PRSS contentdepot IDC SFX4104 Installation Manual - page 13
ContentDepot Installation Guide
9
Automation and Playback System
The ContentDepot requires an automation system at your station that is compatible with the ContentDepot's
operating procedures and message set. The fundamental requirements for a compatible automation system
include the following.
What are the requirements for an automation system?
Software automation
•
Decode and play MPEG 1, Layer II audio
•
Automatically repeat a playout schedule
•
Automatically import/convert audio files from a network- viewable
folder (on the storage receiver)
PC
•
Professional audio card, with two balanced analog outputs
•
Ethernet 100Base-T port
If your station already has a high quality, commercial broadcast automation system, NPR Distribution has most
probably worked with the vendor to provide an interface to the ContentDepot. If you are not sure whether your
automation system will work with the ContentDepot, or if your automation software requires a patch, contact
your vendor.
The new ProAudio receivers connect to and interact with existing automation systems in exactly the same way
as the current storage receivers.
If you are interested in seeing more detail about the interface between the ContentDepot storage receivers and
station automation systems, download the “PRSS ContentDepot Station Automation Interfaces” document
from www.prss.org.
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If you are upgrading from an existing ContentDepot installation, keep in mind that SFX 4104 ProAudio
receivers will not be ready for on-air use for some time, so you should not connect your new receivers to your
automation/playback system until the system is declared good-to-go. When you do connect your ProAudio
receiver to your automation/playback system, be aware that there may be some -- or many -- content files in the
receiver that your automation/playback system will attempt to ingest. Consider hand-deleting files from your
ProAudio receiver before making the connection.
Local Area Networks
Appropriate LAN engineering and security practices are critical to the success of your installation. Protect
the hosts from intrusion and unintended access from inside and outside the local network. The most
fundamental precautions include the following:
•
Physically isolate the production LAN.
•
DO NOT put both Ethernet ports of the storage receiver on the production LAN.
The ContentDepot installation requires integration into a network called the production LAN. All the receivers
are pre-configured for network operation. The network settings on the receivers need to be compatible with
those of the automation system and any other hosts you plan to include on the production LAN. If the defaults
on the receivers do not match your existing ones, you must change the settings on either the receiver or the
other hosts on the LAN. Primarily, this network enables the storage receiver to forward content files to the
automation system. The storage receivers support an additional network connection to enable file repair and
confirmation via the backchannel and file sharing within the station.
To support the simplest network configuration (storage receiver-to-automation system), use a cross-over
Ethernet cable to connect one of your receivers to your automation system. Of course, if your automation workstation
is currently on a LAN, you will require a LAN switch (100Base-T Ethernet or better) to integrate with the
storage receiver. The following worksheet provides the pre-configured network settings for the receivers. Use
this worksheet to design the most suitable LAN addressing scheme for your site.
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Automation vendors received this document as specifications for developing their interfaces to the ContentDepot receivers.