Viz Content Pilot User’s Guide Product Version 5.
Copyright © 2013 Vizrt. All rights reserved. No part of this software, documentation or publication may be reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language, computer language, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, magnetically, optically, chemically, photocopied, manually, or otherwise, without prior written permission from Vizrt. Vizrt specifically retains title to all Vizrt software.
Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 1.1.1 Document Structure ........................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Related Documents ............................................................................................ 2 1.1.3 Conventions ....................................................................................................... 2 1.2 1.
5.3 Plugin Installation .....................................................................................38 5.5 Control Room Client .................................................................................40 5.7 Custom ....................................................................................................42 5.4 5.6 5.8 5.9 Newsroom Integration Client ....................................................................38 Template Design Client ...............................
.13 7.14 Create a Stillstore Scene in Viz Artist .............................................................. 101 7.14.2 Move the Stillstore Scene to the Viz Graphics Hub Root .................................. 102 Display Font ...........................................................................................102 Main Menu ............................................................................................ 104 8.1 File ...............................................................
10.4 10.5 Viz .........................................................................................................155 Files .......................................................................................................158 10.5.1 10.6 Crop Tool ...................................................................................................... 159 Trio ........................................................................................................160 10.6.1 Context Menu ......
13.5 Logging ..................................................................................................212 14 Database Administration ....................................................................... 213 14.1 Requirements .........................................................................................213 14.3 Getting Started .......................................................................................215 14.2 14.4 Installation .........................................
1 Introduction This is the user’s guide for Viz Content Pilot version 5.5. This section contains information on the following topics: • About the Guide • Words and Expressions • Contact Vizrt See Also • About Viz Content Pilot 1.1 About the Guide This Viz Content Pilot User’s Guide is designed to fit people with no or little experience in using Viz Content Pilot. The purpose of this document is to help new users of Viz Content Pilot become familiar with the system.
1.1.2 Related Documents 1. Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide: How to create and organize templates. 2. Viz Object Store User’s Guide: How to store and retrieve images from the image database. 3. Viz IO Studio Setup User’s Guide: How to configure and calibrate virtual sets. 4. Viz Artist User’s Guide: How to create scenes and use the Device manager. 1.1.3 Conventions The following typographic conventions are used in this document: • Bold Text: Bold is used to indicate emphasized text.
• Transition Logic Scene: A set of scenes built in Viz Artist. It contains one scene that controls the state of or toggles a set of scenes (layers). The layered scenes are used by the controlling scene to toggle in and out the layered scenes, using pre-configured or customized transitions effects, without the need to take scenes already on-air, off-air.
2 Viz Content Pilot Viz Content Pilot provides an optimal environment to create, manage and deliver high volumes of top-quality content to live and taped news, sports, election and other broadcast productions, independently of the design department. Viz Content Pilot can serve as the core content control system for broadcasters that require speed, consistent look, and a streamlined workflow for their graphics and video content.
Note: For a complete overview of new features, please see the release notes. 2.2 System Overview Figure 1: VCP system overview New to this release is the enhanced Newsroom Component that now has its own Timeline Editor for adding graphics to video clips fetched from Viz One. The Viz One integration enables playout of fullscreen and/or embedded video clips in graphics on the same renderer. The overview also shows a newsroom setup using the MOS protocol (ref. Viz Gateway).
• New data elements created by the Newsroom Component are added to the VCP database • The newsroom system client adds the data element information to the story 3. Whenever a newsroom playlist is monitored by a control application, the newsroom system is requested to send information about the playlist to Viz Gateway which sends the playlist to the Media Sequencer. 4.
Chapter 2: Viz Content Pilot 7
3 Requirements This chapter describes general requirements, such as hardware, software, access rights and policies for a number of software components in your Vizrt work flow. For more in-depth system information, see the relevant sections in your respective user and/or administrator guides. IMPORTANT! Always check release notes for information on supported versions. This chapter contains information on the following topics: • • • • • 3.
Additional hardware must always be checked to see if it is compatible with existing hardware. For example, the GPI cards supported by Vizrt must fit in the Media Sequencer servers. For more information on hardware specifications, please contact your local Vizrt customer support team. 3.3 Software Requirements The following sections describe software requirements for the product described in this manual and a range of components that may be integrated with it.
content for broadcast, virtual sets, and visualization in less time and with greater creative freedom. Table 2: Viz Artist specifications Software Viz Engine 3.5.1 or later, or Viz Engine 2.8 PL5 HotFix3 Viz World Client 12.0 or later (see Vizrt Maps) Viz DataPool 2.10 or later Extra Viz 2 plug-ins (for Viz 2.x) Optional: ArdFtp and ArdFSMon are used for the Viz One integration. Installers are bundled with Viz One.
This section contains information on the following topics: • • • • • • • Viz Content Pilot Client Viz Content Pilot Database Viz Content Pilot Database Administrator Viz Content Pilot Newsroom Component Viz Content Pilot Thumbnail Generator Viz Template Wizard Data Server Viz Content Pilot Client The VCP specifications shown below are machine specifications for a typical newsroom system setup, where VCP is the control application receiving the playlist.
Viz Content Pilot Database The VCP database is an Oracle database server. Usually two database servers are installed where one is used for manual failover and to hold the Viz Engine 2.x data root. Viz Engine 3.x graphics data is stored on the Viz Graphic Hub).
Content Pilot and other administrator guides for descriptions on different types of setup. Table 6: Newsroom Component specifications Software VCP’s Newsroom Component 5.6 Viz Object Store 5.6 Viz World Client 12.0 or later (see Vizrt Maps) Oracle 10g Instant Client 32-bit Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Newsroom system client Optional: Oracle 11g Instant Client 32-bit Optional: Oracle 11g or 10 g Runtime Client 32-bit Optional: Vizky 1.
Viz Content Pilot Thumbnail Generator VCP’s Thumbnail Generator is an optional addition to a VCP setup that generates data element snapshots used as thumbnails in order to visualize graphics and video elements in the VCP client’s playlist. It is recommended to install Thumbnail Generator on the Viz Graphic Hub or Viz Content Pilot Database machine. It is also recommended to configure Viz Thumbnail Generator to fetch scene snapshots from one of the newsroom Viz Engine preview machines.
Table 8: Viz Template Wizard specifications Operating system Windows Windows Windows Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (recommended) 7 Enterprise 64-bit 7 Ultimate 64-bit XP Professional 32-bit. Viz Template Wizard connects to Media Sequencer for testing and previewing of template graphics. The Media Sequencer connection defaults to localhost. To use a different host set the command line option -mse in Viz Template Wizard’s target path.
To run Viz Engine as a program or preview (optional) machine, the following software and configuration is needed: Table 10: Viz Engine specifications Software Extra Viz 2 or 3 Plug-ins (only for Viz 2.x) Viz Engine 2.8 PL5 HotFix3 or Viz Engine 3.5.1 or later Viz DataPool 2.10 or later Viz World Client 12.0 or later (see Vizrt Maps) Optional: When used for local preview of video clips from Viz One, Viz Engine must be installed with video codecs (e.g. MPEG-4 codec and Haali Media Splitter).
Table 11: 3.3.5 Ports and Connections 54000 is used when connecting over http using the REST interface. Network access Uses the Bonjour protocol to announce available services. Operating system Windows XP 32-bit Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit Viz Gateway Viz Gateway is Vizrt’s implementation of the MOS Protocol. It enables users of a Newsroom Computer System (NCS) to perform instant updates on playlists in Vizrt’s control applications (Viz Trio and VCP).
Table 13: Viz Graphic Hub specifications Executable(s) VizDbNamingService.exe VizDbTerminal.exe Ports and Connections 19392-19396 (in most cases the ports are configurable). Local drive access Read and write access to database folders (configurable). Operating system Windows XP 32-bit IMPORTANT! Do not run firewall or antivirus scanning software on the server. 3.3.
Table 14: Media Sequencer specifications Operating system 3.3.8 Windows 2003 32-bit (recommended) Windows XP 32-bit Viz Trio The Viz Trio client is the CG operator’s user interface. It has a TCP connection to a Media Sequencer. The client gives the user access to creation, editing and playout of pages with graphics. A Viz Engine for local preview renders the graphics within the Viz Trio client. Table 15: Viz Trio specifications Software Extra Viz 2 or 3 Plug-ins (only for Viz 2.x) Microsoft .
lead to an undefined behavior if they are different from what is configured on Viz Engine. Table 16: Viz Video Hub specifications 3.3.10 Software Viz Video Hub 2 or later Ports and Connections 22, 80, 445, 6555 Vizrt Maps Vizrt provides a map solution that offers branded maps and geographic animations using Viz Curious Maps and Viz World Client and Server.
Table 18: Viz World Client and Server specifications Executable(s) AxMapsClient.ocx (embedded editor) MapBuilder.exe MapConfigClient.exe ServerAllocator.exe ServerLauncher.exe Ports and Connections 101, 102, 103 Operating system Windows XP 32-bit (client and server) 80, 8080 (Microsoft Bing and Imagery on Demand). Windows Server 2003 32-bit (server) See Also • Viz World Client and Server documentation 3.4 Shared Data Vizrt recommends having mapped drive letters for all your shared data.
Table 19: Listening port numbers Viz World Server 102103 102 (TCP) is a Viz World Server listener port for Viz World Client connections when Server Allocator is not in use or only has one Viz World Server running. 103 (TCP) is a Viz World Server listener port for configuration tool connections to the first Viz World Server instance (as configurations are controlled by the first server instance). See also Vizrt Maps.
Table 19: Listening port numbers Viz Engine 6100 6700 6800 Ports are used by Media Sequencers that connect to a Viz Engine program and/or preview channel. Viz Engine’s default program and preview port is 6100. In a single channel setup where both program and preview output is on the same machine, the default preview port is set to 6800 in order to separate the program and preview channels. In a dual channel setup, the default program ports are 6100 and 6800 for channel 1 and channel 2, respectively.
Table 19: Listening port numbers Media Sequencer 8580 8594 For clients connecting to the Media Sequencer. 8580 is specifically used when connecting over http using the REST interface. Viz Video Hub 8080 Used for sending keyframes (service: ardok). Viz Gateway 10001 For DB notification events. 10002 For Viz Gateway controller clients. 10540 For MOS object updates. 10541 For MOS playlist updates.
Table 19: Listening port numbers Viz Engine 50007 50008 50009 50010 Ports 50007 - 50009 are all Multiplexing Ports that enables Viz Engine to work on other scenes in sessions that are used for preview purposes. Isolated port (50007): All connections to this port get its own session. Shared port (50008): All connections from one single host shares one session. Fixed port (50009): Same as shared port except that allocated resources are never cleared from memory.
With 50010 the state is switched when a command is received and immediately switched back to the main session such that on air rendering will not be hindered in any way. The 50009 port is traditionally used by Viz Content Pilot 4’s Newsroom Component, and is the same as the shared port (50008) except that allocated resources are never cleared from memory. To avoid memory overload, it is recommended to clean up the Viz Engine regularly when using this port.
4 Storage and Backup Recommendations This section gives some general recommendations on storage and usage of data which can be divided in two main parts; • Graphics, image and video storage and settings • Control room and newsroom configuration storage and settings The following sub sections divide these parts into more user specific areas in order to give an overview of what is stored where and what is important to maintain for each installation.
See Also • Viz Graphic Hub User’s Guide 4.2 Viz Content Pilot In addition to information stored on the Media Sequencer and VCP’s database, VCP’s INI files and playlists are important to backup when needed. INI files are used for local configurations for the application itself, third party integrations, and overrides of database settings. All VCP playlists, both local and newsroom playlists, can be exported and imported for backup and transfer to other VCP installations. The INI file ContentPilot.
Generally it is recommended to do regular show exports in order to preserve the show if something is corrupt. A show export is performed using Viz Trio to create an archive of the show, its graphics templates, pages, settings and so on. For more information, see Viz Trio’s user guide on show export and import and the available options. For graphics export or archiving, see Viz Artist’s user guide. It is also recommended to backup, at regular intervals, the Media Sequencer’s default.
5 Installation This section describes how to install the Viz Content Pilot (VCP) product family, and how to choose between the different setup types and components. In addition, it describes how to run VCP’s database scripts. Before installing a VCP system make sure that the correct hardware and latest software is available. Software is accessible on Vizrt’s FTP server, and contains the latest official releases of all Vizrt software.
Figure 2: Setup Type 6. Select setup type: • Newsroom Integration Client • Control Room Client • Template Design Client • Custom Note: For local preview, select Custom installation and Viz Engine Preview Plugin. 7. Review the selected settings, and click Next to install. 8. Click Yes to add program shortcuts to the desktop. After the installation has finished, VCP’s database connection, Viz Engines, and, if selected, the Newsroom Component (NrC) must be configured.
Figure 3: Database configuration 9. Optional: Configure VCP’s database connection. • Select the SID option to configure a connection string, and enter a valid SID/ Service name and hostname, or • Select the TNS option to configure a TNS connection, and enter a valid TNS name alias and directory path for the tnsnames.ora file. • Enter database Username and Password. If left empty, it will default to PILOT/PILOT.
Figure 4: Viz Template Wizard configuration 10. In the Viz Template Wizard Configuration dialog box add Viz Engine hosts and a Media Sequencer host (default is localhost), and click Next. • Enter password for the Viz Engine host if needed. Note: Program and preview channels are configured in VCP’s profile configuration.
Figure 5: Newsroom Component configuration Configuring the preview settings will add the settings to your local machine’s registry. If you have multiple newsroom clients it also possible to have all clients use the preview host settings by adding them to your Database Parameters. If the latter is required leave the preview settings blank. 11. Configure the NrC, and click Next • Enter the Viz Engine preview hostname or IP address. • Enter the port number. If remote preview is used, use port 50008.
Figure 6: Viz Link configuration The Viz Link configuration will, if enabled, override the database settings. When selected it applies the settings to a local ContentPilot.ini (initialization) file; hence, it does not overwrite database settings. Database settings can be configured after installation in the Preferences window. 14. Optional: Configure the Newsroom Component to only show the Media tab. This also adds the NODB registry setting. 15.
The InstallShield’s silent response file must be manually created. After the file has been created, a command line with a few arguments is required to execute the installer with the response file. Note: A sample ISS file is included in VCP’s installation directory. This section contains information on the following topics: • Creating the Batch File • Creating a Response File 5.2.1 Creating the Batch File Users who are accustomed to the use of silent installers usually create batch (.
For a visual reference, see Database configuration. Newsroom_PreviewDisabled=no Newsroom_PreviewHost=preview Newsroom_PreviewPort=6100 Newsroom_insertBCSTag=no Newsroom_UseVCPDM=no Newsroom_UseUTF8=yes Newsroom_BCSDeviceName= Newsroom_BCSTemplateName= Newsroom_DatabaseUsername=pilot Newsroom_DatabasePassword=pilot Newsroom_MOSID=PILOT For a visual reference, see Newsroom Component configuration. ; new from 5.
ActiveXNle installs the Newsroom Component (see the Newsroom Integration Client and Newsroom Component sections for further details). QuickCG installs the QuickCG tool (see the Quick CG section for further details). ; new from 5.2 Spellcheck=yes VCPNLE=yes Spellcheck enables you to add spell-checking functionality to your templates. VCPNLE enables you to use VCP’s Newsroom Component for adding Vizrt graphics to your NLE tool’s timeline.
When installing the Newsroom Component for use in a Java or web based newsroom system, the Oracle Instant Client should not be installed (i.e. use the Custom install option). As most newsroom computers running the Newsroom Component does not have administrator rights you could optionally install it using RunAs parameters, installing the software from the command line or use the Run as administrator context menu option available to Windows 7 users.
NrC allows for preview of template graphics in two ways; remote snapshot preview using a remote Viz Engine (recommended) and local preview using a locally installed Viz Engine (requires a Viz license). The Preview Settings defines if the Newsroom Component should use preview or override the database settings. Database settings apply to all clients that does not have preview configured locally. • Disable Preview: Disables both local and remote preview for the Newsroom Component.
5.6 Template Design Client Figure 8: Viz Template Wizard configuration The Template design client installation is normally installed for template designers that creates and manages the graphics templates. The Viz Template Wizard configuration dialog box is used to add Viz Engine hosts and a Media Sequencer host for use with Viz Template Wizard. Note: Default hosts are localhost.
5.7 Custom Custom installation is for advanced users only, and can be used to select or unselect specific components that are or are not needed. The custom installation includes all options seen in Table 20: Viz Content Pilot Components. Note: The option to select features is only available when Custom installation is selected.
IMPORTANT! Due to licensing requirements, Vizrt does not provide the codecs required for local preview. Users must obtain and install their own codecs. Note: Codecs are only required when local preview is done, as in the cases above. Playout of the high resolution versions do not require a codec installation.
3. Set your MPEG-4/H.264 32-bit decoder to FFDShow and click Apply & Close 4. Click Exit See Also • • • • Working Working Working Working with with with with Viz One Local Viz Preview Remote Viz Preview the Timeline Editor • Viz Engine 3.x Administrator’s Guide 5.9 Component Descriptions The table below describes the main components that can be installed as part of a VCP installation. Table 20: Viz Content Pilot Components 44 Type Description Borland Database Engine 5.
Table 20: Viz Content Pilot Components Type Description Viz Content Pilot Newsroom Component The NrC integrates into the newsroom system allowing journalists to add graphics to the story. Viz Content Pilot Non-linear Editing Plug-in The VCP NLE plug-in uses the NrC to add graphics to an NLE timeline. Viz Content Pilot Spell Checker Installs a set of default dictionaries that uses the Hunspell spell checker. By default the installer includes the following OpenOffice.
6 Getting Started Viz Content Pilot consists of multiple applications, but you can divide the main areas of use into three; control room, newsroom and template design. In addition you have the Viz Object Store (image database), the Viz Thumbnail Generator, the update script service and more; however, you can think of these as service providers to the main areas of use. The Viz Content Pilot (VCP) client depends on several systems to be able to function in a control room.
• Database Administration • Viz Object Store User’s Guide • Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide Chapter 6: Getting Started 47
7 Configuration This section describes how to configure Viz Content Pilot (VCP). In order to have a working VCP system, most of the applications must be configured to use a Media Sequencer, a database and a Viz Engine for playout and preview.
• -mse In a scenario where it is needed to switch from one Media Sequencer to another, it is useful to have the same profile setups on each Media Sequencer so that fail situations are easier to handle. See Also • Configuration • Getting Started • Command Line Options 7.2 Profile Configuration Figure 10: Profile Configuration An important part of the profile configuration is to create profiles for different purposes.
program channel in the profile configuration, and disregard information in the Categories and Channels setup. 7.2.2 Profile Setups Table 21: Profile setups Profile Program Preview Main A B Backup B A typical example for when it makes sense to use different profiles would be a backup configuration where a switch from a main to a backup renderer is needed.
Viz Video Hub This section contains information on limitations of the Viz Video Hub and is still valid for those that use Viz Video Hub. Viz One replaces the Viz Video Hub and does not have the following limitations. If you to transfer video clips from Viz Video Hub you can use the default vizroom1 profile, unless you configure a profile manually in Viz Video Hub. If you configure a profile manually, the profile must be identical in the Viz Content Pilot client and Viz Video Hub.
If for example you have three render engines you can set up a range of channels with different combinations of render engines per channel. Channel Viz Engines A 1,2,3 B 1,3 C 1 D 2,3 E 2 If for example you have a scene with four layers each layer can be controlled separately from the other layers (see table below). By setting a state per layer you can achieve a varied output depending on the channel used and how that channel is configured in terms of render engines (see table above).
Channel Layer state Channel E Pos center (Viz 2) Hide text Channel A Next image Output on Viz Engine 1, 2 and 3 (Viz 1,2,3) Channel A Next image (Viz 1,2,3) Channel A Show text (Viz 1,2,3) Next image Channel A Show logo (Viz 1,2,3) Channel B Hide cube (Viz 1,3) Channel E Hide cube (Viz 2) Visible containers Viz Content Pilot still support, though it is considered deprecated, a behavior similar to that of forked execution.
• To render specific scene containers • Viz Artist’s user guide on Transition Logic 7.3 Working with the Profile Configuration This section contains information on the following procedures: • Configuring Profiles • Configuring Channels • Configuring Devices See Also • Working with Local Viz Preview • Working with Remote Viz Preview • Preview Port Numbers 7.3.
• • • • • To To To To To add an output channel to the Channels list add a concept override for a channel’s output device rename an output channel in the Channels list remove an output channel from the Channels list remove an output from the Channels list To add an output channel to the Channels list • Click the New Channel button, or drag and drop a Viz Engine or video device to the Channels list. To add a concept override for a channel’s output device 1.
7.3.3 Configuring Devices This section contains information on the following topics: • To add a Viz Engine • To add a video device • To edit a Viz Engine or video device • To delete a Viz Engine or video device • To enable scene transitions • To enable still preview • To render specific scene containers • To set a different font encoding To add a Viz Engine 1. Click the Add Viz... button in the Profile Configuration window to open the Configure Viz Engine dialog box. 2.
To add a video device 1. Click the Add Video... button in the Profile Configuration window to open the Configure Video Device dialog box. 2. Select the video server Type 3. Enter the Host or IP address and the port • Default port for MVCP is 5250 • Default port for Viz Engine is 6100 4. Select VME Storage 5. Enable/Disable Fullscreen mode • When Fullscreen is enabled, which is the default behavior, stand-alone video clip elements are played out full screen in the back layer.
To enable scene transitions Transition Effect scenes are made in Viz Artist and can be applied to data elements to create custom transition effects from one scene to the other. If an effect is specified, the effect will be shown when the scene is taken on-air. Effects are typically wipes, dissolves, alpha fades and so on. 1. Configure the Viz Engine settings as seen in how To add a Viz Engine 2.
To render specific scene containers Before configuring your Viz Engines to render specific scene containers it is recommended to read the Forked Execution section for further explanation. 1. Configure the Viz Engine settings as seen in how To add a Viz Engine 2. Click the Deprecated settings button to expand the editor 3. Click the Add button to enter the scene’s container name that should be rendered visible 4. Optional: Repeat step 3 to Add other containers 5. Click Ok To set a different font encoding 1.
Local preview uses a local Viz Engine; however, it is not a recommended setup if the machine does not meet the hardware requirements. Remote preview uses a remote Viz Engine. This can either be a real time or a snapshot preview. The real time preview option uses a reference monitor, and is the recommended solution for graphics designers, template designers and control room operators. The snapshot preview option uses a shared Viz Engine, and is the recommended solution for multiple simultaneous users (e.g.
For Viz Engine 3.x users, Viz Multiplexer is not required as Viz has its own builtin multiplexing functionality; however, the same ports apply as for Viz 2.x. Note: In control rooms it is recommended to use a stand-alone Viz Engine with a reference monitor for full graphics and video preview. See Also • Ports and Connections 7.6 Working with Local Viz Preview Local preview requires Viz Content Pilot client’s preview plugin and a Viz Engine with plugins (see the Plugin Installation section).
To enable local preview If you are running a Viz Engine locally, you need to install Viz Content Pilot client’s Preview plugin • Select the Viz Engine Preview plug-in during Custom installation. In addition a Viz Engine must be installed on the same machine. To use local preview 1. From the main menu select Viz Engine > Local Viz Engine Preview, or press CTRL+P 2.
7.7 Working with Remote Viz Preview Remote preview can be done in several ways; using a Viz Engine with a reference monitor for animated and snapshot still previews or as a snapshot preview on the client side with the option of showing stills, animations and preview points. Using a reference monitor is the recommended remote preview option. This option works best using an additional Viz Engine as this will give you an option to pass through your video input.
To configure remote still preview Still Preview allows you to use the program output to get a still preview, typically on a reference monitor. To achieve this the Media Sequencer creates a copy of the scene being read and sends commands to your program output renderer asking for a snapshot of the scene while the current scene on air is being rendered. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
5. Optional: Enable the Always show “Animate” button option, and set a preferred poll interval (seconds) for how often images should be retrieved from Viz 6. Optional: Configure size and position of the remote preview window Note: If the Viz Engine Preview plug-in is installed (custom installation), local preview will start and not remote preview (snapshots). See Also • • • • • 7.
7.8.1 VCP Database Figure 11: VCP Database The VCP Database option sets the database connection for the Media Sequencer. If the information was added during the Viz Content Pilot Installation the information is made available in the External Interfaces window; however, it must be manually applied. IMPORTANT! Media Sequencer requires the Oracle 11g Runtime Client. The VCP Database tab also shows the current database and application client encoding settings.
To apply the VCP Database settings 1. Select the External Interfaces option from the Tools menu. 2. Select the VCP Database tab, and enter the database settings. 3. Click Apply. See Also • Database Configuration • External Interfaces 7.8.2 Media Engine Figure 12: Media Engine configuration The Media Engine option sets the Viz One connection for the Media Sequencer. The Viz One connection enables the Media Sequencer to request transfer of media to Viz Engine for playout.
Properties and Parameters • Enable the Media Engine handler: Enables the Media Sequencer to handle Viz One transfer requests. • Service document URI: Sets the service document URI which describes the services the search will provide. To apply the Viz One settings 1. 2. 3. 4.
be pre-configured with an NCS ID and MOS ID. For connections to Viz Gateway versions 2.0 and later, only the Viz Gateway host and port number is needed. Note: MOS IDs are configured on the NCS server, and are usually case sensitive. This section contains information on the following topics: • Properties and Parameters • To configure a Viz Gateway connection Properties and Parameters • • • • • • • • • • • Start: Starts a connection to Viz Gateway. Stop: Closes a connection to Viz Gateway.
7.8.4 General Purpose Input (GPI) Figure 14: General Purpose Input The GPI settings allow the Media Sequencer to be configured to handle GPI commands. The commands can be handled by the Media Sequencer itself (Server Command) or forwarded to the VCP client (Macro Command). Both server and client side commands are profile specific, meaning that the profile determines which VCP client and potentially which Viz Engine(s) that should execute a client and/or server command.
Properties and Parameters • Show advanced: Displays all the settings in the GPI Settings frame. • Box Type: Select the type of GPI box that is being configured. The Box Type can be set to SRC-8, SRC-8 III or SeaLevel. • Port: Sets the port that the GPI box is connected to. The Port can be set to COM1-COM17, or None. • Base Entry: This is the node in the Media Sequencer’s data structure where the systems look for the GPI actions. The base entry is by default set to /sys/gpi.
Figure 15: Commands and actions list • GPI action: Shows a list of the available GPI actions. • Server/Client: Shows a drop-down list box in every row, where the selected GPI action should apply to either a Media Sequencer (Server option) or the local Viz Trio (Client option). Note: The server and client actions are reciprocally exclusive. • Server Command: Shows a drop-down list box in every row, where the action to be performed on this GPI line can be selected.
2. Select a Server Command. 3. Select a Profile. 4. Click Apply. To assign a Client Command 1. 2. 3. 4. Select a GPI action, and select Client in the Server/Client column. Select or create a Macro Command. Select a Profile. Click Apply. To add a macro command 1. Select the Macro Command column, and click the small ellipse (...) button to open the Add Command dialog box. 2. Enter the command in the Command text field, or alternatively click the ellipse (...) button to open the Predefined Functions window.
7.8.5 Video Disk Control Protocol (VDCP) Figure 16: Video Disk Control Protocol The Video Disk Control Protocol (VDCP) configuration allows a VDCP connection for the Media Sequencer to be established in order to externally control a Viz Content Pilot playlist or Viz Trio show. With VDCP the Media Sequencer acts like a server that controls the graphics through the VDCP protocol. It sets up a serial connection, and on the other end of the connection typically a video controller is placed.
Properties and Parameters Figure 17: Select show or playlist • Port: Select the appropriate COM port for the communication • Profile: Select the profile to use. • Use element name as ID: Specifies if the VCP element’s save name should be used as VDCP IDs. • Select Mode: Select a Viz Trio show or a Viz Content Pilot playlist path mode. • Trio show / Pilot playlist: Sets the base directory for the VDCP integration. Video clips will be placed here. 7.8.
• Main Messagebus Host and Port: Sets the main hostname or IP address for Viz Video Hub and its listening port (default is 6555). • Backup Messagebus Host and Port: Sets the backup hostname or IP address for Viz Video Hub and its listening port (default is 6555). • Same As Messagebus: Enables or disables SOAP settings to be the same as the Message bus settings. This option is by default enabled.
• Viz Object Store User’s Guide 7.10 Database Configuration This section describes how to manually configure the database connection. This section contains information on the following topics: • • • • • • • • 7.10.
See Also • Database Configuration • Database Service Names and SID • Database TNS Alias 7.10.2 Database Setup Options There are several ways to configure the database connection settings. The following sections describe the configuration options for the Viz Content Pilot (VCP) client and the Newsroom Component (NrC). Configurations for the VCP client also applies for Viz Template Wizard (TW) and Viz Object Store (VOS).
Initialization File and Environment Variable As with the Initialization File and Registry combination, an INI file and an environment variable allows the use of a TNS alias. However, this could potentially affect the use of Database TNS Aliases for other database clients. If more than one tnsnames.ora file is used, it is recommended that the files are merged when setting the TNS_ADMIN as an environment variable. If this is not desirable, add the TNS_ADMIN to the registry.
Example: C:\Program Files\vizrt\viz content pilot 5.x\ To 1. 2. 3. edit an INI file, do the following: Start the Inifile Editor. Select the INI file to edit, and click Open. Select the Database section and enter the following parameters: • login: database login string (pilot) • pwd: database password string (pilot) • utf8: Sets the VCP client encoding for all database communication. Set Y (Yes) to use the recommended and default UTF-8 encoding, or N (No) to use the local Oracle client’s encoding setting.
• Database Initialization File Configuration 7.10.5 Database Parameters Figure 19: Advanced configuration The Advanced configuration section, available in VCP’s Preferences window, allows the user to configure settings for VCP applications. This requires a database connection to the VCP database. Applied changes in most cases requires the affected application to be restarted. Note that you can access all database parameters from your Data Server (i.e. http://:8177/settings).
• Properties and Parameters • To add a new database parameter 82 Chapter 7: Configuration
Properties and Parameters Table 23: VCP Database Parameters Name Description activex_preview_timeout Sets the time in milliseconds the Newsroom Component will wait for a remote preview Viz Engine connection before continuing. Default is 10000. Can be overridden by the local registry setting PreviewTimeOut. activex_preview_socket_timeout Sets the time in milliseconds the Newsroom Component will wait for a local preview Viz Engine connection before continuing. Default is 10000.
Table 23: VCP Database Parameters 84 Name Description ax_use_custom_gui_dlg Enables (1) the Viz World Map Editor (WME) to be embedded within the Newsroom Component’s user interface. This parameter is by default not set in the database. delete_data_from_activex If set to Y (yes) it will enable the user to delete data elements using the Newsroom Component. Default is Y. shared_curious_server Sets the hostname or IP address of the Viz World Server. It is not configured when set to .
Table 23: VCP Database Parameters Name Description Videohub_password Sets the password used by the Media Sequencer when creating playlists with video clips and stills from Viz Video Hub. Default is vizlink. vos_allow_edit_from_dll (optional) Enables or disables the toolbar in Viz Object Store. When disabled it will disallow registering and editing of images and person information when VOS is used with the Newsroom Component and Viz Template Wizard. This option can be added to the database.
With Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) there will be different service names for each database instance. Service name specifies one or more names for the database service to which this instance connects. It is possible to specify multiple service names in order to distinguish among different uses of the same database. It is also possible to use service names to identify a single service that is available from two different databases through the use of replication.
A client needs a connect descriptor in order to connect to an Oracle instance. The tnsnames.ora file can define more than one database so that a backup database can be used in a fail situation. Oracle uses the normal TCP communication between the clients and the database. • Local database: • Remote database: / • Remote database: /Service name The example below uses two hosts. These settings are needed if the database server is set up with a standard Oracle failover mechanism.
) IMPORTANT! A failover situation will not be initiated until the user tries to access the database. This section contains information on the following topics: • TNS File Location • To set the TNS alias in registry TNS File Location Figure 20: Registry setting In order for Viz Content Pilot to use a tnsnames.ora file on a local or remote machine the TNS_ADMIN string must be added to registry.
Figure 21: Environment variable Another option is to add a local environment variable called TNS_ADMIN with the same parameters as for the registry option. The difference between the two is that a registry string will only affect the VCP applications, while the others will affect all applications using an Oracle client. Figure 22: Initialization file In order for the TNS_ADMIN setting to work for VCP, the name key in the Database Initialization File Configuration (ContentPilot.
3. Specify the path to the tnsnames.ora file (e.g. a UNC path) • Windows 32-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[vizrt]\viz|content pilot 5.x • Windows 32-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ [vizrt]\viz|content pilot 5.x • Example paths: C:\Program Files\vizrt\Common\Oracle or \\hostname\directory 4. Click OK. See Also • Database Configuration • Database Service Names and SID • Database Initialization File Configuration 7.10.
• Windows 64-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ [vizrt]\viz|content pilot 5.x 3. Add the following string value to TNS_ADMIN • Windows 32-bit: C:\Program Files\vizrt\Common\Oracle • Windows 64-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\vizrt\Common\Oracle • This sets the path to the location of the tnsnames.ora file. To disable Instant Client and use Runtime Client 1. Open Registry 2. Search for the registry key • Windows 32-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[vizrt]\ viz|content pilot 5.
7.11 Initialization Files Figure 23: Initialization (INI) file editor Most Viz Content Pilot clients use the ContentPilot.ini file; however, the extent of the use varies. Note that the Thumbnail Generator creates its own ThumbnailGenerator.ini file and that Viz Object Store may use its own objectstore.ini file for reading and connecting to the VCP database. The initialization (INI) file is organized in categories. To edit it, it is recommended to use the Inifile Editor located in the VCP program folder.
Some INI file settings are not described for the VCP 5.1.x and later. These are deprecated settings valid for versions older than version 4.x. This section contains information on the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • Button Box Database General GPI Import Sequence Language Path Sequencer SGI VideoHub Viz Viz IO Button Box Settings pertaining to the use of a button box with VCP. • enabled: Set Y or N to enable or disable button box.
• allow_combination: When sending a trigger to the cockpit, the allow_combination specifies if for instance GPI 3, should be sent as GPI 1, and GPI 2. Import Sequence Settings for enabling import of playlists from file (advanced). • enabled: If set to Y it will enable the menu Playlists. • default_file: Sets the default file to import. Language • font: Sets the application’s template and data list font.
• dateformat: The date format for saved data. • unique_names: Whether or not it is permitted to save several data elements with the same name. • autostart_preview: When set to Y, pilot will automatically start viz [preview engine] if it is installed. • plugins: The directory where the plug-ins for VCP are located. Normally, this value is empty, otherwise it should be the path to the directory. • UTF8: Set to Y for UTF8 support in VCP.
this is used by the Viz Engine 3.x built in multiplexer (used by the Thumbnail Generator). • icon_timeout: Sets the timeout in milliseconds for the Viz Thumbnail Generator. If nothing is received from Viz Engine within X seconds, it continues to request thumbnails for the next data element (used by the Thumbnail Generator). Default is 2000 milliseconds (2 seconds). • data_timeout: Sets the Viz Engine connection timeout in milliseconds for receiving data from Viz Engine.
Table 24: Registry Settings Key Name Description ActiveX\ TemplateFiller BCSDeviceName Sets the name for the device that is connected to the Avid iNEWS Control Air (formerly known as iNEWS Broadcast Control System (BCS)). Default device name is cg. BCSTemplateName Sets the template name. Default is pilotdata. This must be configured in Avid iNEWS. See also BCSDeviceName. Chapter 7: Configuration insertBCS Set this to 1 to insert the BCS s in the iNEWS production cue.
Table 24: Registry Settings Key 98 Name Description PreviewSocketTimeOut The Newsroom Component will wait for a socket connection to the local Viz Engine before continuing. By default the "activex_preview_socket_timeout" setting would be set in the database if needed; however, the same setting can also be set in the registry to override the database setting. Recommended default value is 10000 ms. PreviewTimeOut By default set in the database.
Table 24: Registry Settings Key 7.13 Name Description TNS_ADMIN Alternative to a full connection string. If a TNS name file is configured, setting the path may be used to set a different location than Oracle’s default location, and to avoid conflicts with similar database connections defined as a local environment variable. Command Line Options The following command line options are supported by some or all of the Viz Content Pilot applications.
Table 25: Command Line Options 7.14 Command Default Apps. Description -inifile localhost VCP TW VCP and TW support both full path references and single filenames. The latter assumes that the ini file is located in the program folder. -mse localhost VCP Sets the Media Sequencer to be used. If no parameter is defined it will try to use a local Media Sequencer. -showcommands VCP Displays the VCP Commands window. See also Show VCP Commands.
• Create a Stillstore Scene in Viz Artist • Move the Stillstore Scene to the Viz Graphics Hub Root 7.14.1 Create a Stillstore Scene in Viz Artist Vizrt provides a basic stillstore scene which can be imported and used, however, in order to get the look and feel required to match the overall theme it is recommended to further improve the scene. In addition it is also recommended to utilize Viz Object Store’s functionality to add keywords to images that are used for fullscreen playout.
7.14.2 Move the Stillstore Scene to the Viz Graphics Hub Root Viz Graphics Hub (GH) is the graphics database where all scenes created in Viz Artist 3.x are stored and fetched for play out on Viz Engine. GH also has a tool named Viz Graphics Hub Manager (GHM) that is used to manage the database(s). To move the stillstore scene to the Viz Graphics Hub root 1. Start Viz Graphics Hub Manager 2. Login as admin • The standard out-of-the-box password for administrators is VizDb 3.
2. Select the LANGUAGE section and set a new Unicode font parameter. 3. Save the file, and restart Viz Content Pilot client for the changes to take effect. To set the display font for the Newsroom Component 1. Open Registry 2. Search for the key: • Windows 32-bit: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[vizrt]\ActiveX\ TemplateFiller] • Windows 64-bit: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ [vizrt]\ActiveX\ TemplateFiller] Add the string value ListDisplayFont with the desired font name as parameter.
8 Main Menu The Main menu is positioned in the upper left corner of the window, and has the following appearance: Figure 24: Menu bar This section contains information on the following topics: • • • • • • • • 8.
Figure 26: View log The log window is an accumulation of all operations handled by the system. Individual log messages are also displayed as Status Information in the Status Bars. Tip: Check the View Log window frequently when troubleshooting the system. 8.2 Edit The Edit menu has the following appearance: Figure 27: Edit menu • Cut: Moves the highlighted text to the Clipboard. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+X. • Copy: Copies the highlighted text to the Clipboard.
8.3 Options Figure 28: Options menu The Options menu has the following appearance: • Data List: Displays the data elements in the database: • Show Last Two Weeks: Displays data elements created the last two weeks. • Show All: Displays all data elements. • Show X Day(s): Displays data elements that has been used the last X days. Note: X number of days is set under the General tab in the Preferences window. • • • • Delete Data Items: Opens the Delete Data Items dialog box.
• Template type: Sets the template type from where the data elements should be deleted. Selecting All consequently deletes all data elements of templates that are not saved as library elements within the selected concept. • Delete All Files Older Than: Deletes data elements, except those tagged as Library elements that are older than the given date. This date is by default set one week back in time. See Also • Template Save Dialog Box 8.3.2 Keyboard Configuration Figure 29: Keyboard Configuration window.
The Keyboard Configuration buttons: • Import: Opens the Open window where a previously exported KBD (keyboard) file can be imported. • Export: Opens the Save As window where the current settings can be exported as a KBD file. • OK: Saves the keyboard shortcut configurations, and closes the window. • Cancel: Closes the window.
Macro Shortcut Figure 30: New Macro Shortcut window In the Keyboard Configuration window it is possible to add a Macro command. • Enter Key: Sets the keyboard shortcut for the macro. • Macro Name: Displays the macro category (e.g. macros:, gui:, viz:) and the name of the macro. If a folder was selected when the Macro was opened, the category name will automatically be displayed in the Name text box.
Figure 31: VB Script • Macro Commands: In the Macro Commands tab’s text field, the names of the selected Predefined Functions can be entered. In the VB Script tab’s text field, script code can be entered. IMPORTANT! The function stub named RunScript must be used as the main script or entry point for other scripts; hence, it cannot be renamed or removed. • • • • Show Macros: Opens the Predefined Functions window. Save As New: Saves the macro as a new instance.
2. In the New Macro Shortcut window enter the key combination, macro category:macro name and commands/scripts. 3. Click OK. Note: If the macro category (e.g. foo:bar) is not added it will be placed in the Macros section. To edit a macro command • Double-click the macro listed under the category it was placed to open the Edit Macro Shortcut window. To delete a macro command 1. Select a macro from under the category it was placed and press the CTRL+DEL keys, or 2.
Startup Figure 33: Startup • Allow multiple copies of Viz Content Pilot to be loaded: If enabled, multiple copies of Viz Content Pilot can be loaded simultaneously. • Autostart local Viz Engine preview: If enabled, a local instance of Viz Engine will automatically start when Viz Content Pilot is launched. • Disable Auto Open Of Recent Playlists: When checked, any opened playlist(s) will not be opened when restarting Viz Content Pilot.
• Crop tool save path: Sets the path for the image saved when using the Paste and Crop tool in the Newsroom Component. Images can be added to a template or data element if the ImageSources.isPaste property is set for the template. For details, see the Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide. • Media Sequencer: Sets the hostname of the Media Sequencer machine.
Playlist Figure 36: Playlist general settings • Confirm before item is deleted- If enabled, the user must confirm that the delete operation should be carried through. • Loop playlist: Loops all the elements in the playlist. • Preview templates automatically: Opens the selected element in the playlist automatically. • Play sound when MOS playlist goes inactive: Plays a sound whenever the newsroom (MOS) playlist goes inactive.
Figure 37: Playlist colors The Colors window displays status colors of the different elements in the playlist. The element colors can be customized. To change the color of an element, click the colored circle adjacent to an element label. In the Color window that opens, pick a color, and then click the OK button. • Runnable group: Refers to timeline editor groups (runnable groups). Makes it possible to color video timeline groups in the playlist differently than other groups.
Note: Close and reopen playlists to see the color change take effect. When creating a category in Viz Template Wizard, it is possible to use that category to set which category a template belongs to, and eventually which channel it is played out on. Note that the channel name configured in Viz Template Wizard must correspond with the profile configured for Viz Content Pilot. For details on Categories and Channels, see the Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide.
Figure 39: Playlist not filtered Figure 40: Playlist filtered The above images depict the same playlist. The first shows a playlist with three data elements. The second shows the same playlist with the Lower3rd filter (see Playlist Toolbar) turned on. To create a new playlist filter Note: Create categories and channels in Viz Template Wizard. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Select the Preferences option on the Options menu. Select Filters under the Playlist category. Click New ... to add a new filter.
Remote Preview Figure 41: Remote preview Remote preview is a feature that is used to see snapshots of scenes rendered on a remote Viz Engine, and should not be mistaken for the preview channel. Note: If the Viz Engine Preview plug-in is installed (custom installation), local preview will start and not remote preview (snapshots). • Use this server: Enables the user to set host and port parameters locally in order to override the remote preview configurations on the database.
Viz World Server Figure 42: Viz World Server • Viz World Server: Sets the hostname or IP address of the Viz World Server. Spellcheck Figure 43: Spell check • Spellcheck dictionary path: Sets the path to the dictionary files. The parameter refers to the local default path (see example below). Use a UNC path to use a dictionary file on a remote machine or server. • Spellcheck dictionary filename: Sets the filename of the dictionary files. For example en_US refers to the affix file en_US.
Resource Plug-ins Figure 44: Resource plug-ins • Trio: Enables the Trio resource panel. 8.3.4 Hints Figure 45: Hints Hints are displayed in the left sided text field of the Status Bars when the pointer is positioned at screen items containing hint information, for example the Viz Gateway connection icon. Hints are enabled by default. To enable or disable hints • From the Options menu select Hints to enable or disable hints. 8.
• Template Wizard: Opens Viz Template Wizard. This option is only available if Viz Template Wizard is installed. For details, see the Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide. • Show VCP Commands: Opens the VCP Commands window, see Show VCP Commands. • External Interfaces: Opens the External Interfaces window. • Profile Configuration... (CTRL+M): Opens the Profile Configuration window. • Export: Opens the Export window. • Import: Opens the Import window. • Post Render Device: Opens the Post Render Device window.
the templates. In a virtual studio system, this window will call matrix setups as they are defined in the Viz IO setup. If no virtual studio is available, button 1: 16 will cut between virtual cameras 1: 16. To open the camera control • Select Camera Control on the Tools menu, or press the CTRL+W keys to use the Camera Control. 8.4.
See Also • Templates • Data 8.4.4 Show VCP Commands The VCP Commands window can be used to see the macro commands that are executed when different user operations are performed. The window is also helpful in learning the different macro commands. This section contains information on the following topics: • To show VCP commands • To run a command • To lookup commands using apropos To show VCP commands • Select Show VCP Commands from the Tools menu. To run a command • Enter the name of the command (e.g.
• The following result should appear: COMMAND: main:apropos run_element RESULT: control:run_element(restString ElementPath) : Run specific MSE element control:run_element_with_context(string ElementPath, string ContextName, string ContextValue) : Run specific MSE element where ContextName is a comma separated list of Names and ContextValues their values See Also • Keyboard Configuration 8.4.5 External Interfaces Selecting External Interfaces in the Tools menu opens the External Interfaces window.
• • • • • allocation, played out in a given order (e.g. A, B, A, B) to allow back to back playout. For video devices that is able to playout back to back this allocation is not necessary. Viz Engines: Shows the hostname or IP address of the selected Viz Engine host. Add Viz...: Opens the Configure Viz Engine dialog box for adding a Viz Engine hostname and port number. Video Devices: Shows a list of the available hosts. Add Video...
Table 26: Example paths and archives Path Filename Comments \\host\ archive.via The Viz machine must have write access to the UNC path. This section contains information on the following topics: • Export Window • To export Export Window • PlayLists: Shows a list of playlists that are ready for export. • Playlist: Shows the names of the playlists. • Element Type: Shows the element types. • Template Information: Shows information about the templates.
• Select Viz Engine archive filename: Sets the path and filename for the exported Viz archive. • Irix mountpoint: Sets the shared mountpoint for Viz 2.x installations on Irix. • Browse...: Enables the user to search for and select a specific directory (see Example paths and archives). To export 1. Configure a Viz preview channel in the Profile Configuration. 2. Select Export from the Tools menu. 3. Drag Playlists and Templates from the Resource Panel onto the Export Window, and click Next. 4.
8.4.8 Import Figure 48: Import playlist In the Import window, playlists (includes templates, concepts, scripts and transition logic scenes) and scenes can be imported from file. Playlists and templates are exported as an XML file, and scenes as a Viz archive. Import of playlists and scenes must, unless a shared import folder is given, be imported from different machines. For more information see the Export section and Example paths and archives.
• To import playlists, templates and scenes Context Menu Context menu for the playlist tab columns: • Expand: Expands the selected node(s). • Collapse: Collapses the selected node(s). • Expand All: Expands all nodes. • Collapse All: Collapses all nodes. • Select All: Selects all nodes. • Clear Selection: Clears the selection of nodes. Context menu for the templates tab columns: • Select All: Selects all templates. • Clear Selection: Clears the selection of templates.
Option(s) for the Content Import Status window: • Alternative Concept: Sets an alternative concept for all imported templates before the content is imported. To import playlists, templates and scenes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. On the Tools menu, select Import to open the Import window. Browse for and select the Viz Content Pilot archive file. Optional: Browse for and select the Viz Engine archive file. Click Next. Select templates and playlists to be imported, and click Next. Click Import Content. Click Next.
• • • • • Post rendering with Viz 2.x Post rendering with Viz 3.x To post render a scene To setup a render device for Viz 2.x To setup a render device for Viz 3.x Post rendering with Viz 2.x Figure 49: Device: Render To File • Device: Specifies the Viz Engine rendering device. • Time Codes: Specifies the length of the clip: • From: Starts the recording at the specified time code. • To: Stops the recording at the specified time code.
• Forward: Shuttles the clip forwards. Clicking the Forward button again, increases the shuttle speed. To reduce the speed, click the Backward button. To resume normal speed, click the Play button. • Pause: Pause the clip. Post rendering with Viz 3.x Figure 50: Post rendering The render devices for Viz 3.x are automatically setup and do not need any configuration. • Host name: Displays the render engine that is configured in the profile configuration.
To post render a scene 1. 2. 3. 4. Open a data element. Open the Post Rendering window. Set the output parameters. Click the record button. To setup a render device for Viz 2.x 1. Start Viz Engine’s configuration tool Viz Config, and specify a render device under the Device Manager section. 2. Optional: Set a new destination directory for the files. Note: For more information about how to configure post rendering devices, see the Viz Artist 2.x User’s Guide. To setup a render device for Viz 3.
• Status: Shows the status of the unit, CUEING, CUED, LOADING, PLAYING and so on. • Remaining: Shows the remaining time the clip has to play. The time code decreases when playing the clip (see, Location). • Clip: Shows the name of the clip. Note: The Viz One workflow (as with Viz Video Hub) is not fully supported; meaning, the TC monitor will not display information in the Next, Override and Status columns.
This section contains information on the following topics: • Local Viz Preview • Remote Viz Preview 8.5.1 Local Viz Preview Figure 53: Local preview Local Viz preview means that a Viz Engine is installed locally on the VCP client machine for preview purposes. Local preview is a feature that must be selected during Custom installation of the VCP client by selecting the Viz Engine Preview plug-in.
• Bounding Box: Shows the boundaries of the scene’s objects. • Safe Area: Shows the boundaries of the defined safe area (purple rectangle). • Show Commands: Opens a console window that shows the Viz commands. The console window can be enabled by default by adding the ShowConsole registry setting. • Restart: Restarts the local Viz Engine. Context Menu • Keep aspect: Sets and keeps the correct aspect ratio according to the Viz output format settings when the window is resized.
8.5.2 Remote Viz Preview Figure 54: Remote preview window This option allows you to see a remote “snapshot” preview (still or animated) of a template or data element. Animated means that a series of frames are fetched from the preview renderer on-the-fly; hence, it is not a real-time rendering. However, if you have a reference monitor connected to your Viz Engine’s DVI/VGA output you may use the preview window’s control buttons to play or scrub the graphics in real-time.
• • • • • Safe Area: Shows the boundaries of the defined safe area (purple rectangle). Copy: Copies the current snapshot onto the Windows clipboard. Save: Saves the snapshot as a PNG file. Error: Shows the error log for the current session. Connection: Shows the current Viz connection status. To see a remote snapshot preview 1. Right-click in the playlist and from the appearing context menu select Auto Preview 2. From the main menu select Viz Engine > Remote Preview, or press CTRL+P 3.
Name of playlist 100 Data Element Name 001 FirstName LastName 001 Designation 001 100 Data Element Name 002 FirstName LastName 002 Designation 002 100 Data Element Name 003
8.7 Windows Figure 55: Windows menu The Windows menu options are commonly used to quickly cascade or tile the playlist windows. • Cascade: Arranges all open playlists into a cascaded stack, and displays the playlists in the Work area. • Tile: Arranges all open playlists horizontally from the top of the screen to the bottom, and displays an equal part of all the playlists. • Hide resource bar (CTRL+B): Hides the Resource Panel. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+B.
9 Status Bars The Status bar is positioned at the bottom of the window, and consists of Status Information and Status Indicators. This section contains information on the following topics: • Status Information • Status Indicators 9.1 Status Information Status information is positioned to the lower left. Status information gives feedback on different objects in the Viz Content Pilot user interface and from connected systems.
• Right-clicking the Viz channel will display a context menu for setting the channel as a program or preview channel. In additon it will display the Viz Engines configured for that channel and their current status. • Database: Shows if the Media Sequencer is connected to the Viz Content Pilot database (see the External Interfaces configuration window). • Video Channel (clapperboard): Shows if the Media Sequencer is connected to a Viz Video Engine, Viz Engine or other video servers for video playout.
Figure 57: Error log The Errors window contains two buttons. • Close: Closes the Errors Log dialog box. • Clear Log: Removes all the error messages from the log window, but not from the log file. The Errors window also closes, and the Errors button is hidden. • Profile: Shows the current profile name. Right-clicking the profile name will open a context menu with a list of available profiles, and option to open the Profile Configuration.
10 Resource Panel Figure 58: Resource panel Viz Content Pilot can be configured to access up to nine (9) different resources. The resource panel is positioned to the left in the main program window, and provides an overview of available resources. The buttons and the drop-down list open various resource panels. Selecting Templates and Data give access to all templates and data elements stored on the Viz Content Pilot database.
• • • • • • 10.1 Viz Files Trio Media Cliplist Resource Search Templates Figure 59: Template resources Templates are built using Viz Template Wizard. Templates are used to add content to the graphics and to a certain extent control the look and feel. Data stored on the VCP database with references to a template and scene is, when it is displayed in VCP, called a Data element.
See Also • • • • • • Resource Panel Resource Search Context Menu Template Control Buttons To open a template To select a concept and variant Context Menu Context menu for the columns: • Auto Width: When enabled (selected) Auto Width expands the columns and distributes them evenly. • Enable Sorting: When enabled (selected) Enable Sorting enables the user to sort the list (ascending/descending). Context menu for the resources: • Edit Template: Opens the template in Viz Template Wizard for editing.
10.1.1 Concepts and Variants Tip: The template list is alphabetically ordered (ascending). Click the Name column to reverse the order (descending). The concept drop-down list in the resource panel displays all available concepts, and is basically used to filter the templates that belong to each concept. When saving a template, the data element will be stored with the selected concept and variant.
Note: Concepts and variants are created and organized by the template designer using Viz Template Wizard. Templates are stored on the VCP database. 10.1.2 Template Control Buttons Each template has the same set of control buttons and options. • • • • • Back: Rewinds the scene to frame 0. Start: Runs the scene from the current frame Load: Loads the scene. Continue: Continues the scene from the stop point. Take Out: Takes the scene to the out state stop point.
• Overwrite (Alt+O): Updates a previously created data element. If the data element is new, the Overwrite button will not be available. • Cancel: Cancels the save operation. See Also • Data 10.1.4 Template Spell Checker The template spell checker processes the text as part of the save operation. If spell checking is enabled the spell checker dialog will appear. Spell checking is enabled by the template designer using Viz Template Wizard.
Note: When creating multiple data elements based on the same template (without closing it), the spell checker will remember previous spelling corrections and automatically apply them to new data elements before they are saved. 10.2 Data Figure 60: Data resources The data elements view enables the user to see a list of all data elements or see a filtered view by selecting concept and/or template from the drop-lists.
Context Menu Context menu for the columns: • Date: Shows the date and time the data element was created. • Template: Shows the template the data element is based on. • Auto Width: When enabled (selected), Auto Width expands the columns and distributes them evenly. • Enable Sorting: When enabled (selected), Enable Sorting enables the user to sort the list (ascending/descending). Context menu for the resources: • Open: Displays the selected data element in the Work area.
10.3 Playlists Figure 61: Playlist resources The Playlists button displays the available playlists on the Media Sequencer. Media Sequencer playlists can be created in VCP; however, in most cases playlists are created by newsroom systems that are monitored and played out by the VCP client or other control applications such as Viz Trio or Viz Multichannel. The newsroom playlists are stored on the Media Sequencer, and updated through the Viz Gateway or Viz Device Manager.
See Also • Resource Panel • Resource Search • Playlist Window 10.3.1 Context Menu Context menu for the columns: • Modified: Displays the Modified column. This column shows the date and time of when the playlist was modified. • Name: Displays the Name column. The name column shows the name of the playlist. Name is enabled by default. • Profile: Displays the Profile column. The column shows which profile each playlist is configured to use. • State: Displays the State column.
To add a data element to a playlist 1. Select the Data resource panel. 2. Drag and drop the data element(s) onto the playlist. • If the element is dropped over an existing element, the new element is positioned above the existing. • If the element is dropped in an empty section of the Playlist, the new element is positioned at the bottom of the list. 3. Arrange the order of the elements by drag and drop. To set the same concept for the whole playlist 1. Open the Playlists. 2.
10.4 Viz Figure 62: Viz resources The Viz button refers to the currently configured Viz Engine preview channel and its Viz Graphic Hub connection. Clicking the Viz button the Viz Content Pilot client is able to show the different scenes, images, objects, materials and fonts available to Viz Engine. The Viz panel (aka the treeview browser) also has a range of buttons/tabs that displays different views of different items/objects available to Viz Engine.
• Image: Shows available Images in Viz Graphics Hub. Image relates to the Server - Images option in Viz Artist. • Geom: Shows available Geometry objects on Viz Graphics Hub. Geom relates to the Server - Objects option in Viz Artist. • Material: Shows available Materials (colors) on Viz Graphics Hub. Material relates to the Server - Material and - Materials Advanced options in Viz Artist. • Font: Shows available Fonts in Viz Graphics Hub. Font relates to the Server Fonts option in Viz Artist.
Figure 65: Geometry objects Figure 66: Materials Figure 67: Fonts Chapter 10: Resource Panel 157
10.5 Files Figure 68: Files The Files view allows the user to use external images from local and remote locations. The drop-down list basically shows the local drive and whatever drives are mapped to the computer. The display area shows the external images found for each location. Double-clicking an image will open a preview of the image. Context Menu • Show Thumbnail: Displays thumbnail images instead of text. • Show Text: Displays textual information regarding picture instead of thumbnails.
10.5.1 Crop Tool Figure 69: Crop image tool The Crop Image tool is an efficient tool for basic cut and rotate editing. The crop tool is also used in Viz Object Store (VOS); however, when used with single files for “on the fly” copy and paste into a template, images are not saved to the Viz Object Store database. Hence, if an image from the VOS file share is used it will not affect an already saved image registered to the database.
• AlwaysUseCropTool: Enables the user to always use the crop tool when an image is added to the template. • DestHeight and DestWidth: When set to values greater than 0 (zero), it will enable the crop tool. The parameters set a fixed height and width for the crop tool. Using this setting will force the user to use the configured height and width, and the aspect.
Figure 70: Show view When clicking the Trio button, the Show tab is selected by default. The left pane displays the folder(s) that organizes the different shows stored on the Media Sequencer. The right pane lists the show(s) organized under each show folder. A show contains pages (data elements). Tip: Hide the Show pane by clicking the vertical oblong arrow button.
10.6.1 Context Menu Context menu for the columns: • Name: Shows the names of the elements. • Description: Shows a description of the elements. • Auto Width: When enabled (selected), Auto Width expands the columns and distributes them evenly. • Enable Sorting: When enabled (selected), Enable Sorting enables the user to sort the list (ascending/descending).
Note: Viz Content Pilot does not support the use of audio files. Media information resides on storage systems such as Viz Object Store and Viz One. Viz Object Store traditionally stores still images and person information. Viz One traditionally stores video, audio and video stills. The Media tab combines the sources into one. The left pane shows the Search and Filter Options and a list of categories, while the right pane displays the search result. Search results are limited to a 100 hits per source (e.g.
Search and Filter Options A Viz Object Store search supports free text, keywords and from and to dates, whereas a Viz One search supports free text search. Figure 73: Search and filter • Search field: Combo box for entering a search criteria. Previously entered search criteria are remembered per session. • Filter: Enables/disables the image, audio or video filter. • From/To: Filters the search result based on From and To registration dates. • Keywords: Filters the search result based on keywords.
10.8 Cliplist Viz Content Pilot is able to monitor clips on a video device (that supports the Multiport Video Control Protocol (MVCP)). With MVCP support, operators can add clips to any playlist, trigger the clips manually for playout, and monitor the playout status using the TC Monitor. The TC monitor displays the time code and video server channels. Video servers are added using the Profile Configuration. See Also • To add a video device 10.
11 Playlist Window Figure 74: Playlist The playlist window is used to add data elements, fullscreen images and videos for playout. From the playlist window it is possible to configure the playlist as a whole, and down to the smallest details concerning each element in it. The playlist is used to initialize the playlist on Viz Engine and to have direct control over its groups and elements. See Also • • • • 11.
Context Menu • Customize Toolbar: Opens the Button Configuration dialog box. For details about this dialog box, see Custom Toolbar. • Item Toolbar: Displays the Item Toolbar (enabled by default). • Playlist Toolbar: Displays the Playlist Toolbar (enabled by default). • Video Toolbar: Displays the Video Toolbar (disabled by default). • Custom Toolbar: Displays the Custom Toolbar (disabled by default). 11.1.
• Cleanup: Unloads all scenes that are loaded in memory for the defined channel(s) in the playlist (see the channel column in the playlist). • Concept: Sets a concept for the whole playlist. If the value is set to default, all data elements will use the concept that is set in the Concept column (see also Playlist Concept). See Also • • • • 11.1.
• • • • • 11.1.3 Item Toolbar Video Toolbar Custom Toolbar To create a new playlist filter Viz Template Wizard User’s Guide on Categories and Channels. Video Toolbar The Video toolbar is not displayed by default, and is only available for MVCP integrations, hence, it is not used for the Viz Video Hub integration. When selected, the Video toolbar is by default positioned below the Playlist toolbar.
11.1.4 Custom Toolbar The Custom toolbar is not selected by default. When selected, the Custom toolbar is positioned above the Playlist toolbar. Figure 77: Button Configuration Selecting Customize Toolbar from the Playlist Toolbars’ Context Menu will open the Button Configuration window as depicted above. The customized buttons list is empty by default. If the list contains two or more custom buttons, the order of the buttons can be rearranged with the Up and Down buttons.
Figure 78: Add Command Clicking the Add Command button in the Button Configuration window will open the Add Command window. • Description: Add a descriptive text to the new command button. • Image: Add an image or icon to visualize the new command button. • Simple button: Add a predefined function by clicking the ellipsis (...) button to use macro commands or Viz Engine commands (see image below). • Command: Click the ellipsis (...) button to open the Predefined Functions window.
Both the Simple and the Media Sequencer buttons can use Predefined Functions. The functions can be user defined or built-in functions.
11.2 Playlist Figure 79: Playlist context menu A playlist can contain various groups and elements. Each group and element is presented as a row in the Playlist. This section contains information on the following topics: • Context Menu • To group elements in a playlist Context Menu Context menu for the status bar: • Activate in current profile: Activates and monitors the selected playlist in the current profile, and enables the Media Sequencer to trigger transfer of video clips to Viz.
Context menu for the columns: • Cursors: Shows three options for setting, clearing and resetting the cursor. • Reset Cursor: Sets the external cursor back to the point it was before a Set Next was executed. • Set Next: Sets the external cursor (yellow arrow) for a selected element. The cursor indicates which element that will be taken next for example a “take and advance” General Purpose Input (GPI) action is executed. There is also a red arrow which indicates the current element that will be taken on-air.
• Show Item Editor: Shows the Item editor at the right side of the Playlist list. The Item editor displays editable text for the selected graphics item in the playlist. The editor can be expanded, hidden or closed by clicking the arrow and X buttons in the upper right corner. • • • • • Show Image Bar: Shows a bar with thumbnails of the elements in the playlist. To hide the Image bar, click the X button in the upper left corner. Right-clicking the Image bar opens the Change Image Size dialog box.
To group elements in a playlist 1. Right-click the Playlist and select Insert Item -> Group from the appearing Context Menu. 2. Place an element in a group by holding the CTRL key down while performing a drag and drop operation. An angled arrow indicates that the element may be dropped. See Also • Playlist Columns • Playlist Concept • Playlist Time Editor 11.2.1 Playlist Columns Playlist columns can be displayed or hidden by using the Context Menu. Many of the columns are presented by default.
• Duration: Sets the length of the element. This time is relative to the Begin and Timecode parameters. • End: Shows the end time for a group. See also the Playlist Time Editor section. • External Id: The External Id can be set directly in the column. It attaches a data element execution to a specific external signal that comes from a button box or similar device. This column is presented by default. An External Id is used with the Quick CG feature for adding embedded MOS objects to a newsroom story.
• Effect Image: Displays an image of the transition effect scene. • Layer: Allows loading of graphics in separate layers on Viz Engine (front, middle, back). For example, a lower third can be shown in front of a virtual studio set or any other background, or a bug can be shown in the front layer while a lower third is shown in the middle layer. This column is presented by default. • Loaded: Shows the loaded status (in memory) of the scene and images used for a data element of that scene.
2. Click the arrow button in the Effect column and select, from the appearing drop list, the transition effect. See Also • To create a custom button • Playlist Concept • Playlist Time Editor 11.2.2 Playlist Concept In most cases Viz Content Pilot (VCP) playlists are created in Newsroom Computer Systems (NCS). A playlist created using an NCS client, can consist of data elements within a specific concept. For example a News or Sports concept. The VCP client is able to override a playlist’s concept.
Figure 82: Master concept When a concept is overridden, the playlist will, when opened in Viz Content Pilot for monitoring and playout, show all data elements with the concept they were saved with, but played out using the Master concept. Hence, if a data element was saved with a Sports concept, and the master concept is News, the News concept is used.
In ENPS it is possible to set the concept (or style) when creating a rundown (playlist). Set the rundown property Viz Graphics Style to the same as the graphics concept used. Note: The naming convention must be the same for the scene design and the playlist created in the newsroom system.
11.2.3 Playlist Time Editor Figure 84: Time Editor for the Begin and End columns The Time Editor is displayed when clicking the ellipsis (...) button in the Begin or End columns. In this window, a group can be set to run between a start- and stop date and time. It can also be set to run on specific weekdays. Once a start and stop time has been set, the date and time is shown in the Begin and End column.
12 Newsroom Integration Newsroom integration is first and foremost about the Newsroom Component which is an embedded client that runs within the newsroom system client. An alternative is VCP’s QuickCG tool for creation of *cg like elements which also can be installed on newsroom system clients. Both are used by journalists to fill templates with content and store them as data elements.
12.1 Newsroom Component Figure 85: Template and data element view The Newsroom Component user interface enables the user, often a journalist, to fill templates with text, still image(s), video clip(s) and audio, or simply add them directly to the newsroom system for full screen graphics display, still image or video clip.
12.1.1 Template View Figure 86: Templates and data elements The Templates tab allow users to search for and open templates, and save them as unique data elements. The template pane (left) shows all templates based on the selection made in the concepts drop-list. Click the concepts view button to switch between a list or icon view. The Data Element pane (right) shows all data elements based on the selected concept from the concepts drop-list, or template pane.
Table 27: Template and data element view functions Function Description When the finish button is enabled the data elements view will only show data elements that are not marked as finished when saved. The calendar button exposes the start and end date fields. The information button opens an “About” window with name, version and copyright information on the Newsroom Component. The arrow buttons switches to the template editor view, and back to the template and data element view.
Search Below the template and data element panes there are two search fields. These are used to search what is displayed in the two panes. Typing into them will search the respective template or data element pane for matching templates or data elements. When searching for templates, the Newsroom Component will automatically display all data elements related to a template. When searching the data elements, it will select the first element matching the search criteria.
12.1.3 Template Editor Figure 87: Saved data element with remote preview enabled The editor is divided in three; a control bar, template window, and preview window. Note that the preview window, when performing preview using a remote Viz Engine, can be detached giving more space for the template. Local preview is always detached from the Newsroom Component. The left side of the control bar shows the status and the name of the template.
Table 28: Template and data element editor functions Function Description The Preview button enables the preview. Depending on the preview configuration, it will open the local or remote preview window. Alternatively press the shortcut keys CTRL+SHIFT+P to open the preview window. The arrow buttons switches to the template editor view, and back to the template and data element view. Alternatively press the shortcut keys CTRL+SHIFT+L to switch between the two views.
• • • • To To To To copy a data element from the data element list delete a data element change a concept and/or variant preview a data element To create a data element 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Double-click a template from the Template pane to open it in the editor. Make the necessary changes to the data (e.g. text, images, video clips). Click the Save button. In the appearing Save Dialog, enter a name for the data element. Click OK. To rename a data element 1.
To delete a data element • Select a data element in the Data element pane and press the Delete key, and click OK in the appearing confirmation dialog box. To change a concept and/or variant 1. In the editor, simply use the Concept or Variant drop-list to select a new concept and/or variant. 2. Click Save to save the data element. Note: Concepts and variants are created using Viz Template Wizard’s template manager tool. To preview a data element 1. Click the preview button (top right), or 2.
Note: Viz Content Pilot does not support the use of audio files. Media information resides on storage systems such as Viz Object Store and Viz One. Viz Object Store traditionally stores still images and person information. Viz One traditionally stores video, audio and video stills. The Media tab combines the sources into one. The left pane shows the Search and Filter Options and a list of categories, while the right pane displays the search results. Search results are limited to a 100 hits per source (e.g.
• Launch Viz EasyCut: Opens the selected video clip(s) in Viz EasyCut for editing. • Edit Metadata: Enables the user to edit the meta data for the selected clip (in Viz Video Hub) for editing. • Preview: Previews images using the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. Is only available for Viz Object Store items. • Open in Timeline Editor: Opens the Timeline Editor that enables you to add graphics placeholders to a video clip’s timeline.
Note that in order to preview the proxy versions you also need to install Video Codecs. The timeline editor offers basic functionality for adding graphics to the video timeline. The graphics are added using data elements that are saved down to the VCP database (normal graphics workflow). When using data elements, the timeline editor will add them as placeholders on the video timeline. The placeholders will display snapshots of the graphics as video overlays (fetched from the Preview Server).
Key Description CTRL + Arrow Move graphics in small steps back and forth on the timeline CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow Move graphics in big steps back and forth on the timeline CTRL + ALT + Arrow Increase or decrease duration by a small amount CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + Arrow Increase or decrease duration by a large amount CTRL + L Move the selected graphics next to the one to the left CTRL + R Move the selected graphics next to the one to the right CTRL + ALT + L Stretch the selected graphics next to the o
To add graphics to a video clip timeline 1. In the Newsroom Component, click the Media tab to search for videos. 2. Right-click the video item, and from the appearing context menu select Open in Timeline Editor. 3. To add graphics, click the Add button • This will open the Template and Data Elements’ view. 4. Select a template or already saved data element, and click OK. • Clicking OK will prompt the template or data element to be saved.
For more information on how to work with maps, please read the Viz World User’s Guide. 12.1.9 Local Viz Preview Figure 91: Local preview Local preview is a feature that must be selected during Custom installation by selecting the Viz Engine Preview plug-in. For more information, see Local Viz Preview using the Viz Content Pilot client.
12.1.10 Remote Viz Preview Figure 92: Remote preview Unlike Local Viz Preview and Remote Viz Preview using the Viz Content Pilot client, remote Viz preview using the Newsroom Component does not animate the scene. The scene, according to the time set in the scrub field, is rendered on a remote Viz Engine and snapshots are sent back to the Newsroom Component. For remote Viz preview, low resolution video clips are used instead of high resolution video clips.
• Context Menu • Registry Settings Context Menu • Always on top: If the preview window is detached from the newsroom component, this option enables the preview window to stay on top of other application windows. • Show Safe Area: Shows the boundaries of the defined safe area (purple rectangle). • Show Title Area: Shows the boundaries of the defined title area (green rectangle). • Detach preview: Detaches the preview window from the newsroom component (see, Always on top).
Table 29: Newsroom Component registry properties Property Parameter Description PreviewPort Defatult ports are 50008 (multiple connections) and 6100 (single connection). defines the Viz Engine port number, or Viz Multiplexer port number for Viz Engine 2.x users, for remote preview. PreviewDisabled 0 or 1 Enables (0) or disables (1) both local and remote preview for the Newsroom Component. CAUTION! Changing registry settings may cause the system to become unstable.
• ax_preview_host: • ax_preview_port: 50008 5. Click OK Note: If the Viz Engine Preview plug-in is installed (custom installation), local preview will start and not remote preview (snapshots). See Also • Local Viz Preview using the Newsroom Component • Newsroom Integration Client • Database Configuration 12.1.12 Shortcut Keys There are several shortcut keys available.
12.1.13 About The about splash displays your typical version information, but also the Newsroom Component’s connection parameters to the VCP database and Viz Video Hub. See Also • Database Parameters 12.2 Quick CG The Quick CG (character generator) is a small and easy to use tool to quickly create an embedded MOS object to be used in a newsroom story. Figure 93: QuickCG • Type CG data: Use the External Id combined with the data needed to fill the textfields for the graphics.
selected editor (for example a newsroom story editor). The MOS object (XML data) is placed on the clipboard. VCPAxFiller.VCPTemplateFiller VCPAxFiller.
To create a CG data element 1. Enter the template’s External ID followed by a dash. 2. Enter the data separated with a forward slash. 3. Select newsroom story editor, and click the Auto-paste to Editor button (first button (upper-right)). 4. Click OK to add the XML output to the editor, or 5. Paste it manually into the eidtor by pressing the CTRL+V keys. See Also • Quick CG • Newsroom Component 12.
Figure 94: Newsroom Component test page. To edit the connection settings either reinstall the NrC or use a registry editor (only for system administrators). When the Newsroom Component Test Page is opened, Internet Explorer (IE) will issue a warning and ask the user to accept the ActiveX to run within IE. To allow the test page to run without a warning 1. Start Internet Explorer, and from the Tools menu select Internet Options. 2. In the Internet Options window select the Advanced tab. 3.
12.4 MOS IDs The above image depicts the ActiveX 5.x registry key used by the NrC (on a Windows 32-bit machine). It shows the DatabaseName string with a TNS name alias (VIZRTDB). • Windows 32-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[vizrt]\ActiveX 5.x\DataBroker\ • Windows 64-bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ [vizrt]\ActiveX 5.x\DataBroker\ Note that the TNS_ADMIN string that points to the tnsnames.ora file is not set; it must be added to the Viz content pilot 5.x key, or as an environment variable.
13 Thumbnail Generation The Viz Thumbail Generator (TnG) is a stand-alone application that generates thumbnail images for data elements used in VCP and NrC for template recognition. Template thumbnails are stored on the VCP database. Note: Thumbnails are also visble in Viz Trio newsroom playlists. To • • • create thumbnails the following is needed: A connection to VCP’s database using an Oracle Runtime Client. A connection to Viz Engine.
1. Double-click the icon on the desktop, or 2. Select the program from the Start menu (All Programs > Vizrt > Viz Content Pilot > Viz Thumbnail Generator) Note: Make sure Viz Engine and Viz Multiplexer (if needed) is configured and running. See Also • Thumbnail Generation 13.2 Configuration The Settings window configures connection parameters for VCP’s database and Viz Engine, and the thumbnail image height.
See Also • Thumbnail Generation 13.3 Command Line Options TnG can use command line parameters in the target path. For more information on different commands and parameters, see Command Line Options. thumbnailgenerator.exe -viz -port 50008 -db VIZRTDB -timeout 20 Note: For Viz Engine 2.x a Viz Multiplexer is needed (see Preview Configuration).
13.4 User Interface Figure 95: User interface The TNG has a main user interface, and a menu option for configuring the TNG’s connection parameters. The main window shows the number of elements in the database that can be generated based on the selected date(s). In addition it shows a progress bar and status messages for each element that is updated or generated. TNG sends its requests to Viz Engine, based on messages received from the database.
• Remaining elements: Shows new or updated elements that are not generated. • Remaining thumbnails for current element: Shows remaining thumbnails to be generated for the current element. For example if a template has four variants, the remaining thumbnails will generate all four variants. • AQ and error status: Shows information about created elements, connection status, and error messages. • Status: Displays a progress bar showing the progress status of each generated thumbnail.
13.5 Logging Thumbnail Generator has its own log files (e.g. viz_thumbnailgenerator.log). The logfiles are normally located in the program folder; however, you can also place the log files in other directories using the -logpath command line parameter (added to your program shortcut’s target path). If you only want to enable logging you can use the -dologging command line parameter.
14 Database Administration The database installation is a typical Oracle database server installation. For how to install an Oracle database server, see the related documentation supplied by Oracle. Vizrt’s standard installation of a VCP database uses the service name VIZRTDB. The SQL schema and table creation scripts add the user PILOT with password PILOT which makes up the schema name and the default credentials all VCP applications are configured to use.
VCPDBA and all script files are bundled into a zip file. Please unzip all files into one folder. Example: C:\temp\VCPDBA This section contains information on the following topics: • Current Limitations • Upgrade Considerations • Upgrade Limitations Current Limitations • VCP DBA’s install path cannot contain spaces. • VCP DBA can only logon with Oracle’s system user.
If you have a main and standby setup, check that they are synchronized. If this is not the case, Vizrt support must be informed and any schema upgrade cannot go ahead before this is rectified. If it cannot be solved, a full recreation of the standby server may be needed before continuing. Also, a set time is needed where you can break the synchronization between the two databases. Upgrade Limitations When upgrading from a VCP 4.
See Also • Database Administration 14.4 User Interface Figure 97: Connect to database Starting the client will open the Connect to DB window which is the initial screen of VCP DBA. This screen gives the user several options; the Database Login, different Management Options and Advanced Configuration of user levels.
• Install New Schema: Enables the user to install a schema on the specified database. See Install Schema. • Upgrade Current Schema: Enables the user to upgrade the current version of the schema to a later version. See Upgrade Schema. Note: The application first scans the installed schema for critical errors and blocks the option to upgrade if any critical errors are found. • Show Schema Status: Enables the user to see the status of the currently installed schema. See Show Schema Status.
• Connect as: Sets the connection privileges. Available options are Normal, SYSDBA or SYSOPER. See Also • • • • • 14.4.3 User Interface Connect to DB Advanced Configuration Database Service Names and SID Database TNS Alias Advanced Configuration Figure 99: Advanced Configuration • Set User Level: Shows the available user modes. • Basic: This user level is for users who are doing regular maintenance and fresh installations or upgrades of the database schema.
• Show preprocessed scripts and advanced script options: Shows an extra tab before executing the chosen script where the user can see through the preprocessed script or reload it. • Stop on errors when executing scripts: Stops the execution of scripts when errors occur. For versions 5.1.7 and later this option should be enabled. For older versions than 5.1.7 this option should be disabled.
• View Extended Info (Advanced): Enables the user to display extended information about the schema. • Recreate all constraints (Advanced): Enables the user to execute a script that recreates all constraints in the schema. Typically needed after a "support only" import, or if some constraints for some reason are missing. Missing constraints are reported in the status window.
Note: All vcp_ora.log files are added to the vcp_ora.log.old file. See Also • User Interface 14.5 Management Options This section describes the different management options: • • • • • • • • • • Install Schema Upgrade Schema Show Schema Status Create Complete DB Solution Backup Schema Restore Backup of Schema Full Export of Database Import All Schemas in Dump Extended Information Database Test See Also • Database Administration 14.5.
To install a new schema Figure 102: Install new schema 1. 2. 3. 4. Click the Install New Schema button. In the New Schema window, select the VCP version to be installed. Optional: Enter the schema name and password Optional: Enter the tablespace name. Setting a different tablespace name requires this option to be selected (see Advanced Configuration). 5. Click Next twice to start the installation. 6. Click Next when finished. Note: If errors occur, see Error Logs.
To upgrade to a new schema Figure 103: Upgrade schema 1. Click the Upgrade Schema button. 2. In the Select Schema window, select the schema that should be upgraded, and click Next. • When VCP DBA has checked the status of the current schema, the Upgrade Schema window will list the available upgrade options. 3. Select the schema version, and click Next to see the script that will be executed. 4. When ready to upgrade, click Next to run the scripts. 5. Click Next when finished.
• Whether the schema complies with a reference of the currently installed version. If more than one schema is installed on the same database, a selection dialog is displayed before the status information window is shown. The available options depend on the configured user level, see Advanced Configuration. Note that most features will be blocked if the database text encoding is not UTF-8.
5. Enter the hostname if the hostname was not detected. 6. Click Next. • Clicking Next will launch the Oracle Universal Installer, and a separate command schell. The Oracle Universal Installer will install the database. • After the installation the Oracle Universal Installer will start to execute the configuration assistants (e.g. Oracle Net Configuration Assistant and so on). 7.
Setting the user level to Support will enable the option to select the VCP version Support only. This version allows a raw import of a database schema which in turn can be used for debugging. A schema imported this way will not have AQ, triggers or constraints enabled, and will therefore not be a schema one can use with the Pilot applications. To restore a schema 1. Click the Restore Backup of Schema button. 2. In the Select Schema window, select the schema that should be imported to, and click Next. 3.
• Advanced Configuration (reference) 14.5.9 Extended Information Figure 104: Extended information Extended information can be viewed if the option Enable advanced options in extended info is enabled. CAUTION! The different actions in these views could potentially stop the schema from working if an error occurs while running the scripts. All information tabs have the option to refresh the database information result b clicking the Refresh button.
• • • • not be used by users that do not know how to read to error logs and that are not able to fix AQ issues manually. Errlog: (# items in the errlog): Lists the last 100 entries in the errlog. It also gives the option to delete all entries older than 3 months. Sys' Error view: Lists all errors with the current schema as owner, in the sys' all_errors view. VizAdmin log: Shows the last 100 entries of the VizAdmin log table. Invalid objects: Shows all invalid objects in the database.
Figure 105: SQLPlus connection Check that the output is something like the example output below: C:\>sqlplus pilot/pilot@viz-xw4300/xe SQL*Plus: Release 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on Wed Jun 20 12:17:19 2007 Copyright (c) 1982, 2005, Oracle. All rights reserved. Connected to: Oracle Database 10g Express Edition Release 10.2.0.1.
15 Data Server Viz Content Pilot’s Data Server acts as an application server for accessing VCP’s database and other services. This section describes the installation and configuration of the Data Server. A Viz Content Pilot setup has three possible use cases for using the Data Server: • Fetching frames from the Preview Server (see Timeline Editor). • Running scripts using the Update Service (see Viz Template Wizard’s user guide).
1. Start Windows Explorer on the machine Data Server is installed. 2. Go to the install folder • Windows 7: C:\Program Files (x86)\vizrt\Vizrt Pilot Data Server • Windows XP: C:\Program Files\vizrt\Vizrt Pilot Data Server 3. Open the VCPScriptRunnerHostService.exe.config file in a text editing tool (e.g. Notepad) 4. Change the port by modifying the following line: 5. Save the file and restart the service Vizrt VCPScriptRunner from the Windows Services window.
To add the Data Server setting to the database 1. See how To access the Data Server settings 2. Select the app_server setting, and add the parameter (i.e. :8177) for the machine you installed VCP’s Data Server on 3. Click Save • This will give all applications with a connection to the database access to VCP’s Data Server. IMPORTANT! Firewalls must allow inbound communications on port 8177. To add the Preview Server setting to the database 1. See how To access the Data Server settings 2.
4. Add a short name (next column) to help identify the asset’s location. Note: If you change the short name you need to restart the server for the changes to take effect (see To configure the Data Server service). 5. Under Pre-authenticated hosts click the Add button and enter the host’s URL, username and password in order to authenticate your search • This is required for Viz One 6.
16 Preview Server This section describes the installation and configuration of the Preview Server. The Preview Server is a console application setting up an HTTP REST service on port 54000 on the host it is running. This service accepts requests for graphical snapshots of playout elements from a Viz Engine. Per default, the Viz Engine must run on the same host as the Preview Server, but it is possible to specify another host for the Viz Engine.
3. Click Next. 4. Click Install to start the installation process. 5. Click Finish. To configure the Preview Server using command line arguments Note: Configuring the Preview Server is not needed unless you have to specify other than the default by using command line arguments. 1. From the Start menu select and right-click the Preview Server, and from the appearing context menu select Properties. 2. Click the Shortcut tab, and add your Command Line Arguments.
See Also • Preview Server requirements • Data Server • Viz Engine Administrator’s Guide for information on installing the Viz Engine graphics and video render engine.
Chapter 16: Preview Server 237
