[BC] New automation system question

[Bruce Doerle]

Mike,
 
We use ENCO in combination with ASI cards.  We have both timed and random control of the ENCO software from contact closures in the receiver.  The contact closures could come from sub-audible tone detectors too.  The important thing is knowing the program clock and when the transitions need to be made and writing the playlist to coorelate with it.  The playlist can be constructed in accordance to the clock and command cuts can be made in ENCO to perform the functions needed (i.e. mixer level changes, executing next cut, etc.)  ENCO and ASI cards play well together.  You will need some GPIO box to sense contact closures.  We use AMX equipment as it has never failed us and offers a much greater latitude and richer features than we can get from most broadcast specific GPIO boxes.  However, you might consider AXIA systems with the GPIO and the Pathfinder software.  That is pretty powerful combination.  We have that in use at our station.
 
BCD 

>>> Mike McCarthy <Towers at mre.com> 4/23/2008 10:17 AM >>>
One of my client stations has a specific need in an automation system.

They operate their station in a timed segment mode.  Each segment is either 
a played element or a live feed/read from a studio. Each segment is 
sponsored and needs reference in traffic. That would include news, traffic, 
live-read commercials, weather, etc.  The clock is set to be tight as we 
have many network joins to remain in sync.

My question is simply....is there a system out there with the ability to 
handle live feeds and recorded cuts in the same manner. They would program 
through the traffic system (the station uses Marketron)  any source which 
is actually programmed as hard timed duration cuts. These would be elements 
such as recorded news or live news from Studio N at 1:30 in duration, 
weather at 0:20, traffic at 0:30.  Each element would need music beds and 
have the ability to trigger cue lamps in the studio at the start as well as 
at the end.  Similar to the old tertiary tone on carts warning the time 
allocation is nearly complete.

I've looked at a couple systems which can do anything we want with recorded 
cuts.  But handling live feeds is simply another story. They simply fall 
apart when trying to do anything sophisticated with live feeds.  Most 
notably, they can't be timed and can't be called up in traffic.  It 
requires a second program, like Selector or Music Master to call up the 
feeds. And even then no timed feeds permitted.

So...that said folks...what's out there.  Go ahead and eliminate Dalet, 
Mediatouch, and AV.  We have no desire to pay licensing fees to the music 
programming people as this is a voice only station.

Thanks...

MM