Grass Valley iTX Desktop User Manual
ITX
INTEGRATED PLAYOUT
Desktop Operator Manual
iTX v2.6
2015-03-16
Copyright & Trademark Notice
Title
Operator Manual for the iTX Desktop v2.6 (Piccadilly)
First Issued
16 March 2015
Copyright © 2015 Grass Valley USA, LLC. All rights reserved.
Belden, Belden Sending All The Right Signals, and the Belden logo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Belden Inc. or its affiliated companies in the United States and other jurisdictions.
Grass Valley and iTX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Grass Valley, a Belden Brand.
Belden Inc., Grass Valley and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used
herein.
Terms and Conditions
Please read the following terms and conditions carefully. By using iTX v2.x documentation, you
agree to the following terms and conditions.
Grass Valley, a Belden Brand (“Grass Valley”) hereby grants permission and license to owners of iTX
to use their product manuals for their own internal business use. Manuals for Grass Valley products
may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose unless specifically authorized in writing by
Grass Valley.
A Grass Valley manual may have been revised to reflect changes made to the product during its
manufacturing life. Thus, different versions of a manual may exist for any given product. Care
should be taken to ensure that one obtains the proper manual version for a specific product serial
number.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Grass Valley.
Warranty information is available in the Support section of the New Grass Valley Web site
(www.grassvalley.com).
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Contents
About this manual ............................................................................................................ 1
Terminology ............................................................................................................................. 2
Software versions ..................................................................................................................... 2
Valid characters in names and titles of media items ............................................................... 3
Further reading ........................................................................................................................ 3
About iTX .......................................................................................................................... 4
Grass Valley client-server technology ...................................................................................... 4
The main parts of an iTX system .............................................................................................. 5
The iTX Desktop ....................................................................................................................... 6
Workstation View and User View .................................................................................................... 6
Pop-up layouts ................................................................................................................................. 7
Starting the iTX Desktop........................................................................................................... 7
Quick tour of the iTX Desktop .......................................................................................... 8
About service status indicators in layout components .......................................................... 12
About system time and local time ......................................................................................... 12
Working with schedules ................................................................................................. 13
About iTX channels ................................................................................................................. 13
Monitoring and controlling live schedules ............................................................................. 14
iTX Desktop components for working with schedules ........................................................... 14
The Content Selector ...................................................................................................... 15
About the Content Selector ................................................................................................... 15
Content Selector palettes .............................................................................................................. 16
Setting up palettes on the Content Selector .................................................................................. 17
Changing the properties of an asset in the Content Selector ........................................................ 17
Managing the contents of a palette selection pane .............................................................. 18
Add assets to a palette selection pane .......................................................................................... 18
Remove assets from a palette selection pane ............................................................................... 18
Editing a schedule by dragging and dropping assets from the Content Selector .................. 19
Creating schedule events ............................................................................................................... 19
Primary and secondary events ....................................................................................................... 19
Locating a new schedule event ...................................................................................................... 20
Create a schedule event by dropping an asset into the Schedule Grid ......................................... 21
Create a schedule event by dropping an asset onto the Timeline Display .................................... 22
Remove one or more events from a schedule ............................................................................... 23
Working with video clips ........................................................................................................ 24
About the Video Clip palette .......................................................................................................... 24
Adding a video-clip event to a schedule ........................................................................................ 25
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Previewing a video clip in the preview window ............................................................................. 25
Changing video-clip properties ...................................................................................................... 25
Using an unknown video clip in a schedule event ......................................................................... 26
Adding a VTR event to a schedule .................................................................................................. 26
Working with logos ................................................................................................................ 27
About the Logo palette .................................................................................................................. 27
Adding a logo event to a schedule ................................................................................................. 28
Options for controlling the playout of logos .................................................................................. 28
Temporary removal of all logos ..................................................................................................... 29
Set the logo-type property ............................................................................................................. 29
Change the title of a logo ............................................................................................................... 29
Change the default duration of a logo event ................................................................................. 30
Assign a logo to a different layer.................................................................................................... 30
Suppress or restore all active logos ............................................................................................... 30
Clearing all logos at the start of a new schedule ........................................................................... 31
Working with external logo inserters..................................................................................... 31
About the External Logo palette .................................................................................................... 31
Options for controlling the playout of logos .................................................................................. 32
Adding an external-logo event to a schedule................................................................................. 33
Add an external logo to the palette selection pane ....................................................................... 33
Scheduling logos using the External Key and Fill inputs of the LGK-3901 ...................................... 34
Remove an external logo from the palette selection pane ............................................................ 34
Working with CGs ................................................................................................................... 35
About the CG palette ..................................................................................................................... 35
Adding a CG event to a schedule ................................................................................................... 36
Edit a CG in the iTX CG application ................................................................................................. 36
Change the title of a CG ................................................................................................................. 36
Change the duration of a CG event ................................................................................................ 36
Working with subtitle files ..................................................................................................... 37
About the Subtitle palette .............................................................................................................. 37
Adding a subtitle event to a schedule ............................................................................................ 37
Working with still images ....................................................................................................... 38
About the Stills palette ................................................................................................................... 38
Adding a still-image event to a schedule ....................................................................................... 39
Change the title of a still image ...................................................................................................... 39
Change the default duration of a still-image event ....................................................................... 39
Working with voiceover clips ................................................................................................. 40
About the Voice Over palette ........................................................................................................ 40
Adding a voiceover-clip event to a schedule .................................................................................. 40
Play a voiceover clip ....................................................................................................................... 41
Change the title of a voiceover clip ................................................................................................ 41
Change the in-point or out-point of a voiceover clip ..................................................................... 41
Working with live events ........................................................................................................ 42
About the Live palette .................................................................................................................... 42
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Adding a live event to a schedule................................................................................................... 42
Display live-event properties ......................................................................................................... 43
Set a duration of a live event ......................................................................................................... 43
Set the Aspect Ratio Properties for Live Events (OS2 only) ........................................................... 44
Working with sequences ........................................................................................................ 46
About the Sequence palette .......................................................................................................... 46
Adding an existing sequence to a schedule ................................................................................... 47
Change the name or title of a sequence ........................................................................................ 47
Add a blank sequence to a schedule .............................................................................................. 47
Create a sequence with a fixed duration ....................................................................................... 48
Working with stored schedules ............................................................................................. 48
About the Schedule palette ........................................................................................................... 48
Adding a nested schedule to a main schedule ............................................................................... 49
Live update of a nested schedule ................................................................................................... 49
Working with split breaks ...................................................................................................... 50
About the Split Break palette ......................................................................................................... 50
Adding a split break to a schedule ................................................................................................. 50
Enter a name and title for a split break .......................................................................................... 51
Select split-break regions ............................................................................................................... 51
Change the default duration of a split break ................................................................................. 51
Add events to a sequence for each regional channel .................................................................... 51
Adding events for playout in the main channel during a split break ............................................. 52
Working with slide shows ...................................................................................................... 52
About the Slide Show palette ......................................................................................................... 52
Add a still image or audio clip to the slide show ............................................................................ 52
Change the order of the still images or audio clips ........................................................................ 53
Change the duration of a still image .............................................................................................. 53
Preview a still image ....................................................................................................................... 53
Adjust the volume of an audio clip ................................................................................................ 53
Add a slide show to a schedule ...................................................................................................... 54
Working with an external subtitler ........................................................................................ 54
About the Ex Subtitler palette ........................................................................................................ 54
Adding an external subtitle event to a schedule ............................................................................ 55
Working with external CG devices and graphics systems ...................................................... 55
About the Clarity palette ................................................................................................................ 56
Add a Clarity CG template to the palette selection pane ............................................................... 56
Adding a Clarity CG event to a schedule ........................................................................................ 57
Change the name of a Clarity CG template .................................................................................... 57
Change the properties of a CG template ....................................................................................... 57
Change the duration of a Clarity CG event ..................................................................................... 57
About the VizRT palette ................................................................................................................. 58
Add a VizRT CG page to the palette selection pane ....................................................................... 59
Adding a VizRT CG event to a schedule .......................................................................................... 59
Working with GPIs .................................................................................................................. 60
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About the GPI palette .................................................................................................................... 60
Adding a GPI event to a schedule ................................................................................................... 60
Select the GPI matrix ...................................................................................................................... 61
Change the duration of a GPI ......................................................................................................... 61
Set the time mode of a GPI ............................................................................................................ 61
Working with studio sources ................................................................................................. 62
About the Studio palette ................................................................................................................ 62
Adding a studio-source event to a schedule .................................................................................. 62
Change the default duration of a studio-source event .................................................................. 63
Working with router events ................................................................................................... 64
About the Router Event palette ..................................................................................................... 64
Adding a router event to a schedule .............................................................................................. 64
Configure a router event ................................................................................................................ 65
Change the default duration of a router event .............................................................................. 65
Working with a studio switcher ............................................................................................. 66
About the Studio Switcher palette ................................................................................................. 66
Adding a studio switcher event to a schedule ............................................................................... 67
Working with VANC data ....................................................................................................... 67
About the VANC Data palette ........................................................................................................ 67
Adding a VANC-message event to a schedule ................................................................................ 68
Set up a SCTE 104 message ............................................................................................................ 68
Add a SCTE 104 message event to a schedule ............................................................................... 68
Working with enhanced SCTE104 data .................................................................................. 69
About the SCTE104 palette ............................................................................................................ 69
Adding an enhanced SCTE104 message event to a schedule ........................................................ 70
Set up and insert an enhanced SCTE104 message: ........................................................................ 71
Add an enhanced SCTE104 message event to a schedule ............................................................. 72
Working with rating categories .............................................................................................. 72
About the V-Chip palette ............................................................................................................... 72
Adding a rating-category event to a schedule ............................................................................... 73
Select a rating system .................................................................................................................... 73
Change the title of a rating category .............................................................................................. 73
Change the duration of a rating category ...................................................................................... 73
Specify sub-rating options for a rating category ............................................................................ 73
Adding comments .................................................................................................................. 74
About the Comment palette .......................................................................................................... 74
Adding a comment line to a schedule ............................................................................................ 74
The Event Editor ............................................................................................................. 75
About the Event Editor ........................................................................................................... 75
Changing the properties of an asset in the Event Editor................................................................ 76
Event timings in local time or UTC ................................................................................................. 76
Editing events of different types ............................................................................................ 76
Editing a video-clip event ............................................................................................................... 76
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Editing a CG event .......................................................................................................................... 77
Editing a logo event ........................................................................................................................ 77
Editing an external-logo event ....................................................................................................... 78
Editing a still-image event .............................................................................................................. 78
Editing the properties of a sequence ............................................................................................. 78
Editing a voiceover-clip event ........................................................................................................ 79
Editing a subtitle event .................................................................................................................. 79
Editing a stored schedule ............................................................................................................... 80
Editing a live event ......................................................................................................................... 80
Editing a slide-show event ............................................................................................................. 80
Editing a GPI event ......................................................................................................................... 81
Editing a VANC-message event ...................................................................................................... 81
Editing an Enhanced 105 VANC message event ............................................................................. 81
Editing inbound enhanced SCTE 104 VANC message events ......................................................... 82
Editing a split-break event ............................................................................................................. 83
Editing an external subtitle event .................................................................................................. 83
Editing an external CG or graphics event ....................................................................................... 83
Editing a rating-category event ...................................................................................................... 83
Editing a studio-source event ......................................................................................................... 84
Editing a router event .................................................................................................................... 84
Saving or cancelling changes to events .................................................................................. 85
Changing the title of the item in an event ............................................................................. 85
Change the title of the item in an event ........................................................................................ 85
Setting event playout times ................................................................................................... 86
About the timing properties that affect event start and end times .............................................. 86
Possible time modes ...................................................................................................................... 87
Set the time mode for an event ..................................................................................................... 88
Set the start time for a fixed event ................................................................................................ 88
Set the end time for a fixed-end event .......................................................................................... 88
Set the time offset for a secondary event ...................................................................................... 88
Manual events ................................................................................................................................ 89
Set the manual property for an event ............................................................................................ 89
Join-in-progress events .................................................................................................................. 90
About the display of local or UTC start times for events ............................................................... 94
About DST and the timing of fixed-start and fixed-end events ...................................................... 94
Enter an event start time that could be before or after the end of DST ........................................ 95
Enter an event end time that could be before or after the end of DST ......................................... 96
Setting event durations .......................................................................................................... 96
Durations for different types of event ........................................................................................... 96
Automatic durations for secondary events .................................................................................... 96
Change an event duration .............................................................................................................. 97
Set an automatic duration to make a secondary event finish at the same time as its primary event
........................................................................................................................................................ 97
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Set an automatic duration to make a secondary event start and finish at the same time as its
primary event ................................................................................................................................. 97
Setting the regional channel for a regional event.................................................................. 98
About regional channels ................................................................................................................ 98
Set the regional channel for a regional event ................................................................................ 99
Video and audio transitions for primary events .................................................................. 100
Add a transition at the start of a primary event .......................................................................... 100
Creating a picture-in-picture effect ..................................................................................... 101
Picture-in-picture formats ............................................................................................................ 102
Mix and zoom options for a picture-in-picture effect .................................................................. 102
About the picture-in-picture format dialog.................................................................................. 103
Set the size and position of the items in a picture-in-picture effect ............................................ 103
Adjust the background audio level for a picture-in-picture effect ............................................... 104
Add a background image to a picture-in-picture effect ............................................................... 104
Change the format stored in a preset-format button .................................................................. 105
Set a mix transition into, and out of, a picture-in-picture effect ................................................. 105
Set a zoom action into, and out of, a picture-in-picture effect .................................................... 105
Transitions and vision effects for secondary events ............................................................ 106
Setting transitions and vision effects for logo events .................................................................. 106
Set a transition for a logo event ................................................................................................... 106
Set a wipe, slide or squeeze effect for a logo event..................................................................... 107
Using the Event Editor features for sequences .................................................................... 108
Restricting the use of a sequence to a defined period ................................................................ 108
Prevent iTX starting a sequence before the start of a break window .......................................... 109
Set iTX to skip a sequence that it does not start by the end of a break window ......................... 109
Apply a standard set of transitions to the events in a sequence ................................................. 110
Prevent iTX switching a pass-through channel back to its live source before a sequence has played
out for a specified duration .......................................................................................................... 111
Prevent iTX continuing to play out events in a sequence after a specified duration ................... 111
Inserting an SCTE 104 message to trigger the insertion of local advertising ............................... 111
Changing volume levels for voiceover events ...................................................................... 112
Set volume levels for a voiceover event and its primary event ................................................... 112
Set the duration of the audio ramps at the start and end of a voiceover event ......................... 112
Replacing a video clip, live asset or logo in a schedule event .............................................. 113
Replace the video clip or live asset in one or more events .......................................................... 113
Selecting a videotape machine to play out a VTR event ...................................................... 114
Select a videotape machine for playout ....................................................................................... 114
Setting up the recording of sequences and live events ....................................................... 115
About the different recording modes .......................................................................................... 116
About channel default settings .................................................................................................... 116
Use the Event Editor to quickly mark an event for recording ...................................................... 117
Use the Schedule Grid to quickly mark an event for recording ................................................... 117
Use the Event Editor to specify settings for the recording of an event ....................................... 117
Use the Schedule Grid to specify settings for the recording of an event ..................................... 118
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Edit the recording properties for an event .................................................................................. 118
Monitor a recording ..................................................................................................................... 118
Preview a recording ..................................................................................................................... 119
Cancel a recording ........................................................................................................................ 119
Scheduling notes .......................................................................................................................... 120
Changing the GPI output for a GPI event ............................................................................. 120
Change the GPI output for a GPI event ........................................................................................ 120
Changing the routing properties for a router event ............................................................ 121
Change the routing properties for a router event ....................................................................... 121
Changing the external subtitle file for an external subtitle event ....................................... 121
Select a different subtitle file for an external subtitle event ....................................................... 121
Entering information in editable CG text blocks .................................................................. 122
Enter information in an editable CG text block ............................................................................ 122
Changing page details in a VizRT CG event .......................................................................... 123
Change VizRT CG page details ...................................................................................................... 123
Changing the rating category for a rating-category event ................................................... 124
Change the rating category for a rating-category event .............................................................. 124
Entering and viewing schedule notes .................................................................................. 125
Enter notes for a schedule event ................................................................................................. 125
Using the follow-next feature .............................................................................................. 126
Set up iTX to automatically display details for the next event in the Event Editor ...................... 126
The Timeline Display ..................................................................................................... 127
About the Timeline Display .................................................................................................. 127
Adding an event to a schedule by dropping an asset onto the Timeline Display ................ 128
Tracking an event on the Timeline Display .......................................................................... 128
Viewing information about an event ................................................................................... 130
Changing the view of the Timeline Display .......................................................................... 130
Zoom the Timeline Display ........................................................................................................... 130
Shift the focus of the Timeline Display ......................................................................................... 130
Changing the track configuration of the Timeline Display ................................................... 131
Change the track configuration of the Timeline Display .............................................................. 131
Using the default track configuration of the Timeline Display ..................................................... 132
The Schedule Grid ......................................................................................................... 133
About the Schedule Grid ...................................................................................................... 133
Changing properties of assets in video-clip and logo events ....................................................... 133
Channel-status indicators ............................................................................................................. 134
Creating a schedule event by dropping an item into the Schedule Grid ............................. 134
Noting the time mode of events .......................................................................................... 135
Tracking an event ................................................................................................................. 135
Viewing information about an event ................................................................................... 137
Preventing schedule underruns and overruns ..................................................................... 137
Show or hide secondary events ........................................................................................... 138
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Change the order of schedule events .................................................................................. 138
Event warnings ..................................................................................................................... 138
Media limit warning ..................................................................................................................... 139
Invalid in-point warning ............................................................................................................... 139
Modified media warning .............................................................................................................. 139
Acknowledge a warning ............................................................................................................... 139
Fix a warning ................................................................................................................................ 139
Add a filter to the Schedule Grid .......................................................................................... 140
Using the options in the Schedule Grid menu ..................................................................... 141
Defining the Schedule Grid view .................................................................................................. 142
Set up the column arrangement and text appearance in the Schedule Grid ............................... 142
Restore the default column arrangement in the Schedule Grid .................................................. 143
Set up the Schedule Grid for drag-and-drop schedule changes ................................................... 143
Switch off the transition-editing feature of the Schedule Grid .................................................... 143
Show or hide secondary events in a filtered list .......................................................................... 144
Show or hide events that have taken place ................................................................................. 144
Set up the Schedule Grid to display warnings of potential underruns and overruns .................. 144
Choose which tracks iTX displays information for in the Schedule Grid ...................................... 145
Show or hide tooltips ................................................................................................................... 145
Load the global Schedule Grid view ............................................................................................. 145
Set the Schedule Grid view as the global Schedule Grid view ..................................................... 145
Print the current schedule ........................................................................................................... 145
Cut and paste an event or group of events .................................................................................. 146
Copy and paste an event or group of events ............................................................................... 146
Delete an event or group of events ............................................................................................. 146
Delete all events ........................................................................................................................... 147
Cancel recent changes to a schedule ........................................................................................... 147
Update a back-up schedule instantly ........................................................................................... 147
Update an event or group of events ............................................................................................ 147
Check for the missing media item in an event ............................................................................. 148
Skip an event or group of events ................................................................................................. 148
Unskip an event or group of events ............................................................................................. 148
Schedule event colors .......................................................................................................... 149
Cache status indicators ........................................................................................................ 149
Caching progress .......................................................................................................................... 149
Changing the transitions for events in the Schedule Grid ................................................... 150
Change an event transition in the Schedule Grid ......................................................................... 150
Changing the duration and media limits from the Schedule Grid ....................................... 151
Automatic replacement of missing media files with evergreen content ............................. 152
About VTR events in the Schedule Grid ............................................................................... 152
Cue the VTR event ........................................................................................................................ 152
Play out a VTR event .................................................................................................................... 153
Recording schedule events .................................................................................................. 153
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The Schedule Manager ................................................................................................. 154
About the Schedule Manager .............................................................................................. 154
Loading stored schedules in the Schedule Manager ........................................................... 155
Load any schedule ........................................................................................................................ 155
Load a schedule that has date and channel labels ....................................................................... 156
Adding stored schedules to the current schedule ............................................................... 156
Add a stored schedule to the current schedule ........................................................................... 156
Saving the current schedule ................................................................................................. 157
Modify an existing stored schedule ............................................................................................. 157
Save the current schedule as a new schedule ............................................................................. 157
Save the current schedule with channel and date labels ............................................................. 158
Creating sequences and sequence templates ..................................................................... 158
About sequences and sequence templates ................................................................................. 158
Using a sequence template .......................................................................................................... 159
Create a sequence from a group of schedule events ................................................................... 159
Create a sequence or sequence template from a sequence entry .............................................. 160
Creating a looping schedule ................................................................................................. 160
Adding an hour or a day to the start time of the current schedule ..................................... 161
Put back the start of the current schedule by an hour or a day .................................................. 161
The Schedule Manager menu .............................................................................................. 161
The Next-Event Control Panel ...................................................................................... 162
About the Next-Event Control Panel .................................................................................... 162
Cueing and taking short events .................................................................................................... 162
Color coding of Cue Next and Take Next buttons ........................................................................ 163
Resuming normal playout after a schedule interruption ............................................................. 163
Control the playout of the next event .......................................................................................... 163
Roll under the current on-air event ............................................................................................. 163
Resume normal playout after a roll under ................................................................................... 164
The Live Logo Inserter .................................................................................................. 165
About the Live Logo Inserter ................................................................................................ 165
Setting up the Live Logo Inserter ......................................................................................... 165
Set up the Live Logo Inserter ........................................................................................................ 166
Using the Live Logo Inserter ................................................................................................. 166
Manually switch a logo on or off in a live schedule ..................................................................... 166
Channel-control pop-up layouts ................................................................................... 167
Using the Emergency Audio pop-up layout ......................................................................... 168
Master Audio Level slider ............................................................................................................. 168
Lip-sync buttons ........................................................................................................................... 168
Using the Channel Health pop-up layout ............................................................................. 169
Emergency removal of logos and captions .................................................................................. 169
Using the News Flash pop-up layouts .................................................................................. 170
Interrupt a schedule event for a news flash ................................................................................ 170
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Removing a news-flash sequence before it starts ....................................................................... 171
Using the Sequence Control pop-up layout ......................................................................... 171
Using the Selected Item Control pop-up layout................................................................... 172
Manually cue a future event ........................................................................................................ 172
Manually take a future event to air ............................................................................................. 172
Searching with PinPoint ................................................................................................ 173
The PinPoint dialog and panel ............................................................................................. 173
Hidden panes ............................................................................................................................... 174
Search filters ........................................................................................................................ 175
Specifying an asset name in a filter .............................................................................................. 177
Search blocks ........................................................................................................................ 177
Nested search blocks .................................................................................................................... 178
Specifying the sort order of results ...................................................................................... 178
Multi-domain searching ....................................................................................................... 178
Stemming ............................................................................................................................. 178
Searching .............................................................................................................................. 179
Perform a search .......................................................................................................................... 179
Create a search filter .................................................................................................................... 180
Delete a search filter .................................................................................................................... 180
Clear a filter set ............................................................................................................................ 180
Working in the results pane ................................................................................................. 181
Working in List view ..................................................................................................................... 181
Sort a results-list column .............................................................................................................. 181
Change the results-list column format ......................................................................................... 181
Navigating through a PinPoint list ................................................................................................ 182
Navigate to an item by typing initial characters .......................................................................... 182
Working in Thumbnail view ......................................................................................................... 183
Repeating searches .............................................................................................................. 184
Show the search-history pane ...................................................................................................... 184
Repeat a search ............................................................................................................................ 185
Save a set of search criteria ......................................................................................................... 185
Viewing metadata ................................................................................................................ 185
Build a search block ...................................................................................................................... 186
Resizing the PinPoint dialog ................................................................................................. 186
Maximize or restore the PinPoint dialog ...................................................................................... 186
Common operational tasks for iTX Desktop features .................................................. 187
Playing a video clip in a preview window ............................................................................ 187
Indication of the extent of clip media .......................................................................................... 189
Using the options in the preview-window menu ......................................................................... 190
Marking the boundary points of a video clip ....................................................................... 192
Change the in-point or out-point of a video clip .......................................................................... 192
Changing the audio level of a previewing video clip ............................................................ 193
Change the audio level of a video clip .......................................................................................... 193
xi
Specifying properties for video clips and voiceover clips .................................................... 193
Audio output channels ................................................................................................................. 194
Source Format and Active Region settings ................................................................................... 194
Identifying 3D-stereoscopic video clips ........................................................................................ 195
Looping a video clip ...................................................................................................................... 195
Copy Guard settings ..................................................................................................................... 196
Display the Clip Properties dialog ................................................................................................ 196
Select the audio output channels for a voiceover clip or a secondary video clip ........................ 196
Set the source format and active region of a video clip............................................................... 196
Mark a video clip as stereoscopic-3D ........................................................................................... 196
Set up looping for a video clip ...................................................................................................... 197
Change the copy-protection setting for a video clip .................................................................... 197
Entering a value in an iTX time-entry box ............................................................................ 197
Using a shortcut when entering a time value .............................................................................. 198
Entering a time value through the Time Calculator ..................................................................... 198
Entering values in a date-and-time box ............................................................................... 200
Switching a recorded voice countdown on or off ................................................................ 200
The CG application ........................................................................................................ 201
About the CG application ..................................................................................................... 201
Operating Modes ......................................................................................................................... 202
Multiple objects and layers .......................................................................................................... 202
Editable text blocks ...................................................................................................................... 203
Dynamic text blocks ..................................................................................................................... 203
Transparent objects ..................................................................................................................... 203
Transitions and vision effects ....................................................................................................... 203
Saving your CGs ............................................................................................................................ 204
Working with text ................................................................................................................ 204
Creating and editing CG text ........................................................................................................ 204
Select the text operating mode .................................................................................................... 205
Create a simple text block, containing fixed CG text ................................................................... 205
Create an editable text block ....................................................................................................... 206
Create a dynamic text block ......................................................................................................... 207
Resize and move a text block ....................................................................................................... 208
Specify a font for CG text ............................................................................................................. 209
Set the alignment of CG text ........................................................................................................ 209
Set the spacing of CG text ............................................................................................................ 210
Apply a drop shadow to CG text .................................................................................................. 210
Apply a solid fill to CG text ........................................................................................................... 211
Apply a graduated fill to CG text .................................................................................................. 211
Apply a textured fill to CG text ..................................................................................................... 212
Edit CG text .................................................................................................................................. 213
Apply a crawl to CG text ............................................................................................................... 213
Save text properties as a text-layer style ..................................................................................... 214
Apply a text-layer style to a text block ......................................................................................... 214
xii
Set the group number for a text block ......................................................................................... 215
Delete a text block ....................................................................................................................... 215
Working with rectangles ...................................................................................................... 215
Creating and modifying rectangles .............................................................................................. 215
Select the rectangle operating mode ........................................................................................... 215
Create a rectangle ........................................................................................................................ 215
Resize and move a rectangle ........................................................................................................ 216
Apply a solid fill to a rectangle ..................................................................................................... 216
Apply a graduated fill to a rectangle ............................................................................................ 216
Apply a textured fill to a rectangle ............................................................................................... 218
Change the color and thickness of a rectangle border ................................................................ 219
Select a pre-defined rectangle layout style .................................................................................. 219
Set the group number for a rectangle .......................................................................................... 220
Delete a rectangle ........................................................................................................................ 220
Working with background images ....................................................................................... 221
Using the image controls.............................................................................................................. 221
Select the image operating mode ................................................................................................ 221
Load an image .............................................................................................................................. 221
Resizing an image ......................................................................................................................... 222
Change the color and thickness of an image border .................................................................... 222
Set the group number for an image ............................................................................................. 222
Delete an image ........................................................................................................................... 222
Resizing and moving CG objects .......................................................................................... 223
Manually resize an object of any type ......................................................................................... 223
Manually move an object of any type .......................................................................................... 223
Automatically centralize an object ............................................................................................... 224
Changing the stacking order of objects ............................................................................... 224
Re-order layers ............................................................................................................................. 224
Working with multiple objects ............................................................................................. 225
Select multiple objects of any type .............................................................................................. 225
Select all objects of the same type ............................................................................................... 225
Undoing and redoing changes ............................................................................................. 225
Undo a change ............................................................................................................................. 225
Redo a change .............................................................................................................................. 225
The Color Selector ................................................................................................................ 226
Use the Color Selector .................................................................................................................. 226
Setting properties (visual effects, crawl speeds) for groups ................................................ 227
About groups ................................................................................................................................ 227
Select the animation operating mode.......................................................................................... 227
Specify a playout layer for a group .............................................................................................. 227
Set a transition for a group .......................................................................................................... 227
Set a vision effect for a group ...................................................................................................... 228
Set the speed of a crawl ............................................................................................................... 228
Preview transitions and vision effects .......................................................................................... 229
xiii
Using the template controls................................................................................................. 229
About the file-management buttons ........................................................................................... 229
Select the template operating mode ........................................................................................... 229
Load an existing CG template ....................................................................................................... 229
Save changes to the current CG template ................................................................................... 229
Save changes in a new CG template ............................................................................................ 230
Export a CG template as a graphic ............................................................................................... 230
Load an animated logo ................................................................................................................. 230
Change the position of an animated logo .................................................................................... 231
Clear the workspace ..................................................................................................................... 231
Setting the CG application window options ......................................................................... 231
About the CG application window options .................................................................................. 231
Select the options operating mode .............................................................................................. 231
Set the grid options ...................................................................................................................... 231
Show or hide the safe-area guide frame ...................................................................................... 232
Closing the CG application ................................................................................................... 232
Ingesting files through the Media Store Inbox ............................................................. 233
Valid formats for media files and other types of file ........................................................... 233
Re-importing media files ...................................................................................................... 233
Ingest media files through the Media Store Inbox .............................................................. 234
Ingest reference MOV and MXF files through the Media Store Inbox ................................ 235
Ingesting media by using an Encode Server ................................................................. 237
Crash recordings, automatic recordings and batch recordings ........................................... 237
Recording from a videotape................................................................................................. 238
The ingest layouts ................................................................................................................ 239
The Manual Ingest layout ............................................................................................................. 239
The Dual Ingest layout .................................................................................................................. 240
The Ingest Multi layout ................................................................................................................ 241
The Tape Ingest layout ................................................................................................................. 242
The Encode control panel .................................................................................................... 243
About the Encode Server lock button .................................................................................. 243
About the VTR control button .............................................................................................. 244
Setting the structure of the media file created by an Encode Server .................................. 244
Encode presets for video storage formats ................................................................................... 245
Audio channels ............................................................................................................................. 245
Asset template ............................................................................................................................. 245
Encode profiles ............................................................................................................................. 246
Specify the encode settings and asset template for a recording ................................................. 246
Save the settings for a recording as a new encode profile .......................................................... 246
Recall an encode profile ............................................................................................................... 247
Update an encode profile ............................................................................................................ 247
Delete an encode profile .............................................................................................................. 247
Preparing your iTX system for recordings ............................................................................ 247
xiv
Set up a recording source for live ingest ...................................................................................... 247
Set up a recording source for tape ingest .................................................................................... 248
Select a recording channel ........................................................................................................... 248
Deny or allow an Encode Server control of a VTR ........................................................................ 248
Lock or unlock an Encode Server ................................................................................................. 249
Set options for new media files and their assets ......................................................................... 249
Using the Encode control panel to record media files ......................................................... 250
Perform a crash recording from a line feed ................................................................................. 250
Set up and start an automatic recording from a line feed ........................................................... 251
Perform a crash recording from a videotape ............................................................................... 252
Set up and start an automatic recording from a videotape ......................................................... 253
Cancelling a recording .................................................................................................................. 254
Performing a back-up recording .................................................................................................. 254
Using the Tape Ingest layout for single or batch ingest ....................................................... 255
About placeholder clips ................................................................................................................ 255
Options for ingest on the Tape Ingest layout ............................................................................... 255
Create a placeholder clip .............................................................................................................. 256
Load a placeholder clip in the Clip Holder .................................................................................... 256
Send a placeholder clip for ingest ................................................................................................ 256
Add placeholder clips to the Batch Ingest control panel from PinPoint ...................................... 257
Set up and start a batch recording ............................................................................................... 257
Start a recording from the Encode control panel ........................................................................ 258
Previewing and playing out media while it is being recorded ............................................. 258
Using Ingest Manager ................................................................................................... 259
About Ingest Manager ......................................................................................................... 259
Planned recordings....................................................................................................................... 259
Ad-hoc recordings ........................................................................................................................ 260
The standard Ingest Manager layouts ................................................................................. 260
Bookings for planned recordings ......................................................................................... 261
The Scheduled Booking dialogs .................................................................................................... 262
Choosing a clip name when making a booking request ....................................................... 262
Automatic clip names for repeat recordings ................................................................................ 263
Creating bookings ................................................................................................................ 263
Create a booking for a scheduled recording ................................................................................ 263
Editing bookings ................................................................................................................... 265
Edit a booking for a scheduled recording..................................................................................... 265
Managing bookings .............................................................................................................. 265
Delete a booking for a scheduled recording ................................................................................ 265
Suspend the scheduling of recordings for a booking ................................................................... 265
Resume the scheduling of recordings for a booking .................................................................... 266
About the Instant Ingest Request panel .............................................................................. 266
Editing a recording job ................................................................................................................. 267
Managing a recording job ............................................................................................................ 267
xv
Using the Instant Ingest Request panel ............................................................................... 268
Request an ad-hoc recording ....................................................................................................... 268
Edit an entry in the recording schedule ....................................................................................... 269
Stop a recording that is in progress ............................................................................................. 269
Manually start a recording job ..................................................................................................... 269
Put a recording job on hold .......................................................................................................... 270
Cancel a recording job .................................................................................................................. 270
Using a naming rule for an ad-hoc recording ....................................................................... 270
Select a naming rule ..................................................................................................................... 270
Monitoring and managing scheduled recordings ................................................................ 271
Recording-status colors ................................................................................................................ 271
Select which tracks appear on the Timeline Display .................................................................... 272
Zoom the Timeline Display ........................................................................................................... 272
View different parts of the timeline ............................................................................................. 273
Change the channel selection for the Recording Schedule Grid .................................................. 273
Change what columns appear in the Recording Schedule Grid ................................................... 273
Adjust column widths in the Recording Schedule Grid ................................................................ 274
Filter the list in the Recording Schedule Grid ............................................................................... 274
Delete an entry in the Recording Schedule Grid .......................................................................... 274
Responding to failed recordings .......................................................................................... 275
Preparing media items for playout ............................................................................... 276
About the Asset layout ......................................................................................................... 276
About database assets and media files ................................................................................ 278
Co-references ............................................................................................................................... 278
Deleting assets and media files .................................................................................................... 278
Warning when a user deletes an asset in iTX that is in a live schedule ....................................... 279
Re-ingesting a media file .............................................................................................................. 279
User rights ............................................................................................................................ 279
Searching for assets ............................................................................................................. 280
Viewing search results.................................................................................................................. 280
Select an asset to work with ........................................................................................................ 281
Selecting single or multiple assets ............................................................................................... 281
Viewing a media file in the Media Viewer ........................................................................... 282
Playback features for video and audio clips ................................................................................. 283
Trimming features for video and audio clips ............................................................................... 284
Display of VANC data ................................................................................................................... 285
Working with a video clip while it is being recorded ................................................................... 285
Resizing the Media Viewer ........................................................................................................... 286
Media Viewer settings.................................................................................................................. 286
Preview and modify a video or audio clip in the Media Viewer .................................................. 288
Working with the Property Editor ........................................................................................ 288
Asset flags .................................................................................................................................... 288
Expanding panels ......................................................................................................................... 289
xvi
Reloading an asset ....................................................................................................................... 289
Asset locking ................................................................................................................................. 289
Saving asset changes .................................................................................................................... 289
The Asset tab ................................................................................................................................ 290
Change the name or title of an asset ........................................................................................... 290
Set the availability flag ................................................................................................................. 290
Change the production date ........................................................................................................ 291
Specify a usage window ............................................................................................................... 291
Set timing properties .................................................................................................................... 291
Change aspect-ratio properties for a video clip ........................................................................... 292
Change the field playout order .................................................................................................... 292
Change the transition type or duration........................................................................................ 293
Identify an asset that is stereoscopic-3D formatted .................................................................... 293
Adjust audio properties ................................................................................................................ 293
Select a poster frame ................................................................................................................... 294
Create or modify a live event ....................................................................................................... 295
The Locations tab ......................................................................................................................... 298
Open the folder for the file associated with an asset .................................................................. 300
Delete a file for a single asset ...................................................................................................... 300
Delete multiple files for a single asset ......................................................................................... 300
Delete multiple files from the same location ............................................................................... 301
Manage audio tracks for a video clip ........................................................................................... 301
The Attributes tab ........................................................................................................................ 303
The Access Rights tab ................................................................................................................... 304
Change the clip permissions for a user group .............................................................................. 305
Assign clip permissions to a new user group ............................................................................... 305
The Categories tab ....................................................................................................................... 305
Tag an asset with a category ........................................................................................................ 306
Untag an asset from a category ................................................................................................... 306
Create a category ......................................................................................................................... 306
The Notes tab ............................................................................................................................... 307
Attach notes to a media item ....................................................................................................... 307
The Co-References tab ................................................................................................................. 308
The Actions tab ............................................................................................................................ 309
Create a low-bit-rate proxy copy of a video clip .......................................................................... 309
Create a set of keyframes for a video clip .................................................................................... 310
Archive a media file to a DIVArchive ............................................................................................ 310
Restore a media file from a DIVArchive ....................................................................................... 310
Vantage jobs ................................................................................................................................. 310
Use a Vantage system to transcode a media file ......................................................................... 311
Use a Vantage system to perform a QC check on a media file .................................................... 311
Use a Vantage system to import a media file .............................................................................. 311
Durations and Media Limits ................................................................................................ 312
Changing an event to hold its duration ........................................................................................ 314
xvii
Changing an event to hold its points ............................................................................................ 314
Disabling Hold Duration ............................................................................................................... 315
Disabling Hold Points ................................................................................................................... 315
Saving assets ........................................................................................................................ 315
Save a modified asset ................................................................................................................... 316
Create a copy of an asset ............................................................................................................. 316
Change a duplicate name while saving a copy of an asset ........................................................... 316
Locking assets and media-file locations ............................................................................... 316
Operations allowed with locked assets ........................................................................................ 317
Edit Unlock state .......................................................................................................................... 318
Copying a locked asset ................................................................................................................. 318
Re-importing the media file to a locked media location .............................................................. 318
Locking media locations in co-references .................................................................................... 318
Batch operations with locked items ............................................................................................. 319
Lock an asset ................................................................................................................................ 319
Lock a media location ................................................................................................................... 319
Unlock an asset ............................................................................................................................ 319
Unlock a media location ............................................................................................................... 319
Edit a locked asset ........................................................................................................................ 320
Reading the Media Store Gauge .......................................................................................... 320
About asset templates ......................................................................................................... 320
Create or modify an asset template ............................................................................................. 321
Working with the Logo Editor ...................................................................................... 322
Display a logo in the Logo Editor .................................................................................................. 323
Re-position a logo ........................................................................................................................ 323
Resize a logo ................................................................................................................................. 323
Set a transition or vision effect for a logo .................................................................................... 324
Adjust the transparency of a logo ................................................................................................ 325
Assign a logo to a layer ................................................................................................................. 325
Mark a logo as stereoscopic-3D formatted .................................................................................. 326
Entering values in the measurements panel ................................................................................ 327
Working on the Asset Segmentation layout................................................................. 328
Clip Segmenter features ............................................................................................................... 329
Load a base video clip in the Clip Segmenter ............................................................................... 330
Create segment clips from a base video clip ................................................................................ 330
Set segment-naming options ....................................................................................................... 331
Rename segments ........................................................................................................................ 331
Using iTX with a keyboard or hard panel ..................................................................... 332
Optional features .......................................................................................................... 333
The Live CG Inserter ............................................................................................................. 334
Set up the Live CG Inserter ........................................................................................................... 334
Manually switch a CG on or off during a live schedule ................................................................ 334
Next-event gang buttons ..................................................................................................... 334
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Hold the next event in all live schedules in a selected channel view ........................................... 335
Cue the next event in all live schedules in a selected channel view ............................................ 335
Take the next event to air in all live schedules in a selected channel view ................................. 335
The Count To Control ........................................................................................................... 335
Select a schedule event for a count ............................................................................................. 335
The Schedule Preview Control ............................................................................................. 336
About the Preview Channel layout .............................................................................................. 336
Set the preview durations ............................................................................................................ 336
Preview the start of a schedule event .......................................................................................... 336
Preview the end of a schedule event ........................................................................................... 336
Preview a group of selected schedule events .............................................................................. 337
The Direct Preview Control .................................................................................................. 337
Add a sequence with a video clip to the preview-channel schedule ........................................... 338
The Global Editor.................................................................................................................. 339
Using the Global Editor ................................................................................................................ 340
Use the Global Editor to make schedule changes in multiple channels....................................... 341
The Live Channel Management panel .................................................................................. 341
Switch the source of the channel output ..................................................................................... 342
Handling of manual events in the main channel while rolling under .......................................... 343
The Live Video Inserter ........................................................................................................ 343
Using the Live Video Inserter on the Line Playback layout .......................................................... 344
Select edit and playout channels on the Line Playback layout .................................................... 344
Load video clips in the Live Video Inserter from PinPoint ............................................................ 344
Load video clips in the Live Video Inserter from an edit channel ................................................ 344
Add video-clip events to a playout channel from the Live Video Inserter ................................... 345
Add a live event to a playout channel from the Live Video Inserter ............................................ 345
Take events to air from the Live Video Inserter ........................................................................... 345
The Recue Item control panel .............................................................................................. 345
The Missing Material status channel ................................................................................... 346
Automatic display of schedule events on a video monitor .................................................. 348
Display the schedule events in a selected channel ...................................................................... 348
Display the next events in the different channels of a channel view ........................................... 348
Appendix A: The iTX Import Protocol ........................................................................... 349
Formatting clip lists .............................................................................................................. 349
Formatting schedules ........................................................................................................... 350
Formatting wipe lists ............................................................................................................ 352
xix
About this manual
About this manual
This manual is for iTX, version 2.6. It contains these main sections:
• About iTX: A brief description of iTX and its key system parts, especially the iTX Desktop;
instructions for starting the iTX Desktop.
• Quick tour of the iTX Desktop: Details of the main features of the iTX Desktop and its
layouts.
• Working with schedules: General comments about schedules, and an explanation of online
(live) and offline schedules.
• The Content Selector: Instructions for building schedules by using the Content Selector.
• The Event Editor: Instructions for using the Event Editor to set the properties of schedule
events.
• The Timeline Display: A description of the features of the Timeline Display.
• The Schedule Grid: A description of the features of the Schedule Grid.
• The Schedule Manager: Instructions for saving and loading schedules through the
Schedule Manager.
• The Next-Event Control Panel: Instructions for performing actions on the next item due to
play out in a schedule.
• The Live Logo Inserter: Instructions for setting up the Live Logo Inserter and using it to
manually switch logos on and off.
• Channel-control pop-up layouts: Descriptions of pop-up layouts you can select from the
Channel Control layout.
• Searching with PinPoint: How to use the iTX search tool, PinPoint, to find assets in your iTX
System Database.
• Common operational tasks for iTX Desktop features: Operating procedures for certain iTX
Desktop features that you may use frequently.
• The CG application: Instructions for creating and modifying CGs using the iTX CG
application.
• Ingesting media files through the Media Store Inbox: Instructions for using the Inbox
folder on the Media Store to ingest media files into the iTX system.
• Ingesting media by using an Encode Server: Instructions for using the ingest layouts to
create media files in the iTX system by recording media from a video feed.
• Using Ingest Manager: A description of Ingest Manager services and how to use these for
the automated recording of live feeds.
• Preparing media items for playout: Instructions for using the Asset layout to prepare
assets before you use them in schedule events.
• Working with the Logo Editor: Instructions for using the Logo Editor.
• Working on the Asset Segmentation layout: Instructions on how to most easily segment
video clips.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 1
About this manual
• Using iTX with a keyboard or hard panel: A statement about the ability to control certain
iTX operations from a PC keyboard or hard panel.
• Optional features: Instructions for using optional features that may be added to your
system.
Terminology
Different terms are used in different countries to describe visual elements that are
superimposed on the main television picture. In this manual, we use the following terms to
refer to these items.
CG: Text that is usually set against a graphical background (such as a colored
Subtitles: Text of the words spoken in, or accompanying, video scenes; the text continually
geometric shape) in a design similar to that produced by a character generator;
the text may be accompanied by a still or animated image.
A CG is typically used to identify the speaker in an interview, or the location
featured in the main video. A CG usually stays on the screen for just a few
seconds.
updates as a dialogue or narrative proceeds. Sometimes called open captions.
Subtitles, when provided, always appear on-screen – the viewer cannot turn
them off.
Captions: Text, similar to subtitles but including expressions for sound effects, intended to
describe the audio content for the deaf or hard-of-hearing. The way captions are
transmitted (inserted into the video signal) allows the viewer to switch them on
or off.
Also called closed captions, these are more commonly known as subtitles in
countries outside of the US and Canada.
Logo: A still or animated image occupying a small area of the screen, away from the
main area of interest; used as a branding device for the channel that is playing
out.
Software versions
The manual covers various releases of iTX version 2 (identified by version numbers v2.1, v2.2,
v2.3, v2.4 etc.). Some of the features described in the manual may not be available in your
version of software. For more information, contact iTX Support.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 2
About this manual
Valid characters in names and titles of media items
When storing and retrieving media files, iTX identifies them by the unique filenames with which
the files are registered in the iTX system. A filename may contain up to 60 characters, and can
include almost any European character except these:
/ \ < > ? : * |
Each file can have a secondary name, which we call its title. Although often the same as the
filename, the title can be more descriptive of a file's content. This is particularly true when the
filename is based on a simple alphanumeric sequence, rather than words.
Further reading
Some iTX Desktop features depend on other Grass Valley equipment. For information on how
to schedule and edit events of the following types in an iTX playout channel, see the user
documentation for the Grass Valley devices that provide the source items.
• Vertigo XG
• iTX Render
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 3
About iTX
About iTX
iTX is a playout automation system for television. You use it to prepare television schedules and
to play out the media content required by those schedules in one or more playout channels.
From each playout channel, iTX delivers an audio-visual output to a transmission system for
broadcasting.
Depending on its design, your iTX system may deliver the channel output through a
conventional television transmission system or over the internet. It can display video content at
an aspect ratio of 16x9 or 4x3, and at either SD (standard-definition) or HD (high-definition)
resolution.
In delivering each channel output, iTX can play out video either from media files that it holds on
its own storage device (known as a Media Store) or from a live feed; the media files may be in
various storage formats. iTX can play files from some broadcast video servers, including some
files that are held in a special way – i.e. within "wrappers".
In a playout schedule, you can mix video, audio and other items (such as CGs, logos, animated
images, still images and live events). For live events, an SD channel requires the live event to be
at SD resolution; and an HD channel requires the live event to be at HD resolution.
iTX has video and audio mixing functionality for producing an output that includes image
overlays, video transitions, wipes, two-dimensional DVEs (digital video effects), audio
transitions and voiceovers.
Media acquisition features enable you to ingest media onto a storage device in the iTX system.
You may do this either by copying existing files over a network or from a local drive; or by
recording digital video sources. This media is then available for use in playout schedules.
If you have media files on an external storage device that iTX can access, you can register these
in the iTX system and then use them in schedules.
Grass Valley client-server technology
iTX is based on Grass Valley client-server network technology. Running in the background on a
group of server machines, a number of iTX system services interact to provide functionality to
any number of iTX Desktops.
An iTX Desktop is an application that runs on an operator workstation. It provides the user
interface through which you use the functionality of the services. Multiple iTX Desktops can
access the services at the same time.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 4
About iTX
iTX Desktop Client
Servers
iTX Desktop Client
iTX Desktop Client
iTX Desktop Client
Channel outputs
(iTX system services)
The main parts of an iTX system
An iTX system has these main parts:
• The System Database stores all the data required by the system. This includes assets and
schedules. By assets, in this case, we mean database records that contain information
about available media files; you use them to build schedules.
• The Media Store stores the media files (video clips, CGs, logos, etc.) that you can use in
schedules.
• The Output Server runs the schedules; it gets the media files from the Media Store and
plays them out at the scheduled times. The Output Server also provides an offline edit
channel so that you can build schedules without affecting live playout. Each playout
channel runs on its own Output Server.
• The Desktop Client workstation displays the iTX Desktop, through which you build and
control schedules and manage the media in the system. Your system may have multiple
Desktop Clients.
• An Encode Server (optional) enables you to add media to the iTX system by recording it
from a video source, such as a live feed or a videotape. It converts the video into a file in a
specified storage format; it places the file in the Media Store.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 5
About iTX
The iTX Desktop
The iTX Desktop, illustrated below, is the user interface for the iTX system. It may include any
number of iTX layouts.
A layout is a set of iTX Desktop components (such as the Timeline Display in the above
illustration) arranged together to provide the features that you can see at your workstation.
The features enable you to perform an action, or give you information. Through them you
interact with iTX system services.
Your system administrator configures the iTX Desktop on your workstation to include a number
of operator layouts in a particular order. Depending on this configuration, you can view any of
these layouts, one at a time.
Workstation View and User View
The iTX Desktop can display two layout views. By "layout view", we mean the set of layouts that
are immediately available on the iTX Desktop. The views are:
• The Workstation View, which is the view assigned to the workstation. All users logging
onto the workstation see the same set of layouts in this view.
• A User View, which is the view assigned to the user logged onto the workstation. Users
logging on at the same workstation, under their usernames, see their own sets of layouts.
Your system administrator should tell you which layout view to use.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 6
About iTX
Pop-up layouts
A layout may contain a selection button for a pop-up layout; this is a layout of any size that
appears on top of the main layout. Clicking the button causes the pop-up layout to appear and
become active. When you finish using the pop-up layout, you close it to return to the main
layout.
Starting the iTX Desktop
You log onto the iTX network at your workstation by entering your username and password in
the standard Microsoft network log-on dialog. Once you have done this, you can start the iTX
Desktop.
1. Do one of the following to start the iTX Desktop.
• Double-click the ITX Desktop shortcut on your Windows desktop.
• Select the iTX Desktop from the Windows Start menu.
The iTX Desktop opens and displays the first of the available iTX layouts in the primary
view. The Starting Desktop message box shows the progress as iTX loads the view and
displays the first layout assigned to that view.
The primary view is determined by the views available to your workstation; a view is
available when it has layouts assigned to it. When a workstation view is available, it is the
primary view; otherwise, the user view is the primary view.
2. If you need to change the iTX Desktop view, do the following.
• Right-click the title bar to display the iTX Desktop menu:
• Select the workstation view or user view from the menu.
When you first change the view after starting the iTX Desktop, the Loading View message
box shows the progress as iTX loads the view and displays the first layout assigned to that
view.
Note:
• To work, the iTX Desktop needs the services that run on the iTX system servers. You may
need to ask your system administrator to ensure these services are running.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 7
Quick tour of the iTX Desktop
Quick tour of the iTX Desktop
In this section we introduce you to the key features of the iTX Desktop and its layouts.
The iTX Desktop has three main parts:
• At the top is the title bar.
• In the middle is the selected layout.
• At the bottom is the layout selection bar.
The title bar has these features:
The service status indicators, on the right, show the operational status of some key iTX system
services; they display green lights when the services are working normally.
If an indicator displays a yellow light, a service may have a temporary problem but iTX may still
be able to continue working. If an indicator appears red or black, you should ask your system
administrator to check the iTX system services.
From the title bar (and from other parts of the iTX Desktop), you can access the iTX Desktop
menu. Through this, you may select which layout view to display (workstation or user), log off
the iTX network, or exit the iTX Desktop. More details, page 9.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 8
Quick tour of the iTX Desktop
Channel Control
The main layout for the creating, editing and control of live schedules.
The layout selection bar looks like this:
You can select different layouts by clicking the layout selection buttons.
From the iTX logo on the right, you can access the window menu. Through this, you may
minimize, restore or exit the iTX Desktop.
When you exit the iTX Desktop, the Closing View message box shows the progress as the iTX
Desktop closes:
Between the title bar and the selection bar, iTX displays your selected layout. By clicking the
layout selection buttons, you may be able to select any of the layouts listed below (depending
on how your iTX Desktop is set up).
Layouts for schedule playout
Layout name Description
It also allows you to prepare schedules offline, in edit channels.
The layout has these key features:
Channel View Selector.
Channel Selector.
Content Selector.
Event Editor.
Timeline Display.
Schedule Grid.
Schedule Manager.
Next Event Control Panel.
Live Logo Inserter.
Buttons for various pop-up layouts
On this layout, you have access to one channel at a time; this may be
any channel in the channel views available to you.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 9
Quick tour of the iTX Desktop
Channel Control
Similar to the standard Channel Control layout but with a wider
Multi-Channel
For the control of playout in multiple channels. A Timeline Display
Multi-Channel
For monitoring playout in multiple channels. A Timeline Display shows
Multi-Channel
For monitoring playout in multiple channels. The layout includes the
Gang Control
Similar to the Multi-Channel Control layout, but giving simultaneous
Item Insertion
For the control of playout in a selected channel with the ability to
Live Channel
For creating, editing and controlling schedules in two parallel channels
Channel Edit
For editing a schedule in any channel in a selected channel view. There
Channel View
For viewing schedule activity in any channel in a selected channel
Channel Group
Similar to the Gang Control layout, for simultaneous control of playout
Preview Channel
For previewing schedule events on a video monitor before iTX plays
Layout name Description
(Wide)
Control
Display
Monitor
Bypass
Schedule Grid. The Content Selector and Event Editor are available on
pop-up layouts.
shows schedule activity in all the channels in a selected view. You can
control playout on any selected channel in this view. There are no
schedule-editing features.
schedule activity in all the channels in a selected view.
ability to route the output from selected channels to video monitors. A
Timeline Display shows schedule activity in all the channels in a
selected view. Three Schedule Grids give schedule details for selected
channels.
control of playout in all channels in a selected view (rather than any
individual channel).
insert a news-flash sequence, which you can select from an edit
channel.
running on the same Output Server machine: the main playout
channel and an associated live channel.
iTX runs different schedules independently in both channels; but only
one plays out the events that provide the channel output. You select
which channel this is by using the Live Channel Management panel on
the layout.
The live channel needs to be set up in your system before you can use
this layout.
are no event-control features (Next Event Control Panel).
view. There are no schedule-editing or event-control features.
Control
in all channels in a selected view. It includes a Schedule Grid and
Global Editor, which you can use to make repeat changes to schedules
in selected channels in a channel view.
them out.
March 2015 iTX Desktop: Operator Manual 10
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