Grass Valley Schedule Importer User Manual

Cobalt XML Schedule Import User

Manual

Document version: 1.28 - 02/07/2013

Support ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

1

2 About this document .................................................................................................................................. 3

3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3

4 Starting schedule import ............................................................................................................................ 4

5 The XML-schedule structure ..................................................................................................................... 5

6 XML-schedule records and attributes ....................................................................................................... 7

7 Appendix: configuring the Schedule Importer to update asset info ......................................................... 10

8 Appendix: example Schedule (text) ........................................................................................................ 11

Copyright © Grass Valley USA, LLC. All rights reserved. This product may be covered by one or more U.S.
and foreign patents.

Cobalt XML Schedule Import User Manual - document version: 1.28 – Page 2

1 Support

Contact information: http://www.grassvalley.com/support/contact
U.S Technical Support: [phone] or [phone] or E-mail: Please use our online form
All other countries Technical Support: [phone] or [phone] or E-mail:
[e-mail]
FAQ: http://grassvalley.novosolutions.net/
Training: https://grassvalley.csod.com/LMS/catalog/Main.aspx?tab_page_id=-67&tab_id=6

2 About this document

This document describes the standard Cobalt XML Schedule Importer version 1.28. Note that custom XML
Importers can be developed on request.

3 Introduction

The Schedule Importer imports XML schedule files into Cobalt POC (Playout Control). Use the Schedule
Importer to:

• Import Schedules. After import, Schedules are available for further editing or for playout in POC.

• Import Schedules and create or update assets (asset info).

o If an asset (InternalID) referenced in a Schedule does not exist in the TX/MAM database, a

new asset is created in the TX/MAM database, using the Asset information from the
Schedule.

o If an asset already exists, asset info can be updated with the Asset info from the Schedule

if this option is enabled as described in chapter 6.

Asset info is stored in the TX/MAM database (empty Assets). Asset files can then be ingested and are
linked to the asset info in TX/MAM, based on the asset’s

InternalID field.

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4 Starting schedule import

 To open the Schedule Importer:
 In POC, select a playlist in the vertical view.
 Click (Save/Export) > Import and select the appropriate file.

Example playlist with the Import button expanded

Playlists can be edited and monitored in Cobalt Playout Control (POC).

Schedule files can automatically be read from a predefined directory. For further information please contact
Grass Valley.

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5 The XML-schedule structure

Cobalt schedules are written in XML and are built of a header, records and attributes. Chapter 5 explains
the Cobalt XML schedule structure.

Asset types
Asset types referenced in a Schedule have to be defined in TX/MAM before Schedule import.

Custom asset metadata

Custom metadata fields for assets (custom_metadata) in the Schedule, if any, have to be defined in the
TX/MAM Asset Type definition before Schedule import.

Free configurable Event info

Free configurable info can be added to Events (ImportFields and Format). Event info can be displayed in
the Playlist, is included in the AsRun log and can be used by templates and applets.

Example Event information:

<FIELD name="billing">NONE</FIELD>

Formats

Formats are linked to Asset Types in TX/MAM. A dummy Format is available in the Smart Playout
Center installation: DFLT. This Format can be used if you do not want to link a fixed format to an
Asset Type. Events will initially be scheduled with this dummy format. Format Control can be used to apply

formats when the Playlist is activated.

Formats can also be linked to Events in the Schedule. The format defined in the Schedule will overwrite the
format linked to the main Event’s Asset Type.

Note that the format(s) referenced in a Schedule have to match the format names as defined in Channel
Composer.

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