Playbox Reference Manual

8/11/2019 Playbox Reference Manual

1/527

www.playbox.tv

REFERENCE MANUAL(Version: 17.6, February 2014)

Current software versions:

AirBox: 4.2

CaptureBox: 2.9

FinishBox LE: 2.9

DataBox: 2.3

TitleBox: 4.1

ListBox: 4.2SafeBox: 1.0

Trimmer Server: 1.0

Multi AirBox Manager: 1.0

Multi Backup Manager: 1.0

Multi Playout Manager 1.1

ScheduleBox 1.2

AlarmBox: 1.0

TimeShiftBox: 2.1

Universal Matrix Controller 1.0

UDP Switcher 1.0

Live Viewer 1.0

VDCP Manager 1.1QCBox 1.1

TitleBox Dashboard 1.1

TitleBox ListPlayer 2.1

This guide explains how to use the basic functionalities of the PlayBox Technology software modules.


2/527

2

Legal noticeThe information in this manual is furnished for informational use only. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior written permission of DMT Ltd.

The software, described in this manual, is owned by DMT Ltd. It is protected by Bulgarian Copyright Law, as well as by international copyright treaties, and

may be used or copied only in accordance with the license agreement.

DMT Ltd. provides this manual as is without any warranty, either express, or implied.

This publication may contain typographical errors or technical inaccuracies. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document,

DMT Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages, resulting from the use of the information, contained

herein. Changes are periodically made to the information herein.They will be incorporated in new versions of the manual. Please, check the PlayBoxwebsite

regularly for User Manual updates.

DMT Ltd. may introduce changes or improvements in the products, described in this manual at any time, without any special notice.

Please, address your comments or questions to:

Digital Media Technologies Ltd.

7Iskarsko shose Blvd.

Building 15, 5thFloor

1528 Sofia, Bulgaria

Tel.: +359 2 9703050

Fax: +359 2 9717700

[email protected]

www.playbox.tv
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/


3/527

3

Table of ContentsLEGAL NOTICE ........................................................................................... 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................. 3

PREFACE.................................................................................................... 10

STYLE CONVENTIONS............................................................................. 11

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW ........................................................................ 12

PLAYBOXMODULES ................................................................................................... 12

AirBox ............... ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ........... 12

CaptureBox .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

DataBox .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

ListBox ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12

TitleBox ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

SafeBox............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

SOFTWAREUPDATESANDPROTECTION ........................................................... 12

Software Updates ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Software Protection .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

WORKFLOWBASICS .................................................................................................... 13

Media Input ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Content Management................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

Program Schedule Creation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Content Playout ............... ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ........ 14

CHAPTER 2 AIRBOX ............................................................................. 16

GETTINGSTARTED ....................................................................................................... 16

Quick Start ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. 16PREAMBLE ....................................................................................................................... 16

Multi-format playout SD/HD .................................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Pumping playout ................ ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ...... 16

Live input ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 16

USERINTERFACE ........................................................................................................... 17

Title Bar........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Menu Bar ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 17

Multi-purpose zone..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

AirBox Playlist ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 19

Status Bar ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 44

Playback Control and Counters ............................................................................................................................................................................. 44

Playlist Control Buttons ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 45

The Volume Slider ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 46

Trimmer Server............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 46

MENUBAR ....................................................................................................................... 46

File Menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ... 46

Edit Menu ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52

View Menu ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... ................. 57

Settings Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64

Tools Menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 135

Commands Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 141

Help Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 142

CHAPTER 3 - LISTBOX .......................................................................... 143


4/527

4

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 143

QUICK START.................................................................................................................... 143

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 143

Playlist Control Buttons ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 143

Playback control and counters ............................................................................................................................................................................ 143

Playlist Grid ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 144

Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 145

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 146

File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 146

Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 146

View menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 146

Settings menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 146

Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 147

Commands menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 147

Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 147

CHAPTER 4 - MULTI BACKUP MANAGER .......................................... 148

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 148

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 148

Quick start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 148

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 149

The Toolbar ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 149

Master and Slave configuration .......................................................................................................................................................................... 150

The active switches monitoring ........................................................................................................................................................................... 154

Log view ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 154

SWITCHRULES ............................................................................................................. 154

CHAPTER5 - MULTI AIRBOX MANAGER ........................................... 158

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 158

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 158

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 158

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 159

AirBox Browser ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ..... 159

AirBox control panels ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 160

Content Bin ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 161

MENU BAR........................................................................................................................ 163

WEBINTERFACE .......................................................................................................... 164

CHAPTER 6 CAPTUREBOX ................................................................. 167GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 167

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 167

CAPTURE SETTINGS.......................................................................................................... 167

MUSE ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 167

IP Capture ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 177

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 179

Capture Mode ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 179

Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 187

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 189

File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 189

View Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 193


5/527

5

Capture Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 194

CHAPTER7 - FINISHBOX LE ................................................................. 195

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 195

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 195

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 195

Standard mode .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 196

Folder Watch .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 198

CHAPTER 8 DATABOX ....................................................................... 200

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 200

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 200

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 201

Tree View ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 201

Search Fields .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 203

Data Grid ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 204

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 207

Grid ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 207

New Record ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 207

Options ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 217

Media Types ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 226

Qualities ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 226

Classification ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 227

Credits .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 228

Print ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 228

Media Folders ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 229

CHAPTER 9 TITLEBOX ........................................................................ 231

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 231

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 231

Manage TitleBox Instances ................................................................................................................................................................................... 231

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 232

Work Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 232

Toolbars ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 233

Object Palette ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 237

System Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 238

Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 238

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 239

File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239

Network Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 239

Object Menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 240

Project Menu .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 241

Help Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 248

CREATINGOBJECTS ................................................................................................... 248

Step By Step ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 248

Editing Objects .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249

Deleting Objects ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249

Object List ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249

Object Properties ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 249


6/527

6

SCHEDULER ....................................................................................................................... 272

Scheduler Commands ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 272

Object Settings .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 272

Objects List.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 273

SLIDEMANAGER ......................................................................................................... 274

Slide control buttons ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 274

Project control buttons ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 274

Project Preview area................................................................................................................................................................................................ 274

Slide Controller.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 280

DATA SOURCE MANAGER............................................................................................... 281

Weather Data Provider .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 284

FileLink Data Provider ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 284

ODBC Data Provider ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 286

XML Data Provider ............... ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ 287

RSS Data Providers .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 288

HTML Table Data Provider ................................................................................................................................................................................... 289

EAS (Emergency Alert System) Data Provider ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... .............. 290

TASK MANAGER ............................................................................................................... 291

Tasks ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 291

Input Events ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 307

Assigning a task to an event ................ ................ ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................. ............... .............. 309

AS-RUN LOG..................................................................................................................... 310

User Interface .............. ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 310

Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 311

CHAPTER 10 - CLIP TRIMMER ............................................................. 313

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 313

Preview Screen .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 313

Trimmer Control ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 313

Volume Control ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 316

Status Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 316

TRIMMERPAGES ......................................................................................................... 316

Video Clip Info ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 317

Clip Zones ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 317

Clip Shots .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 318

Clip Streams ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 319

Extra .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 319Clip Filters ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 320

External Output Configuration ............................................................................................................................................................................ 320

CHAPTER11 - SAFEBOX ........................................................................ 321

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 321

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 321

USER INTERFACE............................................................................................................... 321

SAFEBOX OPTIONS.......................................................................................................... 323

General......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 323

Removal ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 325

Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 326

OML ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 326


7/527

7

Attached files .............. ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ........... 327

EXPORT MEDIA INFO........................................................................................................ 328

CHAPTER12 - UNIVERSAL MATRIX CONTROLLER ........................... 329

INSTALLATION AND SETUP .............................................................................................. 329

COMMUNICATION WITH AIRBOX................................................................................... 332

COMMUNICATION WITH MULTI-BACKUPMANAGER.............. ................. ................ .... 333

UNIVERSAL MATRIX PLUGIN SETUP............................................................................... 334

CHAPTER 13 UDP SWITCHER ........................................................... 336

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 336

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 336

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 336

CHAPTER14 LIVE VIEWER ................................................................. 339

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 339

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 339

USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................... 339

CHAPTER15VDCP MANAGER ........................................................... 342

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 342

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 342

USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................... 342

CHAPTER16 - ALARMBOX ................................................................... 346

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 346

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 346

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 347

Monitor Sources ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 347

Message Destination ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 348

Rules .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 350

Named values ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 352

CHAPTER17- TIMESHIFTBOX .............................................................. 353

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 353

Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 353

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 353

MENU BAR ........................................................................................................................ 354

Preferences: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 355

Logo config ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 356

CHAPTER 18 - QCBOX .......................................................................... 357

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 357Quick Start .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 357

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 358

The Menu bar ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 358

The Toolbar ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 358

The Files set area ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 359

Log View ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 359

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 360

File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 360

Settings menu ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 361

Tests menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 367

Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 367


8/527

8

AUDIOLEVELSNORMALIZING .............................................................................. 368

Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 368

What actually happens in AirBox when normalizing? ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................ .............. 369

PlayBox workflow ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 369

How to apply the necessary settings? ............................................................................................................................................................... 370

CHAPTER 19 TITLEBOX DASHBOARD ............................................. 372

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 372

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 372

OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 372

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 373

Tree View ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373

Main View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373

Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 373

Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 374

Right-Click .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 374

Drag-and-Drop ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 377

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 377

File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 377

Edit menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 378

Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 378

Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 380

CHAPTER 20 TITLEBOX LISTPLAYER ............................................... 381

GETTINGSTARTED ..................................................................................................... 381

Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 381

OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 381

USERINTERFACE ......................................................................................................... 382

Main View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 382

Right-Click .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 382

Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 384

MENUBAR ..................................................................................................................... 385

File menu ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................ ................. ................ ................. ................ ................ 385

Edit menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 385

Playback menu .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 385

Tools menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 386

Help menu .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 387

CHAPTER 21 MULTI PLAYOUT MANAGER ..................................... 388

QUICK ST RT ND SETUP

.............................................................................. 388

USER INTERF CE .................................................................................................. 388

ome View

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 389

System Manager

................................................................................................................................................................................................. 407

CHAPTER 22 SCHEDULEBOX ............................................................ 418

QUICK START AND SETUP............................................................................................... 418

USER INTERFACE............................................................................................................... 419

Home View ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 419

System Manager ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 439

APPENDIX 1 - PLAYBOX GPI ............................................................... 453

GPIIN AIRBOX................................................................................................................. 453


9/527

9

GPIPINOUT...................................................................................................................... 453

GPI-INIMPLEMENTATION.............................................................................................. 453

GPI-OUTIMPLEMENTATION......................................................................................... 453

AIRBOX AS A GPISLAVE................................................................................................. 453

AIRBOX AS A GPIMASTER............................................................................................. 454

AIRBOX GPISETTINGS PANEL ....................................................................................... 454

RS2329-PIN D-SUBPINOUT REFERENCE............... ................ ................ ................ .... 454

GPIINPUTREFERENCE.................................................................................................. 455

GPIOUTPUTREFERENCE.............................................................................................. 455

APPENDIX 2 EVENTS OFFSET BEHAVIOR ....................................... 456

APPENDIX 3 VDCP IMPLEMENTATION CHART ............................. 457

APPENDIX 4 INTEGRATION OF AIRBOX WITH TITLEBOX ........... 460

APPENDIX 5 PLAYBOX GPI BOARD AND BYPASS RELAY BOARD461

APPENDIX 6 PLAYBOX SNMP MIB SPECIFICATION ..................... 463

APPENDIX 7 AIRBOX AND LISTBOX EXAMPLES ........................... 466

APPENDIX 8 GRAPHIC RULES COMMANDS, USED FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AIRBOX AND TITLEBOX

..................................................................................................................... 477

APPENDIX 9 TITLEBOX SPECIFIC CLASS PROPERTIES, FUNCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES EXPLAINED 479

TTBOBJECT (INHERITOR OF TOBJECT) .......................................................................... 479

TTBSLIDE .......................................................................................................................... 484

TTBSLIDESMANAGER...................................................................................................... 485

TTBDATAPROVIDER ........................................................................................................ 485

TTBDATADISTRIBUTOR................................................................................................... 486

TTBPROJECT..................................................................................................................... 487

TITLEBOX FUNCTIONS ..................................................................................................... 488

TBITMAP32(INHERITOR OF TOBJECT) .......................................................................... 488

TTBSTORAGE ................................................................................................................... 489

APPENDIX 10 TITLEBOX PROGRAM SCRIPT EXAMPLES .............. 491

APPENDIX 11 SETUP AND BASIC OPERATION OF UMC AND MBMSIMPLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

(SNMP) AGENT ......................................................................................... 505

APPENDIX 12 CLOSED CAPTIONS IN PLAYBOX MODULES ......... 508

APPENDIX 13 WINDOWS CONFIGURATIONS FOR USING NON-ENGLISH OBJECT NAMES IN AIRBOX TITLEBOX

NET CONTROL MODE............................................................................... 509

GLOSSARY .............................................................................................. 512

INDEX ...................................................................................................... 520


10/527

10

PrefaceDear PlayBoxcustomer,

Thank you for purchasing our product! We would like to assure you that you have chosen the most cost-effective and versatile TV automation system on

the market. As always, we are trying to stay close to our customers needs, making sure they all receive adequate support andsatisfaction. Your opinion

about our product is an exceptionally valuable source of information for us. The ease of working with the PlayBoxproducts results mainly from the

suggestions and comments of our current respected customers.

This manual is structured into several sequential chapters, each aiming to ease the installation, fine tuning, and use of our products. We hope that you will

enjoy working with it, and we are anxiously looking forward to receiving your feedback.

Please, send your questions, suggestions, and assistance requests to:

[email protected]

General feedback:

[email protected]

Helpdesk fax number: +359 2 9717700
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


11/527

11

Style Conventions File names, software, documents or terms are written in italics

The data is written in the settings.inifile.

The file is located in C:\Program Files\DMT\AirBox

For further information read Shortcutsreference book.

The VTR is controlled via RS-422.

Direct quotations from the computer screen are presented as follows:

Menu Items and commands

Tab/Page names

Column names (i.e. in a playlist or another grid) Field names, check boxes

Buttons Screen readings are written in [square brackets] The keyboard keys are enclosed in signs

Termsare defined in the Glossary at the end of the manual The arrows, used in the setting procedures mean as follows:

A menu item follows;

A page(tab) name follows;

A field name, a check box name, or a value name follows.

Except for arrows, you can distinguish between the relevant menu categories also by the styles, listed above.


12/527

12

Chapter 1 OVERVIEWPLAY BOX MODULES

The PlayBoxsystem consists of several modules, dedicated to separate applications that communicate with each other by proprietary protocols, based

on TCP/IP and UDP:

AirBox

The most important part of a transmission automation system. It performs on-air playback and control. The module is designed for uninterrupted 24 hours

/ 7 days-a-week content playout from online media storage. It can also be used as a production server with interactive capabilities, such as Next, Jump,

Cue, etc.

CaptureBox

Sophisticated ingest round the clock. CaptureBox controls VTRs via RS-422and automatically captures batches of scenes or programs. It also allows

transferring a program to a tape precisely, by using frame-accurate timecode positioning. Needless to say, it also provides semi- or completely automated

scheduled capturing, GPI interface, VU/peak audio meters, and a number of other unique tools.

DataBox

DataBoxrepresents the Database for metadata management of all kinds of content either permanently available from online media, or temporary

available from a removable media, such as videotape or DVD, or archived on a tape or a DVD. The metadata entered during content description is preserved

and sufficient for compiling playlists, even if the media itself is not available.

ListBox

A standalone playlist editor, designed for arranging, previewing, and trimming the available content without any hardware decoder requirements. It

contains useful playlist features, such as text searching, printing, etc.

TitleBox

TitleBoxprovides fully automated or interactive graphics overlay. It can also be synchronized toAirBoxplayout sequence. It allows insertion of text and

dynamic graphic information in accordance to external data sources. Text information is received and rendered into high-quality graphics on-the-fly.

SafeBox

SafeBoxis a flexible content management tool. It allows automated content transfer from remote locations to a local storage and vice versa. There is an

additional facility for automated content removal from local storage when space is limited.

SOFTWARE UPDATES AND PROTECTION

Software Updates

Since all PlayBoxmodules are subject to constant development and improvement, please, check our web sitehttp://www.playbox.tvregularly for the

newest versions. In order to make sure that you need to renew your current version, please, check the Whats Newdocument online before downloading

the new version.

It is not necessary to uninstall the old software versions before installing the new one.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/


13/527

13

NOTE: You will be able to update your software only within the Software Maintenance Period!

You can check the status of your software maintenance period in the Aboutdialog of each module. Just go to Helpmenu About.

The software installer will prevent you from installing software versions, released after the end of the software maintenance period!

Software Protection

All PlayBoxmodules are protected by means of hardware USB keys (also referred to as dongles). You have to possess such a key in order to have a fully

functional PlayBoxmodule.

Before installing any of the PlayBoxsoftware modules, you need to download and install the currently supported WIBU driver from our website.

Then, update your dongle, if necessary. Dongle updates are provided by our License Management department (contact [email protected]). The PlayBox

installer will not let you install any PlayBoxmodules, unless you have them enabled on your dongle.

Then, follow the procedure, as advised by our support team.

WORKFLOW BASICS

As a TV automation system, PlayBoxincludes modules that automate particular processes in a typical TV organization. Most of these processes may

coincide in time, or their results may depend on each other, which leads to different PlayBoxconfigurations.

Media Input

There are several content sources:

Non-linear video editing workstation withMPEG2or DV export.

Most contemporary NLE stations export either in MPEG2 Program or Transport Streams (MPG), or DVfiles. You need to select your export format

based on the playout compression selection.

Tape ingest.

Manual or automated tape ingest either in MPEG2or DVformat.

Live sources satellite feeds, etc.

Some of these sources come as MPEG2TS bouquets that have to be demultiplexed in order to extract the desired channel to be recorded. This is

an integral part of CaptureBox.

Content Management

DataBoxcan be used for classification and navigation through all of the available content. Once classified, the content can be quickly searched, sorted,

and retrieved. All this is done by various properties, such as title, ID, country, keywords, groups, language, distribution & usage rights, media description,

credits, etc. All this metadata is associated with every piece of visual program in DataBox.

Program Schedule Creation

While on-air playlists can be created and edited inAirBox, ListBoxis a full blown playlist editor with sophisticated editing features, such as multi-selection,

Excel export, search, print, etc. As opposed to AirBox, ListBoxdoes not require a special hardware platform in order to preview content and playlist.

ListBoxis typically used by Program Editors to create playlists prior to airing time.


14/527

14

Content Playout

AirBoxperforms content playout. The on-air program can be started manually or automatically at a particular time, which can be changed during the

actual playback, interrupted when switching to other sources, etc. Various options provide redundant playout, multi-channel or multi-audio, subtitles, etc.


15/527

15

The PlayBoxsystem is designed to be easily used by everyone. A special training course or deep knowledge in computers is not strictly required.

Anyone with basic computer knowledge will find using thePlayBoxmodules as easy as 1-2-3. Moreover, all modules share the same visual and

logical concept, in order to minimize mistakes and confusion. Thus, we hope to make the operators learning process even easier once acquainted

with some of the modules the others should look quite familiar.

In order to fully utilize the systems potential, we recommend you to read carefully the following subchapters. Each chapter is related to a particular

module and describes its workflow and specifics in detail.

The underlying sections will give you enough information to succeed in getting all the tasks done. In case something is not clear enough, please,

examine the FAQ section atthePlayBoxwebsite:http://www.playbox.tv.The answers to almost all questions that may arise during operation can

be found there. Our support team will be at your disposal, in case you have specific questions or a non-typical problem.

Do not hesitate to contact us [email protected].

NOTE:The features, described below may vary from system to system, depending on the hardware used. This users manual contains a description

of all possible features. Please, contact your dealer and describe your needs, so that you could be advised properly.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.playbox.tv/


16/527

16

Chapter 2 AIRBOXGETTING STARTED

Quick Start

Verify all connections and start the workstation;

Make sure that you have suitable content available in the media folders;

If you do not have any available, use the sample clips from the PlayBox CD;

LaunchAirBox;

Click on the Addbutton;

Select the files you wish to playout and click on the Openbutton;

Click on the PLAYbutton;

You should now seeAirBoxvideo on your video output.

Congratulations! You have just launched your firstAirBoxplayout session!

PREAMBLE

AirBox is a universal SD/HD content playout and streaming software. Depending on the hardware platform and supported files in the playlist, there are

different types ofAirBoxplayout (playback modules).

Currently, there are 3 major modules:

Multi-format playout SD/HD

Multi-format playout allows including in the playlist files with different types of video and audio compressions, different resolution, different frame rate,

etc. If the parameters of the file are different from the parameters, set forAirBoxplayback, then the files are transcoded in real-time (during the playback)

to match to the parameters set.

Depending on the hardware installed, there are several multi-format modules (plug-ins). Check our site http://www.playbox.tvfor the latest supported

hardware platforms and for their supported features.

Pumping playout

Pumping playout allows inserting only content with MPEG1-encoded or MPEG2- encoded video into the playlist. There are three Pump plug-insData

pump, IP pump(LAN card based),ASI pump(Deltacast ASI cardbased). Usually, the working module ofAirBoxis already selected and set up when you

buy a turnkey system from PlayBox Ltd.

In case, you are going to select a working module alone, go toAirBox Menu->Settings->Moduleswindow and select the preferred module.

TheAirBoxplayout is defined in theAirBox SettingsOutputmenu.

Live input

Live Input playout allows you to configure up to 128 live presets, which are global for the machine, and therefore can be used with any client, for example

AirBox, CaptureBox, and theMulti AirBox Manager.configuring many different live inputs. There are two major types of life sources that can be set here

fixed and dynamic. The properties of the first type are fixed, i.e., the video parameters and the number of streams cannot be changed. The same

parameters of dynamic sources, on the other hand, change during playout. Check how to define your live inputs in the relevant sectionbelow.
http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/http://www.playbox.tv/


17/527

17

USER INTERFACE

The main interface window is divided into several areas:

Title Bar

This is the topmost horizontal bar of theAirBoxwindow. It contains abbreviations of all options, enabled on the dongle, theAirBoxchannel number, and

the name of the currently executed playlist file. If the playlist has been changed, but not saved, there is an asterisk (*) after the playlist name.

Menu Bar

The MENU BARis described in detail in theMenu Bar section.

Multi-purpose zoneThe multi-purpose zone is situated to the left of the master counter. It consists of several tabs that allow quick navigation through the most frequently

used functionalities inAirBox.

Use the arrows in the upper right corner to scroll the tabs.

TIP (!) To show/hide tabs in this zone, right-click on it and check/un-check the ones you need.

Preview

This tab shows the currently playing video.


18/527

18

The Video window can be moved outside the main window by checking External video windowfrom the Viewmenu. If you accidentally close the window,

you can view it again by checking the Show external video windowin the Viewmenu.

SomeAirBoxconfigurations do not provide such video overlay functionality.

In some cases you might want to disable the window, since it consumes additional resources from the system. Then you will have to uncheckShow External

Video Windowin the Viewmenu.

Counters

This tab contains all counters that can be found in the Viewmenu. Their names are written in the lower left corner. Right-clicking in the Clip timer or in

the Block timer will invoke a context menu to switch it to count-down mode.

Please, check theView menu sectionbelow for a detailed description of the counters.

Current Playlist

This tab contains information and simple controls about the currently loaded playlist.

Namethis is the title of the currently loaded playlist. It is different from its fi lename. You can change it in the dialog that appears after double-clicking in

the string.

IMPORTANT! When you rename the playlist, do NOT use special symbols (like /,\ and ,).AirBoxwill NOT accept names with such symbols and it willreturn an error.

Start timeby default, it is set to zero. You can set a different start time for the playlist by either entering the value, or using the arrow keys.

TCthis is an offset that will be applied to the time code, which is broadcast over the network see Settingsmenu Generalsection.

If the Lock playlistbox is checked, it will prevent you from editing the currently loaded playlist, as well as from loading another playlist. Use it to prevent

accidental changes of the playlist during playout.

Playlist Loopif checked, when the playback of the last clip in the playlist is complete, playback will continue from the beginning of the playlist again.

Clip Loopif checked, the currently playing clip will be repeated until unchecked. WhenAirBoxis in stop mode, this check will loop the first clip to be

played after resuming the playout (i.e. the last played before pushing the Stopbutton).


19/527

19

Playlists

In this tab you can view all playlists that are found in the currently selected playlist folder (displayed in the string). To change the folder, click on the

Browse button to the right of the string.

TIP (!)Double-click on a playlist line to load the relevant playlist in AirBox. Please, note that this will interrupt the playback!

Log view

This tab displays a list of all events that have occurred duringAirBoxoperation.

ShotBox

This tab accommodates the live show clipboard. Here you can view and operate with the custom commandbuttons. It duplicates the live showclipboard window that opens from the View menu. Please, check theShotBoxsection for details.

AirBox Playlist

AirBoxworks with play playlists (play order).

You can easily create a playlist manually, just by drag-n-dropping files intoAirBoxgrid (or inListBox).


20/527

20

It is also possible to create a playlist with any third party application software. It is necessary that this application can create playlists in a format, compatible

withAirBox.

The AirBox playlist format is described in details in AirBoxSDK. For obtaining AirBox SDK, please contact our PlayBox support team

([email protected]).

AirBoxalso provides a possibility to import playlists from simple text files (tab delimited or comma separated text files).

There are two workflows withAirBoxplaylists: ordinary playlist and daily playlist. The difference is that the daily playlist is loaded automatically at an

assigned day and time, while the ordinary playlist should be loaded manually.

Daily playlists require specific naming structure in order to be played on the desired date and time automatically. The structure is:

YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SS, where YYYY stands for year, MM-month, DD-date, HH-hour, MM-minutes and SS-seconds.

For example,if the name of the playlist is 2011_11_20_14_00_00.ply, it will be loaded exactly on November 20th, 2011 at 14.00 h (2.00 pm).

TheAirBoxplaylist contains video clips and events (commands), which are described in details further in this chapter.

Playlist Grid

This is the main part of theAirBoxinterface, dedicated to the playlist (play order) visualization.

When you launchAirBox, depending on your startup settings, you will see an empty window, and you will have to load (create) a playlist, or you wil l see

the opened playlist.

The Grid Columns

If there is a playlist, loaded inAirBox, you will see information about the clips in different columns:

Start Time

This column contains each clips starting time. DuringStopmode,it shows the current time for the clip that will be played first when the Playbutton ispressed. The time refreshes every 2 seconds. The following clips hold positive times calculated according to the current time and the duration of the

preceding clips. DuringPlaymode, this column shows the actual starting time for each clip. If there has been aJumpcommand or a clip has been trimmedduringPlaymode, the starting times of the following clips will be recalculated accordingly.

If for any reason a file is removed or renamed after the playlist is loaded, it will be considered missing and hence - colored in red.AirBoxwill skip it and will

jump to the next available clip.TheStart Timecolumn will be recalculated accordingly.

Duration

Shows the actual duration of each clip. Naturally, if a clip has been trimmed, its actual duration will be reduced. The duration of the part to be shown willbe displayed in the playlist and will be used for calculation of the starting times of all following clips.

Type

Shows the type (such as MPEG) of the clip this is quite useful to determine the major type of compression, since many decoders do not allow different

compression types to co-exist in the same playlist.

Category

Contains category information. This information could be entered manually from the user into the playlist or could be fed from some outstanding database

(for example DataBox).

NOTE: If category is taken from DataBox,you can define a field color for the clip, using DataBox (Options

Default values

Color toAirBox).
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


21/527

21

TheCategoryand its color can also be defined manually inAirBox (or ListBox). You can fill-in the entire clip rows with their Category colors. In order to do

this, go toAirBoxSettingsGeneralInterfaceand select Color entire row by category.

Title

Shows the clips title or filename.

Location

Shows the file location (full path).

Star

Contains data, describing the artists in the clip.

Notes

Contains additional data.

NOTE: If the Note is taken from DataBox, you have to specify in DataBox (Options General Fields toAirBoxNotes) what exactly field to be

transferred.

(!) TIP You can change the columns order by drag-n-droppingthem.

(!) TIP A double-click in the first column that contains the items numbers will invoke the clip properties dialog. Double-clicking in any other column will

open the Clip Trimmer(if it is enabled in SettingsmenuGeneral(seethe descriptionfurther in this manual).

Color coding

The color-coding of the playlists rowsprovides additional information to the user:

Pink rowoutlines the currently playing clip. It is visible inPLAYand PAUSEmodes only. Yellow rowit is visible onlywhile switching between clips. It shows which clip will be played next. In that moment, the yellow clip is being

actually fed into the decoder circuit. This happens during the lastcouple of seconds before the end of the previous clip. The clip cannot bemoved,

trimmed or deleted anymore. Just for comparison, competitive playout solutions tend to permanently lock the clip after the currentlyplaying

one, which reduces on-air flexibility and your last-minute decision freedom.

Blue rowindicates the currently selected clip all actions, i.e.Jump, Move Up/Downwill be applied to it. Red rowhighlights those files in the playlist that are missing/invalid (not supported from the currently installed hardware). The playback skips

such files and plays the next available clip.

If the file is missing, you can set the time interval for automatic check for missing files (Settings

General

Missing Files

Check Missingfiles every [] sec).

Light cyan rowoutlines the playlist events when selected.

NOTE: You can change these colors to fit your personal preferences in SettingsColorsPlaylist tab.

Drag-n-Drop!

One of the main features ofthe grid is thedrag-n-dropfunctionality. It allows dragging clips within the playlist and from one grid to another

(fromDataBox/ListBoxtoAirBoxor from any folder toAirBox). If is being held while dragging a clip in the playlist, the executed operation will be

Copy. By default, each internal (in the grid) dragging meansMoveand dragging between two windows (similar to Windows Explorer) is Copy. Clips that

have already been played-back are grey and cannot be moved, but can be copied.


22/527

22

Pointing with the mouse cursor at a playlists row displays a hint containing the clips file name and IN/OUT timecode values.

Double-clickover a clip invokes the Clip Trimmer (if it is enabled from Settings

General

General

Use clip trimmer). If you trim a clip in the playlist,the change will not be permanent, but valid ONLY for this playlist. If you add the same clip to another playlist, it will appear un-trimmed there.

A detailed description of Clip Trimmercan be found further in this users manual.

If the use of Clip Trimmeris not enabled, the clips properties dialog will open.

Right-click

Right-mouse click over a rowinvokes a pop-up menu of playlist and events commands:

Addactivates a drop-down list for appending various items to the end of the playlist. See their detailed description in theEdit menu section.

Insertopens a drop-down list for inserting various items before the currently selected item in the playlist. The Add and Insert drop-down lists

are identical.

Deletedeletes the selected playlist row(s); a dialog asks confirmation before the deletion. Jumpclick it to interrupt the currently playing clip and jump to the currently selected (highlighted) item in the playlist.

Loopmarks the selected clip for repeating until this option is cancelled. To remove the check, just right-click in the clip and choose Loopagain.

NOTE: This action differs from the Clip Loopbutton #, which loops the currentlyplayingclip (not the currently selectedone).

Override QC restriction if you have defined a QC restriction inSettingsGeneralQuality Control, and a particular file does not

satisfy these restrictions, it will be marked red, just like a missing file. Thus, this menu option allows you to override the QC setting and play

this particular file. The setting is applied only once during the current playout.

Cut/Copy/Paste these options are self-explanatory.

Clip Trimmeropens the Clip Trimmer application (if it is enabled in SettingsGeneral GeneralUse Clip Trimmer. Otherwise, the

Clip Propertiesdialog will open). Find detailed information about theClip Trimmer in the section of the same name at the end of thismanual.

Propertiesopens a window with clips properties.

Clip Properties

Most of the playlist consists of clips. All metadata, connected with any clip, could be found in the Clip Propertieswindow. It is opened by right-mouse-

clicking over the clip, or trough the Edit Menu.

TheClip Propertieswindow has five tabs: Source, General,Fixed-Time, Transition, and Metadata.

All of these tabs allow you to save your settings, so that you do not have to define the settings for each file every time. In order to do that, once you have

defined your desired settings, enter the Save current settings to new preset button in the Settings presetfield, and enter a name for the

selected preset. Once you have saved some settings for your input, you can load them via theApply settings from selected preset button.You can also remove a preset via the Delete selected preset button.


23/527

23

Source

The Source tab contains a basic clip description information. The Typefields shows whether the input is from a File, a Live, or a UDPsource.

If the input is a File, the Parametersfield shows the file Path.

If it is a Livesource, then theAddressof the source is indicated in the field below. This Address corresponds to the Nameof the live stream, as it is defined

in theSettingsOutputLive Inputstab.

When the Type of the source is UDP, by default, and the user can enter theIP Addressof the source machine and the number of the Port, which receives

the input. There are also two additional options for this type of input:

Program IDif you check this box, you can to choose which program to be output byAirBox, if the stream has more than one channel.

Sourcecheck this box if the source broadcasts more than one stream, to be able to enter the SourceAddress of your desired stream.

General

The first line in the Generaltab contains the Titleof the selected playlist item.


24/527

24

TheIN,OUTand Durationstrings contain the IN point, OUT point, and clip duration data. You can change these values in order to make your clips shorter.

The Durationis calculated automatically from the INand OUTvalues. Furthermore, if you change the Duration, the OUTpoint will adjust accordingly.

If there is information about the time-codes of the first and last frame in the clip, you can check the TC Valuecheck-box and then into the INand OUT

strings you will see these time-codes.

The TCfield is necessary when there are subtitles to be displayed together with the clip, as the time code is the reference for displaying them. If you change

the TCvalue, it will be saved in the playlist for future use.

When you use subtitles, you should also enter a TapeIDvalue read more about this value in theSubtitleBoxsectionfurther in this manual.

You can view and

Playbox Reference Manual

Documents

Transcript of Playbox Reference Manual