Playout Systems
Centralcasting is multi-channel playout that generally uses a broadcast automation systems with broadcast programming applications from companies including SkyLark (SkyLark SL NEO Platform), Etere (Etere Automation), Openlogic (Openlogic), Harris (D-Series and ADC), Vector3 (VectorBox) (Vector MultiPlay), Snell (Morpheus), EVS, Compunicate, Fission Software (Fission HDCore), Miranda Omnibus, Pebble Beach, SGT,BRAM Technologies(AutoPlay) and wTVision (ChannelMaker). These systems generally work in a similar way, controlling video servers, Video tape recorder (VTR) devices, Flexicarts, Audio Mixing consoles, Vision mixers and video routers, and other devices using a serial communications 9-Pin Protocol (RS-232 or RS-422). This provides deterministic control, enabling frame accurate playback, Instant replay or video switching. Many systems consist of a front end operator interface on a separate platform to the controllers – e.g. a Windows GUI will present a friendly easy to use method of editing a playlist, but actually control would be done on a platform with a "real time" operating system such that any large scale playlist amendments do not cause any delays to device control.
Most broadcast automation systems will have a series of common device drivers built in, for example Sony VTR control, Louth Video Disk Control Protocol (VDCP, a proprietary communications protocol), General Purpose Interface (GPI), or Grass Valley Group M21 Master Control. This ensures that a broadcast automation system bought "off the shelf" will at least be able to ingest and playout content, although may not be able to take advantage of more efficient methods of control. Most server, and especially most Digital on-screen graphic and Character generator (CG) manufacturers will have a specific device driver for their device, with increasing degrees of complexity, and different automation companies will include these drivers to enhance their product or to fit a customers need.
This is the "traditional" method of Playout Automation, where there are multiple devices. Modern automation systems use the Automated Playout method, which is where the broadcast server fulfills the functions of the multiple devices, and is a self-contained system (see Channel in a Box section below).
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