Grass Valley NewsQ Pro User Manual

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Page 1

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Trademarks

Disclaimer

U.S. Government Restricted Rights Legend

Revision Status

This document may not be copied in whole or in part, or otherwise reproduced except as specifically permitted under U.S. copyright law, without the prior written consent of Grass Valley Inc., P.O. Box 59900, Nevada City, California 95959-7900

Grass Valley, NewsEdit, NewsQ, NewsQ Pro and Profile are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Grass Valley in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks used in this document are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the manufacturers or vendors of the associated products. Grass Valley products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Additional information regarding Grass Valley's trademarks and other proprietary rights may be found at www.thomsongrassvalley.com.

Product options and specifications subject to change without notice. The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Grass Valley. Grass Valley assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this publication.

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.277-7013 or in subparagraph c(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software Restricted Rights clause at FAR

52.227-19, as applicable. Manufacturer is Grass Valley Inc., P.O. Box 59900, Nevada City, California 95959-7900 U.S.A.

Rev Date Description

December 2001 First Release Part Number 071-8143-00 October 2002 Release for Software Version 1.1 071-8143-01 June 2003 Release for Software Version 1.5 071-8143-02

Page 3

Contents

Grass Valley Product Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Safety Summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Safety Terms and Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x

Service Safety Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

Certifications and Compliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii

Environmental Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv

Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

What is NewsQ Pro? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Terms You Should Know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Using NewsQ Pro in Your Newsroom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Creating a Playlist Manually. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tour of NewsQ Pro and Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The NewsQ Pro Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Assignment List Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Assignment List Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Housekeeper Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Simple Database Server (SDB) Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Thumbnail Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

XMOS Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Installing NewsQ Pro and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Installing the Assignment List Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Using the Installer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Using a Configuration File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Configuring the NewsQ Pro Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Setting General Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Setting Playback Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Setting Channel Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Configuring the Remote Display Unit (RDU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Setting Cue and Chain Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Configuring Archive Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Configuring GPI Inputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Defining Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Defining Status Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Configuring the Simple Database (SDB) Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Setting General Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Setting Up Rundowns on the Profile Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Configuring the Thumbnail Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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Contents

Creating a Thumbnail Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Setting Up the Thumbnail Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Configuring the XMOS Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Configuring the Housekeeper Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Setting General Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Setting Profile Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Configuring the Assignment List Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Chapter 3 NCS Rundowns and NewsQ Pro

Tour of the Assignment List Plug-In. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Using ENPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Creating Placeholders Automatically. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Linking Clips to ENPS Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Assigning Playout Channels to Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Using iNews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Using the Assignment List Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Creating Placeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Reassigning Placeholders to Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Viewing Clip Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Viewing a Video Thumbnail for a Placeholder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Chapter 4 Editing and NewsQ Pro

Tour of the Assignment List Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Receiving Editing Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Sending Completed Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Additional Assignment List Manager Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Creating New Placeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Changing a Clip Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Viewing the Assignment List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Identifying Missing Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Chapter 5 Playing Clips to Air

Tour of the NewsQ Pro Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Understanding Playlist Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Rundowns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Playlist Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Creating a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Linking to a NCS Rundown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Appending Rundowns to a Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

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Previewing Other Rundowns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Manually Creating a New Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Saving and Opening Local Playlists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Exporting a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chaining Clips in a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Cueing and Playing Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Cueing Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Playing Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Archiving Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Additional Playlist Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Rearranging the Layout of a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Viewing Clip Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Assigning Clips to Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Rearranging a Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Adding New Clips to a Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Using the Context-Sensitive Playlist Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Chapter 6 Managing Clips

Tour of the Housekeeper Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

The Housekeeping Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

The Clip Import Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

The Archive Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Deleting Clips From the Clip Database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Moving Files to the Recycle Bin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Emptying the Recycle Bin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Unprotecting a Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Refreshing the Clip List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Deleting Clips From a Profile Video Server Only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Importing Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Importing Clips from a Profile Video Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Creating New Placeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Archiving Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Index

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Contents

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Grass Valley Product Support

To get technical assistance, check on the status of problems, or report new problems, contact Grass Valley Product Support via e-mail, the Web, or by phone or fax.

Grass Valley Product Support

Web Technical Support

To access support information on the Web, visit the product support Web page on the Grass Valley Web site. You can download software or find solutions to problems by searching our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database.

World Wide Web: http://www.thomsongrassvalley.com/support/ Technical Support E-mail Address:

gvgtechsupport@thomsongrassvalley.com.

Phone Support

Use the following information to contact product support by phone during business hours. After-hours phone support is available for warranty and contract customers.

USA and Americas (includes Latin America and Canada)

Telephone (800) 547-8949 (Toll Free)

(530) 478-4148 (Direct Dial Toll Call)

Fax (530) 478-3181

Europe and UK

UK Regional Service Location

France Tel +33 145 297 300

Tel +44 1753 218 777 Fax +44 1753 218 757

Fax +33 145 297 302

Italy Tel +39 72 901 428

Germany Tel +49 221 1791 234

Fax +39 72 905 371

Fax +49 221 1791 235

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Preface

Asia Pacific

Australia Tel (612) 8877 6800

Fax (612) 8877 6825

China Tel (86) 10 6235 1185

Fax (86)10 6235 1190

Hong Kong Tel (852)-2531-3000

Fax (852)-2802-2996

Authorized Support Representative

A local authorized support representative may be available in your country. To locate the support representative for your country, visit the product support Web page on the Grass Valley Web site.

Profile Users Group

You can connect with other Profile XP Media Platform users to ask questions or share advice, tips, and hints.

Send email to proﬁle-users@thomsongrassvalley.com to join the community and benefit from the experience of others.

India Tel (91) 11 373 0544

Fax (91) 11 373 0543

Japan Tel (813) 5484 6869

Fax (813) 5484 3775

Southeast Asia

Tel (65) 7328 729 Fax (65)7327 649

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Safety Summaries

General Safety Summary

Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any products connected to it.

Safety Summaries

Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures. While using this product, you may need to access other parts of the system.

Read the General Safety Summary in other system manuals for warnings and cautions related to operating the system.

Review all system operator manuals, including manuals in electronic format on the system hard drive.

Injury Precautions

Use Proper Power

Cord

Ground the Product

Do Not Operate

Without Covers

Do Not Operate in

Wet/Damp

Conditions

To avoid fire hazard, use only the power cord specified for this product.

This product is grounded through the grounding conductor of the power cord. To avoid electric shock, the grounding conductor must be connected to earth ground. Before making connections to the input or output terminals of the product, ensure that the product is properly grounded.

To avoid electric shock or fire hazard, do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.

To avoid electric shock, do not operate this product in wet or damp conditions.

Do Not Operate in

an Explosive

Atmosphere

Avoid Exposed

Circuitry

To avoid injury or fire hazard, do not operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.

To avoid injury, remove jewelry such as rings, watches, and other metallic objects. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.

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Preface

Product Damage Precautions

Use Proper Power

Source

Provide Proper

Ventilation

Do Not Operate With

Suspected Failures

Battery

Replacement

Do not operate this product from a power source that applies more than the voltage specified.

To prevent product overheating, provide proper ventilation.

If you suspect there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel.

To avoid damage, replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the circuit board manufacturer. Dispose of used battery according to the circuit board manufacturer’s instructions.

Safety Terms and Symbols

Terms in This

Manual

Terms on the

Product

These terms may appear in this and other product manuals: WARNING : Warning statements identify conditions or

practices that can result in personal injury or loss of life. CAUTION : Caution statements identify conditions or practices

that can result in damage to the equipment or other property. These terms may appear on the product: DANGER indicates a personal injury hazard immediately

accessible as one reads the marking.

Digital News Production

WARNING indicates a personal injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the marking.

CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product.

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Service Safety Summary

Symbols on the

Product

The following symbols may appear on the product: DANGER high voltage Protective ground (earth) terminal ATTENTION – refer to manual

Service Safety Summary

Do Not Service

Alone

No Power Switch

Use Care When

Servicing With

Power On

Do not perform internal service or adjustment of this product unless another person capable of rendering first aid and resuscitation is present.

To avoid electric shock, disconnect the main power by means of the power cord. The power cord is the main power disconnect. Ensure that the power cord is easily accessible at the rear of the product or at the power receptacle.

Dangerous voltages or currents may exist in this product. Disconnect power and remove battery (if applicable) before removing protective panels, soldering, or replacing components.

To avoid electric shock, do not touch exposed connections.

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Preface

Certifications and Compliances

Canadian Certified

Power Cords

Canadian approval includes the products and power cords appropriate for use in the North America power network. All other power cords supplied are approved for the country of use.

FCC Emission

Control

Canadian EMC

Notice of

Compliance

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Tektronix can affect emission compliance and could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A préscrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des Communications du Canada.

Canadian Certified

EN55022 Class A

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Digital News Production

AC Adapter

Warning

Canadian approval includes the AC adapters appropriate for use in the North America power network. All other AC adapters supplied are approved for the country of use.

For products that comply with Class A. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

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Laser Compliance

Laser Safety

Requirements

Certifications and Compliances

The device used in this product is a Class 1 certified laser product. Operating this product outside specifications or altering its original design may result in hazardous radiation exposure, and may be considered an act of modifying or new manufacturing of a laser product under U.S. regulations contained in 21CFR Chapter 1, subchapter J or CENELEC regulations in HD 482 S1. People performing such an act are required by law to recertify and reidentify this product in accordance with provisions of 21CFR subchapter J for distribution within the U.S.A., and in accordance with CENELEC HD 482 S1 for distribution within countries using the IEC 825 standard.

Laser Safety

FCC Emission

Limits

Laser safety in the United States is regulated by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The laser safety regulations are published in the “Laser Product Performance Standard,” Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), Title 21, Subchapter J.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 825, “Radiation of Laser Products, Equipment Classification, Requirements and User’s Guide,” governs laser products outside the United States. Europe and member nations of the European Free Trade Association fall under the jurisdiction of the Comité Européen de Normalization Electrotechnique (CENELEC).

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesirable operation.

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Page 14

Preface

Certification

Category Standard

Safety

Designed/tested for compliance with: ANSI/UL60950-2000 - Safety of Information Technology Equipment IEC 60950 - Safety of Information Technology Equipment (3rd edition, 1999) CAN/CSA C22.2, No. 60950-00 - Safety of Information Technology Equipment EN60950:2000 - Safety of Information Technology Equipment (3rd edition)

Environmental Criteria

The following table lists the environmental criteria for the NewsQ Pro.

Characteristics Description

Operating Temperature Requirement: 10° to 40°C Storage Temperature Operating Altitude

Storage Altitude Mechanical Shock Random Vibration

Requirement: -40° to 65°C Requirement: To 10,000 feet

Supplemental Data: IEC 60950 compliant to 2000 meters Requirement: To 40,000 feet Supplemental Data: Class 5 (30G) Grass Valley 001131500 Requirement:

Requirement: Non-Operational: Class 5 Grass Valley 001131500

Operational: Class 6 Grass Valley 001131500

Transportation Equipment Type Equipment Class Installation Category

Pollution Degree Relative Humidity

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Digital News Production

Requirement: Grass Valley 001131500 Supplemental Data: Information Technology Supplemental Data: Class 1 Requirement: Category II Local level mains, appliances,

Requirement: Requirement: Operating 80% from +30° to +40°C

portable equipment, etc. Level 2 operating environment, indoor use only.

Non-Operating 90% from +30° to +60°C Do not operate with visible moisture on the circuit boards.

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Chapter

Introducing NewsQ Pro

NewsQ Pro is a news playout control system that works with Grass Valley’s Profile Video Servers, NewsEdit (version 4.0 and above), and an MOScompatible newsroom computer system, such as the Associated Press Electronic News Production System (ENPS), version 2.09 and above, or Avid Technology’s iNews, version 1.5 and above.

NewsQ Pro combines a nonlinear editing system with an electronic news production system and a media server for a complete digital solution.

This manual shows you how to use NewsQ Pro effectively and efficiently to play out clips to air using electronic news clips created with NewsEdit.

This chapter discusses:

•What NewsQ Pro is

• Terms you should know

•How to use NewsQ Pro in your newsroom, and the roles of newsroom staff

• The NewsQ Pro software components For detailed information on installing the NewsQ Pro system in your newsroom,

see the NewsQ Pro Installation Guide.

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

What is NewsQ Pro?

NewsQ Pro is a news playout system that controls Profile Video Servers for live news playback. It includes tools to integrate the news production workflow between a Profile Video Server, NewsEdit, and optionally a newsroom computer system. You can also use NewsQ Pro as a manual control system for Profile Video Servers.

By using NewsQ Pro with a Profile Video Server for news playout you can effectively replace four to six tape machines. NewsQ Pro displays each channel simultaneously and you can control playout with a keyboard and mouse.

NewsQ Pro consists of seven software components:

•Main NewsQ Pro application

•Assignment List Plug-in

•Assignment List Manager

•Housekeeper utility

•SDB Server

• Thumbnail Server

• XMOS Server

Each component plays a different role in the newsroom workflow and is introduced later in this chapter.

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Terms You Should Know

To use NewsQ Pro effectively and efficiently, you should become familiar with these terms:

Term Definition

Clip A piece of media you can edit, containing video, audio, or both.

Once a sequence is sent from a NewsEdit workstation to a Profile Video Server it becomes a clip again. All clips and subclips merge into one clip.

Terms You Should Know

Placeholder An item (in the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in or the Assignment List

Script The textual information for a news story in the newsroom computer system

Sequence Edited media, consisting of different clips and subclips edited using the

Story The story — a collection of clips, sequences, and scripts — is the complete

Manager) reserved for a clip that doesn’t yet exist or is not complete. Clips are linked in the playlist and played to air.

(NCS) rundown. Scripts can also reference electronic media, such as clips from the Profile Video Server.

NewsEdit editing system.

news segment that plays to air.

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

Using NewsQ Pro in Your Newsroom

Newsrooms can use NewsQ Pro in two ways:

• To create playlists by linking to a newsroom computer system (NCS)

• To create playlists manually in NewsQ Pro

Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS)

The most efficient way to use NewsQ Pro is with a newsroom computer system such as the Associated Press Electronic News Production System (ENPS) or Avid iNews. The producer uses the newsroom computer system to create rundowns for news shows and links clips created in NewsEdit to rundown scripts. After the clips are complete, the playback operator uses NewsQ Pro to play out the clips to air.

Incoming

Feeds

Ethernet LAN

Ingest Profile

Fibre

NewsEdit™ with

Assignment List

ENPS Server and

MOS Gateway

Fibre Channel Switch

ENPS Client with

NewsQ™ Pro Plug-in

Video/Audio Routing System

NewsQ™ Pro

Playout Profile

RS422

On-Air

Transmission

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Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS)

A typical newsroom workflow using a newsroom computer system (NCS) is:

• The news producer creates a rundown using NCS

• The news producer uses the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in to:

-Create placeholders for scripts that require clips

-Assign placeholders to editors

- Link placeholders to scripts in the rundown

• The news producer assigns playback channels within the NCS rundown

• The news editor creates sequences for assignments using NewsEdit

• The news editor uses the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Manager to:

-Receive assignments from the producer

-Create additional clip placeholders

-Reassign placeholders to other editors

- Send completed clips to a Profile Video Server

• The playback operator uses the main NewsQ Pro application to:

-Open the producer’s rundown playlist

-Assign clips to specific channels for playback

-Rearrange, insert, or delete clips prior to broadcast if necessary

- Play back clips during the news broadcast

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

Creating a Playlist Manually

Newsrooms without MOS-compatible NCSs can also use the NewsQ Pro application to manually create rundowns and playlists.

After creating playlists, using placeholders to link to clips created in NewsEdit, you can cue and play the clips for broadcast.

Incoming

Feeds

Ethernet LAN

Ingest Profile

Fibre

NewsEdit™ with

Assignment List

Fibre Channel Switch

Video/Audio Routing System

NewsQ™ Pro

Playout Profile

RS422

On-Air

Transmission

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Creating a Playlist Manually

A typical newsroom workflow using NewsQ Pro to create playlists is:

• The news producer creates a rundown

• The news editor creates sequences for assignments using NewsEdit

• The news producer uses the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Manager to:

-Create placeholders for clips

-Assign placeholders to editors

• The news editor uses the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Manager to:

-Create placeholders for clips

-Reassign placeholders to other editors

- Send completed clips to a Profile Video Server

• The playback operator uses the main NewsQ Pro application to:

-Create a new playlist and rundown using the scripts from the producer and the clip database

-Assign clips to specific channels for playback

-Rearrange, insert, or delete clips prior to broadcast if necessary

- Play back clips during the news broadcast

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

Tour of NewsQ Pro and Plug-ins

NewsQ Pro consists of several components to allow newsrooms to coordinate news playback with a Profile Video Server and a NewsEdit workstation.

The NewsQ Pro Application

Playback operators use the main NewsQ Pro application to control playlists before and during news broadcasts and to create new playlists.

Playlist

Toolbar

Clip Browser

Rundowns

Playlist Overview

Channels

Chapter 5, “Playing Clips to Air,” describes the NewsQ Pro application.

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The Assignment List Plug-in

Producers use the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in to create placeholders for clips and to coordinate electronic news stories with ENPS or iNews rundown scripts. The Assignment List Plug-in integrates with the ENPS and iNews applications.

The Assignment List Plug-in

Chapter 3, “NCS Rundowns and NewsQ Pro,” describes the Assignment List Plug-in.

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

The Assignment List Manager

Editors use the Assignment List Manager to receive assignments from the producer, to create additional placeholders for clips, to reassign placeholders to other editors, and to send completed clips to a Profile Video Server.

The Assignment List Manager runs on the NewsEdit workstation and integrates with NewsEdit — the NewsEdit toolbar displays part of the Assignment List Manager so editors can see at a glance how many stories need video. Opening the Assignment List Manager provides more detail on specific stories.

Chapter 4, “Editing and NewsQ Pro,” describes the Assignment List Manager.

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The Housekeeper Utility

Playback operators use the Housekeeper utility to remove files from the clip database and to import files from Profile Video Servers. The Housekeeper utility typically runs on the computer with the main NewsQ Pro main application, though it can be installed on another computer if necessary.

The Housekeeper Utility

Chapter 6, “Managing Clips,” describes the Housekeeper utility.

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

Simple Database Server (SDB) Server

The SDB Server provides newsroom staff with status on all NewsQ Pro playlists associated with ENPS or iNews rundowns. The SDB Server typically runs on the same computer as the main NewsQ Pro application and on the system hosting the hot standby backup database, usually a Profile Video Server.

Activity within the NewsQ Pro database

Connection status Tests the system

Chapter 7, “Understanding the Server Components,” describes the SDB Server.

Activity within rundowns

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Thumbnail Server

The Thumbnail Server displays connection status to the Profile Media Server(s) and creates thumbnails for MPEG clips. The Thumbnail Server typically runs on a Profile Server for flexibility, but can run on the same computer as the other NewsQ Pro Server Components.

Thumbnail Server

Chapter 7, “Understanding the Server Components,” describes the Thumbnail Server.

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Chapter 1 Introducing NewsQ Pro

XMOS Server

The XMOS Server displays the communication between the Newsroom Computer System and NewsQ Pro. It typically runs on the same computer as the other NewsQ Pro Server Components, Housekeeper and the SDB Server.

Chapter 7, “Understanding the Server Components,” describes the XMOS Server.

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Chapter

Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

NewsQ Pro consists of several plug-ins and server components in addition to the main application. You need to install and configure each component.

This chapter discusses how to:

• Install NewsQ Pro software, including components and plug-ins

•Configure these components:

-NewsQ Pro application

-SDB Server

- Thumbnail Server

- XMOS Server

-Housekeeper Utility

-Assignment List Manager

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Installing NewsQ Pro and Components

The various NewsQ Pro components reside on multiple computers. The following table indicates where each component is typically installed:

Component Machine where you install it...

NewsQ Pro application NewsQ Pro computer Thumbnail Server NewsQ Pro Server

Components, which includes:

• Housekeeper

• XMOS Server

• SDB Server Assignment List Manager Non-NCS computers, usually used by Newsroom Producers. Assignment List Plugin All NCS client computers. See “Installing the Assignment List

Hot Standby Database Server Optional; install on a PC on the same network as the NewsQ

Plug-in” on page 18 for specific installation instructions.

Pro computer.

Because you must configure some components with the locations of other components, you should plan your overall installation before beginning.

To install the NewsQ Pro application and its components:

1. Insert the NewsQ Pro CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Navigate to the CD and double-click

NewsQ Pro 1.5.exe.

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Installing NewsQ Pro and Components

3. Click Next until you reach the Select Components screen.

4. At the Select Components screen, check the boxes for the component(s) you want to install.

5. Click

6. Click

Next. Finish.

7. Configure each component:

NewsQ Pro application See “Configuring the NewsQ Pro Application” on page 23. Thumbnail Server See “Configuring the Thumbnail Server” on page 39. Housekeeper See “Configuring the Housekeeper Utility” on page 41. XMOS Server See “Configuring the XMOS Server” on page 40. SDB Server See “Configuring the Simple Database (SDB) Server” on

Assignment List Manager See “Configuring the Assignment List Manager” on page 44.

page 36.

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Installing the Assignment List Plug-in

The Assignment List Plug-in needs to be installed on each NCS computer that needs to access it. You can install this plug-in on each computer using the installation CD, or you can create a network installation from which you can install the plug-in on multiple computers using the same configuration file.

Using the Installer

If you are installing the Assignment List Plug-in on a small number of computers, the easiest way to install it is to use the installation CD.

To install the Assignment List Plug-in:

1. Insert the NewsQ Pro CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Navigate to the CD and double-click

3. Click

Next until you reach the Select Components screen.

NewsQ Pro 1.5.exe.

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Installing the Assignment List Plug-in

4. At the Select Components screen, check the Assignment List Plugin checkbox and click

The Assignment List Plugin Configuration Selection window appears:

Next.

5. Select

Configure Assignment List Plugin using installer and click Next.

The Assignment List Plugin Configuration Dialog window appears:

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

6. Enter the following information for your system and click Next:

Name Description

Database Server Enter the name of the server hosting the NewsQ Pro database

Backup Database Server Enter the name of the server hosting the backup NewsQ Pro

Video Standard Select a video standard:

MOS ID Enter your MOS ID; in ENPS, the MOS ID appears in the

Thumbnail Path Enter the fully-qualified path to the thumbnail directory on

7. Click

8. Click

Next. Finish to complete the installation.

(the NewsQ Pro server).

database, if you have one.

PAL, NTSC - Drop Frame, or NTSC

- Non-drop Frame.

MOS config field.

the computer hosting the Thumbnail Server.

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Installing the Assignment List Plug-in

Using a Configuration File

If want to install the Assignment List Plug-in on multiple computers with the same configuration, you can create a network installer to do so.

To prepare the network installer:

1. Copy the NewsQ Pro software installation file,

NewsQ Pro 1.5.exe, from

the CD onto your network.

2. Using a text editor such as Notepad, create a file called setup.ini and enter the following text:

[AssignmentListPlugin] DatabaseServer=server_name BackupDatabaseServer=backup_server_name MosID=mos_id ThumbnailPath=thumb_path VideoStandard=video_standard

The following table describes each entry:

Name Description

DatabaseServer The name of the server hosting the NewsQ Pro database. BackupDatabaseServer The name of the server hosting the backup NewsQ Pro database. MOSID Your MOS ID; in ENPS, the MOS ID is displayed in the MOS

Thumbnail Path The fully-qualified path to the thumbnail directory on the

VideoStandard Your video standard:

config field.

computer hosting the Thumbnail Server.

0 for PAL, 1 for NTSC - Drop Frame, or

2 for NTSC - Non-drop Frame.

3. Save the file in the directory with the NewsQ Pro 1.5.exe file.

From each computer on which you are installing the plug-in:

1. Navigate to the network directory where you saved the installer and configuration file and double-click

2. Click

Next until you reach the Select Components screen.

NewsQ Pro 1.5.exe.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

3. At the Select Components screen, check the Assignment List Plugin checkbox and click

Next.

4. Select

5. Click

6. Click

Configure Assignment List Plugin using setup.ini and click Next. Next. Finish to complete the installation.

The installer uses the setup.ini file to configure the Assignment List Plug-in.

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Configuring the NewsQ Pro Application

NewsQ Pro has several options that you can tailor to your newsroom environment. NewsQ Pro was configured when it was initially installed; this chapter describes each setting in case you need to reconfigure your system.

To configure your NewsQ Pro system:

1. Choose The Options window appears:

2. Go through each tab in the Options window and configure NewsQ Pro using the descriptions in the following sections.

Tools | Options.

3. Click

4. Click

Apply to apply your settings to each tab. OK when you are done setting options.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting General Options

Setting Options Description

Database Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the primary SDB Server. Backup Database Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the hot-standby SDB

XMOS Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the XMOS Server. Thumbnail Path Enter the fully-qualified path to the thumbnail directory on the

Disconnect Warning

Video Standard

Yes No

PAL NTSC - Drop Frame NTSC - Non-drop Frame

Server.

computer hosting the Thumbnail Server. Select Yes to be alerted before NewsQ Pro disconnects the

synchronization with the NCS. Select a video standard.

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Setting Playback Options

Setting Options Description

Channel Assignment

Space Bar Play

Counter

Stop Cue Delay Determines the amount of time to freeze a clip on its last frame

Post Roll Stop Determines the amount of time a clip (that was started by pressing

Minimum On-Air Determines the minimum time that a clip must be on the air before

End Blip 1 and 2 Determines the amount of time prior to the end of a clip to display

Soft

Hard

Enabled Disabled

Count Down Count Up

Assigns a clip to the first available channel. Assigns a clip to a specific channel when the clip is added and

maintains that assignment regardless of the available channels. Enables or disables use of the space bar to play the next cued clip.

Sets the clip duration counter to count time down from the clip duration to zero, or from zero up to the clip duration.

before cueing the next clip on that channel.

Play Next) continues rolling before playing the next sequential clip

in the playlist (also started by pressing Play Next).

triggering Post Roll and cueing the next clip.

an audio/visual warning.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting Channel Configuration

To configure a playback channel:

1. Check the checkbox next to each channel NewsQ Pro should use when automatically assigning channels.

2. Enter a label name for each channel.

3. Select a

4. Select a

5. Click

26 Digital News Production

Primary Port (COM1 through COM10) for each channel. Backup Port if desired.

OK.

Page 41

Configuring the Remote Display Unit (RDU)

A Remote Display Unit (RDU) lets you see the clips playing on each channel and the status of each clip. The RDU usually resides in the control room so that operators can monitor playback status during a broadcast.

Setting Options Description

Channel Display ID (1-6) Enter the Display ID for each channel on the RDU. Channel Tally Input (1-2) Enter the Control Port

Tally Normal Color

Tally On-Air Color

COM1 COM10

Red Green Amber

Select the Control Port you are using for the RDU.

Select the color to display on the RDU.

Select the color to display on the RDU to indicate a GPI on-air trigger.

Tally Input for each channel on the RDU.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting Options Description

Tally External Color

On-Air and External Color

Text Font

Red Green Amber

Normal Spaced Thin Small

Select the color to display on the RDU to indicate the Tally Input on the RDU has triggered. (Tally Input is infrequently used.)

Select the color to display on the RDU to indicate that both the GPI On-Air and Tally Input are triggered.

Select the text format to display on the RDU.

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Setting Cue and Chain Options

Setting Description

Auto Recue Check Auto Recue to automatically recue clips in the playlist when a clip

Auto Cue on Loading Rundown Check

Auto Chain Check

is moved to a new position within the NewsQ Pro playlist or the NCS rundown.

Auto Cue on Loading Rundown to automatically cue clips into all

available channels when you open a rundown.

Auto Chain to have NewsQ Pro automatically chain two or more

consecutive clips in a playlist that are assigned to the same channel.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Configuring Archive Play

For each Channel, specify the Archive Black duration. Archive Black is the black video that separates each archived clip from the next. The default time is

5 seconds.

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Configuring GPI Inputs

General Purpose Interface (GPI) inputs allow you to connect a switcher or other control device to the NewsQ Pro system and use it to control the NewsQ Pro software. Sixteen GPI inputs are pre-assigned as defaults and let you control the following functions for each of the six available channels:

GPI Inputs

NewsQ Pro function Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4

Play/Stop Cued Clip 1 5 9 13 Recue Current Clip 2 6 10 14 Cue Previous Clip 3 7 11 15 Cue Next Clip 4 8 12 16

To reassign the function of a GPI input, select the GPI number, the channel it affects, and the function you want the GPI to perform.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting Options Description

Enable 16-Port GPI Interface

GPI Input Channel

GPI Function: First Second Third

On (checked) Off (unchecked)

1 through 16 Select the GPI input you are configuring. <none>

Channel 1 label Channel 2 label Channel 3 label Channel 4 label Channel 5 label Channel 6 label Not Channel Specific

Check Enable 16-Port GPI Interrface to control the NewsQ Pro software via GPI input.

Select the GPI input channel.

Select a function for each GPI input. Each input usually has only one function, though each GPI can perform up to three functions.

<none>

Play/Stop

Recue

Cue Previous

Cue Next

On-Air

The GPI has no assigned function. Plays or stops the current clip. Recues the current clip. Cues the previous clip in the playlist. Cues the next clip in the playlist. Only used with the First GPI function.

Sets the system to monitor an on-air signal. When NewsQ Pro detects a signal, the channel window becomes red to indicate the channel is playing to air. When the clip ends, it goes into post roll for the specified time and then freezes on the last frame until the signal ends.

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Defining Function Keys

The computer function keys (F1 - F12) provide shortcuts to some NewsQ Pro commands. The function keys are pre-assigned by default and let you control the following functions for each of the available channels:

Function Key

NewsQ Pro function Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3

Play Cued Clip F1 F5 F9 Recue Current Clip F2 F6 F10 Cue Previous Clip F3 F7 F11 Cue Next Clip F4 F8 F12

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

To reassign a function to any of the keys, select the Function Key number, the channel it affects, and the command you want the function key to perform.

Setting Options Description

Function Key F1 through F12 Select the function key you want to set. Channel

Command

<none> Channel 1 label Channel 2 label Channel 3 label Channel 4 label

Channel 5 label Channel 6 label

<none> Play/Stop Recue Cue Previous Cue Next

Select the channel on which the function key will operate.

Select the command the function key will perform on the specified channel.

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Defining Status Colors

NewsQ Pro uses color to show clip status. To change a color, open the dropdown menu for the color you want to change and select a new color.

Setting Description

Cued The color indicating that a clip is cued. Roll The color indicating that a clip is playing. Stopped The color indicating that a clip is stopped during play. Post Roll The color indicating that a clip is in post roll. Default Resets the colors to the default system colors.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Configuring the Simple Database (SDB) Server

The SDB Server provides you with status on all NewsQ Pro playlists associated with NCS rundowns.

To configure the SDB Server:

1. Double-click

Programs | NewsQ Pro | SDB Server.

2. Choose The Options window appears.

3. Go through each tab on the Options window and configure NewsQ Pro using the descriptions in the following sections. Click to each tab.

4. Click

OK.

SDB Server on the desktop or click the Start menu and choose

Tools | Options.

Setting General Options

Apply to apply your settings

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Setting Options Description

Setting General Options

Profile Polling

On Off

Check Profile Polling to enable the SDB Server to monitor changes to the Profile file system and update the database with clip availability, clip duration, etc. You should only enable this option on one SDB Server (either the main or backup server). If one of the SDB Servers is down, the mirror automatically starts its Profile polling feature.

Mirror Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the backup database

server. XMOS Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the XMOS Server. Video Standard

PAL NTSC - Drop Frame NTSC - Non-drop Frame

Select a video standard.

Categories Lets you define categories for sorting and assigning placeholders

for story slugs. Enter category names, separating them with

commas.

Categories appear in these locations:

• Assignment List Plug-in

• Assignment List Manager

• Housekeeper

• NewsQ Pro Clip Browser

Durations Lets you set six default durations for new placeholders. Enter

durations in the format hours:minutes:seconds:frames.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting Up Rundowns on the Profile Server

Before using the SDB Server Utility to monitor rundown status, you need to add all of your NCS rundowns on each computer hosting a NewsQ Pro database.

1. Enter the name of the Profile Media Server(s) you are using.

2. For each rundown you use in the NCS: a. Enter the rundown name in the Rundown Profile Map section.

You must enter the name of the rundown exactly as it is used in your NCS,

with no spaces. The name is case-sensitive. b. Select the Main and Backup Profiles from the drop-down lists. c. Click

d. Continue to add rundowns and then click

3. Repeat this procedure and configure the backup SDB Server exactly as you did the main server.

38 Digital News Production

Add.

The information appears in the Rundown section of the window.

OK.

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Configuring the Thumbnail Server

The Thumbnail Server displays connection status to the Profile Media Server(s) and creates thumbnails for MPEG clips.

Creating a Thumbnail Folder

Before using the Thumbnail Server, you need to create a directory in which to store video thumbnails.

To create the Thumbnail folder:

1. Navigate to C:\NewsQ Pro.

2. Create a folder and name it

3. Right-click on the folder, select

4. Click

OK.

Thumbnails.

Sharing, and click Share this folder.

Setting Up the Thumbnail Server

To set up the Thumbnail Server:

1. Double-click choose

2. Choose The Options window appears:

3. Enter the name of the Profile Media Server where the media resides that will be used for thumbnails.

Thumbnail Server on the desktop or click the Start menu and

Programs | NewsQ Pro | Thumbnail Server.

Tools | Options.

If you are using multiple servers, separate each name with a comma.

4. Click

OK.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Configuring the XMOS Server

The XMOS Server displays communications between the NCS and NewsQ Pro. To configure the XMOS Server:

1. From the

2. Choose

Start menu, choose Programs | NewsQ Pro | XMOS Server.

Tools | Options; the Options window appears:

3. Enter the following system information:

Setting Description

MOS ID Enter your MOS ID; in ENPS, the MOS ID is displayed in the MOS config field. NCS ID Enter the name of the server hosting your newsroom computer system (the NCS server). NCS MOS Server Enter the name of the server hosting the NCS MOS Server component; typically this is

Backup Database Server

Video Standard Select a video standard: Write Scripts Check Write Scripts box to have NewsQ Pro to save script files to disk. Script Path Enter a fully-qualified path to the directory where scripts are stored.

4. Click

40 Digital News Production

the NCS server. Enter the name of the server hosting the backup NewsQ Pro database.

PAL, NTSC - Drop Frame, or NTSC - Non-drop Frame.

OK.

Page 55

Configuring the Housekeeper Utility

Housekeeper has several options that can be tailored to the requirements and equipment in your newsroom.

To configure the Housekeeper Utility:

1. Double-click choose

2. Choose

3. Go through each tab on the Options window and configure NewsQ Pro using the descriptions in the following sections.

4. Click

OK.

Housekeeper on the desktop or click the Start menu and

Programs | NewsQ Pro | Housekeper.

Tools | Options.

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Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Setting General Options

Setting Options Description

Backup Database Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the backup NewsQ Pro

Video Standard

Thumbnail Server Enter the name of the computer hosting the Thumbnail Server. Thumbnail Path Enter the fully-qualified path to the thumbnail directory on the

Purge Scripts

After __ day(s) Enter the purge delay. Script Path Enter a fully-qualified path to the directory where scripts are stored.

PAL NTSC - Drop Frame NTSC - Nondrop Frame

On Off

database. Select a video standard.

computer hosting the Thumbnail Server. Check Purge Scripts to have NewsQ Pro to delete script files from the

NewsQ Pro computer.

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Setting Profile Options

Setting Description

Playout Profile(s) Enter the name of the Profile Media Server you are using for playout. Importing Profile(s) Enter the name of the Profile Media Server you are using for

Archive Profile Enter the name of the Profile Media Server you are using for

Archive Bin Enter the name of the archive directory on the Profile Server.

importing files.

archiving clips.

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Configuring the Assignment List Manager

The Assignment List Manager lets producers create placeholders for clips, assign or reassign placeholders to editors, and monitor clip status.

To configure the Assignment List Manager:

1. Click the

Manager.

The Assignment List Manager appears:

2. Click The Options window appears:

Start menu and select Programs | NewsQ Pro | Assignment List

Options.

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Configuring the Assignment List Manager

3. Enter the following system information:

Setting Description

Database Server Name of the server where the NewsQ Pro database resides. Backup Database Server Name of the server where the backup NewsQ Pro database

Video Standard Select your video standard:

4. Click

OK.

resides.

PAL, NTSC - Drop Frame, or

NTSC - Non-drop Frame.

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Chapter

NCS Rundowns and NewsQ Pro

Producers can use NewsQ Pro with a newsroom computer system (NCS) such as the Associated Press Electronic News Production System (ENPS) or Avid iNews to create rundowns, create placeholders for editor assignments, and link clips to the rundown. Producers can also use the NCS to assign clips to a specific playback channel, eliminating the need for a playback operator to assign channels for the rundown.

In newsrooms without NCSs, a news editor can follow the producer’s script and create placeholders using another component of NewsQ Pro, the Assignment List Manager, and have a playback operator manually create playlists.

This chapter is written for producers and discusses how to use the Assignment List Plug-in to:

•Create placeholders for news clips

• Link clips to an ENPS or iNews rundown

•Assign a playout channel to clips

•Reassign placeholders to other editors

•View placeholder categories and video thumbnails

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Tour of the Assignment List Plug-In

You use your NCS to create rundowns for news shows and add scripts for each story. The NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in integrates with both ENPS and iNews and allows you to create placeholders for clips, assign those placeholders to newsroom editors, and link the resulting clips back to your NCS rundown.

The Assignment List Plug-in displays the following information for each clip:

Column Description

S (Status) The clip status: displays OK if a clip has been completed, sent to the Profile Video Server,

Clip Name The name of the placeholder clip. Type The type of clip an editor needs to create: either Voice Over (VO) or Sound on Tape (SOT). Duration The clip length. Category The category assigned to the clip; you can assign categories based on the editor to receive the

Description Brief description of the clip an editor needs to create. Clip ID The clip ID, which is automatically defined when the placeholder is created. Date The date the placeholder was created.

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and is ready for playback. Status is blank if a clip is incomplete and not ready for playback.

assignment, for instance.

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Using ENPS

The NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in lets you create a placeholder for a clip and link it to the accompanying story slug in the NCS rundown. With ENPS, you can create the placeholders and link them manually to your rundown or use the auto-create feature and create and link the placeholder automatically.

Using ENPS

Rundown

Editing Window

NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in

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Chapter 3 NCS Rundowns and NewsQ Pro

Creating Placeholders Automatically

With ENPS, you can automatically create a placeholder linked to a story slug. To create and link a placeholder automatically:

1. Create a new rundown. Create a rundown as you normally would. See the ENPS documentation for

details.

2. Create a new story slug in ENPS.

3. Click the list, and press

A new placeholder is created in the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in and is automatically linked to the story slug.

Object AutoCreate field, select the MOS ID from the drop-down

Enter.

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Linking Clips to ENPS Manually

If you don’t create your placeholder and link it automatically to your rundown, you need to manually add it and link it to your story slug.

To link a clip to an ENPS rundown:

1. Create a new rundown. Create a rundown as you normally would. See the ENPS documentation for

details.

2. Create a new story slug in ENPS.

3. Create a new placeholder in the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in. See “Creating Placeholders” on page 55 for instructions.

4. Drag the new placeholder from the Assignment List Plug-in to the ENPS Editing Window.

NewsQ Pro clip information

Linking Clips to ENPS Manually

When you save the script, the clip is linked and added to the ENPS rundown.

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Assigning Playout Channels to Clips

With ENPS and NewsQ Pro you can assign playout channels to stories in a rundown. When a playback operator opens the rundown, stories are already assigned to playout channels.

To assign a playout channel in an ENPS rundown:

1. Click the

2. Enter the channel name or number in the box and click You must enter the channel label exactly as it was set up in NewsQ Pro. The channel is assigned to that story and appears in the NewsQ Pro

application.

MOS Channel column for the story you want to assign.

OK.

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Using iNews

To use a NewsEdit sequence in a news story when it plays out to air, you need to create a placeholder and link it to your NCS rundown.

Using iNews

Queue Panel Story PanelStory Form

NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in

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To create a rundown and link it to your story:

1. Create a new rundown. Create a rundown as you normally would. See the iNews documentation for

details.

2. Create a new story slug in iNews.

3. Create a new placeholder in the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in. See “Creating Placeholders” on page 55 for instructions.

4. Verify that the new story slug is highlighted in the Queue Panel and then drag the new placeholder from the Assignment List Plug-in to the Story Form window.

The placeholder links with the story and the clip name displays in the Clip Slug column in the iNews Queue Panel.

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Using the Assignment List Plug-in

With the Assignment List Plug-in, you can create placeholders, assign them to a news editor, view video thumbnails for a clip, and change viewing categories.

Creating Placeholders

You need to create a placeholder for each news clip you are linking to a rundown. Placeholders generate assignments for editors, who can then create news clips for the story and send them to a Profile Video Server for playback. Placeholders also let you see if clips are complete and ready for air or not.

If you are not using a newsroom computer system, use the Assignment List Manager instead of the Assignment List Plug-in to create placeholders. Both components have the same purpose — to create placeholders and assign them to editors. Chapter , “Editing and NewsQ Pro,” describes the Assignment List Manager.

To create a new placeholder:

1. In the Assignment List Plug-In window, click The New Clip Entry window appears:

New.

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2. Enter the placeholder information:

Clip Name — Enter a placeholder name. The name identifies the

placeholder in both the Assignment List Plug-in (in the NCS) and the Assignment List Manager (in the NewsEdit system).

Story Type — Select a Story Type from the drop-down menu, either SOT

(Sound On Tape) or Selecting

SOT will cause the clip duration to be sent to the NCS for show

timing calculations. Selecting

Duration — Enter a duration for the placeholder or select one from the

drop-down list. Once the clip is created the duration is automatically adjusted to the clip length.

Category — Select a category from the drop-down menu. The category

determines which editors receive the placeholder as an assignment.

Description — Enter a description for the placeholder. The description

helps news editors identify the clip they need to create.

Protected — Check this box to prevent the clip from being erased or

deleted from the database.

VO (Voice Over). You can also leave this field blank.

VO will send 0 (zero) to the NCS.

3. Click

OK.

The new placeholder appears in the Assignment List, and is sent to the news editors specified in the Category field.

NOTE: The Clip ID and the Date are set automatically when you create a new placeholder.

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Reassigning Placeholders to Editors

When you create a new placeholder, the Category field determines which editors receive that assignment. If you select select

All in their Assignment List Managers to view the assignment.

You can reassign a placeholders at any time by doing the following:

1. Double-click the clip you want to reassign. The Clip Properties window appears.

Reassigning Placeholders to Editors

All, your news editors also need to

2. Select a new editor, workstation name, or category from the

3. Click

OK.

The placeholder is automatically sent to the new workstation for completion.

Viewing Clip Categories

In the Assignment List Plug-in, you can view the placeholders and clips based on Category.

To change the Category of clips to view:

• Select a category from the The list displays only the placeholders and clips in that category.

All to view all assignment placeholders again.

Select

Category list.

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Viewing a Video Thumbnail for a Placeholder

The Assignment List Plug-in, in addition to showing a clip’s properties, displays the first frame of the clip as a thumbnail.

You can only see thumbnails for complete clips, which are identified with an

OK in the Status column; the thumbnail is blank for incomplete clips.

To view a thumbnail:

•Double-click a placeholder. The Clip Properties window appears, displaying the video thumbnail if the

clip is complete.

video thumbnail

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Chapter

Editing and NewsQ Pro

News editors use the Assignment List Manager component of NewsQ Pro to receive assignments from the producer and return completed assignments.

The Assignment List Manager runs on the computer with the NewsEdit editing system. Editors create clips and sequences in NewsEdit as usual and send them to a Profile Video Server. A playback operator then uses the clips in NewsQ Pro to create a playlist and control the playback of clips to air.

This chapter is written for news editors and discusses how to use the Assignment List Manager to:

•Receive assignments from your producer

• Send completed sequences to a Profile Video Server

•Create new clip placeholders

•Change clip assignments

•Update clips

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Tour of the Assignment List Manager

You use the Assignment List Manager to receive assignments from the producer, to create additional placeholders for clips, to reassign placeholders to other editors, and to send completed clips to a Profile Video Server.

The Assignment List Manager runs on the NewsEdit workstation and integrates with NewsEdit: the NewsEdit toolbar displays part of the Assignment List Manager so you can see the number of assignments you’ve received.

NewsQ Pro Assignment List Manager

To see more detail for each story, double-click the Clips window:

Deletes a clip

Creates a new clip

Lists assignments

Shows only list of missing clips

Missing box to open the

Displays the number of placeholders missing video clips for the selected category

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Receiving Editing Assignments

The list of assignments shows each clip placeholder and its properties:

Column Description

S (Status) The clip status: displays OK if a clip has been completed, sent to the Profile

Clip Name The name of the placeholder clip. Type The type of clip an editor needs to create: either Voice Over (VO) or Sound on

Duration The clip length. Category The category assigned to the clip; you can assign categories based on the editor

Description Brief description of the clip an editor needs to create. Clip ID The clip ID, which is automatically defined when the placeholder is created. Date The date the placeholder was created.

Video Server, and is ready for playback. Status is blank if a clip is incomplete and not ready for playback.

Tape (SOT).

to receive the assignment, for instance.

Receiving Editing Assignments

Assignments automatically appear in your Assignment List Manager when they are sent from the producer or assigned from another editor.

Producers create the assignments as clip placeholders for use in an upcoming news broadcast. You create clips in NewsEdit and link them to the placeholders in the Assignment List Manager.

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Sending Completed Clips

Once you create a clip or sequence on NewsEdit for a specific placeholder, you need to send it back to a Profile Video Server so it can be used. Your NewsEdit workstation must be configured with the Profile Video Server and its default directory as the default Send Destination. See your NewsEdit documentation for more information.

To send a clip to a Profile Video Server:

1. select the completed sequence in the NewsEdit Bin. If you have the completed sequence open in NewsEdit, it is already selected.

2. Press

F2 on your keyboard.

The Send To Selected Destinations window appears, displaying the list of open NewsQ Pro placeholders.

NOTE: If the list of placeholders is grayed out, it means that you haven’t selected that send location as a News Q Pro send destination. See your NewsEdit documentation for details.

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Additional Assignment List Manager Features

3. Select the placeholder to assign your completed sequence to and click Send. The clip is automatically sent to the Profile Video Server. Once the clip is

sent, the placeholder no longer appears in your Assignment List and the number of missing items at the top of the screen decreases by one.

Additional Assignment List Manager Features

In addition to creating clips for assigned placeholders and sending them to the server for playback, there are other features of the Assignment List Manager that you can use.

Creating New Placeholders

In addition to the assignments you receive from your producer, you can create additional placeholders for clips you want to include in a news broadcast.

To create a new placeholder for a clip:

1. Click the The New Clip Properties window appears:

New Clip button.

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2. Enter the clip information:

Clip Name — Enter a name for the placeholder. The name identifies the

placeholder in your Assignment List Manager, the Assignment List Plug-in on the ENPS system, and the NewsQ Pro playlist.

Category — Select a category from the drop-down menu. The category

determines who receives the placeholder as an assignment. Selecting makes the placeholder accessible to all editors who select Assignment List Manager.

Duration — Enter a placeholder duration or select one from the drop-

down list. Once the clip is created the duration is automatically adjusted to the clip length.

Description — Enter a description for the placeholder to help identify the

clip you need to create.

Protected — Check this box to prevent the clip from being deleted from

the database.

ALL

ALL in their

3. Click

OK.

The Clip ID and Date are automatically set when you create the placeholder.

Changing a Clip Assignment

If you receive an assignment that isn’t for you or that you need to send to another editor, you can reassign it as follows:

1. In the Clips window, double-click on the placeholder you want to assign.

2. Select a new editor, workstation name, or category from the

3. Click

OK.

The placeholder is automatically sent to the new workstation for completion.

Category list.

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Viewing the Assignment List

In the Assignment List Manager, you can choose to view assignments within a selected category or all of the assignments in the list.

To change the category of assignments to view:

Viewing the Assignment List

• Select a category from the

The list displays only the placeholders and clips in that category.

All to view all assignment placeholders again.

Select

Identifying Missing Clips

In the Assignment List Manager, you can filter the list of clips to show only missing clips.

To show missing clips:

•Click the Click the button again to show the entire clip list.

Missing Clips button.

Category drop-down list.

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Chapter

Playing Clips to Air

Playback operators use the NewsQ Pro application to control the playback of news clips to air. Using a playlist linked to an ENPS or NewsQ Pro rundown, playback operators cue and play clips as required during a broadcast.

This chapter is written for playback operators and discusses how to use the NewsQ Pro application to:

• Link to an ENPS rundown

•Create a playlist manually

•Cue clips and play them to air

•Archive clips to tape

•Add clips to a playlist, rearrange clips, and change clip properties

•Use the context-sensitive Playlist menu

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Tour of the NewsQ Pro Application

You use the NewsQ Pro application to control a playlist before and during a news broadcast. You can also use it to manually create a new playlist.

Toolbar

Playlist

Clip Browser

Rundowns

The Clip Browser, Rundowns list, Playlist Overview, and channel windows are all dockable; you can rearrange windows or close windows you aren’t using (such as unused channels).

To restore a window you have closed, choose the name of the window from the View menu.To restore all windows to their default locations, choose

Tools | Reset Windows.

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Channels

Playlist Overview

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Toolbar

The NewsQ Pro Toolbar lets you access common features:

Icon Function Other Ways to Access...

Creates a blank playlist. File | New Playlist or

Ctrl + N

Opens a saved playlist. File | Open Playlist or

Ctrl + O

Saves the current playlist. File | Save Playlist or

Ctrl + S

Cuts selected clips from the playlist to the clipboard. Edit | Cut or Ctrl + X

Copies selected clips from the playlist to the clipboard. Edit | Copy or Ctrl + C

Toolbar

Pastes clips from the clipboard into the playlist. Edit | Paste or Ctrl + V

Opens the Clip Browser, so you can add clips to the playlist. Ctrl + I

Cues all channels specified in the automatic channel assignment. ---------------

Plays the next clip in the playlist. ---------------

Stops playing the current clip. Spacebar (if enabled)

Lets you archive clips to tape. ---------------

Relinks the NewsQ Pro playlist with its associated ENPS rundown. ---------------

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Playlist

The playlist lists each clip and its properties:

Column Description

Thumb Displays a video thumbnail of the clip, if available. To change the thumbnail

Clip Name Displays the name of the clip from the NewsQ Pro Assignment List Plug-in. Story Slug Displays the name of the story from the NCS rundown. Duration Displays the clip length. Page Corresponds to the page of the NCS rundown. This column is blank if you are

70 Digital News Production

size, click the Clip column heading or select View | (Small) or (Large) Thumbnail.

A red border appears around the thumbnail if the clip is not ready for playback,

not using ENPS with NewsQ Pro or if the producer did not select Freeze Page Numbers for the rundown properties in ENPS.

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Column Description

Status Displays the available channels and the status of the clip:

- [Blank] — Clip has not yet been cued.

- Cued — The clip is cued to a specific channel and is ready to play.

- Played — The clip is done playing.

- Roll — The clip is playing to air.

- Stopped — The clip has been manually stopped during play.

Channel Displays the channel on which a clip is playing.

Playlist

Assign Allows you to assign a clip to a channel, overriding automatic channel

ID Displays the clip ID, which is automatically set when you create the placeholder. Description A brief description of the clip.

assignment.

Understanding Playlist Colors

Each playlist entry appears in a color that identifies its status in NewsQ Pro:

Row Background Color Description

Yellow The clip is cued for playback.

Green The clip is playing.

Orange The clip is stopped during play.

Gray The clip is in post roll.

You can modify row colors by choosing

Color tab. Click the row color box you want to change and select a new color.

Tools | Options and clicking the

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Channels

The channels area displays the channels available on your system. You can perform the following functions for each channel:

Icon Function

Plays the current clip in the channel. If a clip is playing, clicking this button pauses the clip; click it again to resume playback.

Recues the current clip.

Cues the previous clip in the channel.

Cues the next available clip.

This symbol indicates that the Profile Media Server is no longer connected to a channel. Check your network connection; you cannot remotely control the Profile Video Server while this symbol is present.

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Loops playback for the current clip.

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Rundowns

The rundown area displays the open rundowns and their status, a list of available rundowns, the number of clips missing from the current rundown, and the following controls:

Rundowns

Icon Function

Opens the selected rundown and creates a playlist.

Appends the selected rundown to the end of the current playlist.

Removes the selected rundown from the playlist.

You can open up to three rundowns at once; all open rundowns merge into a composite playlist, allowing seamless control of back-to-back rundowns.

Selecting a rundown from the rundowns list selects all clips in that rundown in the playlist area.

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Playlist Overview

The playlist overview displays a subset of the playlist columns, allowing you to see more of the playlist at a glance.

Column Description

Status Displays clip the status:

Page Corresponds to the page of the ENPS rundown.

Clip Name Displays the clip name.

74 Digital News Production

- Blank — The clip has not yet been cued.

-C (Cued) — Clip is cued to a specific channel and is ready to play.

-P (Played) — The clip is done playing.

-R (Roll) — The clip is playing to air.

-S (Stopped) — The clip has been manually stopped during play.

- Red Square — Clip not ready for playback.

This column is blank if you are not using ENPS with NewsQ Pro or if your Producer didn’t choose the

Freeze Page Numbers option in ENPS.

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Creating a Playlist

You need to create a playlist before you can play clips to air. There are two ways to create a playlist: by linking clips to an NCS rundown or by manually creating a playlist in NewsQ Pro.

Linking to a NCS Rundown

If you use a newsroom computer system such as ENPS or iNews to create news rundowns, you can link to the NCS rundown and create a playlist automatically.

To open an NCS rundown:

Creating a Playlist

• Select a rundown from the drop-down list and click

Rundowns

The rundown opens in the NewsQ Pro application, displays all clips in the rundown, and cues clips to channels if specified by automatic channel assignment. The playlist displays a headframe for each clip; a red border appears around clips that are not yet ready for playback.

Clips cued to channels specified in automatic channel assignment

Open Rundown.

Name of Rundown

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Appending Rundowns to a Playlist

With NewsQ Pro and your NCS, you can add rundowns to create a playlist that includes all of the clips and other information from each of the rundowns. Appended rundowns are added to the end of the current playlist.

To append a rundown:

1. Select the rundown from the drop-down list.

2. Click

Append Rundown.

The rundown is added to the end of the current Playlist, displays in the Playlist Overview, and the rundown name is added to the Rundown list. You can open up to three rundowns in the playlist at one time.

Appended Rundown Adds Here

To remove a rundown from a playlist:

1. Select the rundown to remove from the rundown list window.

2. Click

Close Rundown.

The rundown is removed from the playlist.

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Linking to a NCS Rundown

Previewing Other Rundowns

Sometimes you may want to check to see if other news shows are ready for air by seeing if all placeholders are complete. You can view other rundowns in addition to the one displayed in the NewsQ Pro Playlist.

To preview a rundown:

• Select

View | Rundown Preview or press Ctrl + R on the keyboard.

The Rundown Preview window appears, showing all placeholders and completed clips. A red square in the status column indicates that the clip is not complete. You can also see at a glance how many clips are missing.

Shows how many clips are unavailable for playback

Indicates a clip is not complete

NOTE: If you can see the number of missing items but not the rundown itself, expand the window vertically by clicking the maximize button at the top of the window.

To preview another rundown, select it from the Rundown drop-down list.

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Manually Creating a New Playlist

The second way to create a playlist is manually using NewsQ Pro. To create a new playlist:

1. Click

New Playlist in the main toolbar.

An empty playlist appears.

2. Click

Insert Video.

The Clip Browser opens, displaying all available clips from the clip database.

Toggles between viewing large and small thumbnail sizes

3. Drag a clip into the Playlist window or the Playlist Overview window. The clip appears in that window.

4. Continue adding clips to the playlist as necessary.

Dragging a clip from the Clip Browser window and dropping it onto the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the Playlist window appends the clip to the end of the playlist.

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Manually Creating a New Playlist

Saving and Opening Local Playlists

Sometimes you need to create a playlist and immediately play the clips to air or a playlist that you can use over again. For example, you could create a playlist for a 6 PM broadcast and modify it each day to include that day’s clips. To use a playlist again, you need to save it and reopen it later to make changes.

To save a playlist:

1. When you are done adding clips, click

Save on the main toolbar.

The Save As window appears:

2. Select a location for the playlist and enter a file name.

3. Click

Save.

The playlist is saved with a .pls extension.

To open a saved playlist:

1. Click

Open Playlist on the main toolbar.

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2. Select a playlist and click Open. The playlist opens and displays the list of clips it contains.

You can modify, review, or play the playlist to air.

Exporting a Playlist

You can also export a playlist, open it in a text editor, and then print it. To export a playlist:

1. Select

2. Enter a name for the playlist and click

Export Playlist from the File menu.

The Export Playlist window opens.

Export.

The playlist is saved as a .CSV file.

Chaining Clips in a Playlist

Sometimes you may want to group two or more clips together so the clips play back-to-back as one continuous clip. This grouping is called chaining, and provides the advantage of playing clips in succession without having to cue and play each one individually. You can only chain clips on manually created playlists.

You can also set up your system so that any two or more consecutive clips assigned to the same channel will chain automatically. See “Setting Cue and Chain Options” on page 29 for details.

To chain clips:

1. Select the clips you want to chain by clicking on one clip and holding down the Shift key while selecting the other clip(s).

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Manually Creating a New Playlist

2. Right-click on one of the selected clips and select Chain Clips. The clips chain together, indicated by a light blue rectangle around the clips.

Clips chained together

To unchain clips:

•Right-click on a chained clip and choose

Unchain clips.

The unchained clips remain in the playlist as independent clips.

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Cueing and Playing Clips

Once you have a playlist, you can cue the clips to the appropriate channels and play them to air.

Cueing Clips

The playlist automatically cues the first clips according to the automatic channel assignment, and cues subsequent clips when prior clips have played. If a clip isn’t ready for playback, the clip is skipped and the next available clip cues. You can also cue clips manually.

There are several ways to cue clips:

• Select the clip you want to cue and click All channels are recued as specified in the automatic channel assignment,

starting with the selected clip.

•Manually cue a clip by dragging it to the target channel.

• In the channel window, click one of the following buttons:

Recue Current Clip — Resets the current clip in the channel back to the

beginning; the clip is ready to play.

Cue Previous Clip — Cues the previous clip assigned to the particular

channel; if no channel assignment is specified, NewsQ Pro cues the first previously available clip.

Cue Next Clip — Cues the next clip assigned to the particular channel; if no

channel assignment is specified, NewsQ Pro cues the next available clip.

Turn Loop Playback On/Off — When on, continuously loops the

currently playing clip. To turn loop playback off, click this button again.

Cue All on the toolbar.

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Playing Clips

During a news broadcast, you play clips either according to the script or when the director signals you.

To play a clip:

1. Cue the clip to one of the channels if you need to. To cue a clip, drag and drop it into a channel window.

Playing Clips

2. Click the

The Play Cued Clip button is a toggle and changes to stop a clip during play, click the

Play Cued Clip icon in the channel window.

Play Cued Clip/Stop

Stop when clicked; to

Stop icon to pause it. Click Play to resume

playing the clip. You can also play the next clip in the playlist by clicking

Play Next in the

NewsQ Pro toolbar. In addition, you can control clips in the playlist by using GPI inputs and the

keyboard function keys. See “Configuring the Remote Display Unit (RDU)” on page 27 and “Defining Function Keys” on page 33 for details.

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Archiving Clips

The Archive Play feature allows you to automatically play all clips in a playlist on a selected channel and record the output of that channel on a VTR.

To configure Archive Play, you must select the archive channel from the Archive Play configuration tab (“Configuring Archive Play” on page 30). You can also change the Archive Black duration on that tab; NewsQ Pro rolls five seconds of black between each archived clip by default.

To play a clip to archive:

1. Click the

Archive Play button to enable Archive Play.

2. Cue a clip to the archive channel. Select the first clip and click the

Cue All button on the toolbar.

3. Start recording on the VTR.

4. Click the

5. After all clips have played, stop the VTR and click

Play Cued Clip icon in the channel window.

Archive Play again to

disable Archive Play.

NewsQ Pro logs “as run” data in a comma-delimited log file (C:\NewsQPro\logs\AsRunLog.log). Each line includes the Date, Time (start time to the nearest second), Rundown Name, Clip Name, Clip ID, and Duration.

NewsQ Pro appends new data to the log file each time you enable Archive Play. To start a new log, delete the AsRunLog.log file before enabling Archive Play.

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Additional Playlist Features

In addition to cueing and playing clips, there are many other features of NewsQ Pro that let you customize a playlist for your news broadcast.

Rearranging the Layout of a Playlist

You can change the order of the displayed playlist columns by dragging a column heading to the left or right. The Clip column is always the first column in the playlist; you can’t move it or move another column in front of it.

Additional Playlist Features

To reset columns to the default positions, select

Viewing Clip Properties

You can check the properties of a clip in the playlist at any time. The clip properties window displays the clip story type and description, which are not shown in the playlist.

To display clip properties:

1. Double-click the clip in the Playlist Window. The Clip Entry window appears:

Tools | Reset Playlist Columns.

2. Click

OK to close the window.

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Assigning Clips to Channels

If you don’t specify a specific channel for a clip, the system automatically assigns it to the next available channel. However, you can assign a clip to any channel. For instance, you may have a small clip that you want to play in between two longer clips to create a smooth transition.

To assign a clip to a specific channel:

•Right-click on a clip in the playlist and select To change a clip assignment, right-click the clip and select Unassign Clip.

To temporarily override a channel assignment and cue a clip at the same time:

•Drag the clip to the channel you want. The clip appears in the channel and cues up for play. To remove a clip from

an assigned channel, right-click in the channel window and select

If you are using a local playlist (not associated with a NCS rundown), you can also let NewsQ Pro reassign the channels for you:

• Select

Tools | Auto Reassign Channels.

New channel assignments appear in the Assign column.

to use this feature, you need to configure NewsQ Pro for

Assignment. See “Setting Playback Options” on page 25 for more

information.

Rearranging a Playlist

You can rearrange clips in a playlist, though doing so breaks the link between NewsQ Pro and the NCS rundown. Therefore, you won’t see any subsequent changes made to the NCS rundown.

If you created a playlist manually, you can rearrange clips as necessary. Using the toolbar icons or keyboard shortcuts, you can cut (

+ C), and paste (Ctrl + V) clips in any order in the playlist. You can drag clips

to another position in the playlist.

Assign to “X”.

Eject.

Hard Channel

Ctrl + X), copy (Ctrl

86 Digital News Production

Grass Valley NewsQ Pro User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introducing NewsQ Pro

What is NewsQ Pro?

Terms You Should Know

Using NewsQ Pro in Your Newsroom

Linking to a Newsroom Computer System (NCS)

Creating a Playlist Manually

Tour of NewsQ Pro and Plug-ins

The NewsQ Pro Application

The Assignment List Plug-in

The Assignment List Manager

The Housekeeper Utility

Simple Database Server (SDB) Server

Thumbnail Server

XMOS Server

Installing and Configuring NewsQ Pro

Installing NewsQ Pro and Components

Installing the Assignment List Plug-in

Using the Installer

Using a Configuration File

Configuring the NewsQ Pro Application

Setting General Options

Setting Playback Options

Setting Channel Configuration

Configuring the Remote Display Unit (RDU)

Setting Cue and Chain Options

Configuring Archive Play

Configuring GPI Inputs

Defining Function Keys

Defining Status Colors

Configuring the Simple Database (SDB) Server

Setting General Options

Setting Up Rundowns on the Profile Server

Configuring the Thumbnail Server

Creating a Thumbnail Folder

Setting Up the Thumbnail Server

Configuring the XMOS Server

Configuring the Housekeeper Utility

Setting General Options

Setting Profile Options

Configuring the Assignment List Manager

NCS Rundowns and NewsQ Pro

Tour of the Assignment List Plug-In

Using ENPS

Creating Placeholders Automatically

Linking Clips to ENPS Manually

Assigning Playout Channels to Clips

Using iNews

Using the Assignment List Plug-in

Creating Placeholders

Reassigning Placeholders to Editors

Viewing Clip Categories

Viewing a Video Thumbnail for a Placeholder

Editing and NewsQ Pro

Tour of the Assignment List Manager

Receiving Editing Assignments

Sending Completed Clips

Additional Assignment List Manager Features

Creating New Placeholders

Changing a Clip Assignment

Viewing the Assignment List

Identifying Missing Clips

Playing Clips to Air

Tour of the NewsQ Pro Application

Toolbar

Playlist

Understanding Playlist Colors

Channels

Rundowns

Playlist Overview

Creating a Playlist

Linking to a NCS Rundown

Appending Rundowns to a Playlist

Previewing Other Rundowns

Manually Creating a New Playlist

Saving and Opening Local Playlists

Exporting a Playlist