WXYZ's Conversion to Total Automation

by Ray Thurber, Chief Engineer, WXYZ-TV

WXYZ's Master Control with Crispin on screens	WXYZ's Jeff Burner managing on-air with Crispin Automation

April, 2003-Each year, engineering departments set out to address technical issues and set goals for their facilities. Some of these goals are targeted at News, Programming, and other departments. In the last two years, one challenge has touched virtually every department at our TV station- automation. After an in-depth review of products in the marketplace, we chose Crispin software to change the way we work.

It would be an automated Digital Master control that would "tie" our facility together, but it was News automation that started the process. Our DNA Newsroom system is now second nature. Using 4x speed Panasonic Newsbyte editors and SGI Origin 200 servers we play 3000 clips to air a week. We rely on Crispin News Automation to control the SGI for Playout and interface to our Newstar Newsroom system.

With News automation accomplished, we looked for a total station solution. Our relationship with Crispin had reached the level of a partnership. Their quick customer service and "buttoned up" software had earned them this opportunity.

We invited Crispin to demo their new System 2000 at our station. This demonstration was not limited to powerpoint or "mocked up " software on a laptop. Crispin installed their automation system at our facility and allowed us to run the system for a week of evaluation. This was enough time to prove system stability and give us the needed confidence to make a software purchase. Keep in mind that Crispin installed their system and reached these goals in nine hours of setup!

The following is a list of requirements given to Crispin before the demo:

• Device control of SGI and Profile servers (this tied News and programming together through common control point) and Grass Valley M2100 switcher
• Database control over newsfeed and syndicated recordings
• Database control over program and newsroom deletion
• Ability to handle breaking news events eloquent
• System redundancy
• System Documentation
• "Closed Loop" recon with our traffic system.
• Device control of Grass Valley SMS7000 Router

Our master control has been running System 2000 for over a year now. To put it simply, the stuff just works. The database controls all record and delete process in the facility. Closed loop recon has reduced man-hours in accounting. Automation in Master Control and News has led to greater efficiency and "cleaner air"- two things that are sometimes hard to balance.

In November of 2002, WXYZ began producing an additional daily one-hour news show for WKBD TV, the Detroit UPN/CBS-Viacom station. The time frame was very tight to get Action News at Ten up and running. The challenge we faced was simultaneous News and Master Control operations every night without jeopardizing our 11pm Action News franchise. Upgrades to our 2000 automation were added via email and in one week, we technically had the "right stuff" to meet this exciting challenge. Action News at Ten is now second nature. It would have been a much more daunting task without a partner like Crispin.

We will look to Crispin again in the near future for help with additional challenges. A MOS interface for newer Newsroom software and a possible archiving solution.

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About WXYZ-TV- WXYZ-TV is an ABC affiliate serving the Detroit area and its surrounding communities. The station is owned and operated by Scripps Howard Broadcasting. Since its sign-on in 1948, WXYZ-TV has established itself as the top station in the Detroit area, as well as one of the strongest stations in the United States and Canada. Contacts- WXYZ- Ray Thurber- Chief Engineer (248) 827-9465 Crispin- Alan DeVaney, President (919) 349-7941 Janet Noll, Director of Marketing (919) 349-6613 Pictures on disk- WXYZ Crispin- featuring Emily Reed of WXYZ WXYZ MC featuring Jeff Burner of WXYZ Crispin Screen Shot at WXYZ

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.