Liberty Goes Total Automation with Crispin
by Steve Smith, Liberty Vice President of Engineering and Technology

Greenville, SC - April 3, 2003 --The process of converting a group of 15 TV stations to automation has been a huge undertaking. Our first step was mapping the equipment needed now, and then planning what we must do to be prepared for technology 10 years down the road. We needed to provide today for NTSC multi-channel operations and mandatory for DTV Multi-casting in the future.

Three years ago, a group of Liberty (then Cosmos) Chief Engineers have researched TV station automation systems and analyzed many concepts for 'tapeless' Master Control operations. Today, Liberty Stations have over 20 GVG Profile XP Systems, comprised of more than 80 channels across its station group. We started to use the second generation Grass Valley Profile when the opportunity to really invest in the digital future was created by the latest Profile XP generation. Using two Profile XP Media Platform PVS1044 Systems will provide parallel redundant channels of master control at each of our 15 stations.

We began the transition to automation first with NBC affiliates WFIE-TV (Evansville, IN), KPLC-TV (Lake Charles, LA), and WIS-TV (Columbia, SC) using Crispin Corporation's System 2000 Total Station Automation package. WIS and KPLC needed the capability to playback two separate feeds simultaneously. The Crispin System 2000 enabled us to do the multi-channel control to create automatic operation of master-control functions-including spot playback, and record and playback of syndicated and network programming for NTSC and DTV. Crispin's System 2000 features database management, playlist management, and device control. It also accommodated our network delays, long form recording and playback operations, and commercial record and playback operations.

Crispin's Mapper and RecordScheduler interface with traffic control and the automation via a web browse able facility database, AssetBase, and a flexible DeviceServer architecture, Crispin DeviceServer. The database uses a Microsoft SQL server with a total facility playlist and asset control. Since the system uses a web browser interface, anyone authorized on the network has full access to the automation system with any standard web browser. This flexibility brings data and control to the users, directly where they need it.

At WIS, we also needed to have News Playback mixed with our station automation. Crispin worked with us to develop a system that would control our ENPS News Automation. Crispin's NewsPlayX MOS interface performs playlist synchronization between the Crispin Automation software and ENPS. Crispin listens to ENPS rundown changes and dynamically updates the automation playlist. Crispin supports a variety of MOS objects, each of which define a different play to air behavior, and can be used at script creation time to request a specific effect or action. Crispin software also allows for flexible channel assignment logic. MOS objects are not necessarily tied to particular sources, channels, or devices. Advanced source mapping capabilities include generic source assignment and source rotation. CRISPIN Automation Systems presents a consistent MOS interface for all playable devices in a broadcast facility, even if some of the devices are not MOS-enabled. The News Producers can make last minute rundown changes effortlessly and then the live changes are automatically reflected on the playlist.

Once the Phase I stations were up and running, we began the transition for Phase II with stations KAIT (Jonesboro, AR), WLOX (Biloxi, MS), and WSFA (Montgomery, AL). We started using Crispin for program record and playback in this Phase and simultaneously started adding Phase III stations- WALB (Albany, GA), WTOL (Toledo), WAVE (Louisville), and WWAY (Wilmington, NC).

Recently we had a crisis at one of our smaller stations, KGBT, Harlingen, TX, which pushed them ahead of schedule. Their old betacart machine starting to fail. John Scott, Chief Engineer, KPLC, coordinated with Crispin and KGBT to get the problem fixed quickly. "We over-nighted our computer we used in Master Control for the original KPLC system to Crispin", Scott said. "They updated the software for use with the ProfileXP and shipped it to Harlingen, ready to plug and play. To make things quick and easy for the tape operators, Crispin loaned us a barcode reader to make dubbing from the BetaCart tapes a simple process without the need to trim the clips. We were up in running in a couple days before our BetaCart machine had its last day!"

In addition to converting those stations to the Crispin's Total Automation, we began converting all stations to a new traffic system, Wide Orbit. Crispin was able to easily interface to the system. Crispin software used the numbering system of our old traffic system and with a direct interface to Wide Orbit, convert all the media to the new system.

A first in the industry, Crispin is adding an interface to the "TVLINX" PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) System for purposes of identifying programs that are currently playing on air to DTV, as well as any future programs that are contained in the active (Airing) Crispin RapidPlayX2000 playlist. The Wide Orbit traffic system generates the schedule complete with unique program "start times", "title", and other detail. This day of air schedule is loaded into the Crispin RapidPlayX2000 and automatically sent to the Crispin DeviceServer for execution to DTV. Once the schedule is loaded into the Crispin System and the operator places an event to air, Current Airing Program and Future Airing Program information will be sent to the TVLINX system. Each time a new Program is played to air, Crispin will then update the TVLINX system with all Future Programs information. The TVLINX system will process the information and control the necessary PSIP equipment as needed.

The transition for the remaining stations will be easy, a couple days training for the staff and we're on air one-by-one. Crispin continues to upgrade their system and their service has been outstanding. They make is easy to grow the system as we need to and can add devices easily. For more information, contact Steve Smith 864-241-5454 or email ssmith@libertycorp.com. See Crispin at NAB 2003- South Hall, Upper Level, Booth 5651.

ABOUT THE COMPANIES:

Liberty Corporation- A major group broadcaster, Liberty owns 15 network-affiliated television stations, including eight NBC affiliates (WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY; WIS-TV, Columbia, SC; WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS; WFIE-TV, Evansville, IN; WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL; KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX; WALB-TV, Albany, GA and KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA); five ABC affiliates (KLTV-TV, Tyler, TX; KTRE-TV, the satellite affiliate of KLTV in Lufkin, TX; WLOX-TV, Biloxi, MS; WWAY-TV, Wilmington, NC and KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR); and two CBS affiliates (WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH and KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX). In addition, Liberty owns CableVantage Inc., a cable advertising sales subsidiary; Take Ten Productions, a video production facility; and Broadcast Merchandising Company, a professional broadcast equipment dealership.

CRISPIN- Founded in 1997, CRISPIN Corporation is a leading provider of high-quality TV automation and media asset management solutions to the broadcasting, telecommunications, cable, educational and Internet industries. Based in Raleigh, NC, CRISPIN offers automation solutions to over 300 broadcast facilities worldwide from small school systems to Network Television -CBS and NBC! Automation systems range from simple operating systems to total facility automation, including news, archiving, databasing, centralizing control, and multiple device control. More information about CRISPIN is available on www.crispincorp.com or call 919-845-7744.