Sony BZNP-100 User Manual 3

3-826-910-11(1)

Network Player Management Software

Operating Instructions

Before operating the software, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

BZNP-100 Version 3.00 and Later

Overview of This Manual

The operating instructions provide instructions on operating the BZNP-100 Network Player Management Software. The BZNP-100 software is designed to distribute and manage audio and visual content, including commercial videos played in public places or educational and training videos for use in a company. This content is send to Sony NSP-100 Network Players via a network. The operating instructions contain the same information as the online help. Both provide complete information on BZNP-100 operations. Press the F1 key to view help information on the functions of the window or dialog box currently having the focus. To see information on the operations related to the window/dialog box, click “Related Topics” link displayed on the right of the topic title. Click the Help Topics button in the Help window to see the table of contents.

Notations Used in This Manual

Menu commands and labeled buttons that appear on the screen are indicated as [command name] and [button name]. Example: [Edit], [Material Management]

Trademark Notice

• Microsoft, Windows, Windows XP and

DirectShow are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

• i.LINK is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

• Other system names, product names and

company names appearing in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. In this manual such names are not indicated by ® or ™ symbols.

NOTICE TO USERS

Program © 2003 Sony Corporation. Documentation © 2003 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form without prior written approval from Sony Corporation.

SONY CORPORATION PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR SUCH OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice. The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

Data used to create video, graphics, and text material for transmission from the network players may be copyrighted. Unauthorized distribution and/or playout of such material may be contrary to the provisions of the copyright laws. Also, the system allows you to use the fonts installed on the PC to create text material. Such fonts are copyrighted. Authorization or right of transmission is required to use them for playout.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 3

Overview ........................................................................................................... 5

System Overview............................................................................................................ 5

Operation Flowchart .......................................................................................................8

Major Operation Windows .............................................................................................. 9

Main Menu (Presentation Application) ................................................................................. 9

Main Menu (Scheduling Application).................................................................................. 11

Calendar Operations (Scheduling Application).......................................................... 13

Material Management Window - Video Tab ....................................................................... 14

Material Management Window - Graphics Tab.................................................................. 16

Material Management Window - Text Tab ......................................................................... 18

Material Management Window - Control Tab..................................................................... 20

Material Management Window - Playlist Tab ..................................................................... 22

Edit Playlist Window ...........................................................................................................24

Edit Playlist (Module List) Window ..................................................................................... 27

Routine Operations ........................................................................................ 29

Material Preparations.................................................................................................... 29

Video Material Preparation ................................................................................................. 29

Registering Material Data Prior to Converting a Video File (Video Material

Preparation) ............................................................................................................... 30

Capturing Video (Video Material Preparation)........................................................... 31

Graphics Material Preparation............................................................................................ 34

Registering Material Data Prior to Converting a Graphics File (Graphics Material

Preparation) ............................................................................................................... 35

File Used for Graphics Material .................................................................................36

Text Material Preparation - Character Text ........................................................................ 38

Text Material Preparation - Bitmap Text............................................................................. 40

Device Control Command Preparation............................................................................... 42

Checking Materials (Preview)............................................................................................. 44

Deleting Materials and Playlists (Automatic Deletion Function and Manual Deletion) ...... 45

Importing Materials and Playlist Modules Created with the BZNP-A1 ............................... 47

Playlist Preparations..................................................................................................... 49

What is a Playlist? .............................................................................................................. 49

Creating a New Playlist ...................................................................................................... 52

Creating a New Playlist by Listing Playlist Modules ........................................................... 54

Editing or Deleting a Playlist............................................................................................... 56

Checking a Playlist .............................................................................................................58

Editing Functions in the Edit Playlist Window..................................................................... 59

Adding Video, Graphics, and Text Events to a Playlist ............................................. 59

Including an External Device Control Event in a Playlist ........................................... 61

Moving and Deleting Events ...................................................................................... 62

Inserting a Playlist Module ......................................................................................... 62

Inserting a Break Event (Presentation Application) ................................................... 64

Changing the Start Time of an Event (Scheduling Application) ................................ 64

Positioning Video and/or Text.................................................................................... 65

Editing Functions in the Edit Playlist (Module List) Window............................................... 67

Transfer to the Network Players ................................................................................... 68

Sending Playlists to Network Players................................................................................. 68

Sending Materials to Network Players ............................................................................... 69

Checking Transfer Status ................................................................................................... 70

Playout.......................................................................................................................... 71

Normal Playout ................................................................................................................... 71

Urgent Playout .................................................................................................................... 73

Checking of the Network Players.................................................................................. 75

Checking the Network Player Status.................................................................................. 75

Checking the Playout Log................................................................................................... 76

Finishing the Operation................................................................................................. 78

System Setup.................................................................................................. 79

Setting Up the Software................................................................................................ 79

Setting Up the NSP-100 Network Players ....................................................................81

Editing Control Files Used on Network Players ............................................................ 82

Changing the Standby Screen and Playlist Loading Screen of the Network Players ... 84

Specifying the Special Playlists of the Network Players ............................................... 85

Setting Up Network Player Groups............................................................................... 86

NSP-100 Maintenance Commands ..............................................................................88

Windows and Dialog Boxes........................................................................... 90

Setup Dialog Box.......................................................................................................... 90

Network Setup Dialog Box............................................................................................ 92

NSP-100 Setup Dialog Box .......................................................................................... 93

Group Setup Dialog Box ............................................................................................... 97

Edit Group Dialog Box .................................................................................................. 98

NSP-100 Settings Dialog Box....................................................................................... 99

Group Settings Dialog Box .........................................................................................100

Transfer Status Window .............................................................................................101

Transfer Results Window............................................................................................ 102

Convert Material Window............................................................................................ 103

Parameter Settings Dialog Box................................................................................... 104

Capture Window ......................................................................................................... 105

Edit Text Dialog Box ................................................................................................... 107

Properties Dialog Box................................................................................................. 109

Font Color Setting Dialog Box ....................................................................................111

Edit Control (External Device/NSP-100) Dialog Box .................................................. 112

View Playlist Window.................................................................................................. 113

Properties Dialog Box................................................................................................. 114

Display Setup Dialog Box ........................................................................................... 116

Playout Log Window ................................................................................................... 118

Detail Screen Window ................................................................................................119

Delete Date Settings Dialog Box ................................................................................120

Change Start Time Dialog Box ................................................................................... 121

Password for NSP-100 Setup Dialog Box .................................................................. 122

NSP-100 Status Window ............................................................................................ 123

Preview Window ......................................................................................................... 124

Import Materials Dialog Box........................................................................................ 125

Overview

System Overview

The Sony BZNP-100 Network Player Management Software is designed to manage systems that send audio and visual content, such as commercial videos played in public places or educational and training videos in a company, to Sony NSP-100 Network Players (referred to as "network players") via a network, then plays them. The system uses video, graphics, and text materials. Unlike other authoring software, it manages video, graphics, and text materials separately, rather than combining them to make a piece of video material, and sends them together with a playlist. This feature allows you to quickly replace some pieces of graphics and text materials that are small in data size, or to modify the position of video and/or text on the graphics material or produce new combinations of the materials simply by sending a new playlist. The system enables you to fully utilize your audio and visual content for flexible playout.

There are the following software products:

• BZNP-100 manages up to 100 network players.

• BZNP-100LE is supplied with the NSP-100, and is a subset of this software which manages only one network player. There are also some "limitations for BZNP-100LE" described below.

The BZNP-100 software includes the following two applications so that you can select one according to your needs: The Setup dialog box is used to switch between these two applications.

• Presentation Application Used for presentations. This application creates and manages the playlists whose playout is controlled by the remote controller of the network player. Externally triggered playout starting and automatic starting upon NSP-100 power-on are also supported.

• Scheduling Application (Not included in the BZNP-100LE) Used for automatic playout. This application creates and manages the playlists whose playout is carried out automatically at a specified date and time.

Either application can handle the following four kinds of materials:

• Video AVI and MPEG2 files, and Sony VSR-2000/2000A video files should be converted to the NSP format, which is the only format the network players can play.

• Graphics Bitmap and JPEG files should be converted to the NSP format, which is the only format the network players can display.

• Text Data to be superimposed on a video or graphics item should be created as text. The system enables you to use a bitmap file to be superimposed as a piece of "text," too.

• Control commands Commands that specify control of the PDP (Plasma Display Panel) power switch or GPI (General Purpose Interface) pulses for devices connected to the network players are created and used as materials. Commands for NSP-100 control, such as to adjust volume, are also created and managed. (They are only used in an urgent playout procedure, however, and cannot be inserted in the playlists.)

You can create a "playlist" that lists the playout order of these materials, and send it to the network players. Then, each of the network players plays the materials out according to the playlist you created.

The following list shows the main operations that can be carried out using this software.

• Set up of the system.

• Prepare materials

Create materials using the BZNP-100

• Capture of video from a VCR or a camcoder connected with an i.LINK (IEEE

1394) cable and creation of AVI files.

• Conversion of video and graphics files into NSP format.

• Creation of files for subtitles, by typing in text and specifying how to display it.

Or, import materials and playlist modules created by the BZNP-A1 authoring software.

• Creation of device control commands to control devices connected to the network player, such as a PDP.

• Creation of playlists.

• Sending of playlists to the network players. (Materials that are not stored on the

destination network player are automatically sent with the playlist.)

• Checking the status of playlist transfer and each network player in the system.

• Retrieval of playout logs from the network players, and check the playout results.

Hint

During operation, pressing the F1 key on the keyboard displays information (help) related to the window/dialog box currently holding the focus.

Limitations of the BZNP-100LE

The BZNP-100LE is supplied with the NSP-100, and is a subset of this software. It has the following limitations:

• It manages only one network player.

• The Scheduling Application is not available.

As the scheduled playlists are not supported, the automatic scheduled playlist sending function is not available.

• Video capturing is not available.

• Importing of materials is not available. (Materials and playlist modules created by

the BZNP-A1 cannot be used.)

• Video previewing on a PC is not available.

• Fonts installed on a PC cannot be used for text material, therefore, only the font

installed on the NSP-100 can be used, and multicolor text and specification of font

size are not available. Bitmap text is not available, either.

• The Edit Playlist (Module List) window in which you can edit a playlist only by using playlist modules is not available.

• The automatic playlist resending function in case of a transfer error is disabled.

Operation Flowchart

Upon System Installation

Make the network settings, such as the IP address, for each network player by using the remote controller. Then, open the Setup, Group Setup, and NSP-100 Setup dialog boxes, one by one, and specify the required items.

During Normal Operation

The main operations are: material preparation, playlist editing, playlist/material transfer, and log checking. The following figure shows an example of the normal operation of this system to play commercial videos played in the public places or educational and training videos in a company.

Prepare Materials

Create Playlists

Create AVI files

Convert video and bitmap files

Create text material and external device control files

Import materials and playlist module created by BZNP-A1

Specify a destination network player group, then create a playlist for it. List the materials in the order of playout

Send Playlists

Check Transfer Status

and Network Player Status

(Playout)

Check Playout Log

Specifying the date and destination and clicking the Send button sends playlists and the necessary materials to the network player(s). Materials already stored in the network player are not sent again, to save transfer time and cost.

The network players automatically play out materials according to the playlist. For the Presentation Application, the remote contoller of the network player controls the playout. For the Scheduling Application, playout automatically starts at the specified date and time. When necessary, perform urgent playout.

Check the playout status.

Major Operation Windows

Main Menu (Presentation Application)

Hint

To see information on the operation, press the F1 key on the keyboard. Then, information (help) related to the window/dialog box currently holding the focus appears. Clicking "Related Topics" to the right of the help title shows the procedure and other information related to the displayed window/dialog box. Click [Help Topics] on the menu bar of the help window for information on the entire system.

The following window is the main menu of the Sony BZNP-100 Network Player Management Software when it is utilized as the Presentation Application. This menu appears upon starting the software to launch its functions. The following example uses the main menu of the BZNP-100, but that of the BZNP100LE is the same, the model name displayed being the only difference.

Import Materials Button

Opens the Import Materials dialog box to import materials and playlist modules created using the BZNP-A1 authoring software.

Material Management Button

Opens the Material Management window where the four types of material, video, graphics, text and device control commands, and the playlists are listed. This window also has functions for registering and converting video and graphics files, entering text, and for creating device control commands.

Video Capture Button

Opens the Capture window to create AVI files from the video of a VCR or camcoder connected to the PC with an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) cable.

Edit Playlist Button

Opens the Edit Playlist window to create and/or edit playlists.

Transfer Status Button

Opens the Transfer Status window to check the status of playlist/material being transferred to the network players.

NSP-100 Status Button

Opens the NSP-100 Status window to display the status of each network player in the selected group.

Playout Log Button

Opens the Playout Log window to obtain playout logs from the network players to check them.

Group Setup Button

Opens the dialog box used to create network player groups. You can create network player groups and send playlists and materials to the groups, rather than to each network player individually.

NSP-100 Setup, Setup Buttons

Opens the dialog boxes used to set up the network players and this software, respectively.

Main Menu (Scheduling Application)

Hint

The following window is the main menu of the Sony BZNP-100 Network Player Management Software when it is utilized as the Scheduling Application. This menu appears upon starting the software to launch its functions.

Note

The following example uses the main menu of the BZNP-100. The BZNP-100LE does not have the Scheduling Application.

Import Materials Button

Opens the Import Materials dialog box to import the materials and playlist modules created by the BZNP-A1 authoring software.

Material Management Button

Video Capture Button

Opens the Capture window to create AVI files from the video of a VCR or camcoder connected to the PC with an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) cable.

NSP-100 Status Button

Opens the NSP-100 Status window to display the status of each network player in the selected group.

Playout Log Button

Opens the Playout Log window to obtain playout logs from the network players to check them.

NSP-100 Setup, Setup Buttons

Opens the dialog boxes used to set up the network players and the software, respectively.

Edit Playlist Button

Opens the Edit Playlist window to create and/or edit playlists.

Transfer Status Button

Opens the Transfer Status window to check the status of playlist/material being transferred to the network players.

Group Setup Button

Opens the dialog box used to create network player groups. You can create network player groups and send playlists and materials to the groups, rather than to each network player individually.

Date Indication, Calendar, Previous and Next Month Buttons

Today's date is indicated on the main menu, but you can change the month of the calendar displayed by clicking the previous and next month buttons (the buttons with right and left triangle arrows).

Hint

Clicking the today's date indicator quickly returns the calendar display to the one for the current month.

You can send playlists and the necessary materials simply by selecting a day on the calendar and a destination group from the drop-down list box, then clicking the Send button, provided the materials and playlists are ready. The colors used for the calendar express the following meanings. Note that the colors will not be displayed correctly if you sent the video, graphics and text materials from the Material Management window. You need to send the playlists from this window, the Material Management or Edit Playlist window.

Background Text Meaning White Gray or brown Non-playout day. Gray Black or red Playlist not yet created. Green Black or red Playlist being edited or already edited. Light Blue Black or red Playlists and materials are being sent. Blue Black or red Playlists and materials successfully sent. Yellow Black or red Necessary materials not yet sent. Red Black or red A transfer error occurred.

Destination Group Drop-down List Box and Send Button

Selects one of the registered network player groups. You can send playlists and the necessary materials simply by selecting a day on the calendar and a destination group here, then clicking the Send button, provided the materials and playlists are ready. The drop-down list box is also linked with the Edit Playlist button. Selecting a group then clicking the button enables you to proceed to operation of the selected network player group.

Calendar Operations (Scheduling Application)

There is a calendar displayed on the main menu of the Scheduling Application, showing status of playlist creation and transfer. The background color of each date expresses the status of the playlists and related materials for that day. The text color also has meaning. The color is changed by the following operations:

Defining Non-Playout Days

It is helpful to see whether a certain day is a non-playout day or its playlist is not yet ready, and therefore has to be created.

1 Right-click the date to be designated a non-playout day on the calendar of the main menu. 2 Click [Non-Playout Day] or [Non-Playout Holiday] on the menu.

A non-playout day appears in gray or brown. Its background color is white. To return a non-playout day to a playout day, right-click the date, then click [Playout Day]. Click [Playout Holiday] in the same way to change a playout day to a non-playout day.

Note

Note that the playout period specified for each playlist overrides the non-playout day settings. When the playout period of a playlist is from September 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003, for example, it will be played everyday during the period, even if there is a non-playout day set for September 15. To keep a non-playout day, in such a case, create two identical playlists. Set the playout period for one from September 1, 2003 to September 14, 2003, and September 16, 2003 to September 30, 2003 for the other.

Switching the Color of the Days of the Week

The dates of weekdays (from Mondays to Saturdays) appear in black, and those of Sundays appear in red, by default. The system allows you to change the color.

1 To change the color of a day of the week, right-click the desired day of the week.

To change the color of a specific date, right-click the date.

Hint

Specify the color of the day of the week first, then specify the color of the specific holidays.

2 Click the desired item on the menu.

A workday appears in black or gray where a holiday appears in red or brown.

Material Management Window - Video Tab

The Material Management window is used to manage the four types of materials, and the playlists. The Video tab lists registered video materials. A white background color indicates that the video file has already been converted into the NSP format, while a green background color indicates that the video material data has been registered but has not yet been converted.

PC File Management and NSP-100 Remote File Management Option Buttons, NSP-100 Drop-down List Box and Update Button

Select either of the two option buttons, depending on the place where the desired video materials are stored. Normally, the PC File Management option button is selected. Select the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button, however, to check or delete materials stored on a network player. In such a case, select the desired network player from the NSP-100 drop-down list box. The Update button is used to update the list of materials stored on the selected network player.

List, Same Sorting as NSP-100 Button

The list displays the video material stored in the selected location. Temporary pieces of material are listed at the bottom. You can sort (ascending order) the material by clicking the title of the desired column. When the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button is selected, clicking the Same Sorting as NSP-100 button arranges the material in the order shown on the NSP-

100.

To modify the type and/or title of a piece of material, double click the desired column, modify the text, then press the Enter key. To delete the material, check the picture (preview on the PC), specify or clear the date of deletion, right-click the desired piece of material and select the desired command from the menu.

Note

When the material stored on a network player is listed, note that the video material displayed in red, if any, cannot be used for playout because the required file(s) of the material is/are missing. Delete the piece(s) of material displayed in red, then send the playlist again to resend such material.

Hint

If an event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

Temporary File Button

Adds a data record for a piece of new material at the bottom of the list. It is used to register material information to create a playlist before obtaining the video file. When the video file becomes available, you can assign the file to the piece of material data when conversion takes place.

Convert Material Button

Opens the Convert Material window to convert AVI, MPEG2, and VSR-2000/2000A video files into NSP format.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

These are used to specify the destination network player group and send the selected material(s). The Abort button cancels material transfer. These controls appear only when the PC File Management option button is selected.

Urgent Section (Play and Stop Buttons)

When the PC File Management option button is selected, the play button is used for urgent playout in which the selected piece of material is sent to a specified network player group, and playout starts as soon as each network player receives the material. When the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button is selected, the play button is used to play a piece of material on the selected network player. In either case, the play and stop buttons control urgent playout currently being performed on the selected network player or the network players in the selected group.

Note

The urgent playout function interrupts playout currently being carried out on the network player. Ongoing playout stops, and the selected piece of material will be played. Also, scheduled playout will not start during urgent playout. Check the network player status in the NSP-100 Status window before starting urgent playout, and click the stop button at the end.

Material Management Window - Graphics Tab

The Material Management window is used to manage the four types of materials, and the playlists. The Graphics tab lists registered graphics materials. A white background color indicates that the bitmap file has already been converted into the NSP format, while a green background color indicates that the graphics material data has been registered but has not yet been converted.

PC File Management and NSP-100 Remote File Management Option Buttons, NSP-100 Drop-down List Box and Update Button

Select either of the two option buttons, depending on the place where the desired graphics materials are stored. Normally, the PC File Management option button is selected. Select the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button, however, to check (preview on PC) or delete materials stored on a network player. In such a case, select the desired network player from the NSP-100 drop-down list box. The Update button is used to update the list of materials stored on the selected network player.

List, Same Sorting as NSP-100 Button

The list displays the graphics material stored in the selected location. Temporary pieces of material are listed at the bottom. You can sort (ascending order) the material by clicking the title of the desired column. When the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button is selected, clicking the Same Sorting as NSP-100 button arranges the material in the order shown on the NSP-

100. To modify the type and/or title of a piece of material, double click the desired column, modify the text, then press the Enter key. To delete the material, view the picture, specify or clear the date of deletion, right-click the desired piece of material and select the desired command from the menu. To change the standby screen, power off the network players after selecting the command, then power them on again.

Hint

If an event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

Temporary File Button

Adds a data record for a new piece of material at the bottom of the list. It is used to register material information to create a playlist before obtaining the graphics file. When the graphics file becomes available, you can assign the file to the piece of material data when conversion takes place.

Convert Material Button

Opens the Convert Material window to convert bitmap and JPEG files into the NSP format.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

Urgent Section (Play and Stop Buttons)

Note

Material Management Window - Text Tab

The Material Management window is used to manage the four types of materials, and the playlists. The Text tab lists registered text materials.

PC File Management and NSP-100 Remote File Management Option Buttons, NSP-100 Drop-down List Box and Update Button

Select either of the two option buttons, depending on the place where the desired text materials are stored. Normally, the PC File Management option button is selected. Select the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button, however, to check or delete materials stored on a network player. In such a case, select the desired network player from the NSP-100 drop-down list box. The Update button is used to update the list of materials stored on the selected network player.

List

Displays the text material stored in the selected location. Lines whose length (Len.) are not shown represent bitmap texts, that show bitmaps instead of text sentences. The Duration column indicates the estimated time to display the piece of text material (two seconds in the case of constant or blinking text). You can sort (ascending order) the material by clicking the title of the desired column. New pieces of material are listed at the bottom. To modify the type and/or title of a piece of material, double click the desired column, modify the text, then press the Enter key. To edit or delete the material, specify or clear the date of deletion, right-click the desired material and select the desired command from the menu.

Hint

If an event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

New Button

Opens the Edit Text dialog box to create a new piece of character text material.

Read Bitmap Button

Opens the Open dialog box to create a new piece of bitmap text material.

Hint

The bitmap files that satisfy the following conditions will be converted to material having the same material codes as those of the original files. A piece of material that already has that material code will be overwritten.

• The file name (extension excluded) consists of eight characters, and the extension is "bmp."

• The first character of the file name is T.

• The third through the eighth characters (six digits) of the file name are numbers.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

Urgent Section (Play, and Stop Buttons)

Note

The urgent playout function interrupts playout currently being carried out on the network player. The selected text will be displayed on the piece of material that is being played, or the selected text will override the text that is being played, if any. Also, scheduled playout will not start during urgent playout. Check the network player status in the NSP-100 Status window before starting urgent playout, and click the stop button at the end.

Material Management Window - Control Tab

The Material Management window is used to manage the four types of materials, and the playlists. The Control tab lists registered control commands used for PDPs (Plasma Display Panels) or other devices connected to the network players, as well as control commands for the network players themselves. Control commands for external devices are included in the events of a playlist to control external devices along with playout. The control commands for the network players are used in the urgent playout procedure, and are sent to the network players to be run there.

List

Displays registered device control commands. You can sort (ascending order) the device control commands by clicking the title of the desired column. New device control commands are listed at the bottom. To modify the type and/or title of a command, double click the desired column, modify the text, then press the Enter key. To modify or delete a command, right-click the desired control command and select the desired command from the menu. The BZNP-100 provides the following control commands for adjusting the audio volume of the network players. These commands cannot be inserted in the playlists. To adjust audio volume, select the desired network player group with the Destination drop-down list box, select the command corresponding to the desired volume, then click the play button in the Urgent section.

Command Name Function

D0NspAlH Audio level: High D0NspAlM Audio level: Middle D0NspAlL Audio level: Low D0NspAl0 Audio muting

Hint

If an event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

New Button

Opens the Edit Control (External Device/NSP-100) dialog box to create a new device control command. The BZNP-100 accepts up to 50 device control commands.

Destination Drop-down List Box

Used to specify the destination network player group to which to send the selected device control command.

Urgent Section (Play Button)

Used for urgent playout in which the selected device control command is sent to the specified network player group, where it will run on the network players.

Note

The urgent playout function interrupts playout currently being carried out on a network player. Ongoing playout stops, and the selected control command will run on each network player.

Check the network player status in the NSP-100 Status window before starting urgent playout of the device control command.

Material Management Window - Playlist Tab

The Material Management window is used to manage the four types of materials, and the playlists. The Playlist tab lists registered playlists.

Note

The system stores the playlists separately according to their destination network player groups. Selecting another network player group with the Destination drop-down list box switches the playlists displayed.

PC File Management and NSP-100 Remote File Management Option Buttons, NSP-100 Drop-down List Box and Update Button

Select either of the two option buttons, depending on the place where the desired playlists are stored. Normally, the PC File Management option button is selected. Select the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button, however, to check or delete playlists stored on a network player. In such a case, select the desired network player from the NSP-100 drop-down list box. The Update button is used to update information on the playlists stored on the selected network player.

List, Same Sorting as NSP-100 Button

Displays the playlists stored in the selected location. You can sort (ascending order) the playlists by clicking the title of the desired column. New playlists are listed at the bottom. When the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button is selected, clicking the Same Sorting as NSP-100 button arranges the playlists in the order shown on the NSP-100. The item colors have the following meanings:

Color Playlist Type Description

Black Normal playlist Blue Playlist module Playlist parts to be inserted into other playlists.

They do not have the start and end date/time, and delete date data, even in the case of the Scheduling Application.

Purple Imported

playlist module Yellowgreen

Power-on start

playlist Green Play button start

playlist

When the PC File Management option button is selected, only playlists created for the network player group selected in the Destination drop-down list box appear.

To modify the type and/or title of a playlist, double click the desired column, modify the text, then press the Enter key. To view, edit, or delete the playlist, specify or clear the date of deletion (in the Presentation Application only), right-click the desired playlist and select the desired command from the menu.

Playlist modules created using the Sony BZNP-A1 authoring software. They cannot be edited. Playlist which will automatically start when the network player is powered on. Playlist which can be started by pressing the play button of the network player's remote controller during standby.

Hint

If an event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

New Button

Opens the Edit Playlist window to create a new playlist.

New (Module List) Button

Opens the Edit Playlist (Module List) window to create a new playlist using playlist modules.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

These are used to specify the destination network player group and send selected playlist(s). The Abort button cancels playlist transfer. These controls appear only when the PC File Management option button is selected.

Urgent Section (Play and Stop Buttons)

When the PC File Management option button is selected, the play button is used for urgent playout in which the selected playlist is sent to the specified network player group, and playout starts as soon as each network player receives the playlist and the necessary materials, if any. When the NSP-100 Remote File Management option button is selected, the play button is used to play a playlist on the selected network player. In either case, the play and stop buttons control urgent playout currently being performed on the selected network player or the network players in the selected group. The stop button can also be used to stop normal playout of a playlist.

Note

The urgent playout function interrupts playout currently being carried out on the network player. Ongoing playout stops, and the selected playlist will be played. Also, scheduled playout will not start during urgent playout. Check the network player status in the NSP-100 Status window before starting urgent playout, and click the stop button at the end.

Edit Playlist Window

The Edit Playlist window enables you to create "playlists" and "playlist modules" by combining registered video, graphics and text materials. Playlists and playlist modules also accommodate the external device control commands. Each network player plays the materials out according to the playlists created here. Video, graphics and text lists are displayed in the upper half of the Edit Playlist window. Select the desired material from the list and place it in the playlist in the lower half of the window.

Hint

If a material/event type or title is longer than the width of the list, and thus it is not fully displayed, move the mouse pointer over the code, type, or title. The entire text pops up.

Playlist Title Box

The Playlist Title box shows the title of the displayed playlist. Click the Properties button to modify the playlist title.

Properties Button

Opens the Properties dialog box in which you can specify detailed information on the playlist, such as the type and title, and whether playout should be repeated. In the case of the Scheduling Application, the Properties dialog box also enables you to specify the period of automatic playout, for example, from 03/06/07 to 03/06/13.

Video, Graphics and Text Lists

Registered material data (sequential number, type, and title) is displayed, in the same way as in the Material Management window. Temporary pieces of material are listed at the bottom. The duration of video material, and the estimated time to display the piece of text material are also displayed. You can sort (ascending order) the material by clicking the title of the desired column. Drag & drop the desired materials from here to the playlist. Note that a green background indicates that the material is not ready (has not yet been converted), just as in other windows. Also, in the same way as in the Material Management window, you can right-click a piece of material and use a command on the menu, such as [Preview on PC].

Playlist

A playlist is a list of materials arranged as events, in the order of playout. Each piece of material to be played out is displayed as a separate event, depending on the material type. There is a "Start Time" column at the leftmost edge of the list in which the start time of each event appears. Events assigned the same number (No.) will start playing simultaneously. The gray strip indicates a break, that is a period in which no material is played out. A drag & drop operation from the Video, Graphics, or Text list, above, to the playlist adds/inserts an event at the drop position. Text material can only be added to a video or a piece of graphics material. It cannot be an event by itself.

Hint

If an independent text event occurs, it appears in red on the playlist. The system does not allow you to save such a playlist. Revise the playlist so that every text event will be played together with a video and/or graphics event(s).

There is a Control column at the rightmost edge of the playlist. Right-clicking this column displays a menu to add/clear a registered external device control command to/from the event. Events with an external device control command are shown with the

external device control mark (

) in this column. Right-clicking an event displays a menu that lists the functions available for the event, such as deleting the event or specifying the display size and position of the event.

Note

In the case of NTSC video, the system regards one second as 30 frames of video signal although it is approximately 29.97 frames (non-drop frame mode). Hence the actual length is longer than the duration indicated for such a piece of video material. This error is approximately two frames for one minute and 108 frames (3.3 seconds) for one hour. The system adjusts this error to indicate the start times of the events on the playlist, but there still is a small amount of error (less than one second) between the indication and the actual start time.

Inserted Playlist Module

If you insert a "playlist module," that is a playlist piece to be inserted into another playlist, it appears as a light-gray comment line with a closed arrow mark (

). Double-clicking this closed arrow mark expands the module, and its events appear enclosed by two light-gray comment lines whose Start Time columns have arrow marks

and ).

( The expanded playlist module can be collapsed by double-clicking the arrow mark on its upper comment line.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

The Destination drop-down list box and the Send button are used to specify the destination network player group and send the playlist. The Abort button cancels playlist transfer.

Default Display Setup Button

Opens the Display Setup dialog box to specify the default size (only for video material) and positions of the video and text materials. To modify those parameters for an event, right-click the desired event, then click [Display Setup] on the menu.

Edit Playlist (Module List) Window

The Edit Playlist (Module List) window enables you to arrange the "playlist modules" to create "playlists." There is playlist module list in the left half of the Edit Playlist (Module List) window. Select the desired module from the list and place it in the playlist in the right half of the window.

Hint

This window is useful for arranging playlist modules to schedule programs for a particular, but it does not allow you to insert discrete video, graphics or text events in the playlist. Use the normal Edit Playlist window to insert those events.

Playlist Title Box

The Playlist Title box shows the title of the displayed playlist. Click the Properties button to modify the playlist title.

Properties Button

Playlist Module List

Registered playlist module data (sequential number, code, type, title, duration, and the number of events in the module) is displayed. Drag & drop the desired module from here to the playlist. Also, in the same way as in the Material Management window, you can right-click a piece of material and use a command on the menu, such as [View].

Playlist

Displays a playlist, in which the playlist modules and the external device control events are listed in the order of playout. There is a "Start Time" column at the leftmost edge of the list in which the start time of each module appears, and the "Total" column at the rightmost edge in which the total numbers of the events from the playlist top to that line. The gray strip indicates a break, that is a period during which no material is played out. A drag & drop operation from the Playlist Module list at the left to the playlist adds/inserts a playlist module at the drop position. The external device control commands are added to the playlist as the event lines, in the same way as the playlist modules. Right-click the line immediately below the location where you want to insert the external device control command, and select the desired external device control command on the sub-menu of [Insert Control (External Device)].

Note

• In the case of NTSC video, the system regards one second as 30 frames of video signal although it is approximately 29.97 frames (non-drop frame mode). Hence the actual length is longer than the duration indicated for such a playlist module. This error is approximately two frames for one minute and 108 frames (3.3 seconds) for one hour. The system adjusts this error to indicate the start times of the events on the playlist, but there still is a small amount of error (less than one second) between the indication and the actual start time.

• The "Total" column of the playlist shows the total number of events from the top of the playlist to that line. Note, however, that adding a playlist module to the playlist inserts an extra two lines (one line each at the top and bottom of the playlist module, as comment lines), so that the total number increases by 2 + the actual number of the events in the playlist module.

Destination Drop-down List Box, Send and Abort Buttons

The Destination drop-down list box and the Send button are used to specify the destination network player group and send the playlist. The Abort button cancels playlist transfer.

Routine Operations

Material Preparations

Video Material Preparation

To use video material for playout, prepare the required information, such as titles, and the video files, then send them to the network players. Video files should be converted from AVI, MPEG2 or VSR-2000/2000A format into NSP format before sending because the network players only play files in NSP format.

Note

• The system manages AVI files created by Adobe Premiere or captured from a video equipment using this software, with a duration of from five seconds through 150 minutes. To create an AVI file using Premiere, specify "1 Frame" in the "Interleave" item in the audio setting window when exporting the timeline as a movie. Note that the system does not accept AVI files that have no audio data. See "Capturing Video" for details on capturing operation. There are some restrictions to use other types, such as MPEG2(PS) or VSR2000/2000A, of video files, too. Consult your supplier or Sony sales representative for details.

• Reading video files directly from a CD-R or DVD-R for conversion may result in an error because of their slow reading speed. In such a case, copy the video files to the hard disk first, then specify the copied folder.

Hint

The system also enables you to register material data prior to converting a video file. (See "Registering Material Data Prior to Converting a Video File.") This is convenient when you would like to create a playlist before you obtain the video files used in it.

1 Click [Material Management] on the main menu to open the Material Management window. 2 Select the Video tab, then click [Convert Material].

The Convert Material window appears.

3 Click [Browse] and specify the folder where the video files (such as AVI files) to be

converted are stored, if necessary.

4 Click [Parameter], modify the settings for protection, video rate (only for AVI files), and

audio filter (only for AVI files), if necessary, then click [OK]. Normally, leave the setting in the File Size drop-down list box unchanged. See the explanation of the Parameter Settings dialog box for details on the items in the dialog box.

5 Select the video files to be converted from the upper video file list.

To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key and click them one by one. To select a range of files, hold down the Shift key and click both the first and last files in the range.

6 Click [Start].

Conversion of the selected video files starts. The converted material appears in the lower list on a blue background, as well as in the Material Management window.

Replacing Video Material Having a Certain Material Code

You can replace material that has a certain material code. This operation is useful when you want to regularly replace a part of the content without editing the playlist. Make sure the material meets the following conditions and perform the procedure described above.

• Use material of the same duration as that of the one to be replaced. If the duration of the two pieces of material are different, unexpected playout may occur.

• Make the name of the source video file the same as the material code of the one to be replaced. To replace the piece of material with the code "M0000001," for example, rename the captured file "M0000001.avi" using Windows Explorer.

• Allow enough time for replacement. Make sure that the new material arrives at the network player at least 15 seconds before the playlist is to start.

Entering/Modifying the Type, Title, or Duration of the Material

Double-click the column for type, title, or duration (only editable for temporary files) of the desired material in the Material Management window. This enables editing in that column. Press the Enter key to complete the modification.

Specifying the Date for Automatic Deletion

Right-click the desired material in the Material Management window, then click [Set Delete Date] or [Clear Delete Date]. When you click [Set Delete Date], a calendar appears. Select the date for deletion, then click [OK].

Registering Material Data Prior to Converting a Video File (Video Material Preparation)

To use video material for playout, prepare the required information, such as titles, and the video files, then send them to the network players. Video files should be converted from AVI, MPEG2 or VSR-2000/2000A format into NSP format before sending, because the network players only play files in NSP format.

Note

• Reading video files directly from a CD-R or DVD-R upon conversion may result in error because of their slow reading speed. In such a case, copy the video files to the hard disk, then specify the copied folder.

The system enables you to register material data prior to converting a video file. This is convenient when you would like to create a playlist before you obtain the video files used in it.

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