sserre's dashboard

sserre replied on December 23, 2008 22:37 to the discussion "DVD Import - Very Low Audio" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Thanks JJ. Exactly what I was looking for, that should make a difference. I'll give that a spin right away!

Looking at your example above, can you tell me if the next line of code determines the output level (in dBu, not in percent) of the VS4's outputs? Or is that something else. Because if -4 dBu is the output level, changing it to +4 would level it with my other equipment. If not, thanks for playing!

sserre started following the question "Cooperative Regions?" in Tightrope Media Systems.

sserre replied on December 20, 2008 02:47 to the discussion "DVD Import - Very Low Audio" in Tightrope Media Systems:

I'm digging this up because I recently installed three Aphex Compellors on our channels, replacing older Symetrix 422s. The compellor is basically a stereo compressor/limiter/leveler which is designed to seamlessly control audio levels in a broadcast chain.

In trying to level the various audio sources, I noticed that the balanced audio outputs from the VS4 are MUCH lower than the other sources on our router. Like 20 db or more lower in some cases, depending on the program material that was ripped in using DVD import.

Note that I did not use the audio boost option when ripping in using DVD import. This sometimes makes a marginal difference (at say, +5 db or so), but can also distort the sound on playout depending on how loud the original DVD is.

So I was wondering... where is this configuration file to increase the output from 80% to 100%? And also, what reference level is the VS4's output at? +4 dBu? -10 dBv? I ended up setting the Compellor at -10 dBv reference to show a decent VS4 audio level on the input meter. But that means other louder sources make the limiter engage, and I'd like to avoid that.

Any info appreciated, as always!

sserre replied on December 07, 2008 14:24 to the question "Cablecast SQL as ODBC source?" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Resurrecting this post... I'd like to import show record data from Cablecast into a Filemaker Pro database. Specifically, I'd like to have the current show TRT and Cue times appear in my 'workflow' database, based on Show ID. (This database helps me stay current with my pre-Cablecast workflow...all the stuff I need to do to get the program scheduled and on the air). Perhaps this show data from Cablecast could be updated automatically in FileMaker, or by clicking a button that launches a script to make the update?

So, what are the steps I will need to take to make this happen? I assume I need to create an ODBC source that Filemaker can access on the database's host computer. What are the details of that connection? Is there a specific URL that needs to be listed in the ODBC Adminstrator that will tie me in with the live Cablecast data? I don't do this kind of stuff every day, so anyone that does...chime in please!

sserre replied on December 07, 2008 13:53 to the question "Anyone using custom fields in Cablecast?" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Archived? (yes/no) : Whether we've archived the program to DVD, very useful when people call us and ask if they can get a copy of the program.

Archive Date: The date we placed a copy in the archive

Meeting? (yes/no) : On the government channel, we tally the number of programs and hours of programming that are meeting coverage.

sserre started following the idea "Multiple Zone Configuration in Carousel - Possible?" in Tightrope Media Systems.

sserre replied on December 05, 2008 02:15 to the question "Web picture not working" in Tightrope Media Systems:

I'm now on 5.2.1, and started experimenting around with web picture bulletins. I did not get an exception error, however my bulletin only shows a black box instead of the intended web page.

sserre replied on December 04, 2008 02:04 to the question "How do I keep a bulletin and zone static?" in Tightrope Media Systems:

You may also want to set the default transition on that static page to 'fade.' I did this for one of my static zones (my channel's logo), and before I took this last step, I was noticing wipes go across that page on the zone.

sserre started following the idea "Text message to your digital sign using Twitter." in Tightrope Media Systems.

sserre replied on December 02, 2008 17:18 to the problem "Attempting to Edit Carousel Bulletin Dumps User to Front Door" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Here are the rights a "Community User" has:

Create - Template Quick Edit
Create - Standard Bulletins
Create - Submit Bulletins to this Zone
Create - Uploaded Bulletins

Media - Manage User Media

Here are her Zones:

Carousel Roles:
Role Domain
Community User Zone: Pittsfield ETV Remove
Community User Zone: Pittsfield ETV-Crawls Remove

That bulletin lives in the Pittsfield ETV Zone.

Front Door Version:

Release Version: 5.3.1 Build 95
Database Version: 5.0.0

The only other thing I could think of is that she's trying to get to this bulletin while she's in the Crawls Zone, but is this possible? Would she even see the bulletin she's trying to edit if this were true?

sserre replied on December 02, 2008 16:42 to the problem "Attempting to Edit Carousel Bulletin Dumps User to Front Door" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Version Info:

Release Version: 5.2.1 Build 54
Database Version: 5.2.0

sserre reported a problem in Tightrope Media Systems on December 02, 2008 16:41:

Attempting to Edit Carousel Bulletin Dumps User to Front Door

I wanted to share this experience that one of our community users had with Carousel. I was unable to duplicate the problem using my own login, and I was able to successfully edit her bulletin and save it. However, I have all admin rights, and she only has what we call "Community User" rights. They have not changed, and she is a longtime user. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Shaun, when I try to edit a bulletin that needs a time change (DARE has been
scheduled at 1:30 so Mr. Eberwein can attend) it keeps kicking me back to
the front
door.

JoAnne Sottile
Capeless School

sserre@pittsfieldtv.org writes:
Are you able to get to and click the 'Carousel' button? If not let me know.

Yes, Shaun, I can go all the way into the Carousel until I click on the right hand
side where the edit button is on the current bulletins to be edited.

JoAnne Sottile
Capeless School

sserre replied on November 24, 2008 14:37 to the idea "Informational Emails from Cablecast" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Cool, sounds like a plan. Maybe eventually we'll use the web service more but right now, you're right, we refer most inquiries about schedule etc. to the public site. Our website is still web 1.0 but we're hoping to improve upon that in the next couple of months...

sserre replied on November 24, 2008 02:57 to the idea "Informational Emails from Cablecast" in Tightrope Media Systems:

Excellent! See, I never would have thought of doing it that way. Let me know when you've got something and we'll upload it and try it out. We have a simple PHP script running there now so it should work fine with our ISP...

Thanks Ray, have a great Thanksgiving.

sserre replied on November 23, 2008 14:11 to the problem "Bulletin Packages are bugged!!!" in Tightrope Media Systems:

SCALA is a great product if it's still 1993. Ever try getting customer support from Norway? TRMS is way better on every level, orders of magnitude better.

sserre shared an idea in Tightrope Media Systems on November 22, 2008 00:28:

Informational Emails from Cablecast

As programs are created, encoded and aired, I find myself answering the same questions time after time: 'when is it going to be on?', 'how can I get this on-demand?', and similar questions. I'd like to streamline and simplify this process, leveraging the live schedule data available in Cablecast.

It would be great if I could load up a standard (customizable) email message into Cablecast, something to the effect of:

Thanks for your interest in 'x' program. Here are the upcoming schedule dates on Pittsfield ETV. (List of dates and times, in descending order). Additionally, if you want more information on this program, or to view it on-demand on your computer, visit this link: (link to the public website entry for this program). (Optionally:) To subscribe to a podcast of this series of programs, visit the following link (podcast link for this series). For questions about this or other PCTV programs, feel free to email me at sserre@pittsfieldtv.org or visit our website, www.pittsfieldtv.org. Thanks!

Then an "external communications" menu on the home page of cablecast gives me an easy way to send this stock message out to one or multiple email addresses instantly. Maybe there's also a way for people to subscribe to all public announcements of new programs.

Again, thanks for listening to new ideas!!

--Shawn

sserre shared an idea in Tightrope Media Systems on November 20, 2008 22:39:

'Automatic' DSK Branding of Previously Recorded Shows

This idea goes hand-in-hand with previous discussions about automatically changing media formats of a particular show ID AFTER the initial (live) run of the program.

We have a viewer who shared a frustration with us about not knowing when a show on the air is no longer a live call-in, but a recorded repeat. Here is his email:

"The call-in shows never indicate the date and time of the 1st broadcast
so one knows when to adjust one's schedule to actually participate with
a call. You should see much better participation when it's obvious when
the actual call-in actually takes place !

1 - Make the first airing obvious on your web page - with phone number(s)
2 - Indicate first airing for call-ins each schedule - both weekly
and the schedule for the current day
3 - Put an indicator on the show -indicating the show is a
rebroadcast and when the call in airing is done

Keep up the good work
Pete Costello"

Now, obviously right now we could click in the 'details' section of every show run we enter in the schedule, and type in "Recorded 11/20/08" in the bug text. But that's tedious, and not generally what TRMS products are all about.

How about a way (a check box in the show ID perhaps) to automatically place this DSK text in each show run that follows the first live run. Because after the first run, it'll always be a recorded repeat, and we'll always want that text to show, to avoid confusion for potential viewers/callers.

This could be a sub-check box to the earlier suggestion, which would automatically change future runs to a different format.

Thanks for listening, as always!

--Shawn

sserre shared an idea in Tightrope Media Systems on November 19, 2008 01:05:

Carousel: Countdown Clock to Next Program

Is there a possibility to have a Carousel clock bulletin that could count down to the next video program scheduled in Cablecast?

If you ever watch CNBC or some of the cable news channels, occasionally they will put up a countdown clock to important events (think election coverage, polls close in 1:00:00'). For our purposes, sometimes Carousel player is running between video programs for a chunk of time. It would be great if this countdown clock could pop up in our clock zone, at about 5 minutes prior to a program starting. The text could read: 'next program in' ...or... 'City Council begins in' ; and the clock could count down unitl the program starts and the router switches.

When the countdown clock reaches 0:00, the zone reverts to time of day clock.

The key to this would be integration with Cablecast and scheduled programs.

Anyone else find something like this useful? Maybe for a meeting in a particular room on digital signage? Or do you already have something like this?

--Shawn

sserre started following the update "Announcing DVD Import 5.0.0" in Tightrope Media Systems.

sserre replied on November 14, 2008 19:07 to the idea "Limiting record time or space" in Tightrope Media Systems:

I would suggest using the record channel with some wider parameters.

For example, your SVHS tape is 58 min. long. Set the record channel to start encoding at 1 PM and stop at 2 PM. At around 1 PM, watch the monitor connected to your encoder's output and/or watch autopilot's matrix force menu to see when the encoding starts. When it does, press play on your SVHS deck, and you're encoding. The encoder will automatically stop after one hour.

You may have a little extra time at the beginning and end, but nowhere near 17 hours! At least you'll have a reasonably-sized file at the end of the day.

--Shawn