EVS IPDirector User Manual Version 6.2

USER MANUAL

AB ROLL PLAYLIST

Version 6.2 - June 2013

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IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

Copyright

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A.– Copyright © 2005-2013. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer

The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only and subject to
change without notice. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information
contained in this user manual is accurate, up-to-date and reliable, EVS Broadcast
Equipment cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this
publication.

Improvement Requests

Your comments will help us improve the quality of the user documentation. Do not
hesitate to send improvement requests, or report any error or inaccuracy on this user
manual by e-mail to [e-mail].

Regional Contacts

The address and phone number of the EVS headquarters are usually mentioned in the
Help > About menu in the user interface.

You will find the full list of addresses and phone numbers of local offices either at the end
of this user manual (for manuals on hardware products) or at the following page on the
EVS website: http://www.evs.com/contacts.

User Manuals on EVS Website

The latest version of the user manual, if any, and other user manuals on EVS products
can be found on the EVS download center, on the following webpage:

http://www.evs.com/downloadcenter.

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EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A.- June 2013

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IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS III

WHAT'S NEW? V

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1. Product Overview 1

1.1.1. Purpose and Context of Use 1

1.1.2. Saving the AB Roll Playlist Window Layout 1

1.2. Associated Modules 1

1.2.1. Introduction 1

1.2.2. Database Explorer 2

1.2.3. Channel Explorer 2

1.2.4. MPlay Remote 2

1.3. Opening AB Roll Playlist 3

2. USER INTERFACE 4

2.1. Overview 4

2.2. Playlist Toolbar 5

2.3. Playlist Menu 6

2.4. Playlist Grid 7

2.4.1. Overview 7

2.4.2. Playlist Element Statuses 7

2.4.3. Organizing the Playlist Grid 8

2.5. Playlist Transport Functions 10

2.6. Search Pane 10

3. MANAGING CHANNELS 11

3.1. Introduction 11

3.2. Defining a Channel Group for the AB Roll Playlist 11

3.3. Assigning Channels to the AB Roll Playlist 12

4. PLAYLIST MANAGEMENT 14

4.1. Creating A Playlist 14

4.1.1. How to Create a New Playlist 14

4.1.2. Create a New Playlist Window 15

4.2. Loading a Playlist 18

4.2.1. How to Load a Playlist from the Search Pane 18

4.2.2. How to Load a Playlist from the Database Explorer 19

Table of Contents III

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A. - June 2013 Issue 6.2.A

4.2.3. Limitations 20

5. PLAYLIST EDITING 21

5.1. Introduction 21

5.2. ABRoll Playlist Recue Modes 21

5.3. Inserting an Element in the Playlist 21

5.3.1. Introduction 21

5.3.2. How to Insert an Element in the AB Roll Playlist 21

5.3.3. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode OFF 23

5.3.4. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode ON 25

5.4. Removing an Element from the Playlist 29

5.4.1. How to Remove an Element From the Playlist 29

5.4.2. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode OFF 30

5.4.3. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode ON 32

5.5. Moving an Element in the Playlist 34

5.5.1. How to Move an Element in the Playlist 34

5.5.2. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode OFF 34

5.5.3. Impact on the Channel Association with Recue Mode ON 35

5.6. Channel Sort and Reset 35

5.6.1. Introduction 35

5.6.2. Using the Channel Sort Operation 35

5.6.3. Resetting a Playlist 39

6. AB ROLL PLAYLIST SHORTCUTS 41

IV Table of Contents

IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

What's New?

In the user manual, the icon has been added on the left margin to highlight
information on new and updated features.

The sections updated to reflect the new and modified features in IPDirector version 6.2
(compared to version 6.0) are listed below.

Associated Channels Display

Video routers can be used with IPDirector to increase the number of output channels able
to play out the media from a player channel. When one of the player channels associated
to the ABRoll Playlist window is connected to a video router, the name of the associated
router OUTport(s) is displayed after the player channel name in the Associated Channel
zone.

• See section "Overview" on page 4.

What's New? V

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A.- June 2013

VI What's New?

IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

1. Introduction

1.1. Product Overview

1.1.1. Purpose and Context of Use

The AB Roll Playlist application is used to control and play material on a series of
channels from a staged playlist in the database. These channels load in a sequential
manner as per a shows rundown or planned sequence. These channels may be directly
managed using the companion MPlay remote to manage up to 4 player channels.

Playlists from third party applications or rundowns from NRCS (Newsroom Computer
Systems) can be used as input for the AB Roll Playlist application.

The operator can also play elements manually on channels E and F.

Rundowns that are managed in third party NRCS applications can be used in AB Roll
Playlist. Live interaction between AB Roll Playlist and a third party application can be
achieved by custom interface plugins.

1.1.2. Saving the AB Roll Playlist Window Layout

The AB Roll Playlist window layout can be saved. When the layout is saved, the following
information is saved:

• window size and position

• channel associations

• the grid lock status and position

• the search window display status and vertical size

• the search window organization (grid, associated channels, etc …)

To save the window layout, proceed as described in the General Functions user manual.

1.2. Associated Modules

1.2.1. Introduction

When working with the AB Roll Playlist application, you will also use other modules like
the Database Explorer and the Channel Explorer. To control the playout from the AB Roll
Playlist, you will use the MPlay Remote controller.

The applications are explained briefly below, detailed instructions can be found in the user
manuals related to the relevant module.

1. Introduction 1

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A. - June 2013 Issue 6.2.A

1.2.2. Database Explorer

The Database Explorer has been integrated into the AB Roll Playlist. It is used to organize
and search all media or data available in the XNet network, as well as to search for off-line
nearline files.

In the Database Explorer, you can access media and data either by using your knowledge
of the "clip hierarchy" methods used in EVS servers or by using the search features (quick
/ advanced).

In the AB Roll Playlist, the Database Explorer provides a view on clips and playlists. Even
files backed up on removable drives which have been removed (off-line nearline files) are
still listed in the Database Explorer to allow easy retrieval.

Bins can be created to organize clips and playlists and bin rules can be defined to
automatically copy clips or playlists within a bin, corresponding to a specific filter.

You will find detailed information on the Database Explorer in the Database Explorer user

manual.

1.2.3. Channel Explorer

This module provides an overview on the components of the XNet network. It allows you
to take control of one or several channels from different EVS video servers connected to
the XNet.

You will find detailed information on the Channel Explorer in the Channel Explorer user

manual.

1.2.4. MPlay Remote

The MPlay Remote is a simple remote control device, designed to control the playout of
video material, mainly in the form of playlists. It is designed to control up to 4 player
channels simultaneously.

You will find detailed information on the MPlay Remote in the General Functions user

manual.

When you have assigned player channels to the MPlay Remote and configured the
buttons, you can start using the device.

1. Associate the same player channels to the AB Roll Playlist.

2. Press the MPlay button corresponding to the action you want to apply.

The action is performed on the channel that is linked to the button that you pushed.

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IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

1.3. Opening AB Roll Playlist

To open the ABRoll Playlist application, select the corresponding icon

on the IPDirector application bar. An instance of a AB Roll Playlist

window will open.

Several AB Roll Playlist windows can be opened on the same workstation at the same
time, on different channels.

The AB Roll Playlist application (associated to the same channels) can be opened on
different workstations at the same time.

1. Introduction 3

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A. - June 2013 Issue 6.2.A

2. User Interface

2.1. Overview

Illustration

The AB Roll Playlist user interface contains the areas highlighted on the screenshot
below:

Area Description

The table below describes the various parts of the AB Roll Playlist user interface:

4 2. User Interface

IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

Area Description

1. AB Roll
Playlist
toolbar

2. Playlist
Grid

3. Transport
Functions
buttons

4. Clip search
pane

5. Associated
Channel
zone

The toolbar gives access to several commands and to playlist
information.
See section "Playlist Toolbar" on page 5.

This area displays the content of the selected playlist.
See section "Playlist Grid" on page 7.

This area provides buttons to control all the required transport
functions.
See section "Playlist Transport Functions" on page 10.

This pane is shown by clicking the Search button. It gives access to
the database content.
See section "Search Pane" on page 10.

This area provides information regarding the associated player
channels:

When no channel is associated to the AB Roll Playlist window,

RIGHT CLICK ON THIS BAR TO START OPERATING AND
ASSOCIATE CHANNELS TO THE INTERFACE is displayed.

See section "Managing Channels" on page 11 for more information
on how to assign a player channel.
If one of the selected player channels is connected to an IN port of a
video router, itself associated to OUTports, the name of the router
OUTport(s) is displayed after the player channel name:

2.2. Playlist Toolbar

The Playlist toolbar contains:

• Playlist Menu button:

• Playlist Name field:

• Playlist ID field:

• Duration field:

• Lock button:

This button is used to keep the first cued or played element always visible in the
playlist grid.

• Search button:

Clicking this button displays the Search pane under the Playlist grid.

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EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A. - June 2013 Issue 6.2.A

These items are explained in more detail below.

2.3. Playlist Menu

The Playlist menu contains the following commands:

Option Description

New Playlist Allows the creation of a new playlist through the Create a new

playlist window.
See section "Create a New Playlist Window" on page 15.

Copy clips
locally

Publish Opens the Publish window in which you can specify the user

Edit/Rename Opens the Edit a Playlist window in which the users can modify

Remove from
Bin

Only available if the playlist is on-line on an EVS server.
Copies the distant clips of the loaded playlist to the local EVS
server, i.e. the server of the controlled channel.
The Status icon of the playlist elements changes from

to

indicating an XT clip that is distant to the

playout channel.

indicating an XT clip that is present locally on

the EVS server where the playlist playout channel is located.

groups the loaded playlist should be published to.
The playlist will be published to the selected groups, provided that
they have adequate viewing rights.

the name or information of the playlist associated to the AB Roll
Playlist Panel.

Removes the loaded playlist from the bin.
This option is only available if the loaded playlist is in a bin.

Set as default
playlist

Properties Displays the Properties window that contains information related

6 2. User Interface

Allows you to set the loaded playlist as default playlist.

to the owner and the groups the open playlist has been published
to.

IPDirector- Version 6.2- User Manual- AB Roll Playlist

2.4. Playlist Grid

2.4.1. Overview

The playlist grid shows the clips that are currently loaded in the playlist.

The grid contains a number of columns that show information about the clips.

The contents of these columns and their order can be configured.

Note

Right-click a column heading and click Organize to open the Organize window,
where you can control column order and visibility.

2.4.2. Playlist Element Statuses

In the playlist grid, the Status column provides two kinds of status information on the
playlist element:

• Playout status

• Availability status (availability on an EVS server)

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EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A. - June 2013 Issue 6.2.A

The list below specifies the possible statuses for playlist elements:

Icon Description

Playout status

The playlist element is being played.

The playlist element is cued and is the next element that will be
played on the channel it is associated with.

The playout has been paused on this playlist element.

The playlist element stopped playing.

Availability status (on an EVS server)

The playlist element is available locally on the EVS server
where the playlist is stored.

The playlist element is available on another EVS server of the
XNet network.

The playlist element is not available on an EVS server. It only
exists as a file stored on a nearline folder, or as a virtual
element.
You need to restore the playlist element of type "file" to be able
to play it out on a player channel. You can only play it on the
Software Player.

2.4.3. Organizing the Playlist Grid

Grid Contextual Menu

You can reorganize the playlist grid using, among others, the grid contextual menu
available when you right-click on the grid headers.

8 2. User Interface