| DiReCT (Digital Resource Cataloging and Transfer) is a suite of applications that manages digital assets in a multichannel broadcast cable operation from the point of ingestion through playout and beyond.
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Video Asset Management |
DiReCT manages video assets such as animations, bugs, templates and text as well as audio assets such as voice-overs and tags.
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Playlist Monitoring & Verification |
DiReCT monitors the station automation playlist in advance to determine the schedule of utilization for each of the asset elements that have been ingested into the system. Based on the playlist, DiReCT transfers those digital assets to the graphics branding or audio edge devices and verifies that the correct assets are on the correct devices so that automated playout can occur. DiReCT also continuously manages disk space utilization on edge devices, as well as on the graphics storage server, according to facility-defined metadata and usage statistics.
Typical DiReCT System Configuration - Click to Enlarge
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Automated Metadata |
DiReCT automatically assigns metadata such as ingest date/time, file size, and usage statistics to the digital assets. DiReCT also allows facility operators to assign additional metadata such as expiry date/time, description, and user-defined status (permanent, temporary, media needed, etc). Operators may define metadata fields at will, for a completely extensible system that may be used for order fulfillment, statistical analysis, and automated management.
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Easy Integration |
The DiReCT system provides multi-channel facilities with the ability to manage digital assets with much greater accuracy, efficiency, and frequency. The system is easily integrated into existing equipment and currently interfaces to Harris ADC and OmniBus Colossus automation systems as well as a wide range of broadcast graphics devices.
The Challenge:
- Multi-channel facility with over 30 independent channels of video output with future expansion planned.
- Each channel uses Miranda Intuition and Imagestores for branding, promos and voice overs created outside the transmission facility.
- All branding, promo and voice over events under the control of Omnibus automation.
- Requires sophisticated, accurate and reliable system to automatically move the video and audio (digital assets) to the correct devices in response to the automation playlist and manage the assets on the devices.
DiReCT Timeline UI - Click to Enlarge
DiReCT features include:
- Manages video assets – animations, bugs, text.
- Manages audio assets – voice-overs and tags.
- Monitors automation system playlist to determine scheduled asset elements.
- Transfers the assets to the air edge devices in advance for automated playout.
- Verifies that the correct assets are on the correct devices.
- Caches graphics locally and cues systems for ‘real time’ and synced operation.
- Manages disk space on the edge devices according to metadata and rules
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View The DiReCT White Paper
