Automated Master Control

1. Automated Master Control We’re going to play like we’re going to win…not like we’re afraid we might lose…

2. About Tony • Tony Mancari, VP Eng & COO, WVPT TV • 40 years in broadcasting (radio & TV) • Built 13 automated TV master controls • Degree in Broadcast Engineering • Serve as Certification Chair, SBE – 78 • Serve as Chair, PBS NGIS subcommittee

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

4. In my opinion - Automation • Should not be used to reduce the workforce • Should not be used to do what it is not designed for

5. Automation • Should be used to allow the repetitive tasks to be accomplished by the installed systems • Should allow us to use the time gained by automating master control to do the creative tasks or tasks that require human decisions

6. How to plan for automation • What processes are in place today?

7. Basics • Generate schedules • Load play / record lists • Setup records • Check and time records • Cue programs • Set levels • Execute on air playback…

8. Basics • You fill in the blank for your store…

9. Realize- In an Automated Master • Once the lists have been configured to do these time consuming tasks… • The multi-output record and play channels are handled by the automation systems • You move to more of an exception monitoring type of operation

10. Develop your discovery list • What do you need to automate • Get input from everyone who currently does a task in and around Master Control • Involve every member of the staff in understanding why you are automating

11. Think Shopping List Complete? • Ask your automation vendor if they can…

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

13. Ask Your Auto & Traffic Vendors • To review your schedule file before and after a list is generated for any errors • How does it handle several offset events? • Can BXF work with my auto & traffic? • Will template schedules work in traffic? • Is there a single point of failure here? • Can you have a standby source?

14. Ask your Engineering Manager • Can Remote Desktop be used to look? • Can you see the monitor wall? • Can you see the transmitter controls? • Can you view physical plant alarms? • Can automation be restarted by remote? • AND… • Tech easily respond to issues by remote?

15. Ask your Board • How quickly is a failure response required? • Within seconds • Within minutes • Within an hour • Each requires a different set point in design of an automation system…

16. One minute… • You might want to keep a body in the shop

17. One hour during overnight… • You will want to keep a tech on call with a wireless internet connection

18. Finalize the needs • Specify what you want to do in writing • Talk to the all your preferred vendors • Talk with the integrators as well • Expect lots of return questions • Interested parties should visit you • Interested should learn your work flow

19. Hard Part - Manage the change • Everyone on the staff needs to understand the written requirements and agrees on the outcome… • The staff determines what is automated… • Automation can possibly help you focus staff efforts…to be more creative

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

21. Change • Plan and implement the change like you are going to win… • Not like …you are trying… not to lose!

22. So you’ve gone automated… • Reality check - How are you doing? • On air discrepancies up or down? • Any problems noticed? These fixed? • Staff feels good about their roles? • Staff trained and understand systems? • How does on air look? • NOW WHAT?

23. Unattended Operation • Determine if you are going to operate unattended any portion of the day • Insure everyone knows who is responsible for day to day operations duties • Repurpose staff via assignments to insure the work load is spread out evenly • Try it for short periods of time slowly moving to longer periods

24. Real World Example-WVPT • Today- we operate 24 x 7 unattended • EAS is in an automatic run and pass thru • Silent/Freeze detectors on all critical paths • SNMP traps are used to capture alarms • Physical Plant is monitored and notifies • Multi-viewers system logs & notifies • 7 Transmitters seen by remote login

25. Basic System • Record/play with a file based work flow • On air switching, branding, voiceovers • Audio & Video Processing • Signal Quality Management with alarms • FCC required remote transmitter control • EAS in automatic • Text, auto dialers, cell phone to techs

26. Process • In 2001… we began our discovery process for our desired workflow (about a year) • In 2002…we constructed a multi-channel master control site • 4 SD and 2 HD channels with sync roll for each service with no single point of failure • On air Nov. 4, 2002

27. Nov. 5, 2002… • We operated with 6 FTE and 2 PT

28. By Nov. 5, 2003 • With the new automated Master Control… • One op has moved to traffic • One op to Engineering Field Services • 3 ops slid over to Production • 1 op is in our Eng maintenance team

29. Our process discovered • Although not designed to be op free • We found with a good design… • Using good engineering practices • Good monitoring • Good teamwork • Good communications…

30. WVPT realized… • Allow the repetitive tasks to be performed solely by automation • Gave us much more time for the creative process in traffic, production, & marketing

31. Automation • Doesn’t have to be done overnight…

32. Doesn’t have to be… • All or nothing • Expensive • Hard to train on or operate • Impossible to understand

33. Start with • Simple alarms and auto notification • Add one play record channel • See what happens

34. Ways to evolve • Inexpensive silent sense & freeze detectors are readily available • Multi viewers can generate alarms • A thermostat can monitor temperatures • Automation can gpi/gpo or text message • A web cam can work wonders for viewing • Windows Remote Desktop can be a start • Security Systems can ring over to on call

35. Use of on call tech… • Give out the on call number on your automated telephone attendant… • Cable, SAT, or Translator viewers can call and report issues that won’t be readily noticeable to an automation SQM • Teach your tech about customer service • Member$ are our customer$

36. Summary • Fully review current process in place • Determine exactly what you need done • Use the available technology to do it • Run w/ops (attended) for a while mirroring • Look for areas to possibly improve • Refine the process in place/unattended? • Let automation do the repetitive tasks

37. How I knew it was working • 15:04 - We had a live on air satellite failure • I watched us go to black on air briefly • Silent Sense put up the cover slide • When I arrived in Master Control to see what had occurred…

38. Unattended…not un-monitored • 5 people were standing there hi 5’ing each other how quickly they had all responded…the credit that the system worked goes to the staff!

39. The 5 that arrived • A former op …now a production person • A Corporate Support Rep • The receptionist • A traffic person • The General Manager! • And…Yours Truly…That is total buy-in!

40. Interesting… • An engineer was not required to react…

41. THANKS – Q & A • 1st- There are no dumb questions • But, what about… • 2nd- See number 1

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