ASTRA Automation Modules - Aveco

ASTRA SOFTWARE
ASTRA Modules
AVECO Americas Incorporated
468 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02115
tel: (303) 588.5528
www.aveco.com
This section describes ASTRA Automation’s software building blocks. The software modules that
make up the core of ASTRA are defined under the Standard ASTRA Software Modules title
below. Additional modules that expand ASTRA’s core functionality are described under
Optional ASTRA Software Modules. With built-in network transparency, ASTRA Automation
modules can be added and interconnected easily to expand the capabilities of the ASTRA
Automation system. Since each software module runs on its own memory protected address
space and ASTRA allows hot-swapping of software modules, any on-air ASTRA Automation
system can be adjusted and expanded without interrupting the broadcast.
Standard ASTRA Software Modules:
The following functionality is provided with all ASTRA systems:
One On-Air Playlist
ASTRA's standard package includes one playlist that directs the automation of one on-air
channel. The on-air playlist, or daily schedule, lists the events that will be broadcast. The events
are related to their source, such as videoserver clips, tapes or live sources, the time of day when
the event will be aired and the status of each event's readiness to go on-air. Much more
information for each event can be shown on the playlist. Each user can define several views with
different information of the playlist and toggle between views.
The playlist shows the technological status of the particular event, allows for manual parking and
starting of events and supports direct control of devices.
The playlist supports multi-user access, where many users can work on the schedule
simultaneously. This allows a group of operators to share the work required to develop and
broadcast the playlist. For example, one operator can define transitions while another edits the
schedule and another previews defined event sequences.
Event Types
The ASTRA playlist supports several types of events in addition to a Main Event:
• Sub events: define layered sequences related to the Main Event. Any number of subevents,
such as independent audio sources, keyers and CGs, can be grouped under a
main event and broadcast:
o simultaneously
o with any required offset and duration
o in series to each other
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