Crispin understands that master control is more than just controlling devices, it's also about how master control fits in with the entire workflow from ingest to playout. Our solution isn't just about automation, it provides a unique--yet intuitive--set of applications and controls that allows you to make the broadcast you want and how you want it. Unlike other automation providers that offer a one-size-fits-all solution, Crispin can tailor a purpose-built solution that fulfills your needs using modules that work together. If you need your broadcast solution to perform minute changes in a live environment, or central-casting from one or more remote locations, or just making the work of controlling many channels almost effortless for operators, Crispin can provide a system that provides precision control and reliability that is unmatched in the industry.

Crispin Corporation provides an integrated package scalable to meet the customer’s needs. These central components of a Crispin Master Control Automation System interfacs to multiple broadcast devices and may be implemented as a single unit for small systems or in multiples for redundancy, location, or scale. Broadcast devices are controlled directly via RS-232, RS-422 over the local area network (LAN) by DeviceServer and via GPI/GPO contact closure interface.

DeviceServer / EventServer

DeviceServer takes its instructions from EventServer, the system event table manager. EventServer is generally installed on the same platform that hosts DeviceServer, but can be implemented anywhere on the LAN and in multiple instances for redundancy. EventServer handles up to 16 lists or channels of control and is designed to operate in a main/backup scenario if required. Device commands are written to the event table memory maps by EventServer when a schedule is loaded. Any schedule edits are also written and confirmed by EventServer. DeviceServer reads the event tables and carries out the commands to cue and play all devices in perfect synchronization with reference to the house clock. When more than 16 channels are required, additional EventServers may be implemented. The largest Crispin Corporation system is currently running 48 channels and will soon be expanded to a total of 96.

Additionally, EventServer is designed to operate in a main/backup scenario if required so that even if the on air playback application, RapidPlayX, is turned off, these applications will continue to carry out the commands of the playlist.

DeviceServer may control up to 64 devices using independently developed dynamic link libraries (DLLs.) All external device control logic is contained in the DLL for that specific device. Changes or additions of devices are handled readily without affecting the primary application, protecting the integrity of the automation system. Crispin provides new or updated device DLLs at no charge when you are covered by a support agreement.

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RapidPlayX

RapidPlayX is the playlist GUI for master control and the front end for Crispin’s scalable full automation on-air playback solution. RapidPlayX has a user interface that is user configurable and allows complete control of multiple play-to-air channels and record schedules. All channels can be seen side by side, or tabs can be set up for each individual channel (this is useful during live events so that the operator can focus on the one live playlist.) Playlist fields, font sizes, and colors are all user defined for flexibility. Changes to the playlist can be made with “drag and drop” capabilities from TurboBrowser or the File Cabinet, which can store single events, groups of events – such as news opens, weather alerts, etc., and entire 3000 event playlists. There is a file cabinet available for each channel within RapidPlayX.

RapidPlayX is a client to Crispin’s EventServer real-time list controller and may be staged in multiple locations and control from one to sixteen channels of programming. RapidPlayX will automatically load daily program and record schedules for 7/24 operations. It will instantly update events when new material is available in the video server or is updated in the AssetBase media database.

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Supervisory View
Crispin’s Supervisory View, a high-level monitoring tool, enables operators to see from a single screen, multiple play-to-air channel status complete with visual notification of messages, warnings and operator intervention requests.

Supervisory View notifies operators of an impending event through a set of color-specific flashing indicator boxes: yellow for caution events, orange for warnings and red for errors. Operators have the freedom to designate how much time in advance of an intervention event to start an alert. These early indicators allow operators to quickly evaluate and address errors before they develop; operators may then focus on additional tasks within the facility.

Supervisory View incorporates a complete ninety-minute timeline view of each channel’s playlist and incorporates a scrolling index of cued and on-air events per channel. This feature provides another level of verification for operators familiar with the schedule. Supervisory View’s features become increasingly important in multichannel environments, where operators are already monitoring multiple playlists for different network feeds. Supervisory View prioritizes tasks in the order that they’re needed, greatly reducing on-air problems.

Supervisory View can be distributed to multiple screens within a broadcast facility, allowing additional personnel and/or departments to monitor the playlist and associated tasks, without the need for a dedicated operator.

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Mapper
The role of automation is to take instructions from traffic and precisely direct all of the components to present a flawless performance. Crispin’s Mapper application plays a key role in integrating the business functions of Traffic with the technical operations of a television facility.

Mapper executes the transfer of program schedules along with other lists needed for material preparation from traffic to operations while having minimal impact on the workflow of either unit. Crispin’s Mapper accomplishes this using powerful rules files and a simple operator interface.

In a typical system, Mapper will have multiple configurations to accommodate each different program channel, media dub list, satellite record schedule, purge list and any set of instructions that Traffic needs to issue to operation. Mapper integrates with Crispin’s AssetBase media management system to enable our powerful asset management tools including automatic dub lists and automatic purge of material.

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MORE EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY MODULES
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