Grass Valley iTX Master Control User Manual v.2.3
ITX Master Control
(ITX-MC)
User Guide
www.miranda.com
16 May 2013
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Document Identification
• Title: iTX-MC User Guide
• Part number: M###-####-233
• Software version: iTX v2.3 SP3
• Last revised: May 16, 2013
Document Revision History
After the original release date, this user manual may be updated with edits and then rereleased. The following table tracks the versions of this document.
Publication date Description
May 16, 2013 Original publication of the document.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1-1
Functional overview of an iTX-MC System........................................................................................ 1-2
Operational modes ............................................................................................................................ 1-4
Fully Automated mode.................................................................................................................. 1-4
Automation Assist mode ............................................................................................................... 1-4
Manual Insert & Manual Override modes ..................................................................................... 1-5
iTX Master Control events ................................................................................................................. 1-6
iTX-MC system configuration ............................................................................................. 2-1
Installing or updating the iTX Desktop client software components .................................................. 2-3
Configuring the iTX Hard Panel Controller ........................................................................................ 2-4
Installing and adding the iTX MC layout to the iTX Desktop.............................................................. 2-6
Configuring the Master Control Plugin in the iTX Desktop ................................................................ 2-8
Enabling master control on the iTX Channel Config........................................................................ 2-10
Setting up and using the Mixer Mapper ...........................................................................................2-11
Configuring the Mixer Mapper..................................................................................................... 2-12
Using the Mixer Mapper.............................................................................................................. 2-15
Configuring the iMC panel to support iTX Automation..................................................................... 2-17
Activating the Enable Cue-to-First-Frame setting on the iTX Output Server ................................... 2-19
Using Fully Automated mode ............................................................................................. 3-1
Adding a master control primary event to a schedule........................................................................ 3-2
Setting and editing a master control primary event’s properties ................................................... 3-3
Adding a master control secondary event to a schedule ................................................................... 3-4
Setting and editing master control secondary event properties.................................................... 3-6
Using Automation Assist mode to manually control the iTX schedule.......................... 4-1
Preparing to use iTX-MC’s Automation Assist mode......................................................................... 4-2
Using iTX-MC’s Automation Assist mode.......................................................................................... 4-2
Forcing the next scheduled primary event to play immediately .................................................... 4-2
Delaying the next scheduled primary event’s playout................................................................... 4-4
Skipping the next scheduled primary event .................................................................................. 4-6
Using Manual Insert and Manual Override modes............................................................ 5-1
Manually inserting a live source into a scheduled broadcast............................................................. 5-2
Preparing to use iTX-MC’s Manual Insert mode ........................................................................... 5-3
Using iTX-MC’s Manual Insert mode ............................................................................................ 5-3
Manually overriding a scheduled broadcast with a live source.......................................................... 5-4
Preparing to use iTX-MC’s Manual Override mode ...................................................................... 5-4
Using iTX-MC’s Manual Override mode ....................................................................................... 5-5
iTX-MC User Guide TOC-1
1 INTRODUCTION
The iTX Master Control (iTX-MC) option integrates an Imagestore 750 mixer and an iMC
master control panel to the target iTX playout channel. This configuration offers the
efficiency of fully automated file-based broadcasting (using iTX) along with the capacity for
fully-manual operations driven by a traditional master control switcher and user console
panel.
In functional terms, iTX-MC allows the automation system to have full control during normal,
scheduled playout, but operators can also take direct control when necessary – such as
during live events, emergencies, breaking news and other unplanned broadcast events.
By adding master control primary events (live source events) to the schedule, iTX-MC
allows the iTX channel to access and switch between multiple live sources (network, studio
or live), as well as perform back-to-back live event cuts. iTX-MC also provides full master
control transitions using the iMC panel to manually select and insert from the various live
sources.
iTX-MC offers the following functionality:
• The ability to create and playout fully automated schedules that contain a mixture of
pre-recorded content (long and short form from iTX) and live content from multiple
sources.
• The ability to use manual operations on the panel to control the schedule’s live and
programme events, including triggering programming breaks (e.g. commercials and
promos) during live events.
• The ability to have the planned schedule “roll under” during breakaway operations
driven by the panel.
• The ability to hold the planned schedule to allow for breakaway operations and then
return without programming loss.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-1
Functional overview of an iTX-MC System
iMC panel
iTX Desktop
iTX Output Server
Router Controller
Station Router
Imagestore 750
Intuition XG (optional)
Network, studio, live feeds
Video clips
Program
Preset
Automation control
Router control & tallies
Manual control
& tallies
F&K
iTX control
Video
Oxtel control
Clean
A
B
Nvision router
1
2
3
4
5
1
iTX channel playout automation
2
Video source inputs
3
A/B switching of video signals
4
A/B source mixing and local secondary event insertion
5
Optional downstream graphics insertion
control protocol
1
2
The iTX Master Control (iTX-MC) option integrates the Imagestore Master Control processor
(Imagestore 750 or Imagestore-Modular) and an iMC panel (iMC100, iMC200, or iMC300) with
a traditional iTX channel automation system, station router and router controller (figure 1-1).
Introduction
iTX channel playout automation: When the iTX-MC option is added to a system, iTX
still drives automation control by managing and playing the schedule’s events. However,
unlike traditional iTX systems, the iTX automation system controls the Imagestore 750
mixer as the playout device as well as an iTX Output Server.
Video source inputs: With the iTX-MC option, the iTX Output Server acts as a video
server source to the station router by providing the pre-recorded programme content, which
can also contain the usual secondary events like logos, voice-overs...etc.
The station router also receives SDI video inputs from various sources, including live
network feeds, studio feeds and the SDI output of the iTX Output Server.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-2
Figure 1-1. iTX-MC system architecture
Introduction
345
A/B source mixing and local secondary event insertion: The Imagestore 750
provides the A/B switching of signals from the station router based on the scheduled events
being run by the iTX automation system, or the manual operations performed on the iMC
master control panel.
The Imagestore 750 also provides the ability to perform downstream insertion of logo or
voice-over assets which are native to the Imagestore 750.
Traditional master control integration: The iMC panel is directly connected to the
Imagestore 750 master control and channel branding processor via Ethernet. The
Imagestore 750 is fed A/B program sources by an upstream router, with control from playout
automation by an Ethernet connection. The router is controlled by the Imagestore 750 via
a NVISION 9000 controller.
The iMC master control panel provides operators with the manual control of the Imagestore
750’s PGM bus, which permits them to insert or override scheduled programming with live
incoming video.
Operators can also manually control the iTX schedule using the iMC panel’s Automation
Assist buttons (T
AKE NEXT, HOLD NEXT, CUE NEXT, SKIP NEXT).
Optional downstream graphics insertion: The Intuition XG co-processor is an
optional piece of equipment that can be used to insert rich branding graphics to the
Imagestore 750’s keyer layers.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-3
Operational modes
iTX-MC has four modes of operation, which offer operators various levels of control over
the playout of scheduled and non-schedule content. The following section provide a brief
overview of each mode, while further chapters provide usage instructions:
• Fully Automated mode
• Automation Assist mode
• Manual Insert & Manual Override modes
Fully Automated mode
The iTX-MC’s Fully Automated mode allows the iTX automation system to fully control the
playout of iTX schedules, which may contain a combination of pre-recorded video clip
events from iTX and live content events from multiple video sources.
Fully Automated mode is ideal for situations where the exact timing of primary video events
is known in advance and the live video content is originating from different sources. Since
the timing of all of these primary events is known, a schedule containing these events can
be created and automation can run the schedule automatically by taking each event at a
precise time regardless of where the video content is coming from. When building the
schedule, live video source events are added to the schedule as master control primary
events.
See “iTX Master Control events” on page 1-6
3-1 for more information related to Fully Automation mode.
Introduction
and “Using Fully Automated mode” on page
Automation Assist mode
The iTX-MC’s Automation Assist mode allows operators to have full manual control of
scheduled events, even during the playout of a live broadcast. Using the iMC panel’s
Automation Assist buttons (C
Desktop’s Manual Control panel, operators can manually intervene and control the
channel’s scheduled primary events, including extending or truncating a scheduled live
playout event, which results in the advancement or bumping out of the next schedule
primary and secondary events.
Automation Assist mode is ideal for live event broadcasts where the duration of the live
events are unknown and the schedule contains primary video clip events that must be taken
to air, although not necessarily at a specific time.
See “iTX Master Control events” on page 1-6
manually control the iTX schedule” on page 4-1 for more information related to Automation
Assist mode.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-4
UE NEXT, TAKE NEXT, HOLD NEXT and SKIP NEXT) or the iTX
and “Using Automation Assist mode to
Manual Insert & Manual Override modes
iTX-MC offers two modes that allow operators to manually insert a live video source during
an automated broadcast using the iMC panel: Manual Insert mode and Manual Override
mode. Typically this type of intervention is used when unforeseen emergency events occur
and a “newsflash” type interruption of the regularly scheduled broadcast is required.
The main difference between the two modes is the way in which the schedule’s playout is
resumed after the manual live event is finished. When using Manual Insert mode, the
automation system pauses the schedule’s programming during the live event and then
resumes playout from the point of interruption. Manual Override mode allows automation to
continue running the schedule (roll under), without displaying the schedule’s playout. Once
the live event is finished, the programme is resumed “in progress” or from where it would
have been had there not been a live event interruption.
See “Using Manual Insert and Manual Override modes” on page 5-1
Introduction
for more information.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-5
iTX Master Control events
iTX-MC introduces two new types of events that can be added to an iTX schedule:
• Master control primary events
• Master control secondary events
Figure 1-2. Example of a master control primary and secondary event in an iTX schedule
Master control primary events
Master control primary events are main video items added to an iTX schedule to enable the
iTX automation system to switch to and playout live content from any of the live video
sources available to the Imagestore 750 from the upstream router.
When adding a master control primary event, you must specify the precise live source to be
played out, the starting transition type and speed and the duration of the live event.
A master control primary event appears as primary event item in the iTX schedule grid and
is displayed as a block on the PGM track of the channel’s timeline.
See “Adding a master control primary event to a schedule” on page 3-2
information.
Introduction
for more
Master control secondary events
Master control secondary events represent logos, voice-overs or Macro recalls that are
native to the Imagestore 750.
Master control secondary events can be associated with any type primary event in the
schedule. However, since live video content from master control primary events is routed
directly to the Imagestore 750, it does not pass through the iTX Output Server where
traditional iTX logo and voice-over insertion events are normally applied. As such, master
control secondary events allow for logo and voice-over insertion using the Imagestore 750.
See “Adding a master control secondary event to a schedule” on page 3-4
information.
iTX-MC User Guide 1-6
for more
2 ITX-MC SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
iTX-MC is an option that integrates an Imagestore 750 mixer and an iMC panel with a
traditional iTX channel automation system, station router and router controller.
For the most part, the iTX automation system must be installed and configured for normal
channel control and playout. Similarly, the Imagestore 750 and iMC panel are configured
for normal master control usage.
With that in mind, this document does not repeat general iTX, Imagestore or iMC system
installation and configuration procedures. Instead the following table summarizes the
installation and configuration of iTX-MC specific components that are required to use iTXMC in normal operating conditions. Further sections in this chapter provide instructions for
performing iTX-MC specific installation and configuration tasks.
Component Setup or configuration description
iTX Framework Server An iTX Framework Server must be available with iTX Database
Server, Locator Server and Media Watcher installed.
A valid iTX Master Control license and transition license must be
added to the iTX system.
See the iTX System Administrator Guide
instructions.
iTX Output Server The iTX Output Server software component must be installed and
configured for regular channel playout on the iTX Output Server
device. See the iTX System Administrator Guide
information and instructions.
The iTX-MC related configuration task includes enabling the CUE
TO FIRST FRAME setting on the Output Server. See page 2-19 for
instructions.
iTX-MC User Guide 2-1
for more information and
for more
iTX-MC system configuration
Component Setup or configuration description
iTX Desktop Client The iTX Desktop Client application must be installed and
configured for regular channel playout. See the iTX Desktop
Operator’s Guide for more information and instructions.
iTX-MC related configuration tasks include:
• Installing or updating the iTX Desktop Client and Hard
Panel Controller software components. See page 2-3
more information and instructions.
• Configuring the iTX Hard Panel Controller component on
the iTX Desktop client computer. See page 2-4
for more
information and instructions.
• Installing and configuring the
ITX-MC PLUGIN within the iTX
Desktop application. See page 2-8 for instructions.
• Enabling the master control setting in the iTX Channel
Config See page 2-10
• Adding the
ITX MC LAYOUT to the iTX Desktop application.
for more information and instructions.
See page 2-6 for more information and instructions.
• Configuring and setting up the iTX MC layout’s Mixer
Mapper component. See page 2-11
for information and
instructions.
for
Imagestore 750
or
Imagestore-Modular
An Imagestore Master Control device must be configured to
receive input from a video source router.
See the Imagestore 750 User Manual
for more information and
instructions.
iMC panel Regardless of which model of iMC panel used (iMC100, iMC200,
or iMC300), the panel must be configured to control an
Imagestore 750 or Imagestore-Modular device. See the iMC
Master Control documentation (Oxtel series>Documentation) for
more information and instructions.
iTX-MC related configuration tasks include:
• Adding the hardware control panel to the MCS Panel
Configuration Editor and the IP address of the computer
hosting the iTX Desktop client must be specified. See page
2-17 for more information and instructions.
• Configure the panel’s Automation Assist buttons (H
OLD
NEXT, CUE NEXT, TAKE NEXT, SKIP NEXT) and the
Automation Off button.
Router & Router Controller Since the iTX automation system controls the router’s crosspoints
through the Imagestore 750, please consult the Imagestore 750
User Manual for more information and instructions of configuring
the Imagestore 750 and router controller.
iTX-MC User Guide 2-2
iTX-MC system configuration
Installing or updating the iTX Desktop client software components
Install or update the iTX software to v2.3 SP3 or higher on the computer hosting the iTX
Desktop application to ensure that you have the most recent versions of the iTX Desktop
client and Hard Panel Controller components.
To install or update the required iTX Desktop client software components:
1. Open the iTX Suite 2.3 installer folder in Windows Explorer.
2. Run the iTX installer by right-clicking on the Setup.exe file and selecting the Run as
administrator command.
3. Click the Select Software button.
4. In the Select Software to Install window, enable the Desktop Client and Hard Panel
Controller options and click OK.
Then complete the installation or updates as required.
iTX-MC User Guide 2-3
iTX-MC system configuration
iTX Desktop iTX Hard Panel Controller
iMC panel
Configuring the iTX Hard Panel Controller
When iTX-MC is used in Automation Assist mode, the iMC panel (v.7.2.9 or later) is used
to manually control events scheduled for selected iTX playout channels.
This functionality is made possible by the iTX Hard Panel Controller, which is an iTX service
application that interfaces between the iTX Desktop application and the iMC panel. The iTX
Hard Panel Controller is run on the same computer as the iTX Desktop client (see page 2-3
for installation instructions).
Since the Hard Panel Controller is an iTX service, it has a service window which provides
information and status about the service and its clients. To run the iTX Hard Panel Controller
service between a specific iMC panel and the iTX Desktop, you must create a hard panel
configuration profile (see instructions below).
To access the iTX Hard Panel Controller service window:
1. Click the Windows Start button and navigate through the programs to ITX 2.0 > Hard
Panel Controller.
This activates the Hard Panel Controller icon in the Windows applications tray.
2. Right-click the Hard Panel Controller icon and select the Show command. The
Hard Panel Controller window appears.
To create a new hard panel configuration profile in the iTX Hard Panel Controller:
1. Click the Windows Start button and navigate through the programs to ITX 2.0 > Hard
Panel Controller.
This activates the Hard Panel Controller icon in the Windows applications tray.
iTX-MC User Guide 2-4
iTX-MC system configuration
2. Right-click the Hard Panel Controller icon and select the Configuration
command. The Hard Panel Configuration window appears.
3. Right-click the Hard Panels heading and select the Add new Hard Panel command.
A new panel heading (New Panel1) is added as a sub-heading.
4. Select the New Panel heading and then type a name for the panel in the Panel Name field.
This name must be identical to the name given to the panel device when it was configured
using the MC Panel Configuration tool.
5. Click the Select button associated with the Panel Driver field, which opens the Select
Driver window.
6. Select IMCPanel from the Driver Name list and click OK.
The IMC Panel Driver Configuration section is added to the Hard Panel Configuration
pane and automatically fills in the Local Address (which is the IP address of the
computer hosting the iTX Desktop) and TCP Listening Port setting (5007).
7. Click OK to automatically save the hard panel’s configuration and close the Hard Panel
Configuration window.
iTX-MC User Guide 2-5
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