Automated Master Control

We’re going to play like we’re going to win…not like we’re afraid

we might lose…

About Tony

• Tony Mancari, VP Eng & COO, WVPT TV

• 40 years in broadcasting (radio & TV)

• Built 13 automated TV master controls

• Degree in Broadcast Engineering

• Serve as Certification Chair, SBE – 78

• Serve as Chair, PBS NGIS subcommittee

Automation

• Wikipedia.org Definition is…

• …the use of control systems, in concert with other applications of information technology, to control machinery and processes, reducing the need for human intervention.

In my opinion - Automation

• Should not be used to reduce the workforce

• Should not be used to do what it is not designed for

Automation

• Should be used to allow the repetitive tasks to be accomplished by the installed systems

• Should allow us to use the time gained by automating master control to do the creative tasks or tasks that require human decisions

How to plan for automation

• What processes are in place today?

Basics

• Generate schedules

• Load play / record lists

• Setup records

• Check and time records

• Cue programs

• Set levels

• Execute on air playback…

Basics

• You fill in the blank for your store…

Realize- In an Automated Master

• Once the lists have been configured to do these time consuming tasks…

• The multi-output record and play channels are handled by the automation systems

• You move to more of an exception monitoring type of operation

Develop your discovery list

• What do you need to automate

• Get input from everyone who currently does a task in and around Master Control

• Involve every member of the staff in understanding why you are automating

Think Shopping List Complete?

• Ask your automation vendor if they can…

Want fries with that…

• Put server into record by a list• FTP copy from one to another server• Build a promo on the fly at play out• Put in and take out the lower 3rd crawl• Put in and take out the lower right bug• Perform a time correction with clock trigger• Play several very short events very quickly• Send warning messages to techs on call

Ask Your Auto & Traffic Vendors

• To review your schedule file before and after a list is generated for any errors

• How does it handle several offset events?

• Can BXF work with my auto & traffic?

• Will template schedules work in traffic?

• Is there a single point of failure here?

• Can you have a standby source?

Ask your Engineering Manager

• Can Remote Desktop be used to look?

• Can you see the monitor wall?

• Can you see the transmitter controls?

• Can you view physical plant alarms?

• Can automation be restarted by remote?

• AND…

• Tech easily respond to issues by remote?

Ask your Board

• How quickly is a failure response required?

• Within seconds• Within minutes• Within an hour

• Each requires a different set point in design of an automation system…

One minute…

• You might want to keep a body in the shop

One hour during overnight…

• You will want to keep a tech on call with a wireless internet connection

Finalize the needs

• Specify what you want to do in writing

• Talk to the all your preferred vendors

• Talk with the integrators as well

• Expect lots of return questions

• Interested parties should visit you

• Interested should learn your work flow

Hard Part - Manage the change

• Everyone on the staff needs to understand the written requirements and agrees on the outcome…

• The staff determines what is automated…

• Automation can possibly help you focus staff efforts…to be more creative

The change is coming

• You must have total buy-in from your Board, Management, and all the affected staff to successfully implement any Radio or TV fully automated master control

Change

• Plan and implement the change like you are going to win…

• Not like …you are trying… not to lose!

So you’ve gone automated…

• Reality check - How are you doing?• On air discrepancies up or down?• Any problems noticed? These fixed?• Staff feels good about their roles?• Staff trained and understand systems?• How does on air look?

• NOW WHAT?

Unattended Operation

• Determine if you are going to operate unattended any portion of the day

• Insure everyone knows who is responsible for day to day operations duties

• Repurpose staff via assignments to insure the work load is spread out evenly

• Try it for short periods of time slowly moving to longer periods

Real World Example-WVPT

• Today- we operate 24 x 7 unattended

• EAS is in an automatic run and pass thru

• Silent/Freeze detectors on all critical paths

• SNMP traps are used to capture alarms

• Physical Plant is monitored and notifies

• Multi-viewers system logs & notifies

• 7 Transmitters seen by remote login

Basic System

• Record/play with a file based work flow

• On air switching, branding, voiceovers

• Audio & Video Processing

• Signal Quality Management with alarms

• FCC required remote transmitter control

• EAS in automatic

• Text, auto dialers, cell phone to techs

Process

• In 2001… we began our discovery process for our desired workflow (about a year)

• In 2002…we constructed a multi-channel master control site

• 4 SD and 2 HD channels with sync roll for each service with no single point of failure

• On air Nov. 4, 2002

Nov. 5, 2002…

• We operated with 6 FTE and 2 PT

By Nov. 5, 2003

• With the new automated Master Control…

• One op has moved to traffic

• One op to Engineering Field Services

• 3 ops slid over to Production

• 1 op is in our Eng maintenance team

Our process discovered

• Although not designed to be op free

• We found with a good design…

• Using good engineering practices

• Good monitoring

• Good teamwork

• Good communications…

WVPT realized…

• Allow the repetitive tasks to be performed solely by automation

• Gave us much more time for the creative process in traffic, production, & marketing

Automation

• Doesn’t have to be done overnight…

Doesn’t have to be…

• All or nothing

• Expensive

• Hard to train on or operate

• Impossible to understand

Start with

• Simple alarms and auto notification

• Add one play record channel

• See what happens

Ways to evolve

• Inexpensive silent sense & freeze detectors are readily available

• Multi viewers can generate alarms• A thermostat can monitor temperatures• Automation can gpi/gpo or text message• A web cam can work wonders for viewing• Windows Remote Desktop can be a start• Security Systems can ring over to on call

Use of on call tech…

• Give out the on call number on your automated telephone attendant…

• Cable, SAT, or Translator viewers can call and report issues that won’t be readily noticeable to an automation SQM

• Teach your tech about customer service

• Member$ are our customer$

Summary

• Fully review current process in place

• Determine exactly what you need done

• Use the available technology to do it

• Run w/ops (attended) for a while mirroring

• Look for areas to possibly improve

• Refine the process in place/unattended?

• Let automation do the repetitive tasks

How I knew it was working

• 15:04 - We had a live on air satellite failure

• I watched us go to black on air briefly

• Silent Sense put up the cover slide

• When I arrived in Master Control to see what had occurred…

Unattended…not un-monitored

• 5 people were standing there hi 5’ing each other how quickly they had all responded…the credit that the system worked goes to the staff!

The 5 that arrived

• A former op …now a production person

• A Corporate Support Rep

• The receptionist

• A traffic person

• The General Manager!

• And…Yours Truly…That is total buy-in!

Interesting…

• An engineer was not required to react…

THANKS – Q & A

• 1st- There are no dumb questions

• But, what about…

• 2nd- See number 1

Contact Info

• Tony Mancari, VP Eng & COO• WVPT DTV• 298 Port Republic Road• Harrisonburg, VA 22801• (540) 437-2451• (800) 345 WVPT• (540) 434-7084 (fax)• tmancari@wvpt.net• www.wvpt.net•