Masterplay OnAir

From a simple video server to a fully automated TV playout system, Masterplay OnAir is designed to cover virtually any requirement. Modular configuration and autonomous operation help you save money.

Masterplay OnAir is a highly versatile playout system. The system can be customized according to your requirements, due to its extensive configuration potential and its multitude of expansions.

Masterplay OnAir is user friedly and can be operated intuitively without any special knowledge.

Studio Quality
The standard version of Masterplay OnAir includes a hardware MPEG decoder,m which guarantees studio quality of audio and video outut in both standard definition and high definition (HD).

Single- or Multichannel
Masterplay OnAir can be configured with up to 8 channels per computer. Each channel can be operated synchronously or independently using a separate playlist.

Segment Editor
Segment Editor lets you divide video files into segments. These segments can be taken to fill a playlist one by one, without having to re-encode the video. Segments obtained in this way can be played back immediately. Segments can overlap within a videofile, which allows e.g. the repetition of a scene after the commercials.

True-Color On-Screen-Display (OSD)
Use OSD functions to superimpose digital clocks, logos, crawls and subtitles. Images and text are displayed in 24-bit true colour with 16 levels of transparency. Inserted texts can be created by manual entry, filebased, or – as an option – by email or SMS. The news-service option allows e.g. to adopt the text fully automatically from a news agency.

Highlights

  • Hardware decoder for studio quality

  • NDI support for capture and playback

  • Autonomous 24/7 operation

  • True-color OSD for clock, logo and title

  • Intuitive operation

  • Drag & Drop interface

  • Control of external devices

  • Modular system

Our customers say

„Thanks to Masterplay products we can operate a fully automated TV channel with a very small team while providing superior quality that easily compares to some of the largest TV stations around.“

Steve Handke, 3plus TV

Playlists
Each channel has its own playlist, which maps out its contents. The PlaylistEditor feature included in the package allows you to edit this playlist. Just drag and drop files from Windows Explorer to create a list showing the desired order. The playlist and their contents can be modified during operation, without having to interrupt the display function.

Time controlling
The basis for the playlists is the event technology. Although a playlist can be repeated endlessy by means of the repeat instruction. Masterplay OnAir reacts to a virtually unlimited number of different triggers. This allows a sequence to be played at specific times, on specific days of the week or on a particular date.

Hardware trigger
In addition to time-based events, Masterplay OnAir also reacts to external triggers. So called GPI-triggers can be activated by keyboard or received by the serial interface. This allows e.g. the integration of an SPS system. A communication by the TCP/IP interface is also integrated.

Control of external devices
Masterplay OnAir is also in the position to control external devices by different interfaces. Apart from audio / video switches the system can also be used to control plasma disply screens, projectors and cameras. Direct control of the various interfaces permits total freedom to extend the existing range of devices. Masterplay OnAir also communicates with other Masterplay products such as Masterplay Capture.

The system is based on an optimally configured Windows PC. Exhaustive testing has established which hardware components operate best together. This interplay of the various items, with the aid of redundant elements, helps to ensure optimum system stability.

Networking capabilities
The Windows operating system allows the PC to be integrated easily into existing networks. This enables both content and playlists to be created and managed from any location.

24/7 operation
The system is designed for round-the-clock operation. An optional redundant playout system is used whenever uninterrupted operation needs to be guaranteed in the event of component breakdowns or to allow maintenance work. This consists of a second Masterplay OnAir unit, which play back the same content in synchronisation. The switchover to the redundant system can be carried out manually, automatically or remotely (e.g. via SMS).

Picture reproduction
Apart from the usual MPEG 2 videos, MPEG 1 videos and graphics in the most popular formats can be played. The HD version additionally allows the replay of HD-MPEG 2 files. Masterplay OnAir enables the replay in mixed operation. Different formats can be successively displayed without interruption. The Hardware Decoder automatically adapts the formats to the output format. This ability especially provides large advantages for the HD system, as existing SD files can still be used.

Sound reproduction
The standard version is available in stereo or 4 channel version. The HD version allows the replay of up to 12 audio channels. Apart from the reproduction of the video sound, it can also automatically playback music files from the audio jukebox, e.g. during still-images, or fade to an external audio signal.

Masterplay OnAir VGA
The Playout server is also available in a single-channel VGA version. This is often used in stand-alone operation with plasma disply screens and projectors.

Extended remote control
In „slave“ mode Masterplay OnAir can completely be controlled by external programs. This option allows e.g. the integration into a Studer DigiMedia environment, which makes it easy for radio producers to produce television in their acquaited environment.

Tape control
This function permits the control of tape machines as external playback devices. As operation with MPEG videos is considerably more flexible, this option is particularly useful for providing seamless transition from a tape-based environment.

Global Positioning System (GPS)
The GPS option allows the system to react to position messages captured by the GPS receiver. This permits the creation of a passenger-information system, which displays containing details of the stops or stations coming up, annoucing them as they do so and displaying commercial messages for particular locations.

Playlist import
Masterplay OnAir can import playlists from several well-known accounting systems.

Metadata-Manager
Metadata-Manager allows it to organise files into user-defined tables, thus permitting the creation of a dynamic database with search criteria.

Other Masterplay products
AutoContent and Rendering tools can be used for the automatic creation of content. These applications can process external data, such as programme information or weather reports. The FileTransfer software performs cyclical copying functions, regardless of whether data need to be obtained from a LAN or FTP server, or from email messages.

  • Non-restrictive editing of the play list during play back
  • NDI support for capture and playback
  • Time and trigger based play back of programs
  • Automatic handling of time gaps or overlaps
  • Files with different resolutions and bit rates can coexist in the same play list
  • Independent output of different programs on several channels (lizenz)
  • Video clips can be played back while they are recording
  • Setting of in & out points can be saved per clip as directly accessible segments
  • Processing of meta data in MPEG files
  • Independency due to saved meta data inside the clip files
  • Output of textual information for video clips in the playlist
  • Automatic fill-up of specific time periods using video or still pictures
  • Flicker-free, smooth playback in highest quality on properly equipped computers
  • Redundant playback system
  • Resume in progress
  • Resuming of lay back from the last known position
  • VTR remote control for tape based play back
  • Video mixer and GPI remote control
  • Matrix / crossbar remote control
  • Real time subtitles
  • Multilingual audio playback
  • SD, HD, 4K output and capture
  • MPEG transport streams
  • File analysis
  • Playback over a network with appropriate bandwidth is possible
  • Pre-loading (Prefetch) of network files

Screenshots

Main Screen

Segment Editor