Redundancy Options
Crispin Redundancy & Protection Solutions
Crispin’s solution is designed with a modular architecture, allowing you to deploy onlythe components you need, helping to manage both cost and complexity. With this flexible approach, multiple layers of redundancy and protection can be incorporated into your system from the start or added over time as your operational needs evolve.
Channel Configuration
Crispin provides the ability to configure both a primary and backup source within the playlist application. This capability is set on a per-channel basis, giving you the flexibility to apply this added layer of redundancy only where it’s needed. To enable this feature, your system must be equipped with both a primary and a backup source available for configuration.
Channel Sync
Sync two playlists within a standalone system or across two remote systems. Unlike traditional channel syncing or linking, Crispin’s Channel Sync operates in a bi-directional manner, allowing playlist event edits and commands to be made from either system and is automatically mirrored to the other in real time.
Source Bump Mode
Source Bump adds an additional layer of redundancy within the Crispin automation system by enabling dynamic switching between video sources based on defined conditions. It can be used as a “rain-fade” solution, triggered via GPI input to automatically switch to a trouble slate or alternate source in the event of signal loss.
More commonly, Source Bump is used to manage seamless transitions between primary and backup video sources through a traditional master control switcher. For example, if a playlist encounters missing media or playback errors, the system can automatically switch to a designated backup source within the event, ensuring uninterrupted playout.
Protection Bump Mode
Protection Bump enables operators to seamlessly switch between two playout sources, providing a critical layer of redundancy. This approach is especially valuable in environments where switching is embedded within the playout device, as it eliminates the risk of losing both playout and switching control if a device becomes unresponsive.
Instead, Crispin utilizes external control of a bypass router or downstream switcher to execute a clean transition to a backup source. Protection Bump supports both manual intervention and automated failover, helping ensure continuous on-air reliability while minimizing disruption.
Auto Failover
Crispin’s Auto-Failover software provides redundancy for both playlist and command execution by switching between primary and secondary EventServer and DeviceServer systems as needed.
In addition to automated failover, it can also be used as a manual control tool, allowing operators to proactively switch between systems during maintenance or system updates, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing disruption.
Database – Warm Spare Restore
The Crispin solution is designed to operate independently of a database, providing flexibility for customers who do not require metadata storage. This is particularly useful for workflows involving ready-to-air content or live programming, where operators still need the ability to manage playlists for graphics insertion, switching, and other on-air elements without relying on database infrastructure.
That said, most customers will leverage a database to fully utilize the capabilities of the Crispin system—and even in these cases, the architecture provides valuable resiliency. When a playlist is loaded, the system verifies all associated data against the database, including durations, in and out points, media availability on the server, and more. It continues to perform ongoing lookups within the defined ripple or lookahead window, typically at least 10 events ahead of air, though this is configurable based on operational needs.
The system also updates playlist metadata whenever an operator reviews or manually refreshes an item. In the event of a database outage, the playlist will continue to execute through the end of the loaded list using the most recently refreshed metadata, allowing operations to remain on-air. Additionally, Crispin automatically creates database backups at regular intervals, giving operators the time needed to restore a backup while maintaining uninterrupted playout.
Bump Mode
Crispin offers a new feature for automatic playback protection, Bump Mode. This mode provides control of a downstream router, automatically allowing the system to select between redundant output streams, based on playback status.
The on-air stream is selected from parallel feeds from sets of redundant playback devices. The control method to the downstream router can be either direct via supported router control, or indirect via activation of a GPI.
The benefit of ‘bump’ activating a downstream router is specifically used for certain types of ‘channel in a box’ playback systems where the master control switching, playback and graphics are combined.
Specifically, for the Harmonic ChannelPort server port, this ‘bump’ feature can automatically select an alternate Harmonic port when device failure, missing clip / graphic occurs in the primary system.
Disaster Recovery
Crispin takes pride in its modular approach to solution design. By enabling customers to tailor systems to meet their current needs while maintaining the flexibility to grow and evolve over time, we help control costs and address specific operational requirements.
While “disaster recovery” is a broad concept, it can take many forms within a broadcast facility. We welcome the opportunity to explore what disaster recovery means for your operation and to help define an approach that aligns with your goals.
Whether you’re enhancing redundancy within an existing system, segmenting system components, deploying a fully independent backup, or evaluating cloud-based playout, Crispin is here to guide the conversation and help you determine the best path forward.