STOIC Playout Front End Specification This is the first draft of the specification for the STOIC Playout system front end software. All comments, suggestions, complaints and death threats to the tech-dev list please! James Robinson jmr101@doc.ic.ac.uk 12/07/02 Database The entire playout system hinges around a single MySQL database table containing details of all scheduled programmes*. The back end system can access this database with an appropriate query to get details of the next programme for transmission. The front end system will use more database tables in order to implement a programming database and tape archive, as was agreed in an earlier meeting. Detailed specifications of these databases will be fixed once the specification of the overall system is approved. * The term programme refers to both taped shows and live broadcasts. Programme / Tape Archive The system must store details for all programmes in the STOIC archive. Each programme will be assigned a unique production code consiting of a code for the programme and an episode number - e.g. Liquid Lunch episode 1 could be LL0001. This code can be generated by the system or input directly by the user (obviously this must be checked for duplication). Various details will be stored for each programme, such as: Production Code Title Production Date Type (studio, live, OB, music video, event etc.) Series (where applicable) Producer Director Comments Duration (more suggestions?) Details for all recordings of a programme can also be stored. Recordings may be on video, DV tape, DVD or any other method of storage. The following information for each recording will be hled: Production Code Type ID (unique code for every tape) Start time Length Quality All users will be able to view information from the programme and recording databases, with search facilities available on many fields. Authorised users (see below) will be able to add, edit and delete records. MPEG Files Programmes rendered to MPEG files should be saved with the production code as the filename. There will be a designated directory where all MPEG files ready for transmission will be placed. The playout software can therefore inspect this directory to see if a given programme has an MPEG ready for transmission. Scheduling Each record in the main schedule database table will hold the following details: Production Code Start Date / Time Ready Comments The production code "LIVE" will be used for live programmes where no production code is assigned. The Ready field will be set to 0 when the programme is not actually ready for transmission. This will be the case when a programme has been scheduled by the MPEG file is not ready, or the programme has not even been made yet. This allows the website schedule, which will be retrieved from this database, to show programmes in advance. This Ready field will only be 1 when the MPEG file is loaded into the designated directory ready for use. The Ready field will be set to 0 for all live programmes. It will be set to 1 by the gallery crew to confirm that the studio is ready for live transmission.The earliest that this live transmission can be authorised is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. From the front end, authorised users will be able to select a programme from the programming database and specify a date and time to schedule it. The system will check that the programme can fit into the schedule (i.e. it won't clash with anything already scheduled). If the MPEG file for the programme is already loaded into the designated location, the Ready field will be set to 1 and the file set to read only (if possible) to prevent it being moved before transmission. If no MPEG file is available, a list of sources of the programme will be displayed from the tape archive. The Ready field is set to 0. Once the MPE file has been created and loaded, the user can go back into the system and set the item as ready. Programmes must be scheduled at least 30 seconds in advance of the start time. The software will not allow late scheduling. Authorised users will be able to edit and delete existing scheduled programmes. Notification The system will generate an e-mail to an appropriate person (head of programmes?) giving details of programmes which have been scheduled but are not ready (i.e. MPEG required). It will be this persons repsonsibility to ensure an MPEG is loaded for the programme and the Ready field updated. If the scheduled start time arrives and the Ready field is still 0, nothing will happen. Access For security, access to the playout software will be restricted (by IP address) to STOIC computers. Users will need to login to the system with a username and password. There will be several levels of access: 1) Can view (but not add or edit) programme, recording and schedule information. 2) Can edit programme and recording information, but cannot edit the schedule. 3) Full control of programme and schedule data. 4) Can administer user accounts, change passwords and update global settings. General The system will be web based, served from a computer in STOIC (details to be decided later). All aspects should be easy to use and Andy Rose proof :)