Grass Valley RTic User Manual
RTic User Manual
Document version: 2.43 - 12/20/12
Contents
1 Grass Valley Product Support ................................................................................................................ 6
1 About his document ................................................................................................................................ 6
2 RTic ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
3 Workstation prerequisites ....................................................................................................................... 7
4 The RTic Workflow ................................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 Workflow ........................................................................................................................................ 7
4.2 RTic Objects .................................................................................................................................. 9
5 RTic modes .......................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Designer ...................................................................................................................................... 10
5.2 Grabber Active ............................................................................................................................. 10
5.3 Off ................................................................................................................................................ 10
5.4 Show content ............................................................................................................................... 10
6 Multirecord sources .............................................................................................................................. 11
6.1 What is a multirecord source ....................................................................................................... 11
6.2 The Record select object ............................................................................................................. 11
6.3 Multirecord sources and scene parameters ................................................................................ 11
7 Starting RTic ......................................................................................................................................... 13
7.1 Starting RTic ................................................................................................................................ 13
7.2 The RTic workspace .................................................................................................................... 13
7.3 The RTic menu ............................................................................................................................ 14
8 Working with objects ............................................................................................................................ 15
8.1 Adding Objects to the Canvas ..................................................................................................... 15
8.2 Moving Objects on the Canvas .................................................................................................... 15
8.3 To link objects .............................................................................................................................. 15
8.4 To link a second object to an object (two inputs) ........................................................................ 15
8.5 To unlink objects .......................................................................................................................... 15
8.6 Cut, copy, paste, delete ............................................................................................................... 16
8.7 Properties .................................................................................................................................... 16
8.8 Rename ....................................................................................................................................... 16
8.9 Grab, show content ..................................................................................................................... 16
9 The Record Select Object how to ........................................................................................................ 17
10 The Channel Composer Ticker Object how to ..................................................................................... 18
10.1 Workflow ...................................................................................................................................... 18
10.2 Example RTic ticker data flow ..................................................................................................... 19
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How to .......................................................................................................................................... 24
10.3
11 The Channel Composer Template Object how to ................................................................................ 27
12 The K2 Edge Object how to ................................................................................................................. 30
13 The Scenepar Object ........................................................................................................................... 31
14 Events how to ....................................................................................................................................... 33
14.1 Inserting and linking Events and Targets .................................................................................... 33
14.2 Trigger onSocket Event via socket .............................................................................................. 33
14.3 Toggle onTime Event via socket ................................................................................................. 33
15 Decisions how to .................................................................................................................................. 34
15.1 Defining a decision ...................................................................................................................... 34
15.2 Reversing the decision ................................................................................................................ 34
15.3 Comparing sources 1 and 2 ........................................................................................................ 34
16 Text how to ........................................................................................................................................... 35
16.1 Replacing, removing, adding and converting strings................................................................... 35
16.2 Adding two text strings together .................................................................................................. 35
16.3 Word wrap ................................................................................................................................... 35
17 Pictures: How to ................................................................................................................................... 36
18 XML how to .......................................................................................................................................... 38
18.1 Specifying a XML-source ............................................................................................................. 38
18.2 Selecting records from the XML-source ...................................................................................... 38
18.3 Linking the XML-object and Record select object ....................................................................... 38
19 SQL how to ........................................................................................................................................... 39
20 RTic objects Quick Reference .............................................................................................................. 40
20.1 Channel Composer Ticker Object ............................................................................................... 40
20.2 Channel Composer Template Object .......................................................................................... 40
20.3 K2 Edge Object............................................................................................................................ 40
20.4 Scenepar Object .......................................................................................................................... 40
20.5 Record sel Object ........................................................................................................................ 40
20.6 onTime Object ............................................................................................................................. 41
20.7 onFileDate Object ........................................................................................................................ 41
20.8 onSocket Object .......................................................................................................................... 41
20.9 Add TGA Object........................................................................................................................... 42
20.10 Add Object ............................................................................................................................... 42
20.11 Color Object ............................................................................................................................. 42
20.12 Decision Object ........................................................................................................................ 43
20.13 Float Object ............................................................................................................................. 43
RTic User Manual- document version: 2.43 - 3
Graph Object ........................................................................................................................... 43
20.14
20.15 Integer Object .......................................................................................................................... 44
20.16 Local TGA Object .................................................................................................................... 45
20.17 PICconv Object ........................................................................................................................ 45
20.18 Tab Object ............................................................................................................................... 46
20.19 Table Object ............................................................................................................................ 46
20.20 TEXTlen Object ....................................................................................................................... 47
20.21 Trim Object .............................................................................................................................. 47
20.22 Wordwrap Object ..................................................................................................................... 48
20.23 wWrap2us Object .................................................................................................................... 48
20.24 CVS Object .............................................................................................................................. 48
20.25 Date Object .............................................................................................................................. 49
20.26 Excel Object ............................................................................................................................. 49
20.27 Manual Text Object.................................................................................................................. 50
20.28 Socket XML Object .................................................................................................................. 50
20.29 Text File Object ........................................................................................................................ 50
20.30 Time Object ............................................................................................................................. 51
20.31 XML Object .............................................................................................................................. 51
20.32 XML Vote Object ...................................................................................................................... 52
20.33 onTickfill Object [Legacy] ......................................................................................................... 53
20.34 ADOSQL Object ...................................................................................................................... 54
20.35 Indigo Object [Legacy] ............................................................................................................. 54
20.36 SMS Gate Object [Legacy] ...................................................................................................... 55
20.37 Template Object [Legacy] ........................................................................................................ 56
20.38 Nexus Template Object [Legacy] ............................................................................................ 57
20.39 Ticker Object [Legacy] ............................................................................................................. 58
20.40 Userstring Object [Legacy] ...................................................................................................... 59
20.41 Nexus Userstr object [Legacy] ................................................................................................. 60
21 Legacy .................................................................................................................................................. 61
21.1 Nexus System Object: How to [Legacy] ...................................................................................... 61
21.2 Tickers: How to [Legacy] ............................................................................................................. 61
21.3 Userstrings: How to [Legacy] ....................................................................................................... 62
21.4 Template Target: How to [Legacy] .............................................................................................. 62
21.5 Toggle onTickfill Event via socket: How to [Legacy] ................................................................... 63
RTic User Manual- document version: 2.43 - 4
Copyright © Grass Valley USA, LLC. All rights reserved. This product may be covered by one or more
U.S. and foreign patents.
RTic User Manual- document version: 2.43 - 5
1 Grass Valley Product Support
Contact information: http://www.grassvalley.com/support/contact
U.S Technical Support: +1 800-547-4989 or +1 530 478 4148 or E-mail: Please use our online form
All other countries Technical Support: +800 80 80 20 20 or +33 1 48 25 20 20 or E-mail:
callcentre@grassvalley.com
FAQ: http://grassvalley.novosolutions.net/
Training: https://grassvalley.csod.com/LMS/catalog/Main.aspx?tab_page_id=-67&tab_id=6
Documentation can be found on the Grassvalley website:
http://www.grassvalley.com/apps/doc_prodlist?super=broadcast&set=ips and
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/k2_edge.
1 About his document
This document describes RTic version 2.43. Information in this manual may at some points differ from
your RTic application due to differences in version.
2 RTic
RTic - Real Time information collector - can receive data from a broad variety of sources, then process
and send data directly on air.
RTic is installed on and runs from a workstation. RTic connects to the playout or test system via the RTic
System object [see paragraph 4.2 for an explanation].
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3 Workstation prerequisites
RTic runs on a Windows workstation, Vista/ Windows 7, 32/64-bits, 4Gb @2.4 Ghz.
4 The RTic Workflow
4.1 Workflow
RTic defines data flows: data is grabbed from a source, processed and sent to a target. Events allow you
to further control data grabbing; events are used to trigger data grabbing. The system object specifies the
playout system.
The steps below describe the RTic workflow:
1) Specify the data source.
Data can be grabbed from a variety of sources such as text, XML, Excel, and more. Data can be either
"single record", for example a text fragment, or "multirecord ", for example an Excel source.
2) Process the data.
Options include: trim text, word wrap text, merge graphics, define decisions and conditions for processing
data, select records from a multirecord source, and more.
3) Specify the target.
Define a target: send the data to a scene parameter, a ticker, and etcetera.
4) Link an event to the target.
Events are used to control data grabbing. An event triggers data grabbing, for example according to an
update interval or each time a specified data file is modified.
5) Define the output system.
The system object specifies the playout system.
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The example above shows a simple dataflow:
1. Text is grabbed from a text file, specified by the Text file object.
2. The text is trimmed as defined by the Trim object.
3. The Target object defines the target; in this example a scene parameter.
4. The onTime Event defines the interval for data grabbing.
5. The system object defines the playout system.
Most RTic objects contain a test grab option. You can use this option to test incoming data at several
stages in the workflow.
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4.2 RTic Objects
Sources
Data can be grabbed from:
• text, file or manual
• XML, file or socket
• database
• Excel files
• and more
Processing
Data processing options include:
• trim text
• merge graphics
• word wrap
• select a record and parameter
• define decisions and conditions for processing data
• and more
Events
Events are used to control data grabbing. For example, define an update interval, or check for changes in
a data file. Events are linked to Targets. In Grabber active mode, the Event updates the related Target
according to the specified trigger.
Targets
Data can be sent to different targets:
• scene parameters
• tickers
• templates
• and more
System
This object specifies the playout system.
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5 RTic modes
5.1 Designer
Designer mode: switch to this mode when building projects.
In this mode, you can manually test grab data. To test grab, verify if the system object is connected. In
Designer mode, you need to connect manually to the playout server. Note that data is actually sent to
system.
5.2 Grabber Active
Playout mode: activates the RTic project.
In this mode, Events – and thus (automatic) data grabbing - are activated. In Grabber Active mode, RTic
automatically connects to the playout server(s) as specified in the System object(s). Projects cannot be
altered.
5.3 Off
Deactivates the RTic project. Events – and thus (automatic) data grabbing - are deactivated. In this mode,
you can manually test grab data. To test grab, verify if the system object is connected. Note that data is
actually sent to system. Projects cannot be altered.
5.4 Show content
Select this option to display the results of the last grab underneath objects.
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6 Multirecord sources
6.1 What is a multirecord source
Excel, CSV, SQL, XML-files, etcetera are multirecord sources. Information is structured and stored in
records. Each record describes an entity, for instance 'Title' or 'Artist'. Records contain parameters, also
referred to as fields, attributes, columns, tags, and so on, depending on the source. Each parameter
contains a value.
• In a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file, each record is terminated by the operating system's line
separator and the parameters within a record are separated by a separation character.
• In an Excel file, each row represents a record, columns represent parameters.
• In a text file, each separate line represents a record.
• In a XML-source, tags are used to define and structure nodes and records. Records or attributes
hold values.
6.2 The Record select object
Use mulitrecord objects in combination with a Record sel object. The Record sel object is used to:
• Select a range of records to grab from the source, for example grab records 10 to 20.
• Select a parameter to grab from the records selected in step 1, for example grab parameter
'Company' (from records 10 to 20).
6.3 Multirecord sources and scene parameters
Each multirecord source parameter is written to a separate scene parameter or story. If 20 parameters are
grabbed from a source, 20 consecutive scene parameters will be updated. A pitch (a step value between
consecutive scene parameters) can be defined.
Example Excel with 3 rows and 3 columns A,B,C:
- A B C
1
row1-columnA row1-columnB
2
row2-columnA row2-columnB
3
row3-columnA row3-columnB
row1-columnC
row2-columnC
row3-columnC
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Example Record select object:
The test grab shows record 1, i.e. row 1.
This record contains 3 parameters, i.e. 3 columns.
The Record select object defines:
• records 1-3 will be grabbed; grabbing starts at record 1, the number of records to grab is 3
• from these 3 records, parameter, i.e. column B (the grab parameter), will be grabbed
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7 Starting RTic
7.1 Starting RTic
To start RTic click the RTic icon on your desktop.
7.2 The RTic workspace
The RTic workspace consists of a menu and the Canvas. The project name is displayed in the upper left
corner. The project’s creation and last save date are shown in the bottom right corner. The navigator
window can be used to select a portion of the Canvas.
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7.3 The RTic menu
File
• New
• Open
• Save
• Save as
• Set project as default Exit
Mode [see chapter 5 for an explanation]
• Off
• Grabber active
• Designer
• Show content
Messages
• Show Error log
• Clear Error log
• Show Message log
• Clear Message log
• New project
• Open project
• Save project
• Save as project
• Align objects horizontally
• Align objects vertically
• Specify a grid in pixels
• Categories and objects
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8 Working with objects
8.1 Adding Objects to the Canvas
To add an object to the Canvas, on the menu, first select the appropriate category, click the object you
want to add, and then click the Canvas.
8.2 Moving Objects on the Canvas
To move an object on the Canvas, select the object, and then move while keeping the mouse
pressed.
8.3 To link objects
Select the object.
Keep mouse pressed while dragging the object on top of target object.
8.4 To link a second object to an object (two inputs)
Select the object.
Keep the mouse and the [Shift]-key pressed while dragging the object on top of target object.
The second link is indicated by a yellow arrow.
8.5 To unlink objects
Select the object.
Right-click > Unlink.
Example options when right-clicking an object.
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8.6 Cut, copy, paste, delete
To cut, copy, paste or delete an object, right-click the object, then select the appropriate option. You
can also use the Windows shortcuts and the [delete]-key.
8.7 Properties
To view an object’s properties, right-click the object, then select Properties.
8.8 Rename
To rename an object, right-click, then rename.
8.9 Grab, show content
To grab data or show content, right-click the object, then select the appropriate option.
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9 The Record Select Object how to
Use the Record Select object to specify which records and parameters (i.e. which fields, text lines,
columns, and so on) you want to grab from a multirecord source.
See chapter 6 for a brief explanation of multirecord sources.
Insert a Process > Record Sel object.
Drag the multirecord source on top of Record Sel object.
Double-click the Record Sel object to edit:
Specify the first record you want to grab, for example start grabbing at record 5.
Specify the number of records you want to grab.
Click the Test grab button.
The record table shows the first record from the multirecord source.
To scroll through records, change the record number in the bottom right corner.
In the record table, select the parameter you want to grab.
Drag this parameter into the Grab parameter field while keeping the mouse pressed.
If applicable, select a sorting order in which the Record select object’s output will be written to the
scene parameters:
o no sorting
o Sort (ascending)
o Sort (descending)
o Sort (user table) file: click to use a Table object to define the sorting order.
o AlphaSort: click to sort in alphabetical order. If this option is not checked, values are sorted in
numerical order.
You can optionally specify a parameter to sort on by dragging this parameter from the record table
into the sort on parameter box.
Click Save to save the selection.
To test grab output of the Record select object, link the Record select object to a target and use the
target's Test grab option.
Each parameter (value) is written to a separate scene parameter. For example, if 10 record parameters
are grabbed, 10 consecutive scene parameters are updated, also if parameters are empty. A pitch can be
defined.
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10 The Channel Composer Ticker Object how to
Use this object to update a Channel Composer Ticker.
The ticker data flow is defined in RTic: the data source, processing and data grabbing.
Ticker templates (to place the ticker on-screen, set and clear ticker stories) are defined in Channel
Composer.
10.1 Workflow
In RTic, the steps for defining a Ticker are:
• Add a System object.
• Add a Ticker Target object.
This object specifies the ticker’s playout Channel, ticker number and the story mode (for example:
a triple part story ticker with a TGA).
• Link the Ticker to the System object. This object specifies the playout system.
• Add and link a Source object to the Ticker.
Ticker stories will be grabbed from this object.
• If applicable, add Process objects to process the data grabbed from the Source.
• Link an Event to the Ticker to control data grabbing.
The steps for defining a Ticker in Channel Composer are:
• Create a Template to place the Ticker on-screen.
• Create a Template to set ticker stories.
• Create a Template to clear ticker stories.
Example Templates for tickers can be found in Channel Composer under File > Example Projects >
RTic Ticker.
The Channel Composer User Manual explains how to create tickers in Channel Composer.
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10.2 Example RTic ticker data flow
Explanation:
• The Ticker object specifies the playout Channel, Ticker number and story mode. In this example:
a triple story ticker with a TGA.
• Stories are grabbed from a multirecord XML-source. Record select objects are used to select
fields from this source and update the story parts 1, 2, 3. The ticker_ani scene parameter is
updated with the TGA-filename.
• Trim and Table objects are used to edit and replace text strings.
• The onTime Event updates the Ticker (grabs stories) at a predefined interval.
• The System object links the ticker to the playout system.
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