used

An item linked to a project cannot be deleted (first delete the project, the window allowing to delete the linked items is not implemented in this case)

An item linked to a asset cannot be deleted (first delete the asset, the window allowing to delete the linked items is not implemented in this case)

When deleting an item (whatever the type of deletion is : final or sent to the bin), the item is deleted from the baskets including this item. If restauring an item, this item will not be replaced in the baskets where it was before the deletion.

Palylists/Stack/Templates

LocSchedule/LocTemplate

Cartstacks

Jingle Packs

...cannot be sent to the bin.

4.14.Deleting an item (Ctrl+D)

To delete an item from the Browser , select the item and do a left click on the "Trash" icon at the right side of the Browser or do a right click on the selected item. the "Delete" function is displayed in a menu.

Attention : It is not possible to delete :

A item belonging to another user (except if the right is given)

An item with the RTB and/or Broadcastable validation(s).

A

An item in use

4.15.Restoring a deleted item

To restore a deleted item, do a right click on the "Trash can" icon .

The following window is displayed with the list of the deleted items in the chosen category.

Select the item to restore and click on "Undelete".

A message is displayed to confirm the restoration. Click on "Yes".

To retrieve the restored item in the Browser, either use the search filters at the left side of the Browser, or refresh the Browser with the "Refresh" icon .

Attention : To restore a deleted item, you must get the right to do it (right given by the administrator).

IMPORTANT :

An EDL can be deleted even if a RAW or other associated EDLs exist. Only the EDL will be deleted (and will go into the bin).

You can delete a RAW even if an EDL is already in the bin.

When deleting a RAW, the existing associated EDLs will also be deleted but an information box that lists the associated EDLs allows you to cancel the deletion of the RAW and the associated EDLs.

When restoring one of the EDLs put in the bin, the RAW is also automatically restored without any information. Unless the RAW has been purged.

When restoring the RAW from the bin, the RAW is the only one restored and the EDLs remain in the bin.

4.16.Deleting a playlist

In the Browser, go to the "Playlist" category.

Select the playlist to delete.

Either do a right click on it, the "Delete" function is displayed, or click on the "Trash can" icon available at the right side of the Browser.

A message to confirm the deletion is displayed. Click on "Yes" to confirm the deletion or "No" to cancel the action.

Attention : it is not possible to delete a playlist with the RTB validation (you must remove the validation first).

4.17.Deleting a stack

In the Browser, go to the "Stack" category.

Select the stack to delete.

Either do a right click on it, the "Delete" function is displayed, or click on the "Trash can" icon available at the right side of the Browser.

A message to confirm the deletion is displayed. Click on "Yes" to confirm the deletion or "No" to cancel the action.

Attention : it is not possible to delete a stack with the RTB validation (you must remove the validation first).

4.18.Deleting a template

In the Browser, go to the "Template" category.

Select the template to delete.

Either do a right click on it, the "Delete" function is displayed, or click on the "Trash can" icon available at the right side of the Browser.

A message to confirm the deletion is displayed. Click on "Yes" to confirm the deletion or "No" to cancel the action.

4.19.Copying an item (Ctrl+L)

The « Copy » function is used to copy an item which will have the name of the user doing this copy.

In the Browser, select the item to copy.

Click on "Copy".

The information card is displayed. Modify the data if needed.

Click on the "Floppy disk" icon to copy the file.

NB : This function is available by doing a right click on the item you want to copy.

4.20.Modifying an audio item (Ctrl+M)

The "Modify" function is used to modify the data of a selected item (name of the correspondant, title, category…).

In the Browser, select the item to modify.

Click on "Modify".

A window is displayed to modify the data

Click on the "Floppy disk" icon to save the modifications.

NB : This function is available by doing a right click on the item you want to modify.

Indexing Sheets

In the upper part of this popup, users can enter or edit the metadata relative to the selected item.

In the lower part, you will find :

Player Tab : pre-listen your audio item

Composition Tab : for displaying and modifying the list of elements that make up a master

Technical Tab : check the set of information relative to the creation of the item.

Category Tab : link your item with a music category (Hot 20, Top 100, Gold 80…)

Associated Image Tab : display the image associated to your item, usually the album cover.

AirRun tab : display the informations about when the item was broadcasted.

Schedule History : Display when the item was ou will be broadcasted.

History : Displays all the action done on the item (modified, flagged RTB, unflagged, etc...)

When you access the database in Remote mode, the display of the indexing sheet is the same.

4.20.1. Composition

When a Snippet, Snippet+ editing, cartstack, playlist, etc is mastered, the list of items that make it up is saved and can be viewed in this tab. This makes it possible to find positions, durations, text data 1 and text data 1 (Author and Title, for example), positions and timestamps in their raws, that these elements had in the original editing, cartstack or playlist.

Below is a diagram describing the Composition data of an element mastered from an editing :

It is possible to delete, modify, add custom elements and export this list. Please note : Any changes made to the composition of a master will only be saved when the index card is saved.

• Add

Custom elements can be added to the composition. To do this, simply :

• Click on the “Add” button
• Enter the desired data
• Validate

To recognize them, the custom element lines are gray.

• Modify

It is also possible to modify the components that make up a master. Note that this in no way affects the original assembly, cartridge case or playlist. There are two ways of doing this :

• With the edit window :
• Click on the “Edit” button
• Modify the desired data
• Validate

• By modifying data directly in the table:
• Double-click on a cell
• Make the desired changes
• Click outside the cell or press the “Enter” key to validate (“Escape” key to cancel)

When modifying time data directly in the table, it is possible to increment or decrement the value using the “Up” and “Down” keys on the keyboard. Time data may not exceed 24 hours.

• Delete

You can delete elements from your master. To do this :

• Click on the “delete” button
• Export

Finally, you can export elements from your master (in csv format only for the moment). To do this :

• Click on the “export” button

4.21.New index cards (from the 8.12 version)

4.21.1.General operation

With the addition of new features such as transcription and soundcheck, the indexing form had to evolve to offer a better experience. It is divided into different sections that will be identical in Remote mode (access to a remote database).

Metadata section:

The metadata section contains all the data you can add or modify, as well as a player and the list of flags.

Composition section:

When a Snippet, Snippet+, title sequence, or cue sheet is mastered, the list of elements that compose it is saved and can be viewed in this tab. This allows you to find the start positions, durations, and text 1 and text 2 data (e.g., Author and Title) that these elements had in the original edit, title sequence, or cue sheet.

It is possible to delete, modify, and add custom elements to this list. Please note, however, that any changes made to the composition of a master will only be saved when its indexing file is saved.

• Add

It is possible to add custom elements to the composition. To do so, simply:

• Clic on the add button
• Enter the desired data
• Clic on validate

To recognize them, custom element lines are gray.

• Modify

It is also possible to modify the elements that make up a master. Note that this does not affect the editing, the title card, or the original script. There are two ways to do this:

• Via the edit window:
• Clic on the « Modify » button
• Edited the desired data
• Validate

• By modifying the data directly in the table:
• Double-click on a cell
• Make the desired change
• Click outside the cell or press the “Enter” key to confirm (press the “Escape” key to cancel)

When modifying time data directly in the table, you can increase or decrease the value using the “Up” and “Down” keys on the keyboard. This time data cannot exceed 24 hours.

• Delete

It is finally possible to delete elements from our master. To do this:

• Clic on the « Delete » button

Transcription section:

The third section contains the transcription of the item if it has been generated beforehand. The transcription can be viewed by anyone, even users who do not have the right to start a transcription on an item.

This section is divided into two parts: the first contains a simple player and the second contains the text area for the transcription. To make it easier to follow along while listening, the word being heard is highlighted in the text. You can move through the audio by clicking on the words, and if you move through the player, the highlighted word is also updated.

Quality section:

The fourth section presents the sound analysis once it has been performed. A reminder of the analysis criteria is visible for each field. If the value obtained does not match, the field appears as an error.

If you want to manually validate a sound that has one or more alerts, you can click on the orange exclamation mark in the top right corner. A modal window will open, allowing you to confirm that you want to validate the sound quality. The criteria that identified errors will remain red even after manual validation.

Technical section:

A Technical tab provides information about the selected item. This includes, for example, the creation date, last modification date, duration, user who created it, distribution start date, etc.

History tables:

Finally, three sections are available to access the various histories related to the item:

• The “Schedule History” history, which displays all sound scheduling information (past and future)
• A “Broadcast history” tab, which displays all sound broadcasts (start and end times, channel, conduct)
• The “Actions history” shows all changes made to the audio (PAD, non-PAD, modified, etc.)

4.21.2.Behavior changes with the new form

Some workflows have been adapted or simplified to make it easier to use the new indexing form.

• When saving from an editing tool, the default destination tab and the active tab in the Browser

4.22."Set as urgent" function

The "Set as urgent" function is designed to send an audio item to the Hot-Box of Air–DDO (playout system) to notify the technician that the item must be broadcasted urgently (because it is not planned in the playlist).

To send an item as urgent, select it first and click on the "Set as urgent" function . In multi-channel mode, all channels will be notified.

If you work in multi-channel mode, do a right click on the item to send. In this case, the list of the available channels is displayed. You can choose on which channel you want to send the item then.

4.23.Generating a master (Ctrl+G)

To generate a master, select the edit session coming from Snippet, Snippet+ or Multitrack and click on the "Generate a master" function located at the right side of the Browser. 

You can also do a right click on the selected item. The "Generate a Master" function is displayed as well.

Attention : Do not masterize items coming from the "Production" tool, otherwise you will loose all information that you have put on the sound. Moreover, it is not possible to transform an original item directly into a master.

4.24.Creating an empty file

The "New item" function is designed to create a file without sound.

This fonction is designed to prepare files which will be associated with an audio file later on (coming from an automaton or associated with the "Masterize as" function for instance).

It is not possible to create empty sheets in a tab where the GENRE (Type) is not defined (example: ALL).

An empty record is indicated by the "sheet" icon.

4.25."Masterize As" function

The "Masterize as" function (function available by a right click on an item of the Browser or by a right click on the "Generate a Master " function) is used to associate a sound to a empty file.

4.26.Using the "Masterize As" function

To use this function you must create empty files first.

Select the audio file on which you want to associate an empty file.

Do a right click on it and choose the "Masterize as" function (or right click on the "Generate a master" icon). A window is displayed proposing a list of empty files (without audio files associated) available in the Browser.

Choose the empty file on which you want to associate the sound file.

Click on "OK".

The sound is associated to the file and the status of this audio file will be master.

4.27."Asynchrone Mastering" function

Async mastering allows users to keep working while mastering process is running.

To achieve this workflow, a mastering queue has been added to RadioAssist which allows users to queue and manage mastering jobs. Jobs are done by a background process on the user computer so users can still use RadioAssist as usual while jobs are running.

3 kind of workflow are available:

Add one item to queue: show up an indexation window that allow user to fill destination item metadata

Add multiple items to queue: allows user to queue multiple items as same time. No indexation window is displayed, and metadata are duplicated from sources items.

Add external item to queue: allows user to drag&drop an external file from local computer

Following item type can be added to mastering queue:

Raw

Master

Monotrack EDL

Multitrack EDL

Production

A “Mastering Monitor” window can be used to check and manage jobs status. This window display user information’s:

Type: source item type icon (prod, mono track …)

Item: source item name (under format “STRING_1 – STRING_2”)

State: job current state

Queued: job’s waiting to be processed

Running: job in progress

Done: job is done, and master item is ready to be used

Canceled: job has been canceled by user

Failed: job process failed (error detail message is available in message column)

Message: display details on process, especially useful on failed job to know error details

Priority: job priority (not yet implemented)

Source item guid: source item guid from T_ITEM table

Request guid: job unique id

Notes:

Jobs in “queued” or “running” states can be canceled at any time (use “Cancel selected” button)

Mastering window can be closed/opened at any time without impact on mastering jobs

All running jobs are canceled when Radios Assist is closed Enter topic text here.

4.28.Using the "Asynchrone Mastering" function

Mastering one item (with indexation window)

Mastering multiple items (without indexation window)

Show up mastering monitor

Jobs Status

Running job

Canceled job

Done job

Queued job

Failed job

4.29.Remote Database

A remote database is designed to access a database available on another site for instance.

To access to a remote database, select it in the dropdownlist at the right side of the Browser :

An identification window is displayed asking your login.

Then, click on "connect to the remote database" :

The Browser displays items from the remote database.

To go back to the local database, click on "Connect to the local database" .

4.30.“Asynchronous transfer” function

The transfer function allows you to send one or more elements from your station (local database) to one or more other stations (remote databases). Once connected to a remote station, it also allows you to transfer one or more elements from the latter to your own station (local database) and other remote stations.

As with Asynchronous Mastering, Asynchronous Transfer allows you to continue working while a transfer is in progress.

4.30.1. Transferring one or more items

Select one or more elements in the browser

Right-click, then click “Transfer to other stations”

Select the stations you want to send the item(s) to. Choose the procedure to follow if the element is already present at the destination station (see point 4.30.3) then validate

For “X” items transferred to “Y” stations, “X*Y” new tasks are added in the queue of the “Asynchronous Tasks” window

You can interrupt or cancel transfers at any time by selecting them and then clicking on “Cancel selected”

Once a transfer is complete you can select it then click on “Select in browser” so that it is displayed in the browser. If you are connected to the station from which the element originates, the source element will be displayed. If you are connected to the destination station, the item that has just been transferred is displayed.

4.30.2. Transfer of one or more elements from a remote station

Select the desired remote station

Click on “Connect to remote database ”

You can now transfer one or more elements from this station to your local station and/or to other stations by repeating the different steps in point 4.30.1.

4.30.3. Sent item already present on destination station

In case the element is already present on the destination station you can choose from these three options :

Do nothing : The item is not transferred

Update item : The item's metadata is updated. If it is an element containing sub-elements (bandolier, conduct, etc.) these sub-elements are also updated

Transfer as new element: The element is transferred as a copy of itself. If it is an element containing sub-elements (bandolier, conduct, etc.) these sub-elements are not updated.

4.31.Automatic archiving of Browser's items

To archive automatically the items of the Browser, you must use the required validations which are RTA. (Ready To Archive) and/or Archivable.

Thus, once the items have the RTA and/or Archivable validation(s), Na-Arch (the automatic archiving software from the RadioAssist range of products) can archive them automatically.

According the different radios' methods, 1 validation or 2 validations can be used.

4.32.Archived items

Once an item is archived manually or automatically, a CD icon is displayed near the status of the archived item.

(item archived but still available in the database )

(item archived and deleted from the database - see "Consulting the archived items").

If you do a right click on the archived item, the archive location (whether a path, whether a number) is shown.

4.33.Consulting the archived items

As long as an archived item is not purged, it is still possible to consult it or use it. The archived items which are still on line are recognizable thanks to a grey CD-ROM icon near the status.

However, if the archived item is purged, the data remain in the database but the audio file is no longer available.The items which are archived AND purged are recognizable thanks to an orange CD-ROM icon near the status.

If you double-click on it, a message asks you to insert the CD or to enter the path where the item has been archived.

To put the audio file back in the database, insert the CD or choose the path on which the archived item is and click on "Validate".

The audio file is now available in the Browser.

4.34.Change user

The right-hand window contains a list of all existing users. To change user, click on the down arrow. A drop-down menu appears, listing all available users in the database.

Choose your name. The login window appears.

Enter your password.

Click "OK" or press "Enter" on your keyboard.

4.35.Locked items (lock icon)

Locking an item will have the following results :

- the item won't be eligible for purge

- depending on the settings made by the administrator it could be locked for user users to be used and/or modified and/or deleted

4.36.Locking an item

To lock an item, you have two ways :

Click on "Modify" . The lock icon is displayed on the sound data. . Click on it. The icon turns green .

Or In the Browser, in the "Lock" column , on the sound.

However, this item is accessible by anybody.

4.37.Printing the Browser

To print out the list of the items available in the Browser, click on the NETIA icon on the top left hand corner, or do a right click on the title bar et choose "Print Browser".

4.38.Private mode

The yellow key means that the item is "Private". Thus, only the connected user who has put the key will be able to see the item (see "Putting an item in "private").

4.39.Putting an item in "private"

To put an item in "Private", you have 2 ways :

Click on "Modify" . the key icon is displayed on the window data of the item. Click on it. The icon turns green.

Or, in the Browser, in the « private » column, on the item.

4.40.The validations

The RTB and/or broadcastable validations are used to validate an item in order to broadcast it.

According the different radios' methods, 1 validation or 2 validations can be used.

4.41.Putting the RTB and/or Broadcastable validations

To put the RTB and/or Broadcastable validations, you have 3 ways :

1) When you generate a master, a window with the item data is displayed. The RTB and the Broadcastable icons are available. Click on them. The icons turn red.

2) In the Browser, in the RTB and/or Broadcastable column, on the sound. Click on it (or double-click, according to the configuration), the icon(s) is/are displayed.

3) In the Browser, select the item to validate and press Ctrl + R to put the RTB validation and/or CTRL + B to put the Broadcastable validation .

4.42.Putting a playlist RTB

To put the RTB (Ready-To-Broadcast) validation on a playlist :

In the Browser, go to the "Playlist" category.

Select the playlist.

Go to the "RTB" column and double-click on it.

The "Space shuttle" icon is displayed which means that the playlist has the RTB validation and then it is visible in the playout system.

NB : if a playlist does not have the RTB validation, it will not be visible in the playout system.

4.43.Putting a stack RTB

To put the RTB (Ready-To-Broadcast) validation on a stack :

In the Browser, go to the "Stack" category.

Select the stack.

Go to the "RTB" column and double-click on it.

The "space shuttle" icon is displayed which means that the stack has the RTB validation and then it is visible in the playout system.

NB : if a stack does not have the RTB validation, it will not be visible in the playout system.

4.44.Locking Radio-Assist

You can log out from RadioAssist without closing the application.

To do so, click on the "Lock button" available at the right hand corner of the screen .

Thus, the next user who wants to use RadioAssist, has to log in with his name and his password.

This function prevents one user from being connected under another name.

4.45.Changing the user

The right window contains the user list. To change the login, click on the down arrow. A dropdown list containing the user list available in the database is displayed.

Choose your name. Then, the connexion window is displayed.

Enter your password.

Click on « OK » or press « Enter » on your keyboard.

4.46.Browser Shortcuts

Ctrl + D : Deletes the selected item

Ctrl + l : Copies the selected item

Ctrl + L : Set the selected item to Lock mode.

Ctrl + M : Modifies the sound data

Ctrl + T : Launches a search

Ctrl + G : Generates a master

Ctrl + P : Play/Stop the selected item

Ctrl + R : Puts the RTB validation on the selected item

Ctrl + B : Puts the Broadcastable validation on the selected item

CTRL + / : Puts the RTA validation on the selected item

Ctrl + Master (button or dedicated line in the popup menu - when item is selected) : Masterization of selected item without opening its metadata sheet

Alt + T : displays the whole items of the database

Alt + I : Go to the "Info" category.

Alt + N : Go to the "News" category

Alt + M : Go to the "Music" category

Alt + F : Go to the "Feed" category

Alt + J : Go to the "Jingle" category

Alt + A : Go to the "Ads" category

SHIFT + Select a sound then another sound lower/higher in the list: Select a group of items.

Ctrl + Select several items in the list: Select line by line.

NB : "Ctrl" and "Alt" are keyboard keys.

5.CartPrep CartPrep

5.1.CartPrep definition

A cartstack can be prepared via the "CartPrep" tab of the RadioAssist production station to create or modify cartstacks for broadcasting.

All edited items, ready for broadcasting and validated by technicians and presenters, are integrated into the cartstack for broadcasting as well as defining their linking mode (manual or automatic). These elements can be text, sound or both. Once edited, the cartstacks are distributed using the "AirCart" software.

Cartstacks can be used live or automatically and for sound finalising and lead-ins.

The "CartPrep" tab is divided into two sections :

The left section is used to built the cartstack, capable of holding up to 99 carts.

The right section is reserved to texts associated to the audio files.

5.2.Cart

A cart which is an item belonging to a cartstack displays the following information :

NB: The cartstack accepts all type of item from the database, which includes text documents to integrate into a cart. When broadcasting with AirCart software, these texts are visible in a dedicated window and can be used as reading material for the presenter.

5.3.Building a cartstack

To build a cartstack, just put all the sound files in chronological order from the Browser to the .

You can insert, original , master or music edited items .

Two ways are available to insert items :

By drag&drop : Select an item from the browser and drop it to the cart.

By double-click : select a cart first, then double-click on an item in the Browser.

To select a cart, just click on it. the outline of the cart turns yellow.

As soon an item is inserted in a cart, this one displays .

It is possible to find an item of a cart in the database by selecting it and using the keys "CTRL+O" (the letter).

5.4.Choosing the lead-in mode

By clicking several times on the "lead-in modes" button, the different modes are shown :

When the blue and the yellow are back to back, it means that the next cart will lead in automatically in the "cut" mode.

When the blue is crossed with the yellow, it means that the next cart will lead in automatically in the "mix" mode ("mix" done thanks to the Inlink and outlink points placed on a sound thanks to the "Production" tool).

The yellow arrow pointing upwards means that when the cart has played, the cartstack will play in a loop and lead in automatically with the first file.

The "Stop" icon means that cartstack playing will stop when the cart has played. Resumption of playing is then manual.

5.5.Playing un cartstack

Cart selection is shown by the appearance of a yellow square. When the cart is playing, the square flashes yellow / red. A red band visualises cart playing progress.

During play, the cartstack scrolls automatically and positions the played cart in second place.

Plays the end (3s) of the selected cart file.

+ "Shift" : Plays the beginning (3s) of all carts as from the selected one.

Plays the beginning (3s) of the selected cart file.

+ "Shift" : Plays the end (3s) of all carts as from the selected one.

Plays the lead-in of the selected cart to the following one (3s before and 3s after).

+ "Shift" : Plays the beginning (3s) and the end (3s) of all carts as from the selected one.

Play / Pause / Stop of the selected cart.

5.6.Replacing a sound by another one

To replace a sound, just move another into its place.

5.7.Inserting a cart

To insert a empty cart, select the cart before where you want to insert it.

Then, click on "insert" .

An empty cart is inserted.

5.8.Unloading a cart

To unload a cart, select it and click on "Delete" .

5.9.Printing a cartstack

To print a cartstack, click on "print" .

The cartstack is printed as a playlist.

5.10.Adding a text in the cartstack

The right side of the "Cartstack editor" is reserved to the text linked to each sound file used in the cartstack.

Three text zones are predefined to help the presenter. They can be filled in with comments about the file for each cart. The first zone is designed for the announcement ("heading"), the second for comments ("body") and the third for signing off ("footer").

When a cartstack is played, the text corresponding to a cart is displayed 3s before the previous cart is over.

These texts will only be shown in AirCart.

To link a text to an audio file, select the cart first and then type your text in the right section.

All the usual word processing function are available: cut, copy, paste, etc.

and are two counters to estimate the time needed to read the text.

5.11.Counters in Cartstack-prep

There are two counters to make cartstack building easier :

" Cart time" : represents the total duration of the cartstack as built.

"Current time" : represents the position of the current point on the cartstack.

It is possible to "navigate" through the sound by clicking anywhere in the counter.

Represents the position of the current point on the cartstack

The left arrow corresponds to the "Total Time" counter. When it is pointing downwards, the counter gives the position of play in relation to the beginning of the cartstack (time which has run). When it points upwards, the counter shows the position of play in relation to the end of the cartstack (time left).

The right arrow works in the same way and corresponds to the current counter of each cart.

5.12.Saving a cartstack

To save a cartstack, use the following functions :

Save : to save a cartstack. This cartstack is inserted in the database under the chosen category.

If modifications are done from an existing cartstack, this one is updated and the previous version is replaced by the new one.

Save as : To save a cartstack under a new name.

If modifications are done from an existing cartstack, you will have two versions.

New : this button releases the cartstack to create a new cartstack.

6.Record

6.1.Workflow

6.2.Record definition

The "Record" tool is designed to record any audio source (microphone, DAT player...).

6.3.Input selection

2 audio inputs can be set :

- Audio Board

- IP stream

AUDIO BOARD Input:

The record will be done through the audio board, meaning any input "plugged" to the workstation.

6 options are available :

Analog (Line Level) : Analog input. It's a analog input at a line level. By default input either on the generic sound card or on a Digigram PCX.

Analog (Mic Level) : Microphone Input. Same as above with a higher sensibility on the entry line which allows record with low sound level (microphone)

Analog :(Aux input) : Analog input on the entry line available on old Digigram sound cards and for some integrated chipset on the "Aux" or "CD" input.

Analog (Stereo Mix) : Stereo Mix input.

Analog (Loop Back) : Input allowing to record what is played through the workstation (external player, internet, etc...)

NOTE: Behavior depending on the Windows version used:

Windows 7 and older versions of Windows 10: After clicking the start button of the recording, it starts immediately.

Windows 10: For the most recent versions, once you have pressed the start recording button, the recording will only be started at the first modulation detected on the computer.

Loopback and Stereo Mix are 2 variables to select input at the output of the audio board. Some chipset use 1 variable, others 2.

When the audio board/chipset has integrated effects at the exit, loopback matches the pre effects output and stereo out mix is post effects.

AoIP (PCX-LW) : Input for Digigram PCX-LiveWire audio board. Support of Digigram AoIP format.

Digital AES/EBU : Digital input. AES/EBU format using mono and stereo audio signals, quantified at 16, 20 or 24 bits.The clock is extracted from the AES signal.

Digital AES/EBU, Sync Clock Input : Digital input with AES signal. Digital input with AES/EBU format with audio signals and AES clock on several connectors. The clock is from the "AES Sync Input" connector.

IP Stream :

Open the list of created IP streams.

IP streams are created in the "IP Stream" tab from the Radio-Assist setup application. It is done by administrators.

They can be used by all users.

It is, however, possible to localy create an IP stream and the workstation.

To do so, click on .

The following window opens :

Type the stream name and the url. Here a french business radio : BFM Business.

In the "Options" field, type options for this stream.

Options : that is, all the information placed after the "?" of a " http 'get' : ?param1[;param2;…] " request in the URL Stream. If you have copied the entire URL Stream in the previous field, there is no need to re-enter the information here (concatenation between the 2 string of characters - URL stream and Options" will be done automatically).

-transcode : explicitly deactivates the transcoding operations for the flux that is being recorded.

+transcode [:gain_dB] : activates the transcoding operation while recording, with a gain level you can apply during the process. This gain replaces the level of gain by default (cf. cartes32 registry).

+data : specifies that the flux is of the ‘data’ type: it will be considered as a non-audio file. All other option become meaningless.

+pcm:fs,can,codage : identifies the flux as a linear raw/pcm, with a frequency sampling rate given in KHz, the number of channels(1=mono, 2=stereo), the coding sample (24=24 bits, 0=16 bits Motorola, 2=16 bits Intel, 4=8 bits not signed, 128=8 bits signed).

+ts-pid or +ts-num or +ts-sid or +ts-name : Only on a MPEG-TS flux : selects the subjacent flux based on a PID, an index number N°, a SID, a name.

+bitrate:debit_kbytes_S1 : limit of debit while recording, done at the value given in Kbytes/s you have specified. Only available for fluxes of the ‘data’ type, (non-audio fluxes) (Audio flux are autoregulated, based on the nominal debit of the flux).

Example of URL :

http://mp3.live.tv-radio.com/franceinfo/all/franceinfo.mp3?+transcode:-18

tcp://user:pass@127.0.0.1:80

udp://127.0.0.1:1234/?-transcode;+pcm:48,2,24

Click on

The stream is created.

The stream can be modified by clicking on or deleted by clicking on .

Select the stream to modify or delete.

Modify it, then click on .

The stream is modified or deleted.

Important : Only streams created locally can be modified or deleted.

6.4.Start a recording

To start a recording, 3 options are available :

Start on button : The recording will start as soon as the button is clicked.

For the next 2 options, first select the options then click on . The recording will start once the values are reached.

Start on Level: (0 db by default) Can be modified. Type a value in db.

Start on Time : Select the time when to start the recording.

To stop a recording, 3 options are also available.

Stop on Button : Click on . The recording is stopped.

Stop on Level : Once the level is reached, the recording stops.

Stop on Duration : Once the duration is reached, the recording stops.

Once the recording starts, it's starts being saved in the database. It means that, once the recording is stopped, it can be seen right away in the Browser (if the tab where you saved your recording is shown in the Browser)

And if the workstation is shut down accidentally, the recording is saved until the workstation's stop.

6.5.Recording an item

Click on “Record” Tab.

On the right-hand side of the screen, a card is available to identify the element and find it more easily in the Browser.

To do this

Select the category/tab in which you wish to save the recording (News, Music, Jingle...).

Enter the information relating to this item (title...).

Do a sound test and adjust the levels to prevent saturation. stay in the region of 0 using the vu-meters:

To run the recording, click on "Record"

NB: When saving, a blue mini vu-meter appears at the tab name.

To put the recording on hold, click on "Pause"

During this pause, you can listen to what has already been recorded by clicking on the spectrum and then on the button . The sound is played back.

Click once more on pause to start recording again.

When your recording is right, click on, "Stop"

In the right-hand side of the screen :

Select the category of item you have just recorded (News, Music, Jingle, etc.).

Enter the information concerning the item (title, etc.).

Then, save it by clicking on "Save" .

The item is now in the database and you can it find in the Browser section under the chosen category (News, Music, Jingle, etc.). Its status will be "Raw", represented by the following symbol : .

Depending on application settings, it may not be necessary to click on . Saving is automatic at the end of the recording after clicking on .

NB: When a recording is triggered, the item is already present in Browser, under the "All" tab with a question mark, as it is not yet saved or indexed.

6.6.Monitoring

It is possible to monitor the incoming signal through the output of the sound card. Monitoring is controlled by the green "speaker" button.

Monitoring enabled

Monitoring disabled

Note: If the audio card used supports standard monitoring mode, RadioAssist will use the it to try to achieve a low latency output. If the driver does not support this mode then RadioAssist will attempt to emulate it in software playthrough mode, which adds some latency. It is therefore recommended to use a card supporting monitoring at driver level for voiceover or voicetracking scenarios.

It is possible to configure the monitoring status by at startup via the following registry key.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\NETIA\Radio-Assist\8.0\Record]

"DefaultIsMute"="No"

6.7.Re-record an item

It is possible to re-record a sound element by overwriting a Raw or Master file in the database.

To do this, select the item to be re-recorded and drag it to the Recording tab.

Select the source, define the sound level, the start mode and then start recording.

Once the recording is finished, the new content will replace the old one.

After a refresh of the Browser display, the item has the new duration of the new recording.

In the case of a Master, the Master disappears from the display and becomes a Raw file again.

It is possible to deactivate this feature in the registry :

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\NETIA\Radio-Assist\8.0\Record]: "Can ReRecord Item"="No"

6.8.Drop and rename markers (F1)

Markers can be registered by clicking on the "drop a marker" icon, symbolized by the following icon:

This function is designed to drop markers.

NB : the markers are inserted at the playhead position.

All markers dropped are displayed on the wave form and in the following window as well :

The column "Position" gives the position of the locator in relation to the beginning of the recording.

The column "Elapsed" gives the duration since the last market positioned.

If you want to rename a marker, click on its name ("L1" for instance).

Rename it.

Press "enter" on your keyboard to validate.

Your marker is renamed.

6.9."Edit" function (Snippet)

The « Edit » function is designed to start editing in the "Snippet" tab while the record is in process. Thus, when you click on « Edit », Radio-Assist switches to the "Snippet" tab. The item is refreshed around every 15 seconds.

IMPORTANT : If you want to go back to the Record tab and back to the Snnipet tab, DO NOT click on the button, but click on the Snippet tab.

6.10.Using the "Finalize" function

The "Finalize" function is used to delete blanks at the beginning and at the end of the recording. (see Using the "Finalize" function").

To use the "Finalize" function :

Do a record.

Fill in the data.

Click on "Finalize".

If the sound contains dead air at the beginning and at the end, they will be deleted.

NB : The item has the "Raw" status in the Browser.

6.11.Typing a text

Go to the "Record" tab.

On the right side of your screen, click on the "Text" tab.

A text window is displayed on the left side of your screen.

Type your text.

Once your text is typed, enter the associated data to this text.

Then click on "Save".

Your text is saved in the Browser under the "Text" category. Your text has the "Raw" status .

6.12.Difference between the blank page and the red cross

When a record is started, the item is already available in the Browser, under the "All" tab category with a question mark because it is not saved yet.

When you click on the "Red cross" icon , it means that you delete the recording from the workspace and from the Browser as well.

Whereas the "Blank page" icon means that you have finished your recording (which has been saved) and you want to make a new one.

6.13.Time left on disk

The "Time left on disk" function is designed to know the storage capacity remaining in the database.

In the following example, it remains 18 hours 29 minutes et 20 seconds to store items in the database.

6.14.Keyboard Shortcuts

F1 : Sets locators during recording or listening

F2 : Starts a new recording

Ctrl + S : Saves recording in the database

7.Export

7.1.Workflow

7.2.Export definition

The "Export" tool can be used to export a digital file (sound or text) from the Radio-Assist database to a target on a hard disk, network, CD audio, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Internet or .

The "Export" tool is divided into 3 sections :

1. The destination of the export.(Hard Disk, CD, Internet, MiniDisc,…)

2. For a Hard Drive export, the destination folder and the export format to chose from a list.

3. The item list to export.

From Radio-Assist 8.11.1, export to hard disk has been modified by adding ‘export profiles’.

An ‘export profile’ includes :

- the destination directory for the exported file

- dynamic file naming parameters

- an audio encoding profile (‘Audio profile’)

For more details, see section 7.4 « Exporting to the hard disk or the network ».

7.3.Audio encoding profiles

The audio profiles are those named and created by the user : once they are defined, they are integrated into the software.

If you have user rights, you can create or modify a profile by clicking on the icon to the right of the ‘Audio profile’ drop-down menu.

The following window appears :

In this window (see above) you can choose to create a new profile or select an existing one.

Profiles : Name of the encoding profile

Format : encoding format corresponding to the profile

Rate : Sample rate given in kbits/s

Frequency : Frequency given in kHz

Mono / Stereo : Number of audio channels you wish to use

Click on the ‘Group User’ box to restrict this audio encoding profile to the current user group.

N.B.: Please note that the scope of ‘export profiles’ is global, which means that an ‘export profile’ cannot contain an audio encoding profile limited to a group of users. If you wish to use your ‘audio profile’ in an ‘export profile’, do not tick the ‘Group User’ box!

To create an audio profile, first click on the icon located in the upper left part of the window

A window appears :

Enter the name you wish to associate to your profile and click on .

Back to the Format window, choose in the drop-down menu the settings for your Current Sound File Format. Then, clock on .

From now on, the profile that has just been created will appear in the drop-down menu listing all of the existing profiles stored in Radio-Assist.

7.4.Exporting to the Hard disk or the Network

NB :The "Hard Disk" export is an Asynchronous export.

It means that you can start an export and still access all the functionality of Radio Assist while exporting.

Click on the ‘Export’ tab.

Select the "Hard-Disk" destination by clicking on it.

The tab then looks like this:

If they have been configured, the easiest thing to do is to choose an ‘export profile’:

Depending on your user rights, you may not have access to all the options described below. You may only have access to the choice of an export profile: the customisation of export profiles and parameters is subject to these rights.

To manage export profiles, see section 7.6. Create or modify export profiles.

Changing the destination directory for files:

To the right of the ‘Export path’ field, click on the ‘directory’ icon to change the destination of your export.

The Windows explorer is displayed. Select the directory where you want to export.

Change the name of the exported file:

Click on the button to the right of the ‘Dynamic file name’ field to access the ‘Dynamic file name editor’ dialog box:

For details, see paragraph 7.5. Rename files to be exported

Then, choose your export audio format in the drop-down list.

Drag and drop from the Browser to the export list the items you want to export or double-click on the item of the Browser. Items are displayed in the export list.

To modify the export profile or all the export parameters for all or a selection of items already in the list, click on the icon at the far right of the tab (after the various parameter fields):

- If no item in the list is selected: the change applies to all items in the list.

- If one or more items in the list are selected: the change applies to the selected items.

If the export parameters of an item already exported from the list are modified, its status in the ‘Progression’ column is reset and it will be exported again the next time the export is launched.

Once items are ready, click on .

Export starts. When done, all items exported will have their progression bar at "100" and green.

N.B.: It is also possible to launch an export individually by double-clicking in the ‘Progression’ column.

7.5.Rename files to be exported

This feature will allow you to define what would be the name of the exported file in the destination folder. It will use the different columns of the database (name, title, etc...)

IMPORTANT : This feature is only available for the "Hard Disk" export.

To define which columns to use to rename the file(s), click on the icon to the right of the ‘Dynamic file name’ field (or in the ‘File name’ column for an individual item in the list).

You can select either the "Component names" or the "Column Ids"

Component names :

Column Ids :

Here, you will have "Name of the item" - "Title of the item"

This selection will be applied to all the items drag and dropped for export.

If you want to modify only one item in the liste, just click on the item on the "File name" column and it will open the same window :

Make the modifiactions and click on

The modification is done.

7.6.Create or modify ‘export profiles’

Depending on your user rights, you may not have access to export profiles customization.

To create an export profile, click on the second icon to the right of the ‘Export profile’ drop-down menu. The ‘New export profile’ dialog window opens, with the current parameters displayed in the ‘Export path’, ‘Dynamic file name’ and ‘Audio profile’ fields.

The dialogue box allows you to choose a name for this profile and modify its various parameters (for details of how the ‘Dynamic file name’ works, see section 7.5. Renaming files for export). Once you have completed your settings, click on ‘Save’.

N.B.: Only audio profiles accessible to all users are available in the ‘Audio profile’ drop-down menu. As the scope of ‘export profiles’ is global, it is not possible to create an export profile with an audio profile restricted to certain users.

See paragraph 7.3 ‘Audio encoding profiles’ for more details.

To modify an export profile, select it from the drop-down menu, then click on the first icon to the right of the drop-down menu.

The ‘Modify export profile’ dialogue box opens with the profile parameters. It is similar to the profile creation window and allows you to modify the various parameters. Once you have completed your settings, click on ‘Save’.

To delete an export profile, select it from the drop-down menu, then click on the third icon to the right of the drop-down menu. You will be asked to confirm the deletion:

7.7.Exporting to an audio CD

Select the "CD Audio" destination by clicking on it.

NB : do not forget to insert your CD in the CD-Burner.

Drag and drop from the Browser to the export list the items you want to export or double-click on the item of the Browser. Items are displayed in the export list.

Once items are ready, click on .

Export takes place and, when it is over, a message will inform you of the number of items exported.

7.8.Exporting to a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

Select the "CD R" destination by clicking on it.

NB : do not forget to insert your CD in the CD-Burner.

Drag and drop from the Browser to the export list the items you want to export or double-click on the item of the Browser. Items are displayed in the export list.

Once items are ready, click on .

Export takes place and, when it is over, a message will inform you of the number of items exported.

7.9.Exporting to an FTP site

Select the "FTP" destination by clicking on it.

Drag and drop from the Browser to the export list the items you want to export or double-click on the item of the Browser. Items are displayed in the export list.

Select the FTP site where to export from the list :

Select the format in the list

Once items are ready, click on .

Export takes place and, when it is over, a message will inform you of the number of items exported.

7.10.Configuring an FTP site

Before importing from an FTP site or exporting to an FTP site, you have to configure the FTP settings, by filling it out the following information :

Click on

Alias : server name.

FTP name : name fo the FTP site to reach.

Port : Port defined for uploading FTP.

Passive mode : functionning mode of the FTP server. If the server works in a passive mode, the client (FTP import) must be configured in a passive mode.

Userid : user name with rights to be connected to the FTP site.

Password : password giving the right to access to the FTP site.

Directory : directory where files are stored.

Time Zone : Select the time zone of the source FTP server

Firewall Hostname : filter avoiding to access to the FTP site.

Port : defined port.

User : user name.

Pass : password.

Firewall type : list of the available firewalls.

Once done, click on "Save".

7.11.Export file formats

You can export in the following formats :

MUSICAM

RIFF WAVE

RIFF WAVE + BWF

AIFF

ADPCM

REAL AUDIO G2

WMA

LAYER2

MP3

FLAC

AES31-3, EDL only or AES31, EDL + audio file

FLACAUDIO G2

7.12.The available export destinations

The different export destinations available are :

Hard Disk or network (click on the "directory" icon and select the directory where the items that you want to export are stored).

CD audio

CD-ROM (via the Hard disk)

(via the Hard disk)

DVD-ROM (via the Hard disk)

FTP Site

7.13.Deleting the export list

To delete the export list :

Click on .

7.14.Deleting an item from the export list

To delete an item from the export list :

Select the item to delete.

Click on .

The item disappears from the list.

7.15.Printing out the export list

To print out the export list, click ont the "printer" icon.

Print example :

8.Federall

8.1.Workflow

8.2.Federall definition

The "Federall" tab is a tool designed to create and modify playlists and stacks. It is the very last step before broadcast.

You can modify old playlists and stacks or new ones previously created in "Grid Editor".

Federall is used to :

Load sound files into playlists and stacks.

Create and modify playlists and stacks by adding, deleting or replacing.

Define the broadcast mode of screens in playlists.

8.3.Screen

A screen is a folder which contains one or several steps or runs and which will be broadcast consecutively. A screen is represented by a "folder" icon.

8.4.Step (Event)

A step (or event) is a sub-folder which is located in a screen.

Example : a template named "News" contains steps for each type of news : "International news", "National news", "local news" etc.

8.5.Playlist

A playlist is a series of scheduled sound and/or text items for broadcast at a specified time.

8.6.Stack

A stack is a series of non-ordered sounds which are available for the technician to use for on-demand broadcast (e.g., a set of jingles is prepared in a broadcast stack and can be played at any time).

8.7.Creating a playlist

Click on the « Federall » tab.

Then, click on the "Create" icon.

A window will appear :

In the "Type" field, choose "Playlist".

In the case of multi-channel management, select for which channel the pipe will be created.

Choose the day for which you want to create your Playlist thanks to the calendar.

In the "From grid" field :

You retrieve all time slots created thanks to the "Grid Editor" tool. Five choices are available :

Empty Playlist : In this case, the Playlist is empty (for special day. Ex : Christmas) and you have to fill in manually all other parameters.

Empty playlist with program metadata : In this case when you choose a time slot, all parameters are filled in automatically.

Create a Playlist from an existing time slot created in Grid Editor. The playlist will be created with all the parameters from this time slot.

Alll grids : The playlist will be created with all the time slots from the grid #1.

Multiple Grids : By selecting this option, a new window opens : Select from Grid 1 or 2 the time slots you want to add :

Click on OK.

The playlist will be created with all the selected time slots

Click on .

The created Playlist is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "Playlist" category.

8.8.Copying a playlist

In the Browser, select the Playlist to copy and drag it down in the "FederAll" tab.

In the "Federall" tab, click on the "Copy" icon .

Modify the name or date and time or choose another channel (in case of Multi-Channel management) if needed.

Click on .

Your Playlist is copied. It is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "Playlist" category.

8.9.Modifying a playlist

In the Browser, select the playlist to modify and drag it down in the "FederAll" tab.

In the "Federall" tab, click on the "Modify" icon .

Modify the parameters (day, time, channel...).

Click on .

Your playlist is modified. It is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "Playlist" category.

8.10.Export a playlist

It is possible to export the playlist to an xml file for other uses.

To do this select the playlist in the Radio Assist Browser and drag it to the Federall tab.

Once the playlist is loaded, click on .

A window opens:

Select from the list the export format to use.

These formats will have been created by the administrator before.

Click on .

The export is done and a message warns you of its realization.

Click on .

The xml file is in the folder defined when the export was created.

8.11.Manual Import

The import of third party software items (add and/or music scheduling) into the playlist can be done automatically via Federal Service.

It can also be done manually, on demand, by clicking on the button .

The following window opens:

2 import choices are available:

: This button is used to restart Federall Service and the parameterized imports. This will start the import from any workstation.

OU

: This button will launch an import attached to the loaded playlist.

8.12.Metadata Items

It is possible to create Metadata items.

These elements make it possible to add additional information at the screen level.

This information is saved in the database and allows to enrich the Datacasting.

8.12.1.Create and add a Metadata item

To create a Metadata item, in the Browser click on on the right of the screen

The following windows opens :

Enter all the informations and click on .

The item is created in the database with the icon .

Once the item is created, it can be added to a screen.

IMPORTANT: These items created in the database will be used as "ORGINAL".

That is, whenever an original item is added in a playlist or a playlist is generated using an original, a copy will be created in the database but without an icon in the browser.

To add a Metadata item, load a playlist the drag and drop an item on a screen.

Once dropped in the playlist, we see that a new item has been created in the browser, but without the icon .

This means that each time an original item is used, as many new elements as use will be created.

An original that will serve to create as many different metadata depending on the screens.

If you drag and drop an item on a screen where an item is already present, it will be possible to replace the existing element.

Clicking YES will replace the item and create a new item in the database.

8.12.2.Modify a Metadata item

To modify a Metadata item, right clic on the icon and right click.

Select "Modify Metadata".

The following window opens :

Make the modifications and click on .

Metadatas are saved.

8.12.3.Delete a Metadata item

To delete a Metadata item, right clic on the icon and right click.

Select "Delete Metadata".

Click on YES.

Metadatas are deleted from the screen.

8.13.Deleting a playlist

In the Browser, go to the "Playlist" category.

Select the playlist to delete.

Either do a right click on it, the "Delete" function is displayed, or click on the "trash can" icon available at the right side of the Browser.

A message to confirm the deletion is displayed. Click on "YES" to confirm the deletion or "NO" to cancel the action.

Attention : it is not possible to delete a playlist with the RTB validation (you must remove the validation first).

8.14.Filling in a playlist

Once the playlist is edited :

In the Browser, select the audio and/or text items and insert them by drag and drop.

You can insert :

before a screen (break)

after a screen (break)

before a step (event) (you have to open the screen (break) first)

after a step (event) (you have to open the screen (break) first)

Or, you can replace a step (event).

IMPORTANT : In order for the playlists to play automatically one after the other in AirDDO in "Full Auto" mode, there must be at least 3 STEPS/RUNS in the playlists.

8.15.Creating a stack

Click on the "Federall" tab.

Then, click on the following icon.

In the "Type" field, choose "Stack".

As a stack does not have any broadcast date or time, these fields are not shown.

Type the stack name.

Click on .

The created Stack is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "Stack" category.

8.16.Load a stack

From the browser select a stack

Drag and drop the stack in Federall

The stack is loaded.

8.17.Fill a stack

After the stack has been charged :

Select in the Browser the sound or text element and insert them by drag and drop.

You can instert element by :

Before a sound,

After a sound,

Replace a sound,

simultaneous replacement of several identical sounds.

8.18.Copying a stack

In the Browser, select the stack to copy and drag it down in the "FederAll" tab.

In the "Federall" tab, click on the "Copy" icon.

Modify the name or choose another channel ( in case of Multi-Channel management) if needed.

Click on .

Your stack is copied. It is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "stack" category.

8.19.Modifying a stack

In the Browser, select the stack to modify drag it down in the "FederAll" tab.

In the "Federall" tab, click on the "Modify" icon .

Modify the parameters (name or channel).

Click on .

Your stack is modified. It is available in the "Federall" tab and the Browser as well, under the "stack" category.

8.20.Deleting a stack

In the Browser, go to the "Stack" category.

Select the stack to delete.

Either do a right click on it, the « delete » function is displayed, or click on the "trash can" icon available at the right side of the Browser.

A message to confirm the deletion is displayed. Click on « Yes» to confirm the deletion or « no » to cancel the action.

Attention : it is not possible to delete a stack with the RTB validation (you must remove the validation first).

8.21.Multimix / Voice-track / Stretch

The "Multimix" tool allows the realization of mixes between the consecutive sound elements of the playlist.

It is also possible to record on a track (voice-track function) and also to "stretch" an element.

Through the various functions made available, the sequence of elements and voice can be modified.

8.21.1.Multimix

Select in the playlist a step and right click on it. A menu appears. Choose the "Multimix" function.

8.21.2.Voice Track

The Voice Track allows you to record a sound element between 2 sounds of the playlist.

8.21.3.Stretch

It is possible in Multimix, to apply a "stretch" on an element.

To do this click on .

The following window opens :

Select from the list one of the 4 items displayed to "stretch".

Enter the new desired duration in the field "Wanted duration"

The percentage value is displayed.

NOTE: It is important to stay within a range of +/- 10%. Beyond, the distortion will be too important.

It is possible to preview the result by clicking on .

For example, for a sound with a duration of 3'44 ''; the following values are proposed:

Once you have entered the correct duration, click on .

The save window opens:

Fill in the necessary fields and click on .

The stretch starts:

.

The sound is added to the database and is changed in the playlist :

8.22.Lock duration

The "Lock duration" function is designed to lock the step duration (this function is available by a right click on an empty step only).

Example : if you lock the duration at 30 secondes, this duration will stay the same for the duration calculation of the playlist. Event by putting a sound longer or shorter than 30 secondes.

For exemple, this feature can be used for a news bed during the news headlines. Usually the headlines are 20 secondes long but you can put a bed of 1 minute if you need more time when headlines are going to be longer due to important news.

8.23.Choosing the lead-in mode

When you insert an item in the playlist, you can choose the lead-in mode by default.

To apply a specific lead-in modes, « cut » , « mix » or « manual » each time that you insert an item, click on the icon available at the left side of the screen. Each time that you click, you modify the lead-in mode.

8.23.1."Hide" function

This function is used to hide the identity line of a screen when it only contains a single program step.

To return to the default display mode, click on the "Hide" icon again.

8.24.Putting a playlist RTB

To put the RTB (Ready-To-Broadcast) validation on a playlist :

In the Browser, go to the "Playlist" category.

Select the playlist.

Go to the "RTB" column and double-click on it.

The "space shuttle" icon is displayed which means that the playlist has the RTB validation and then it is visible in the playout system.

NB : if a playlist does not have the RTB validation, it will not be visible in the playout system.

8.25.Putting a stack RTB

To put the RTB (Ready-To-Broadcast) validation on a stack :

In the Browser, go to the "Stack" category.

Select the stack.

Go to the "RTB" column and double-click on it.

The "space shuttle" icon is displayed which means that the stack has the RTB validation and then it is visible in the playout system.

NB : if a stack does not have the RTB validation, it will not be visible in the playout system.

8.26.Playing an item from the playlist

To Play an item from the playlist :

Double-click on it. the sound is loaded in the player.

NB : when you play a sound, the player is set 4 seconds before the end of the sound (configuration). If you want to play the beginning of the sound, click on the counter to go back to the beginning of the sound.

Moreover, the player is able to play the "cut" or "mix" lead-in modes.

8.27.Deleting a screen

To delete a screen from the playlist :

In the playlist, select the screen to delete.

Do a right click on it.

Choose the "Delete" option.

The screen is deleted.

8.28.Deleting a step

To delete a step in the playlist :

In the playlist, select the step to delete.

Do a right click on it.

Choose the "Delete" option.

The step is deleted.

By using the "Delete all" option, you will delete all the items who have the same name as the one you're deleting in the playlist.

Info: If you want to find back the file that has been inserted into the step in the database, you can use the following shortcut: CTRL + O.

8.29.Clearing a step

To clear a step in the playlist :

In the playlist, select the step to clear.

Do a right click on it.

Choose the "Clear" function.

The step is cleared.

Info: By using the "Clear all" option, you will clear all the same runs in the playlist as the one you're clearing.

8.30.Printing a playlist

To print out a playlist :

Drag and drop the playlist from the Browser to the Federall tab.

Click on "Print" .

Select one of the 2 choices available :

Federall Print Complet (Full print) or Federall Print Ecrans (Screens)

Then click on OK and choose the printer.

Result :

Print complet :

The print will show all screens and runs.

Print Ecrans :

The print will only show the screens.

It is possible to define its own printing format where you can add the desired information, an image (logo, etc ...).

For this you need to create an XSL sheet. See with the administrator.

8.31.Broadcast modes

The broadcast modes are the following :

IMPORTANT: The actions of the following broadcast modes are described in the case of an AirDDO in automatic mode. In the case of an AirDDO in manual mode, it is the studio technician who will decide to start the screens by activating the faders.

Floating Time : The screen is broadcasted automatically after the previous screen (broadcast time is adapted)

OnTime : The screen is broadcasted automatically at the set time.

Near OnTime : The screen is broadcasted at a set time. Nonetheless, Air-DDO will wait for the song (which is on air in the previous screen) to be over before starting the new screen :

Time limit : Screen with automatic broadcast at a set time + start screen. If broadcast of the previous screen ends during window countdown, this screen will be broadcasted. If it is not over, the Auto window screen will not be broadcasted and the broadcast program will go to the next screen in the playlist.

Time Limit forced : Screen with an automatic broadcast time. Same procedure as "Time Limit" except that the screen is automatically broadcasted at the end of the defined window.

Sync OnTime : Same procedure as "Time Limit". The difference is that the screen is started with GPI.

To define a window, fill in the following parameters :

Begin time : To specify the time screen broadcast starts (HH:MM:SS).

Begin limit : To set a time lapse before the start time (HH:MM:SS).

End limit : To set a time lapse after the start time (HH:MM:SS).

Off time : Screen with an automatic start time which is automatically calculated according to the end of the broadcast time set by the user. End time: time set for screen broadcast to end.

IMPORTANT : These broadcast modes are defined in "Grid Editor" and "Feder-All" but they are used in AirDDO (playout system belonging to the RadioAssist range of products).

8.32.Events On Screen

Input Events allow you to trigger an action when the screen starts going On-Air.

8.32.1.INPUT EVENTS

Air-DDO awaits an event to start broadcasting the screen. At the beginning of the screen, Air-DDO receives an event. This starting mode can only be used with TIME LIMIT and TIME LIMIT FORCED modes (indeed, ON TIME mode will be triggered based on the exact hour).

To create a new Input Event, complete the popup with the name and the parameters of the events, then click on . Your event now appears in the drop-down menu and you can use it on any screen.

GPI

This type of event allows you to start the screen on reception of a GPI command.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

GPI# : number allocated to you GPI command, which will trigger the screen.

Type : ON or OFF or TOGGLE or INVERT ...

COM

This type of event allows you to trigger the broadcasting of a screen on reception of the COM command.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

The fields "Data", "Parity", "Num Com", "Baud Rate", "WordLenght" and "Stopbits" correspond to the configuration of your COM port.

IP

This type of event allows you to trigger the broadcasting of a screen on reception of the IP command.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Address : IP address

Data : IP command sent

Port : IP port number

TTl : Time To live (value fixed at 255 by default)

Type : UDP or TCP

8.32.2.OUTPUT EVENTS:

Here, Air-DDO sends a command. The command can be sent at the beginning or at the end of the screen.

To create a new output event, complete the popup with the name and the parameters of the events, then click on . Your event now appears in the drop-down list and it can be used on any other screen.

GPI

An output GPI event means Air-DDO sends a GPI command when the screen starts (for example, the ON-AIR light is on when broadcasting starts).

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

GPI# : number allowing you to identify the GPI command to launch.

Type : ON or OFF or TOGGLE or INVERT ...

Offset : L’Offset defines the position from which the GPI command is sent.

COM

An output COM event means Air-DDO sends a command which triggers a COM command.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

The fields "Data", "Parity", "Num Com", "Baud Rate", "Wordlenght", Stopbits" correspond to your port COM settings

Offset : the Offset defines the position from which the COM command is sent.

IP

An output IP event means Air-DDO sends an IP command.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Address : IP Adress

Data : IP command sent

Port : IP port

TTl : Time To live (value fixed at 255 by default)

Type : UDP or TCP

Offset : the offset position defines defines the position from which the IP command is sent

RECORD COMMAND

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Address : listening address

Ident : command identifier

Data : IP command sent

Port : Listening port

TTl : Time To live (value fixed at 255 by default)

Type : UDP or TCP

Action : Start or Pause or Stop

Offset : the offset position defines defines the position from which the command is sent

FADE AUTO

The FADE AUTO event only works with the ON TIME and OFF TIME modes. When the FADE AUTO option is activated, it means the screen will start on time, operating a fade out on the previous item (instead of cutting it abruptly).

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A (Leave this value to "0")

Duration (ms) : Duration in milliseconds of the fade out (1000 ms = 1 second)

Level : sound level to reach at the end of the fade out curve

Offset (ms) : The Offset defines the position of the beginning of the fade.

If the value is fixed to 0 = the fade out will start at the beginning of the ON TIME/OFFTIME screen,

If the offset is negative = the fade out will start BEFORE the starting time of the ON TIME/OFFTIME screen,

If the offset is positive = the fade out will start AFTER the starting time of the ON TIME/OFFTIME screen,

RECORD TO LIVE

The RECORD TO LIVE output event allows you to make a loop between the audio card Input and the audio card output.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : Duration to give if a RUN of the "event" type is used. (contact the administrator for more information)

Type : ON or OFF (to decide if the action must be triggered or stopped

Start Level (dB) : sound level at the beginning of the fade

Duration : Desired duration for the fade

Db Fade : sound level to reach at the end of the fade

Offset : The Offset defines the position of the beginning of the fade.

MODE AUTO

The AUTO command allows you to switch from manual to automatic mode in AIR-DDO, and conversely.

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Type : ON (the AUTO mode is triggered) or OFF (the AUTO mode is deactivated)

Start Auto : ON (synchronization on the current hour and automatic broadcast triggering) or OFF (awaiting a trigger to start the broadcast-such as an ON TIME screen or a TIME LIMIT FORCED screen for example, a manual launch...)

In other words, if the START AUTO parameter is set to ON, the screen will start from the position to which the screen should be playing.

SHELL COMMAND

Nom : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Cmd : name of the command you wish to trigger (command executed by the workstation's OS)

Offset : the offset position defines the position from which the command is executed

- If the offset is set to "0" = command is executed when the screen starts

- If the offset is negative = command is executed before the screen starts

-If the offset is positive = command is executed after the screen starts

VLSU

This type of event is used in correlation with localization players, in order to send a PLAY order to the different PLAYERS in use (Digitrack or LocPlayer)

Name : name given to the event

Duration : N/A

Ident : TIME SLOT EVENT identifier (cf. documentation "LocalisationSchedule_8.00_US.pdf")

Category : TIME SLOT EVENT category (if used)

8.33.Model

8.33.1.Create

It is possible to create a model from a screen contained in the pipe.

Select the screen and right click

A window appears:

Specify if you want to create a screen or program template.

Enter the name, the type (news, music, etc...)

Specify for which antenna this template will be available.

All created templates are stored in the "Templates" tab of the Browser.

8.33.2.Jokers

It is possible to add wildcards (e.g. $TIME_HH$) in the step naming. When the model is inserted in the pipe, they will be replaced by their value and the date and time of the corresponding step.

8.33.3.Insert

From the "Templates" tab of the Browser, drag and drop the selected template into the pipe.

When released, the insertion mode menu appears

After insertion, the new screen from the template is added

9.FeedIn

The FeedIn tab is used to start, stop and monitor all recordings and to create new recording channels.

9.1.FeedIn definition

As with Feed-Plan, this tab is divided into two sections:

the top one shows the schedule table (same functions as Feed-Plan) with the day’s recordings.

the bottom one the full list of existing recording channels and error messages.

9.2.Record management

9.2.1.Starting a recording

Even though recordings are scheduled, the “Start” icon in the FeedIn tab must be activated.

To do so, click on

9.2.2.Stopping a recording

If a scheduled recording needs to be stopped, click on

9.2.3.Start/Stop a recording via Socket

The feature is active (not deactivatable), and 2 registry keys are associated with this function:

RadioAssist\8.0\NADEC\PortACQ.

RadioAssist\8.0\NADEC\Multicast_Ip_Adress.

This is UDP socket, if the multicast port is not filled, the socket is created in unicast (loopback) on the PortAcq, otherwise it is on the multicast address on the PortAcq.

Each recording managed by FeedIn can be started/stopped upon receipt of a string received on the correct port.

For this it is necessary that in the table T_NAPRO (the one which describes the planned recordings created by FeedPlan) has START_ACQ and/or STOP_ACQ filled with a chain of characters.

The 2 character strings are 24 characters in length max.

FeedPlan allows you to fill them for scheduled recordings (not for instant or continuous recordings).

9.3.Start/Stop a recording via Socket

It is possible to record 2 types of streams:

- an IP stream,

- an audio/video stream from physical sources.

IMPORTANT: It is not possible to run FeedIn in "Hybrid" Audio and IP at the same time.

9.3.1.From an IP stream

Upstream of the creation of IP recording channels, the "IP Stream" box must be checked in the setup of Radio-Assist in the "FeedIn" tab.

The list of existing channels is shown at the bottom of the screen.

To add a new channel, click on

The following window opens :

Name : New channel name

FeedIn Station : Workstation where the NA-ER recorder is located.

Click on to create a new recorder; the window below opens :

Machine name : To declare the name of the new workstation hosting the recorder.

Nb card : Number of cards available on the workstation.

IP Stream: Name of the IP stream created upstream in the setup of RadioAssist in the "IP Stream" tab.

The following 4 fields are free input fields:

Type: Type of recorded sound (music, info, etc ...)

Language: Language of the saved stream.

Time Zone: For example, the number of time zones that are different from the time of the recording machine.

Country: For example, country of the audio source.

Metadata:

SID / PID / Genre / Comment: Free alphanumeric type fields. This information is stored in the database.

This metadata can be displayed by checking the "Metadata" box in the "FeedIn" tab of Radio Assist Setup.

The fields "GPI Input" and "Always assign to item" are grayed out.

Database tab : Database tab where the recordings of this channel will be stored.

Specific Path : Path allowing to configure and visualize the specific path in the dialog box allowing to modify/create channels

Ability to use the classic RadioAssist tokens $YEAR $MONTH $DAY in these path.

Type of source : Audio or Video

Recording format : mono or stereo. In mono mode, the number of recordable sources is doubled.

Then click on

The new channel will be displayed in the list of channels along with its parameters.

9.3.2.From a physical source

Upstream of the creation of IP recording channels, the "IP Stream" box must be checked in the setup of Radio-Assist in the "FeedIn" tab.

The list of existing channels is shown at the bottom of the screen.

To add a new channel, click on

The following window opens :

Name : New channel name

NA-ER 4 Station : Workstation where the NA-ER * recorder is located (See Na-Er doc.)

Click on to create a new recorder; the window below opens :

Machine name : To declare the name of the new workstation hosting the recorder.

Nb card : Number of cards available on the workstation.

Card Number : Card number.

Channel : Channel number.

GPI Input : Incoming GPI number.

Always assign to item : Number of the item to be replaced.

At each recording, the item is the database will be replaced by the new recording.

Database tab : Database tab where the recordings of this channel will be stored.

Type of source : Audio or Video.

Recording format : mono or stereo. In mono mode, the number of recordable sources is doubled.

Then click on

The new channel will be displayed in the list of channels along with its parameters.

Multi NAER Setting

In the case of an installation where FeedIn checks multiple NAERs, the following registry key must be modified:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[WOW6432Node\]NETIA\NA-ER 4\Protocols\IP\ServeurFirstID.

Default value = 5

A unique value must be set for each NAER controlled by FeedIn (eg ID_NAER*1000).

Otherwise, it is not necessary to modify it.

9.4.Modifying a recording channel

To modify the data defined when a channel was created, select the channel to be modified on the list by clicking on it,

click on

OR

Enter the new parameters and click on to validate the modifications.

9.5.Deleting a recording channel

To delete a channel, select it in the list of channels with one click (it will be highlighted in blue), then click on .

Note : FeedIn must be stopped in order to delete a channel

9.6.Error Log

This log indicates any errors which may arise when the Na-Er device is started and any other errors arising when simultaneous schedules are recorded or stopped.

In addition, a warning message is displayed when disk capacity falls below 20Mb, as all recording stops when only 20Mb are left.

10.FeedPlan

10.1.FeedPlan definition

The FeedPlan tool is used to schedule automatic recording programs.

The interface is divided into 2 parts :

The upper part displays the program grid for a specific date (current date which can be modified by selecting another date in the "current date" field).

The lower part displays the list of the automatic recordings planned on the different channels available.

10.2.Feed

A feed is a scheduled recording program.

10.3.Creating a recording schedule

Click on « New » .

The following window is displayed :

Channel : Select the channel on which you want to record.

Program : Enter the program name.

Language : Enter the code for the program's language.

Date : Enter the date begin and the date end for which the schedule will be valid.

Time : Enter the time begin and time end.

Only one day : The recording is set only for one day. It will use the "Date begin".

Every Day : The recording will be done every day of the week.

Every custom day : You can select which day of the week the recording will be done.

More options are available in the "Misc" window :

Start on GPI : if checked, the feed will be triggered on a dry contact.

GPI number : if "Start on GPI" is checked, indicates here on which GPI the triggering will be done.

Always Re-Record on item : if you have scheduled a feed and it is now in the database, you can select it and drag it down to this field. Thus, each day the feed will be overwritten by the one of the current day.

Item broadcast validity (days) : if you use the "Always Re-Record on item" function, indicates here during how long the feed will be overwritten by the recent one.

Fields where you can enter the code for an IP tram to start and stop a recording.

Start acquisition : Enter the code.

Stop acquisition : Enter the code.

Save by clicking on .

10.4.Modifying a recording schedule

Select the schedule by clicking on it and click on "Modify" or double-click directly on the schedule.

The following window containing the data of the schedule is displayed :

Modify the data.

Save by clicking on .

10.5.Deleting a recording schedule

Select the schedule by clicking on it.

Click on « delete » . A message confirming the deletion is displayed.

Click on "Yes" to validate.

The schedule is deleted.

10.6."Instant record" function

If you are short of time to fill in all the data when you need to start a recording immediately, click on « Instant record » .

The following window is displayed to enter the basic information.

Channel : select the channel on which you want to record.

Program : enter the program name.

Language : enter the code for the program's language.

Duration : enter the recording duration (the default duration is 15 minutes).

Click on to validate.

The record will start immediately.

10.7."Full Channel Recording" function

The "Full channel Recording" function is used to create one program for the whole day , but divided in slots.

Example : the following example shows a schedule called "Full program" which has been created for the whole day, but divided in 2 hour slots.

To create a "full channel recording" :

Click on "Full Channel Recording" .

A window is displayed. Enter the following data :

Channel : Select the channel on which you want to record.

Program : Enter the program name.

Language : Enter the code for the program's language.

Duration : Enter the slot duration. Here, the duration is 2 hours. So for one day you will have 12 items of 2 hours.

Valid until : Enter the date until when your "full channel recording" is valid.

Click on to validate.

10.8.Load Planning Fonction

This function is not active by default.

11.GridEditor

11.1.Workflow

11.2.GridEditor definition

"GridEditor" is a planning tool which is used to create the program grid.

Programme schedules are modelled on different levels and in several steps:

Template creation.

Time slot creation.

Assignment of templates to timeslots.

11.3.Time slot

A time slot is a time span defined by a name, a start and end time and a period of yearly and weekly validity.

E.g.: A time slot called "Morning " is reserved in the program grid from 06h00 to 09h00 and is broadcast every day of the week except weekends from 11/6/05 to 31/8/06.

The slot contains a number of events represented by templates and their program steps which are broadcast one after the other at a set or variable time.

11.4.Creating a time slot

In the grid, click right and select "Add program".

Enter the parameters of the time slot (time slot name, validity period, begin time, end time, valid day(s)).

Click on "OK" .

The time slot is created.

11.5.Modifying a time slot

In the grid, right click on the slot you wish to modify and then select "Modify program parameters".

Modify the parameters of the time slot (time slot name, validity period, begin time, end time, valid day(s).

Click on "OK" .

The time slot is modified.

11.6.Program Metadata