Grass Valley Aurora Playout User Manual v.7.0
AURORA PLAYOUT
PLAYBACK CONTROL SYSTEM
User Guide
Software Version 7.0
071-8516-05
April 2010
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AURORA PLAYOUT
PLAYBACK CONTROL SYSTEM
User Guide
Software Version 7.0
071-8516-05
April 2010
Copyright Copyright © Grass Valley, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
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Rev Date Description
September 21,
2006
Release 071-8516-00 for Software Version 6.0. Initial release of
Aurora Playout User Guide.
January 18, 2007 Release 071-8516-01 for Software Version 6.0b
May 23, 2007 Release 071-8516-02 for Software Version 6.1
September 19,
2007
November 19,
2008
April 14, 2010 Release 071-8516-05 for Software Version 7.0
Release 071-8516-03 for Software Version 6.3
Release 071-8516-04 for Software Version 6.5
4 Aurora Playout User Guide April 14, 2010
Contents
Grass Valley Product Support................................................................................................11
Chapter 1: Introducing Aurora Playout....................................................................13
About Aurora Playout.............................................................................................................14
Terms You Should Know........................................................................................................14
Overview of Aurora Playout...................................................................................................15
Using Aurora Playout.............................................................................................................16
Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS) .............................................................17
Creating playlists manually ...............................................................................................18
Overview of the Assignment List Plug-in...............................................................................19
Overview of the Assignment List Manager............................................................................19
Overview of the Housekeeper...............................................................................................21
Overview of the Simple Database (SDB) Server ..................................................................21
Overview of the XMOS Server .............................................................................................22
Contents
Chapter 2: Preparing for installation.......................................................................25
About Aurora Playout and SiteConfig....................................................................................26
About SiteConfig...................................................................................................................26
Aurora Playout installation checklists....................................................................................27
Pre-installation planning checklist......................................................................................27
Hardware installation checklist...........................................................................................27
Network setup and implementation checklist.....................................................................28
Software update checklist..................................................................................................29
Chapter 3: Installing Aurora Playout Hardware......................................................31
Hardware installation checklist..............................................................................................32
Installing Aurora Playout Hardware.......................................................................................32
Cabling the Aurora Playout computer ...................................................................................32
Connecting the RDU 1510 Under Monitor Display ...............................................................33
Installing the X-keys Jog/Shuttle Controller (optional)...........................................................34
Chapter 4: Configuring the network........................................................................35
Network setup and implementation checklist........................................................................36
About developing a system description.................................................................................37
About the corporate LAN.......................................................................................................37
Configuring the corporate LAN..............................................................................................38
Adding a group......................................................................................................................38
Adding a device to the system description............................................................................39
About device and host names...............................................................................................40
Modifying a device name.......................................................................................................40
About IP configuration of network interfaces on devices.......................................................41
Placeholder device IP configuration...................................................................................41
Discovered device IP configuration....................................................................................42
Modifying unassigned (unmanaged) network interfaces on Aurora Playout devices.............42
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 5
Contents
About SiteConfig support on Aurora Playout devices............................................................44
Discovering devices with SiteConfig......................................................................................45
Assigning discovered devices...............................................................................................45
Modifying Aurora Playout device managed network interfaces.............................................46
Making the host name the same as the device name...........................................................51
Pinging devices from the control point PC.............................................................................51
About hosts files and SiteConfig...........................................................................................52
Generating host tables for devices with SiteConfig...............................................................52
Chapter 5: Managing Software.................................................................................55
Software update checklist......................................................................................................56
Create record of software installed on devices......................................................................56
Adding a software role to a device........................................................................................57
Removing a software role from a device...............................................................................58
Configuring deployment groups.............................................................................................58
Distribute devices into deployment groups............................................................................59
About deploying software......................................................................................................60
Installing Aurora Playout software manually..........................................................................61
Installing the Assignment List Plug-in................................................................................62
Chapter 6: Configuring Aurora Playout...................................................................69
Configuring Aurora Playout...................................................................................................70
Configuring the Aurora Playout application...........................................................................70
Setting General options.....................................................................................................71
Setting Playback options....................................................................................................72
Setting channel configuration............................................................................................73
Configuring GPI Input and Output.....................................................................................75
Defining Function Keys......................................................................................................77
Defining status colors........................................................................................................82
Configuring the Remote Display Unit (RDU).....................................................................83
Setting Cue and Chain options..........................................................................................85
Configuring Archive Play....................................................................................................87
Configuring Graphics.........................................................................................................88
Configuring the Simple Database (SDB) Server...................................................................89
Setting General Options of SDB Server............................................................................89
Setting Media options of SDB Server................................................................................91
Setting up MediaFrame for SDB Server.............................................................................93
Reinitializing media monitor of SDB Server.......................................................................94
Repopulating rundown items from SDB Server.................................................................94
Restoring backup database of SDB Server.......................................................................95
Creating a Thumbnail folder...............................................................................................95
Configuring the XMOS Server...............................................................................................95
Refreshing rundowns in XMOS Server..............................................................................97
Configuring Housekeeper .....................................................................................................97
Setting General options of Housekeeper...........................................................................98
Setting Media options of Housekeeper..............................................................................98
Configuring the standalone Assignment List Manager........................................................100
Chapter 7: Setting up your NCS for Aurora Playout.............................................103
6 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Contents
Setting Up Your NCS for Aurora Playout..............................................................................104
Setting up ENPS ................................................................................................................104
Sending scripts with ENPS..............................................................................................105
Setting ENPS MOS ready to air ......................................................................................106
Setting up iNEWS ...............................................................................................................106
Configuring status translations for iNEWS.......................................................................106
Setting up Octopus .............................................................................................................107
Registering the MOSWrapper file for Octopus.................................................................107
Creating an ActiveX Device for Octopus..........................................................................108
Configuring the MOS Device for Octopus........................................................................108
Chapter 8: Using NCS rundowns and Aurora Playout.........................................111
Using NCS rundowns and Aurora Playout...........................................................................112
About the Assignment List Plug-in......................................................................................112
Using the Assignment List Plug-in ......................................................................................113
Creating placeholders in Assignment List Plug-in...........................................................113
Sorting placeholders by category....................................................................................116
Viewing placeholder categories.......................................................................................117
Searching placeholders...................................................................................................117
Viewing the video thumbnail of a placeholder.................................................................118
Viewing asset via MediaFrame clip player.......................................................................119
Adding breaks in your rundown ......................................................................................119
Using Assignment List Plug-in with ENPS .........................................................................120
Creating placeholders automatically in ENPS.................................................................121
Inserting placeholders manually into ENPS.....................................................................123
Assigning playout channels to clips in ENPS...................................................................123
Searching assets in ENPS...............................................................................................123
Inserting clips below the black line in ENPS....................................................................124
Using Orad plug-in with ENPS ...........................................................................................125
Inserting graphics into ENPS story..................................................................................126
Using Assignment List Plug-in with iNEWS.........................................................................127
Creating placeholders in iNEWS.....................................................................................128
Assigning playout channels to clips in iNEWS.................................................................129
Using Assignment List Plug-in with Octopus ......................................................................129
Creating placeholders automatically in Octopus..............................................................129
Linking clips manually in Octopus....................................................................................130
Inserting clips manually in Octopus.................................................................................130
Assigning playout channels to clips in Octopus...............................................................131
Chapter 9: Editing and Aurora Playout..................................................................133
Editing and Aurora Playout..................................................................................................134
Using the Assignment List Manager....................................................................................134
Receiving Editing Assignments...........................................................................................136
Linking sequences to Aurora Playout placeholders.............................................................136
Sending completed clips.....................................................................................................139
Additional features of Assignment List Manager.................................................................141
Creating placeholders in Assignment List Manager........................................................141
Deleting placeholders in Assignment List Manager ........................................................143
Changing clip category in Assignment List Manager.......................................................143
Viewing by category in the Assignment List Manager.....................................................144
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 7
Contents
Viewing asset via MediaFrame clip player.......................................................................144
Identifying missing clips...................................................................................................145
Chapter 10: Playing clips to air..............................................................................147
Playing Clips to Air..............................................................................................................148
About Playout Toolbar..........................................................................................................148
About the Playlist.................................................................................................................150
Understanding Playlist colors...........................................................................................151
About Playout channels.......................................................................................................152
About Rundowns.................................................................................................................153
About the Clip Browser........................................................................................................154
About the Playlist overview..................................................................................................156
Creating a Playlist................................................................................................................157
Opening an NCS Rundown ............................................................................................157
Appending rundowns to a playlist....................................................................................158
Removing rundowns from a Playlist.................................................................................158
Previewing other rundowns..............................................................................................158
Creating a new playlist manually.....................................................................................159
Saving local playlists........................................................................................................160
Opening saved Playlists...................................................................................................160
Appending a Playlist........................................................................................................160
Exporting a Playlist..........................................................................................................161
Chaining Clips in a Playlist...............................................................................................161
Cueing Clips........................................................................................................................161
Using the Jog feature.......................................................................................................162
Playing clips.........................................................................................................................163
Playing clips with Orad graphics......................................................................................163
Archiving Clips.....................................................................................................................164
Recording a black clip for Archive Play............................................................................165
Customizing playlist for broadcast.......................................................................................166
Rearranging the Playlist layout........................................................................................166
Viewing clip properties ....................................................................................................166
Assigning clips to channels..............................................................................................166
Rearranging clips in a Playlist..........................................................................................167
Adding new clips to a playlist...........................................................................................167
Using the context-sensitive playlist menu........................................................................168
Using MediaFrame Plug-in..................................................................................................168
Viewing assets via MediaFrame clip player.....................................................................169
Chapter 11: Managing Clips with Housekeeper...................................................171
About the Housekeeper ......................................................................................................172
About Housekeeping tab.....................................................................................................172
About Clip Import tab..........................................................................................................173
About Archive tab................................................................................................................174
About Housekeeper toolbar ................................................................................................175
Deleting clips from the clip database...................................................................................176
Deleting clips immediately...............................................................................................176
Moving files to the recycle bin..........................................................................................176
Emptying the recycle bin..................................................................................................177
Unprotecting a clip...........................................................................................................177
8 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Contents
Refreshing the clip list......................................................................................................177
Deleting clips from a media server only...........................................................................178
Importing clips from a media server....................................................................................178
Changing clip properties ....................................................................................................179
Creating placeholders in Housekeeper...............................................................................180
Using MediaFrame in Housekeeper....................................................................................182
Viewing and editing metadata on clip properties ............................................................182
Searching assets using MediaFrame...............................................................................184
Searching assets with advanced settings........................................................................190
Viewing asset via MediaFrame clip player.......................................................................191
Archiving clips in Housekeeper...........................................................................................192
Resynchronizing clips..........................................................................................................193
Appendix A: Aurora Playout Appendix.................................................................195
Sample of MOS Gateway configuration file.........................................................................196
Appendix B: Software Licenses.............................................................................201
cmemdc...............................................................................................................................202
cping....................................................................................................................................202
CSizingToolBar....................................................................................................................203
CTextProgressCtrl...............................................................................................................204
MIT......................................................................................................................................204
mozilla.................................................................................................................................205
Paintlib.................................................................................................................................212
resizeable lib........................................................................................................................213
tconvert................................................................................................................................215
zlib.......................................................................................................................................215
Glossary.................................................................................................................................217
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 9
Contents
10 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Grass Valley Product Support
To get technical assistance, check on the status of a question, or to report a new issues,
contact Grass Valley Product Support via e-mail, the Web, or by phone or fax.
Web Technical Support
To access support information on the Web, visit the product support Web page on the
Grass Valley Web site. You can download software or find solutions to problems.
World Wide Web: http://www.grassvalley.com/support/
Technical Support E-mail Address: gvgtechsupport@grassvalley.com
Telephone Support
Use the following information to contact Product Support by phone.
International Support Centers
Our international support centers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Authorized Local Support Representative
A local support representative may be available in your country. To locate a support
center during normal local business hours, refer to the following list. This list is
regularly updated on the website for Grass Valley Product Support
(http://www.grassvalley.com/support/contact/phone/)
After–hours local phone support is also available for warranty and contract customers.
Macau
In countryToll freeSupport Center
+33 1 48 25 20 20+800 80 80 20 20France
+1 530 478 4148+1 800 547 8949United States
TelephoneCountyRegion
+86 10 5883 7575ChinaAsia
+852 2531 3058Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea,
+81 3 6848 5561Japan
+603 7492 3303Southeast Asia - Malaysia
+65 6379 1313Southeast Asia - Singapore
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 11
Grass Valley Product Support
South America
TelephoneCountyRegion
+91 22 676 10300India
1 300 721 495AustraliaPacific
0800 846 676New Zealand
+61 3 8540 3650For callers outside Australia
or New Zealand
+55 11 5509 3440AllCentral America,
North America
North America, Mexico,
Caribbean
France
Eastern Europe
Belarus, Russia,
Tadzhikistan, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan
Nordics (Norway, Sweden,
Finland, Denmark, Iceland)
Southern Europe – Italy
+1 800 547 8949;
+1 530 478 4148
+44 118 923 0499UK, Ireland, IsraelEurope
+31 (0) 35 62 38 421Benelux – Netherlands
+32 (0) 2 334 90 30Benelux – Belgium
+800 80 80 20 20;
+33 1 48 25 20 20
+49 6150 104 444Germany, Austria,
+7 095 258 09 20;
+33 (0) 2 334 90 30
+45 40 47 22 37; +32 2 333
00 02
Rome: +39 06 87 20 35 28 ;
+39 06 8720 35 42. Milan:
+39 02 48 41 46 58
+34 91 512 03 50Southern Europe – Spain
+41 56 299 36 32Switzerland
+971 4 299 64 40Middle EastMiddle East, Near East,
Africa
12 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Near East and Africa
+800 80 80 20 20;
+33 1 48 25 20 20
Chapter 1
Introducing Aurora Playout
This section contains the following topics:
• About Aurora Playout
• Terms You Should Know
• Overview of Aurora Playout
• Using Aurora Playout
• Overview of the Assignment List Plug-in
• Overview of the Assignment List Manager
• Overview of the Housekeeper
• Overview of the Simple Database (SDB) Server
• Overview of the XMOS Server
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 13
Introducing Aurora Playout
About Aurora Playout
Aurora Playout is a playback control system that controls media servers for live
playback. It includes tools to integrate the program production workflow between a
media server, Aurora Edit, MediaFrame and optionally a newsroom computer system.
Aurora Playout is compatible with these systems:
System
K2 Media Server and Media ClientMedia Server
K2 Summit Production Client
M-Series iVDR
Aurora EditEditing Application
MediaFrame plug-in from Aurora BrowseAsset Management Tool
Associated Press Electronic News Production System (ENPS)Newsroom Computer
Avid Technology iNEWS
Octopus Newsroom
By using Aurora Playout with a media server for server playout in live programs you
can effectively replace four to six tape machines, depending on your media server.
Aurora Playout displays each channel simultaneously and you can control playout
with a keyboard and mouse, or with GPI buttons.
Aurora Playout consists of six software components:
• Main Aurora Playout application
• Assignment List Plug-in
• Assignment List Manager
• Housekeeper utility
• SDB Server
• XMOS Server
Terms You Should Know
To use Aurora Playout effectively and efficiently, you should become familiar with
terms that are frequently used with Aurora products.
DefinitionTerm
Clip
A piece of media you can edit, containing video, audio, or both. Once a
sequence is sent from a Aurora Edit workstation to a media server it
becomes a clip again. All clips and subclips merge into one clip.
Logical Asset
14 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Combination of the MediaFrame database information, metadata, physical
asset or assets on the server, and proxy assets.
Introducing Aurora Playout
DefinitionTerm
MediaFrame
Metadata
Asset
Placeholder
Script
Sequence
Story
A metadata storage and asset management architecture deployed in the
Aurora suite. This architecture shares media asset management (MAM)
components with other applications and systems such as media servers,
Aurora Ingest, Aurora Playout, and Aurora Edit workstations.
Data about data; it can include keywords, timecode information, and other
terms that help you find a particular asset.
The raw program material, such as video or audio.Physical
An item (in the Aurora Playout Assignment List Plug-in or the Assignment
List Manager) reserved for a clip that doesn’t yet exist or is not complete.
Clips are linked to a placeholder in Housekeeper, NCS rundowns or via
Aurora Ingest.
A low-resolution clip that represents high-resolution material.Proxy
The textual information for a news story in the newsroom computer system
(NCS) rundown. Scripts can also reference electronic media, such as clips
from a media server.
Edited media, consisting of pointers to different clips and subclips edited
using the Aurora Edit editing system.
The story — a collection of clips, sequences, and scripts — is the complete
news segment that plays to air.
Overview of Aurora Playout
Aurora Playout is a playout control system that links a nonlinear editing system with
an electronic news production system, asset management tool and a media server for
a complete digital solution.
Playback operators use the main Aurora Playout application to create new playlists,
and to control playlists before and during broadcasts. Aurora Playout application
consists of several components such as Clip Browser, Playlist Overview, Rundown
List, Channel windows and Playlist to coordinate playback.
Aurora Playout also has graphics workflow through an interface to the Orad graphics
playout engine, Maestro. With this addition, editors can place MOS-driven graphic
elements on an Aurora Edit timeline and then transfer graphic timing information
directly to Aurora Playout. As the story is then played to air, Aurora Playout can
frame-accurately trigger the Orad graphics server for direct play-to-air.
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 15
Introducing Aurora Playout
With the integration of MediaFrame asset management tool and Aurora Playout,
playback operators can search, add and edit metadata of assets created for broadcasts.
In addition, the MediaFrame clip player allows playback operators to preview proxy
assets without taking up a channel of the playout server.
MediaFrame plug-ins can easily be used with Aurora Playout by specifying the
MediaFrame server within the general setting of SDB Server. With that one-time
setting, MediaFrame plug-ins can be accessed within Aurora Playout's Clip Browser,
Housekeeper, Assignment List Plug-in and Assignment List Manager.
To view proxy assets via the MediaFrame clip player, playback operators should have
access to the Proxy Network Attached Storage (NAS) and have roles and licenses
configured. See the MediaFrame documentation for more details on client's
prerequisites and configuration instructions.
Using Aurora Playout
Aurora Playout includes tools to integrate the program production workflow between
a media server, Aurora Edit, MediaFrame and optionally a newsroom computer system.
With Aurora Playout, you can control live playback for your broadcast. You can use
Aurora Playout in two ways:
• Create playlists by linking to a newsroom computer system (NCS)
• Create playlists manually in Aurora Playout
16 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS)
The most efficient way to use Aurora Playout is with a MOS-compatible newsroom
computer system.
The producer uses the newsroom computer system to create rundowns for news shows,
and links clips created in Aurora Edit to rundown scripts. After the clips are complete,
control room personnel use Aurora Playout to play out the clips to air.
Introducing Aurora Playout
A typical newsroom workflow using a newsroom computer system (NCS) is:
1. The news producer creates a rundown using NCS.
2. The news producer uses the Aurora Playout Assignment List Plug-in to:
• Create placeholders for scripts that require clips
• Assign placeholders to editors
• Link placeholders to scripts in the rundown
3. The news producer assigns playback channels within the NCS rundown.
4. The news editor creates sequences for assignments using Aurora Edit.
5. The news editor uses the Aurora Playout Assignment List Manager to:
• Receive assignments from the producer
• Create additional clip placeholders
• Reassign placeholders to other editors
6. Control room personnel use the main Aurora Playout application to:
• Open the producer’s rundown playlist
• Assign clips to specific channels for playback
• Rearrange, insert, or delete clips prior to broadcast if necessary
• Play back clips during the news broadcast
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 17
Introducing Aurora Playout
Creating playlists manually
When a MOS-compatible NCS is not available, you can manually create rundowns
and playlists.
After creating playlists, using placeholders to link to clips created in Aurora Edit, you
can cue and play the clips for broadcast.
A typical newsroom workflow using Aurora Playout to create playlists is:
1. The news producer creates a rundown.
2. The news editor creates sequences for assignments using Aurora Edit.
3. The news producer uses the Aurora Playout Assignment List Manager to:
• Create placeholders for clips
• Assign placeholders to editors
4. The news editor uses the Aurora Playout Assignment List Manager to:
• Create placeholders for clips
• Reassign placeholders to other editors
5. Control room personnel use the main Aurora Playout application to:
• Create a new playlist and rundown using the scripts from the producer and the
clip database
• Assign clips to specific channels for playback
• Rearrange, insert, or delete clips prior to broadcast if necessary
• Play back clips during the news broadcast
18 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Overview of the Assignment List Plug-in
Producers use the Aurora Playout Assignment List Plug-in to create placeholders for
clips and to coordinate electronic news stories with rundown scripts.
The Assignment List Plug-in integrates with the ENPS, iNEWS, and Octopus newsroom
computer systems to coordinate clips with news stories. In addition, Assignment List
Plug-in integrates with MediaFrame for asset management and enhanced search
capabilities.
Introducing Aurora Playout
Overview of the Assignment List Manager
The Assignment List Manager comes in two forms: standalone and embedded into
the Aurora Edit application.
Producers (or other station personnel) use the standalone Assignment List Manager
to determine how many clips are missing for a given news show. Editors use the
embedded Assignment List Manager to receive assignments from the producer. Both
forms of the Assignment List Manager are used to create additional placeholders for
clips and to reassign placeholders to other categories.
The standalone Assignment List Manager runs on any computer on the network—an
icon in the task bar flashes red when items in the selected category or rundown are
missing.
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 19
Introducing Aurora Playout
The embedded Assignment List Manager runs on the Aurora Edit workstation and
integrates with Aurora Edit. The Aurora Edit toolbar displays part of the Assignment
List so editors can see at a glance how many stories need video.
You can then click the box of Missing items to launch the Assignment List. Opening
the Assignment List provides more details on specific stories.
20 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Overview of the Housekeeper
Playback operators use Housekeeper to remove files from the clip database, import
files from media servers, and to archive clips.
Housekeeper typically runs on the computer with the Main Aurora Playout application,
though it can be installed on multiple computers if necessary.
Due to differences in media server channeless connection limit, not all computers
within your broadcast operation can run Housekeeper application at the same time. If
your media server is K2 version 3.2 and above, you can run up to seven Housekeeper
applications simultaneously. While for M-Series, Profile and K2 version 3.1 and lower;
only three Housekeeper applications can be run at the same time.
Introducing Aurora Playout
Overview of the Simple Database (SDB) Server
The SDB Server runs in the background to keep clip status current.
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 21
Introducing Aurora Playout
When the status of a clip changes, the SDB Server updates available status and clip
duration in the Aurora Playout database, which in turn updates the Aurora Playout
application. In addition, when a clip sent from Aurora Edit is associated with a Aurora
Playout placeholder, the SDB Server updates the number of missing items in the
Assignment List Manager and Assignment List Plug-in.
The SDB Server runs on the same computer as the XMOS Server, and optionally on
a second system as a hot standby backup database.
Overview of the XMOS Server
The XMOS Server displays the communication between the Newsroom Computer
System and Aurora Playout.
It runs on the same computer as the primary SDB Server.
22 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Introducing Aurora Playout
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 23
Chapter 2
Preparing for installation
This section contains the following topics:
• About Aurora Playout and SiteConfig
• About SiteConfig
• Aurora Playout installation checklists
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 25
Preparing for installation
About Aurora Playout and SiteConfig
Grass Valley supplies a CD containing Aurora Playout software and documentation.
For initial install of Aurora Playout within your operation, SiteConfig is the
recommended tool for network configuration and software deployment. For upgrading
Aurora Playout from a previous version, you can either upgrade using SiteConfig or
upgrade manually using the Aurora Playout CD. Refer to Aurora Playout Release
Notes for detailed instructions on upgrading Aurora Playout.
The Aurora Playout Server can be supplied with all the necessary hardware and
software installed. The software for other Aurora Playout components can be installed
on any PC which meets the system requirement. After installing Aurora Playout, the
software license number needs to be obtained. Refer to Aurora Playout Release Notes
for instructions on obtaining the software license number.
About SiteConfig
ProductFrame is an integrated platform of tools and product distribution processes for
system installation and configuration. SiteConfig is a ProductFrame application and
it is the recommended tool for network configuration and software deployment.
You can use SiteConfig as a stand-alone tool for planning and system design, even
before you have any devices installed or cabled. You can define networks, IP addresses,
hostnames, interfaces, and other network parameters. You can add devices, group
devices, and modify device roles in the system.
As you install and commission systems, SiteConfig runs on the control point PC. It
discovers devices, configures their network settings, and manages host files. SiteConfig
also manages software installations and upgrades and provides a unified software
package with verified compatible versions for deployment across multi-product systems.
You should use SiteConfig for network configuration and software deployment at
installation and throughout the life of the system in your facility. This enforces
consistent policy and allows SiteConfig to keep a record of changes, which makes the
system easier to maintain and aids in troubleshooting should a problem arise.
SiteConfig displays information from a system description file, which is an XML file.
SiteConfig operates in different modes that correspond to a system’ s life-cycle phases:
network configuration, software deployment, and software configuration. You can
expand nodes and select elements in the tree view and the list view to view and modify
networks, systems, individual devices, software deployment, and configuration settings.
26 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Aurora Playout installation checklists
Use the following sequence of checklists to guide the overall task flow of installing
and commissioning an Aurora Playout system using SiteConfig.
Pre-installation planning checklist
Preparing for installation
CommentTask
Procure the Aurora Playout Software
Check hardware specification
requirements for Aurora Playout devices
within your network operation
Check whether Microsoft .NET version
2.0 is already installed on Aurora Playout
devices SiteConfig install location if you need to
Check whether ProductFrame Discovery
Agent service is already installed on
Aurora Playout devices folder at your SiteConfig install location
Get Aurora Playout software installation
(*.cab) file
Next: Hardware installation checklist
Aurora Playout installation files can be
supplied via software CD, GrassValley
website, FTP site or other distribution
mechanisms
The minimum and recommended system
specification requirements are listed in
Aurora Playout Release Notes
—Install SiteConfig on a control point PC
Mircosoft .NET version 2.0 is provided
within ConnectivityKit folder at your
install the application
ProductFrame Discovery Agent is
provided within DiscoveryAgent Setup
if you need to install the service
Make the (*.cab) file accessible to the
SiteConfig control point PC
Hardware installation checklist
Use items in this checklist as appropriate for the optional equipment you are installing
for your Aurora Playout.
CommentTask
Connect GPI inputs and outputs
depending on your device type
Connect the RDU 1510 Under Monitor
Display
Install X-keys Jog/Shuttle Controller
Next: Network setup and installation checklist
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 27
GPI inputs and outputs can be connected
through PCI board or ethernet
Preparing for installation
Network setup and implementation checklist
CommentTask
Create a system description
Add a group for your Aurora Playout
devices to the system description
description for each of your actual
Aurora Playout devices
devices
Configure the network interfaces of the
placeholder devices
placeholder device
If you already have a SiteConfig system
description managing other devices such
as K2 SAN in your facility, you can use
that system description rather than
creating a new one.
If you have not already added the
corporate LAN to the system description
and you have Playout devices that
connect to that network, use this
procedure to add the corporate LAN to
the SiteConfig system description.
—Add a placeholder device to the system
—Configure the names of the placeholder
Specify IP address ranges and other
network details
—Discover your Aurora Playout devices
—Assign each discovered device to its
For each discovered and assigned device,
edit each network interface. Specify
network settings and apply them to the
device.
If not already set correctly, set the
hostname of discovered devices
network communication
Generate host table information and
distribute to hosts files on each device
and on the control point PC across all devices to ensure complete and
Next: Software update checklist
If a device connects to multiple networks,
set the control network interface IP
address first. Also set the hostname.
Make sure the device name is correct,
then make the hostname the same as the
device name.
—Ping each Aurora Playout device to test
Make sure you have completed network
configuration of all network interfaces
valid host table information. You can use
SiteConfig to copy hosts files to devices,
or you can manage hosts files yourself.
28 Aurora Playout User Guide 14 April 2010
Software update checklist
Preparing for installation
CommentTask
Add/remove software roles on Aurora
Playout devices
Create/configure a deployment group
deployment group
Place software on control point PC
Check software on devices
Add software to deployment group
Set deployment options
Upgrade/install software to devices from
control point PC
Make sure software roles match the
software that should be installed on each
device, according to your system design.
If you also have Ingest and Edit
devices, create a single deployment
group to contain all ingest, edit and
playout devices.
—Add Aurora Playout devices to the
Procure the correct version of software
installation files and prerequisite files.
Refer to Aurora Playout Release Notes
for upgrading instructions.
14 April 2010 Aurora Playout User Guide 29
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