Marsis Playout Manual
Marsis Playout Manual
BAS/B-IT/CMOSD
2022
Table of Contents
1- Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Marsis Playout.......................................................................................................................................................................4
2- Installation........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Minimum Hardware Requirements......................................................................................................................................4
Operating Systems...........................................................................................................................................................4
System Requirements........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Supported Formats in Playout System.................................................................................................................................6
Installation.............................................................................................................................................................................7
Activation.............................................................................................................................................................................10
USB Dongle Protection....................................................................................................................................................10
Soft License Protection....................................................................................................................................................10
Uninstallation.......................................................................................................................................................................11
3- Quick Start Guide............................................................................................................................................................12
Main Interface......................................................................................................................................................................12
Basic Settings.......................................................................................................................................................................13
Output Settings....................................................................................................................................................................14
Playlist..................................................................................................................................................................................16
4- Using Marsis Playout Automation................................................................................................................................17
Menu....................................................................................................................................................................................17
File Menu............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Edit Menu............................................................................................................................................................................ 18
View Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................19
Settings Menu......................................................................................................................................................................21
General Settings..............................................................................................................................................................21
Output Settings...............................................................................................................................................................24
Playlist Settings............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Daily Playlist Settings......................................................................................................................................................28
Categories Settings......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Autofill Settings...............................................................................................................................................................30
Columns Settings.............................................................................................................................................................32
Colors and Fonts Settings...............................................................................................................................................33
As-Run Logs Settings........................................................................................................................................................34
Subtitle Settings..............................................................................................................................................................35
2
Directories Settings.........................................................................................................................................................37
Live Source Settings........................................................................................................................................................38
CG Settings.......................................................................................................................................................................40
Video Resize Settings......................................................................................................................................................46
Router Settings................................................................................................................................................................48
Ingest Settings..................................................................................................................................................................50
GPI Triggers Settings.......................................................................................................................................................52
Shortcuts Settings...........................................................................................................................................................53
Preview Box.........................................................................................................................................................................54
Counters...............................................................................................................................................................................55
Media Controller Buttons...................................................................................................................................................56
Playlist Operation Buttons..................................................................................................................................................57
Playlist..................................................................................................................................................................................58
Media Trimmer................................................................................................................................................................61
Video Tab........................................................................................................................................................................ 64
Audio Settings..................................................................................................................................................................65
Media Info.......................................................................................................................................................................66
Playlist Information.............................................................................................................................................................. 67
Operational Tab Panel........................................................................................................................................................ 68
Media Explorer.....................................................................................................................................................................69
Playlists................................................................................................................................................................................ 70
Live Sources.........................................................................................................................................................................73
Hot Keys...............................................................................................................................................................................74
3
1- Introduction
Marsis Playout is a flexible playout automation software designed for broadcast quality playback and 24/7 on-air
operations. It has multi-channel support and supports many video and audio formats used in broadcast playout. The
software will be utilized by the MCVO Section for the external playout of hard drive file-based materials on the pre-
identified playlist stations (VHF-7, VHF-11, International and DTT Channels) in the event that the clip is unavailable on the
TX Server and MAM System and is available only on external storage devices (USB flash drives, external hard drives, P2
cards, etc.). The software will also be installed in laptops with external video I/O cards and NAS systems to serve as a
portable backup external playout system for the playback of VHF-7 and VHF-11 commercials in emergency DR situations.
2- Installation
Operating Systems:
Microsoft Windows 7 (64 bit)
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64 Bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (64 Bit)
Microsoft Windows 2016 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows 2016 Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows 2019 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows 2016 Enterprise Edition
4
System Requirements
Intel i5 6400
Intel i7 4790K Intel i7 4790K Intel Dual Xeon
CPU Intel i5 6500
Intel i7 6700K Intel i7 6700K E5-2630 V4
Intel i7 6700K
Nvidia GTX 700 Nvidia GTX 950 Nvidia GTX 700 Nvidia GTX 950
VGA
Nvidia GTX 750 Nvidia GTX 960 * Nvidia GTX 750 Nvidia GTX 960 *
* Nvidia GTX 960 and above series support HEVC (H.265) Encoding
** You may use any simple hard drive or network path (NAS, SAN, DAS, etc.) for Marsis Playout. If you are planning
to play high-bitrate video files such as Apple Prores, DNXHD, AVC-Intra or any high bitrate formats (above 25Mbit/s)
you should consider using RAID configured drive sets.
5
Supported Formats in Playout System
Network Protocols
HTTP
RTMP
RTMPS
RTP
RTSP
UDP
6
Installation
2- Click Next.
7
3- Read and accept the agreement. Then click Next.
8
5- Click Install to start installation.
9
Activation
For this purpose, you need either a USB dongle key or a Software license.
3- Click Generate button. Then select a folder to save your license file. (C2V File)
10
5- Marsis Support Team will generate your license and will send you a V2C file.
6- Go to the License Manager and click on Apply License button. A file browser dialog box will be opened. Then
select the license file that you have received from Marsis Support Team and Click OK/Open.
7- Once you see “License has been successfully applied” message, Marsis Playout is ready for use.
Uninstallation
11
3- Quick Start Guide
Main Interface
1 Top Menu
2 Preview Box
3 Left-side tab
4 Counter
7 Playlist
8 Status Bar
12
Basic Settings
You may go to the properties and select the check box (see below) to always run the software as administrator.
13
Output Settings
The Marsis playout supports two separated outputs including SDI-NDI or WebRTC, and you can enable them with
following steps:
1- From menu go to Settings and find the second tab which is Output.
2- Select Primary Output Checkbox to enable it. If you would like to enable two outputs you need to enable Secondary
Output as well.
Output To: In this field, you need to choose one of the options, such as, SDI cards (Decklink, Aja, Bluefish and etc.) NDI
or WebRTC.
Line: (NDI Name): Based on the output type that you have picked from the Output field; this field will change to Line
or NDI Name and you need to either pick one of the options from Line or set a name as alias for NDI.
Background: You can set a default background for the playout so it will be shown while there is no feed on it.
You may choose one of the options color bars, solid color, Media file or live source.
Resolution: Marsis Playout supports SD, HD, 2K and 4K as resolution. You need to select one of the resolutions.
Audio: Based on the audio output you need to select one of the options from audio list. Multichannel audio supports
up to 16 channels.
Audio CH: In order to enable or disable Audio channels you can click on checkboxes.
14
Keep AR: AR which stands for Aspect Ratio will let you change the aspect ratio of each video to keep it as original or
change them to your default aspect ratio output Settings. For instance, if you have a 4:3 video with the disabled Keep
AR checkbox your output will be 16:9
15
Playlist
By default, Video folder in the Document folder has been set as the media directory, you can add your media file to
that folder and find them in the playout, or from Settings -> Directory tab define new media directory path.
There are three approaches to add media file(s) manually to the playlist.
Method 1:
1- from the left-side tab go to the Media Explorer and find your video file.
2- To add one or more files, drag and drop them to the playlist area.
Method 2:
1- Right click on the playlist area and go to Add or Insert menu, click on the first option which is Media File.
Method 3:
1- In the Playlist operational button field find Add or Insert buttons. (they have + icon)
16
4- Using Marsis Playout Automation
Menu
In the menu, you can access to File, Edit, View, Settings and Help menus.
File Menu
New Playlist: Will clear current playlist in the playout and create a new playlist.
Load Playlist: If you have saved a playlist, you can load it from this menu.
Save Playlist: This menu lets you save the current playlist in the playout. Please be noted that the saved playlist can
be a physical file in the playlist folder that you have already set in the Settings menu. Please also note that if you make
any changes in the playlist and save it, it will overwrite the previous playlist that you had loaded in the playout.
You can find the name of loaded playlist in the playout on the top-left side of program right beside Marsis Playout
icon. Look at below picture:
In this sample, playlist name is Unnamed Playlist which means it has not been saved yet.
17
Save Playlist Partially: If the current playlist is not a completed playlist and you would like to update it later then you
can save it partially.
Save Playlist as: To save a new playlist in order to keep the current playlist in the playout you need to use this option.
Save Playlist as Daily: This option will save your playlist with a start time, in that case, playlist will load to your playout
automatically on that start time.
Export Playlist as Excel: If you would like to export your playlist for report or any other purposes, this option lets
you export your playlist as an Excel file. Please be noted that you would be required Microsoft Office Excel installed
on your PC to use this option.
Export Playlist as XML: If you want to export your playlist for EPG (Electronic Program Guide) or any other purposes
this option lets you export your playlist as an XML file.
Edit Menu
Basically, this menu is similar to right click of mouse on the playlist area.
You can access to Add, Insert, Block, Delete, Loop, Cut, Copy, Paste, Select All, Invert Selection, Deselect and Edit.
Add: This option will add events to the end of the playlist. You will be able to add
Media File, Live Source, URL, Dummy Item, Note, Blank Item, Stop, Stop Cue,
Wait, Jump to, Router, DTMF, Video Resize, CG controller and Ingest Controller
to the end of the playlist.
Insert: Insert has the exact submenus as Add, only it adds items at the top of the
selected item.
Block: You can put items in the playlist as block or a group and move, copy and
modify them in a group.
Loop: Will play your selected item until you manually press next or jump button.
Cut: Will cut the file in the clipboard in order to paste it in another place.
18
View Menu
Secondary Preview: In the View, you can enable Secondary Preview and always monitor your output video and audio.
You can move this secondary window to your second monitor.
19
VU Meters: Volume meter will open a sounds optimizer where you can balance your audio output. I t will let you
mute channels and increase or decrease audio levels for each channel.
Counters: Will show the Played time, Remaining time, Playlist Played time, Playlist Remaining time, Station Time,
Next Event Remaining Time, Playlist End Time In a larger size.
20
Settings Menu
General Settings
By selecting this check box, it always shows the playing item in the index.
If your playout closes intentionally or by accident, and you have checked the “Load last played playlist and resume
playback” option, the last playlist will load to the playout and it will start from the scene that playout had closed.
21
Auto save playlist every X minute:
Auto save option will keep saving all the changes of the playlist every X minutes. For instance, if you set the value as
1, playlist saves the changes every 1 minutes and it will be overwritten on the current playlist.
Basically, playlist time is equal to the station time which is your windows date and time. But if you want to change the
station time you can change Hours and Minutes values.
Example: your server time is GMT + 0 but your channel station it is GMT + 3, then you need to set the Hours value = 3.
Moreover, by selecting minus (-) check box you can deduct Hours and minutes values from the windows time.
If you select Playout as your preview, you will see raw video without any graphical objects, but if you choose CG, you
will have a preview of video and CG objects. This field will show you all Marsis Virtual sources.
22
Password:
You might set a password for the Settings menu so that while you are trying to open Settings, it will ask for a password.
This is intended for Administrators only so that ordinary users will not be able to change the settings.
Time Format:
Although the time format by default follows your windows format, you can change it to 24 hours or 12 hours’ mode.
Date Format:
You can change date format in this field. you may choose different types such as: yyyy/MM/dd or dd/MM/yyyy and
etc.
Hot Keys:
In order to change the quantity or size of each Action button or Hot keys you may change Column/Row or
Width/Height values. By pressing Reset button, you can set back the Settings to the default one.
23
Output Settings
With Marsis Playout virtual source (DirectShow) output, you can stream to two separated and dedicated outputs.
To enable or disable each output, first you need to select these checkboxes.
NDI Name/Line:
Based on your output device (SDI or NDI) the following NDI name/Line field will change and user is able to either write
an alias for NDI output or choose one of the device's lines such as HDMI/SDI and etc.
NDI
NDI Playout CH1
24
Background:
This parameter shows a background while there is no content. You can set a solid color, color bar, media file or even
a live source as a background.
Resolution:
Each Output can have its own resolution; therefore, you can set SD and HD output with different resolution Settings
for each output. You might use SD up to 4K resolution in Marsis Playout.
Audio:
To change Audio Settings, you need to change this parameter. It supports multichannel audio output and you can
enable or disable each channel.
Audio CH:
Keep AR:
This option lets you keep the Aspect Ratio as same as source and if you uncheck this option, the playout changes all
aspect ratios to the same value.
25
Playlist Settings
In the Playlist tab, you can set a default path for the playlist folder. Moreover, you can add multiple categories for your
playlists.
26
If you have not created Playlist folder, you may consider a folder in your local drive as the Marsis playlist
folder and set the path in the above form. You can easily go to the Documents folder and press "Make New
Folder" button and change the new folder's name to "Playlist" and choose created folder as your Playlist
directory.
3- Press OK button.
In order to remove categories, select target category and press Delete button.
27
Daily Playlist Settings
This feature lets user to load prepared playlist at the start time automatically. For instance, you can save playlist in the
Scheduler and set a start time to load playlist and save it as a daily playlist.
To activate this option, first you need to select Enable Daily Playlist Mode checkbox.
The following options won't be enabled until you select Enable Daily Playlist Mode checkbox.
Operational Mode:
If you have a playing video in the Playout and also you have a Daily playlist for that time this option loads your playlist
based on your chosen operation mode. Either it will stop current video and loads your daily playlist then executes first the
video file the new daily playlist, or it will add new daily playlist right after current playing video; It means new
daily playlist will wait till current video is finished and then starts first item of the new daily playlist.
28
Daily Playlist Location:
You need to set a folder path as Daily playlist folder, accordingly, in the Local Directory field press Browse button and
find your target daily playlist folder. Please consider that you can create a new folder for Daily playlist and you can
locate this folder wherever you want in your storage. At the end, press OK button to submit your location as a Daily
playlist path.
*Clear button will remove the set path for daily playlist.
Categories Settings
Usually, video contents are in many categories such as, Movies, Music, Sport, Advertisement and etc.
You can categorize your content and set different graphic rules and colors for each category.
Also, you may set a directory path for categories which in that case, the Playout recognizes every file of that folder as
the defined category.
- You have Advertisement and Promo videos that should not contain any graphic object on it.
1- Press Add button and write a name for your category. (e.g. Ads)
2- Select created category (in this example "Ads" is target category) and press Add button in the right-side column.
Then from the following form, select your target folder that you have Advertisement videos in.
29
3- Then press OK to set the path as a category folder and close the form.
Now if you add any file from the selected folder to the playlist, category (e.g. Ads) will be applied on
that file automatically.
Autofill Settings
Auto Fill option will play content while you have a gap in your list. It is also useful when you don't have any content to
play. For instance, during live outages and gap times before your program with a specified start time plays or wait
event and etc.
30
Please follow below instructions to add auto fill preset for different situations:
1- In the first column from the left, select one of the items:
GAP: When your program has a defined start time but your playlist doesn't have contents up to that time you will see
the gap in the list. Usually, identified by red color. (e.g. you have a program that has start time for 5:00 but your
playlist's end time is 4:50, in that case you will have 10 minutes’ gap)
File: preset files will be replaced with missing files. for example, if you had several files in the list but some of those
files had been removed from the source mistakenly and you have them in the list as missing files, file option will help
you to fill that gap time with this preset files.
Live: If you have any failure on your live source this option will fill your outage.
URL: If your URL (such as direct link, RTMP, HLS or any kinds of IP addresses) was missed, this option will fill your
missing time.
Dummy: If you have missed Dummy files, this option will fill out your gap time.
Wait: If you pick this item, it will play video content during wait event.
2- After selecting one of these items, you should choose a category for that item. If you have any particular category,
you can select that, otherwise you can select ALL in the list.
31
3- Then from the third column set a directory path which contains your video files.
Press Add Directory button and select the location of your video folder.
Columns Settings
In the playlist zone, you can find columns. In this panel, you can change the title of the playlist columns.
32
Colors and Fonts Settings
User Interface Settings
Categories Settings
In this tab, you can change the user interface colors and fonts. Also, you can set different colors for each category.
Background's color
*In order to set back all the Settings as default, press Default button.
33
As-Run Logs Settings
AsRun Logs gives you a full report of all events that happened in the Playout.
In other to enable this function, please select Enable AsRun Logs check box.
You can customize your export log by selecting or deselecting above parameters.
The default directory has been set already in C:\Avmeda\Marsis Playout\Marsis Playout\Logs\AsRunLog
path, but if you would like to change the default path you can change from this field.
34
Subtitle Settings
2- Choose one of the SRT or STL formats based on your subtitle format.
* The subtitle file should be the same name as video file. In that case, playout automatically show the subtitle on
output.
35
You can change the font, font's color, Size and add opacity to your subtitle.
If you would like to add Outline to your subtitle you need to select Enable Outline checkbox. Width can change the
width of outline and with Alpha option you can change transparency color.
Enable Background add a solid color behind subtitle for better appearance. Alpha add opacity to the color.
If you want to change the position of subtitle you need to first select Enable indent checkbox and then add value
(pixel) to Left / Right / Top / Bottom fields.
(e.g. if you add 200 in the Bottom field, subtitle move 200 pixels to the top)
36
Directories Settings
In the Directories form, you can add more directories as media directory to Marsis Playout
In order to add new media directory, first press + button and then direct to your media folder and press OK.
By selecting Default radio box, Media Directory will open and show the content of that path every time that you open
Playout.
37
Live Source Settings
Marsis Playout supports SDI, NDI and IP source as input. There is no limitation for the live input preset.
4- Select type of your live source. It can be Device (SDI cards) / IP (any kinds of IP) / NDI (last version NDI is supported)
Video Device: You can select your SDI card in this field, all models of Decklink cards, AJA, Bluefish and
standards cards are supported.
Video Line: Select target line in this field. SDI / HDMI / Component and etc.
Resolution: If you are sure about the resolution to be received, select it from the list, otherwise, leave it as Auto
mode.
38
Audio Device: Select audio source.
39
Audio Format: If you are sure about Audio Format, choose from the list, otherwise leave it as Auto mode.
IP Address: Enter IP address or URL in this field. It supports RTMP, HLS and any kinds of IP.
NDI Name: Choose one of the received NDI sources from the list. If you want to reload the list to search and scan
again available NDI sources, press R button at the right side of the field.
It might take a few seconds to add live source to the list after pressing the Save button (please be patient to see your
preset in the list).
In order to check your live source preview, select from Preset list and press Preview button in the bottom.
To edit preset, select your live source preset and press Edit button.
To Remove live source preset, select target live source and press Delete button.
40
CG Settings
In the CG automation panel, you can send command to CG to show or hide objects(s) based on many conditions such
as, category, name, duration and etc.
Example: If category was equal to Movie, Show Movie logo and lower third.
3- Show Program Name: If you would like to show current playing program name or Next program name
Example: If category was equal to Music, Show song's name and next music name.
41
2- Press Add button in the below of Preset column.
3- In the Preset name type a name for your preset. It can be anything like Preset 1.
From first field (in this example shows Category) you can pick the main parameter. You can select one of the below
items.
These items are equal to Playlist items, and you can make each of these parameters
as main of condition.
42
5- From the second list pick one of the items such as,
Contains: In means that the first parameter (like category) in the playlist should contain X value, which is next
field. It can be part of the data as well, not necessary to be equal as X value.
Doesn't Contain: It means that the first parameter (like category) in the playlist should NOT contain X value,
which is next field.
Equal to: This condition means that, the first parameter (like Category) in the playlist must be exactly equal to
X value, which is next field.
Not equal to: This condition means that, the first parameter (like Category) in the playlist can be anything
except X value, which is next field.
6- In the Value, you should enter value that you have in the playlist and you want to make formula based on that value.
7- If you change the “none” drop-down to And / OR, you can extend your conditional formula.
8- Now, it is the time for select object(s) and link with the playlist fields.
Secondly, choose your project, (In this example, Marsis CG Project is our project name)
Thirdly, select Page and following that, you will see available object in that CG page in the Items column.
43
To add item(s) to the selected list you need to double click on item(s).
9- Right click on object in the Selected column, and press Add Parser from the list.
Add Parser: It opens trigger panel to link object with playlist field.
Delete Item: This option removes item from selected column completely.
10- From following form make your trigger and press OK button.
Link: You need to pick one of the playlist fields which you are going to make connection.
44
e.g. If you are going to play program's name automatically, you need to select Name like the sample picture below.
Parse: If your program's name includes several parts which is distinguished by symbols like (-) or (_) or (*) or
etc. you can link each part of program's name to particular object. For better understanding please look at the
example:
If you select Parse checkbox and type (-) symbol in the box and select first part of name, then you will link just
first part of the name (which is Animation). If you pick Text2 then it will link second part of name (which is
Pink panther).
Current Index: It will check the current playing item in the index. (If you are going to play current playing
program's name you need to select this option)
Next Index: It will check next item in the playlist. (If you are going to show next program's name, you need to
select this option)
Custom Index: You can also show specific index row name by choosing this item.
45
In the end press OK to apply the changes and close the form, or press Cancel to dismiss changes.
2- From the Positions box pick one of the commands to Play/Stop / Stop All
Stop All (Will send command to CG to hide all objects and stop all pages)
3- Then you need to define how long after send command you would like to play
or stop object. For instance, if you set 00:00:00, it means immediately after CG
received this command, it should play our stop the object. You can add more time to
play or stop object(s). If you are going to play object several times, you can add
multiple events in the list.
4- Rem. check box will count the time from end of media playing time. For
example, if you set 00:00:06 and select Rem. checkbox, it means that 6 seconds
before end of video end, object will play or stop.
5- Plus / Minus buttons work as add or remove buttons. By press + button your command
will add to the list, and by press - button your command will remove from the list.
To Cancel all the changes press Cancel button, in order to make change on other presets, first select it and press
Edit button. Delete button will remove your preset completely and there is no way to restore it.
46
Video Resize Settings
Video Resize option, let user to squeeze or cut videos. This service also known as L shape in the market. You can have
multiple presets for video resize. To create preset for video resize, follow below instruction:
4- Change Left/ Right / Top / Bottom values based on your target video resize.
(e.g. to resize video to top-right corner, change 0 value Left to 200 and change bottom to 200 pixel)
5- Then you need select one of the Cut or Squeeze options for resize action.
47
6- In the end press Save to add preset to the preset list.
Please note that you can have preview of resized video by clicking on the play button.
Edit: To edit preset, select target preset and click on Edit button. Do the modification and in the end, press Save button.
48
Router Settings
Marsis Playout has this option to control most of the famous and standard Routers matrix. It means that you can
control inputs and outputs of router from playout.
7- Choose one of the protocols from Protocol field, it can be TCP or UDP
49
9- Then after connect to Router is successful, from the Input column you need to choose one of the options, Input
count / Range of inputs / Custom selected inputs which you need to pick from below list. Besides, with UP/Down
buttons you can change the ordering and with Delete button, you can remove input from the list.
11- Press Connect button and please wait till connection can be stablished.
12- You can also set preset as Redundancy mode. In this case, select Redundancy Preset check box and press Save IO
button.
Edit: In order to edit presets, select target preset from the Preset list and press Edit button. after the modification,
you can press Save button to apply the changes or press Cancel to undo changes.
Clone: To duplicate your preset you can use Clone and save it as new preset.
50
Ingest Settings
Ingest software is one of the professional Marsis products which let operator to record live sources. It supports SDI,
NDI, IPs and virtual sources.
You can communicate from Playout with Ingest and send command to start and stop recording. This function is very
useful function for live events, while you are going to play video in the Playout and record in the Ingest for archive.
For this purpose, you need to create preset(s) to connect Playout and Ingest; Please follow below steps:
4- In the IP field, you need to write down Ingest machine IP address, please make sure IPs are static and won't change
later.
5- 3001 which is our default port for ingest has been written in the Port field. We recommend you don't change this
field.
Edit: Will let you modify presets, you can select target preset and press Edit button to make modification and in the
end press Save to submit or Cancel to undo the changes.
51
Delete: In order to remove preset(s), you can select target preset and press Delete button.
Clone: This button will duplicate your preset and you can save it as new preset.
52
GPI Triggers Settings
GPI which stands for General Purpose Interface, is a device to trigger with Playout functions such as Stop, Play, Pause,
Next, Back, Load playlist, Load playlist and play.
Port: Based on your hardware ports, you will see COM ports, such as COM3 and COM4
Input: Pick one of the Inputs, for example, GPI 1 / GPI 2 / GPI 3
Action: Select your target command that you are going to trigger. For example, Stop action.
Edit: You can edit your created presets later, just select target preset and press Edit button; After modification, press
Save button to save changes or click on Cancel button to undo the changes.
53
Shortcuts Settings
In the Shortcuts window, you can assign keyboard shortcuts for your actions. This action will accelerate your operation.
By default, each action has its own shortcut (e.g. Save playlist = CTRL + S). If you would like to change shortcuts, just
press Assign button to see following form.
In this form, you can change your shortcut by pressing a key or combination of keys.
For instance: Press Control button and at same time press "S" button.
54
Preview Box
In the preview box, you can monitor video and audio output. You can change the source of video from Playout to CG
from Settings -> General form.
In the bottom of video preview, you can see program name that already playing in the playlist. (In this image Promo is
playing and you can see "Promo" in the program name box)
In the audio preview, you can see active audio channels. (In this example, playing video has 2 active channels)
You can increase/decrease output volume level by using volume meter (Track bar) in the right-side. Moreover, in order
to mute audio, you can select Mute checkbox.
55
Counters
This panel indicates Current Played Time duration in blue color and Curren Remaining Time in red color.
Below them are the Station Time, Playlist Played Time, Playlist Remaining Time, Next Event and Selected
Remaining Time counters.
Station Time: Station Time is equal to your windows server by default. If you make any change
on windows time you need to close and reopen Playout software to apply on Station time. If
you are going to change Station time without changing windows time, you can go to Settings
-> General and select Enable Time Offset checkbox and change Hours and Minutes values to
change the station time. If you are going to deduct offset time from Station time, please
select (-) checkbox.
Playlist Played Time: This counter shows you the up time of playout and playlist played time.
Playlist Remaining Time: This counter indicates the remaining time of playlist.
Next Stop Event: If you have any Stop event in the list, it will show the remaining time to
that stop event
Selected Remaining Time: If you select an item in the playlist you can see the remaining time
to that item.
56
Media Controller Buttons
These controller buttons allow the operator to change the playing item in the playlist, as explained below:
Play button execute your media file. Mostly it starts from the beginning of the index, but if you have
stopped media file in the middle, it will resume from that moment.
Jump button, will skip to the selected item. For example, if clip_10 is playing and you are going to
switch to clip_20, you need to select clip_20 in the index and press Jump button.
Jump Cue button, switch the media file to selected item but won't play that file and stop in the first
frame of the video until operator press play button.
Return button, will jump back to previous video file and the moment was playing before Jump or Jump
cue.
Cue button, reserve selected item to play after current playing item. For example, while clip_01 is
playing you can select clip_10 and press this button to play after clip_01 video have had finished.
57
Playlist Operation Buttons
Save: It will save your playlist; if your playlist is already saved, any changes will be applied to the saved playlist.
Save As: This button will save the current playlist as new playlist with new name.
Add: Add lets you bring new media file to the list and add it to the end of playlist.
Insert: This button is like Add button that lets the user to add new media file to the list, but will insert at the top of the
selected item.
Copy: Copy the selected item(s) to the clipboard and you can paste them somewhere else.
Cut: This button will copy items to the clipboard and remove from the list and you can paste them in somewhere else.
Paste: This button will paste items from the clipboard to anywhere in the playlist.
Reset: This will stop the playout to read media files and return to the beginning of the list.
Up: By selecting an item and use this button, you can move it to the up side of the list.
Down: By selecting an item and use Down button, you can move it to the down side of the list.
58
Playlist
Playlist zone is one of the essential parts of playout. You can add media files to the playlist area in many ways such as,
Method 1:
1- From left-side tab, go to Media Explorer and find your video file.
2- You can select one file or many files and by drag and drop to the playlist area add them to playlist.
Method 2:
1- Right click on playlist area and go to Add or Insert menu, click on Media File.
Method 3:
1- In the Playlist operational button field find Add or Insert buttons (they have + icon).
59
You may find different colors in the playlist. For instance:
Played Items
Playing Item
Missin file
Next Items
#: You can see different icons in this column based on the assigned attributes. like start time or loop.
Name: Video name appear in this field. This field is like an alias and you can change the name in the media trimmer box.
In: If you have trimmed the video, you can see from which part of video you will start the video. If video haven't been
trimmed, you will see 00:00 which means it will play from first frame of video.
Out: If your video has been trimmed, you can see the end of video in this field.
Category: If you have set any category for video file you will see category in this field. Therefore, if you have linked
directory path to the category, playlist will detect category automatically.
Example: If you connected Music folder to category "Music" and add file from Music folder to the playlist, you will see
category shows "Music" automatically.
Notes: You can leave a note for your video file. This is like extra information on video.
House ID: This is video file from Database, it means that if your playout had integrated with MAM automation and
videos coming from MAM, you will see videos ID in this field.
Metadata 1: You can add metadata for each video as well. there three fields for metadata.
60
Metadata 2: You can add metadata for each video as well. there three fields for metadata.
Metadata 3: You can add metadata for each video as well. there three fields for metadata.
Path: It will show the file path. It can be from the local storage or from the network.
You can use keyboard or mouse to do routine functions such as, Delete, Copy, Paste, Cut, move and etc.
If you right click on item in the playlist, you will see following menu.
Block: You can put items in the playlist as block or a group and move, copy and modify them in group.
Loop: Will play selected item for ever until the operator manually press next or jump item.
61
Media Trimmer:
If you double click on media file, or right click on that item and press Edit button you will see Media Trimmer form.
1 5
2
3
In the Media trimmer, you can modify duration of file, video and audio. In the following you will learn how to split a
media file to several parts or change start/end time, change the aspect ratio, crop the video, change color balance
and increase, decrease or mute audio level.
Stop: This button will stop playing preview. It also returns to the first frame of the video.
Split: This button set a split point on timeline to divide video to several parts.
62
3- Timeline bar:
In the timeline bar, you can move the pointer to different positions.
4- Timers:
Position: This timer shows the position of selected moment in timeline, if you would like to check specific position
you can change numbers and press > button.
Video In: This timer shows the start time of video; you can also set your exact time for start time and press > button
to find in the timeline and then press Set In to submit.
Video Out: This timer shows the end time of video; you can also set your exact time for end time and press > button
to find in the timeline and then press Set In to submit.
Duration: In the Duration time, you can see file duration between start and end points.
If you are going to set back all the changes, press Set Default button.
In the Properties, you are able to change video file name, path, Set category, leave a note, check house ID, write
something as Metadata, Set Auto Start time to play and select loop checkbox.
Name: In the Name field, you can change your name to something else, it doesn't affect source file's name and just
change the alias in the playlist.
Path: You may change the path of video file and need to update it. in this case, you need to update file path from
this field. For this purpose, press Browse button and find new location and press OK.
Category: If you are going to set a category for item or change the current category, you need to make change in this
filed. If you don't see any category to the list, you need to go to the Settings -> Playlist -> Category tab.
Note: In this field, you can leave a note for yourself, or add more information to your file and in the graphic rules link
it to the CG object or just use if as media information in the list.
House ID: This field belongs to internal communication between Marsis modules such as MAM automation.
63
Metadata fields: If you would like to add more detail to your media file such as song name, director name or etc. you
can use these Metadata fields.
Auto Start: If you would like to play a video file at particular start time, you can set auto start time and let video play
at that time. For this purpose, first select checkbox and then set your time and date and press Apply button to apply
the changes made.
Loop: In order to loop a video file, you need to select this checkbox.
64
Video Tab
Scale Type: let you choose one of the Default (same as playout Settings), None, Letter Box, Crop items.
Interlace: You can pick one of the Default, Top Field, Bottom field, Progressive modes.
Aspect Ratio: Changing video aspect ratio to Default, 4:3, 16:9 or 235:100.
Deinterlace checkbox: which is a process to change interlace mode to non-interlace or progressive mode.
Crop: This option, let you crop from Left, Right, Top, Bottom of video. For example, if you would like to crop 150
pixels from top, you need to change 0 value to 150 in the TOP field.
To reset all Settings as default you can press RESET button or by pressing CLEAR button remove all inserted values in
the fields.
65
Audio Settings
In this tab, you can change the audio level of each channel and also by selecting Mute checkbox, you can mute that
audio channel completely.
66
Media Info:
The Media Info tab just indicate the media file specifications such as, Media Format, Video Codec, Resolution,
Bitrate, Frame per Second, Aspect Ratio, Scan Type, Audio Codec, Audio Bitrate, Audio Sample Rate, Text
Format and Caption Service Name for Close Caption.
User can't make change on this specification and this form is just for information.
67
Playlist Information
In the Playlist Information box, you can see the summary of current playlist. It indicates Total Item, Missing Item,
Playlist Duration, Playlist End Time and Selected Duration.
Total Item: It shows total items in the playlist include all video items and events.
Missing item: If you have an item in the playlist but the file is removed from the source or moved to another path and
playout can't find the path of file, it will show as a Missing File and will appear in red color in the list and you can see total
amount of missing file in this box.
Playlist Duration: This box indicates playlist duration which is sum up of all videos duration.
Playlist End Time: This field show the playlist end date and time and you can see at what exact time your playlist will
be finished.
68
Selected Duration: If select one or multiple items in the list you can see the duration of that or those files.
In left-side panel, you can access Media Explorer, Playlists, Live sources and Hot keys.
In the Media Explorer, you can access your media files and add them to your playlist.
In Live Sources tab, you can monitor live source presets. (video and audio)
Hot keys, is short keys to add event or make some actions manually and immediately.
69
Media Explorer
Marsis Playout uses new method for Media Explorer. This new class can load thousands of items in fraction of second.
In order to add new directory to media explorer, please go to Settings -> Directory and follow the steps.
The defined directory will appear in the left column and you can find included files in the right-side column. You can
easily select one or multiple files and drag and drop to the playlist zone.
In this option, you can select Add to add media files to the end of playlist or choose Insert mode to add media file to
the top of selected item in the playlist.
In the Search bar, you can type part of your target file and in find the search result in the above form. If you press Clear
button, the inserted text in the search bar will be removed.
70
Playlists
Basically, we have two types of playlist in Marsis Playout. Regular playlist and Daily playlist.
Regular playlist is a sort of playlist that you can generate either in Playout or Scheduler and save it. If you save a
playlist as Regular one, you need to load it to the playout manually. It means that you need to find playlist in this
Playlists tab and drag and drop to the playlist zone.
The other type of Playlist is Daily Playlist which you can set start time for it. If you enabled Daily Playlist mode in Settings,
the daily playlists will load to your playout automatically based on their start time. For instance, you can create 7
Daily Playlists for a week and set start time for each playlist. As a result, every day you will see assigned daily playlist loads
to the playlist automatically.
In this tab, you can access to all of the saved playlists. If you are going to know how to filter saved playlists or categorize
them, look at the following information:
In the Type field, you can select Regular or Daily playlist to restrict playlist search result.
You are able to create unlimited category for playlists, for example, POP, Hip Hop, R&B and etc.
71
If you are going to limit the search result based on playlist date, you need to select the date and time of playlist creation
in this field.
First you need to select playlist date in the first Date field, then, if you would like to restrict the search result with
another date you need to select check box and pick a second date in the following date filed.
If you know the exact name of playlist, you can type in the search field and press Search button to start searching.
Search result will indicate below table, and you can see, Name, Start Date, Start Time, End Date, End Time, Duration.
Start Date: The time that has been set as start date of playlist. In the regular playlist, this date is not important
because it has no automatic load function.
Start Time: Start Time is the time that has been to start playlist. In the daily playlist, this Start time is very important
and you can see exact time that your playlist load to your playout.
At the bottom of the table, you can see more options such as Insertion Mode
If you select Add mode, it will add new playlist to the end of current playlist,
And if you select Insert mode, it will add new playlist at the top of selected
item.
72
You can choose Playlist or Block as playlist insertion mode,
If you select Playlist, new playlist will be the same as your current playlist in the index, but if you select Block, it will
appear as external and isolated playlist to your main current playlist. It means that you can copy and paste it like a
group of items. therefore, if you change new playlist contents, it will change automatically in the main current playlist
as well. Block mode is like borrowing a new playlist in the main playlist.
By selecting Play Cue Mode checkbox, your playlist will stop to play the item back- to- back and after finishing one
item, it will stop to one of these positions, First Frame of next item or Last Frame of playing item. Mostly, news TV
channels use this option.
Loop Playlist, if you are going to loop your playlist you need to select this checkbox.
As a result, when playlist had finished, the index will return to first item and start to read the list again.
73
Live Sources
In the Live Sources tab, you can monitor your live feed presets. It is highly recommended that before adding live
source to the playlist, make sure the live source has video and audio.
2- Press Preview button in the below of video box. After pressing the Preview button, the button title will
change to Stop to stop the video preview.
You can enable or disable video and audio with check or uncheck Video and Audio checkboxes.
If you select Audio checkbox you will be able to listen live source audio. With the audio controller, you can increase or
decrease audio level.
* If you are going to add new live preset or edit it, please go to Settings -> Preset -> Live Source tab and press Add or
Edit button. You may find more information about live source in the Settings Live source section.
74
Hot Keys
In the Hot keys tab, you can create action buttons or in another word short keys for many functions,
2- Go to Assign menu.
Media File: It will add a new video file from the storage to the list.
Playlist: Will add new playlist from saved playlist to the current playlist.
Live Source: Will add a live source to the playlist. If you are going to add live source preset, you need to go to the
Settings -> Presets -> Live Source and add your live source
Stop: It will add Stop event to your list and when the playlist arrives to this Stop event, it will stop to read the rest of the
list.
Stop Cue: It will add an event to the list to stop playlist at the first frame of next item.
Wait: You can add this event to insert a pause or wait event to the list.
Router: To change the input and output of router, you can use this event.
CG Show: If you are going to show a CG object manually, you can use this event.
75
CG Hide All: If you would like to hide all CG object manually you need to use this event.
Jump To: If you add this event to the list, Playlist will jump to your target item as soon as playlist arrives to this event.
Video Resize: It will add an event to the list to resize following video(s).
Video Resize Preset: This event will return following video(s) to the full screen mode.
Ingest Start: By adding this event to the list, you can send command to your Ingest to start recording.
Ingest Stop: By adding this event to the list, you can send command to your Ingest to Stop recording.
Blank: This event will add an event to the index and produce a gap time for your future programs.
If you would like to remove an assigned button, you can right click on that and press Unassign.
If you would like to edit the action of the button, press Edit and to change the title of the button press Title option.
In some of events like CG, you can define the Execution Mode after pressing the action button, do you want to execute
action immediately or just add an event to the list for the other items.
Basically, if you select Execute option, after pressing the action button, the command is applied on current item
immediately, but if you choose Insert option, it will create an event to the playlist without any action.
In the Insertion Mode option, you will define how to add event to the list. If you select the Add option, it will add an
event to the end of the list, and if you choose Insert mode, it will add an event at the top of selected item.
76