Air Manager (On-Air Management Client)

Air Manager is a multi-functional client application for management of server recording and playout channels, SL NEO graphic stations and media data storages. The app is used to compose, edit and execute recording and playout schedules both for separate servers and for automated recording, archiving, on-air and production complexes.

Air Manager is the main instrument for on-air and recording operators when forming programs in broadcasting complexes.

Configuring Air Manager allows setting its connections to active server modules of one or several SL NEO media servers that operate in a general network. Besides, it allows configuring different application functions and customizing user interface parameters (fonts, styles, etc).

Setting must be implemented every time when installing Air Manager to a new client station, changing IP addresses of SL NEO servers or adding new services (databases, record and playout channels).

The configuring procedure is launched in menu Air Manager→File→Configure….

Preview tab allows configuring basic display modes and contains two windows: Preview Parameters and Output Hardware.

Parameter	Description
Preview Parameters Section
Display engine	Choosing a video display technology in the File Monitor window. The choice depends on work features of a client PC video card with Air Manager launched. Sometimes, motherboard integrated video cards don’t display video in the Default mode. If this occurs, choose a mode from the list and reload the app. Supported modes: Basic GDI Hw Scale Hw Overlay Basic GDI HQ OpenGL Default
Deinterlace	Turning on/off the mode of forced deinterlacing while viewing full resolution video in the File Monitor window.
Use Lowres Proxy	Turning on/off the mode of displaying proxy-copies (if there are any) in the File Monitor window. If the option is inactive, the File Monitor window displays video in full resolution. The app must be reloaded after activating the option.
Compress Audio	Activating this option allows the app to accept a compressed low-speed audio stream while viewing materials in the File Monitor window. The function is useful in case of a non-compressed proxy-copy audio track (PCM with 1538 kBit/s speed for a stereo pair) and relatively low throughput of the communications channel between SL NEO server and client station. When the Compress Audio option is activated, the server database module automatically starts creating a compressed audio stream for viewing, even if the proxy-copy original stream is PCM (thus, reducing the channel load). Encoding parameters cannot be configured.
Sound Channels	The number of audio channels displayed in the File Monitor window and in the app rec-lists. For this option to work properly, the corresponding number of audio channels must be configured at the server platform. The option allows listening up to eight audio channels at the client station while viewing materials in the File Monitor window.
Show audio overload	The option allows File Monitor window to display relative values of audio levels greater than zero. The app must be reloaded after activating the option.
Reference Audio Level	The parameter default value is “0”. The level set in this field defines offset of levels displayed by sound indicators in File Monitor and Record windows to a set number of decibels relative to the dBFS scale. This option is necessary when using a scale of audio levels with a protective range in a digital sound signal. For instance, the maximal level of the audio track is -12 dB by the dBFS digital scale. Indicators displaying -12dB maximal level would make operators work very inconvenient. To make File Monitor indicators and the Record window display the value 0 dB corresponding the dBFS level of -12 dB, a +12 dB shift is set in the Audio Level field.
Sound meter integration period	Sound meter integration period in milliseconds
Show ANCs	Displays ANC data (if any) for a current frame in the File Monitor window.
Output Hardware	This section allows redirecting audio/video display from the File Monitor window to an output board installed at a client station. Thus, you can view materials using a separate monitor.
IO Board	Choosing the type of a hardware output platform (board) installed at a client station (or at the server itself). Supported: Плата Matrox DSX, Плата DekTec DTA (SDI only), Плата BlackMagic Decklink, Computer Screen - client station video card
HW Channel	The number of a physical playout channel (port) of the output board, which will be used for displaying by Air Manager. Any conflicts while setting this parameter should be avoided (no other software, including SL NEO server software, should use the port set for Air Manager).
Video Mode	Choosing display format
Conversion	Setting the mode of Up/Down conversion
Use AFD
Keyer Mode	The mode when a board may form a pair of Fill+Key signals while viewing 32-bit video with alpha-channel (External mode developed for Matrox DSX boards).
Audio Meter	Activates the audio level indicator while viewing through the output board.
Display Timecode	Activates a counter displaying the cursor current position in the File Monitor window (timecode format) when viewing via output board.
Remap audio channels	Activates support of sound streams redirection in case of output through a board. Control is implemented by switches under sound indicators in the File Monitor window.

Look and Feel tab allows configuring appearance of the Air Manager user interface.

Parameter	Description
Tables look	The window settings allow changing the font type and size in rec- and playlists (Broadcast and Record windows).
Font family	Setting the font name for the Media Browser window and for all Broadcast and Record windows.
Font size	Setting the font size for all windows.
Cell height	Setting the line height in Broadcast, Record, and Media Browser windows.
Draw horizontal lines	Activates displaying horizontal lines separating columns and rows in rec-lists and playlists
Draw vertical lines	Activates displaying veretical lines separating columns and rows in rec-lists and playlists.
Highlight even/odd lines	Activates highlighting for adjacent lines in rec- and playlists.
Panel font size	Setting font size for the information panel at the bottom part of the Broadcast window.
Lists autoscrolling	Window settings allow configuring parameters for rec-lists and playlists automatic scrolling (Auto Scroll). The function of scrolling is activated automatically with the sequence (rec-list, playlist) launch, and allows the operator to see the executable line and the previous/following lines. Auto Scroll is disabled automatically when editing a text line directly during its execution. The function requires manual re-activation in Air Manager Top-menu after the end of editing.
AutoScroll button text	This field contains the text to be displayed next to the Auto Scroll checkbox in Air Manager Top-menu.
Decorate root	Enables additional elements when displaying group lines in Broadcast windows.
Number of rows above current	Setting the number of lines displayed before the executable line in Broadcast and Record windows.
Default D&D mode	Setting the mode to use when mouse dragging a line in Broadcast and Record windows. The default value is copying lines (Copy).
Clipboard and shortcuts
Default Image duration
Excel style clipboard	Enabling this option will add a thick dashed frame to copied lines in rec-lists and playlists. It is necessary to clearly state the place of inserting copied lines in this mode. Copied lines will overwrite the current ones in the place of insertion. (To activate this option, Air Manager must be reloaded)
Auto clear replace mode	Automatically disables the Replace function in playlists. Replace - replacing the selected playlist line with a new one. The Replace mode is activated once while setting the Replace parameter at the Broadcast window bottom part and is disabled automatically afterward. Deselection of the Auto clear replace mode check box in settings turns off automatic deactivation of the Replace function.
Buttons look	Window settings allow changing the font type and size for Air Manager Top-menu buttons:
Font family	Setting the font type for buttons.
Font size	Setting the font size.
Button height	Setting the buttons height.
Other
Show frames in clock	Activation of this parameter allows displaying hundredth parts of seconds in the clock placed in Air Manager Top-menu.
Frame validation time	Activation of this parameter allows displaying hundredth parts of seconds in the clock placed in Air Manager Top-menu.
Use Dark Theme (restart req)	Changes the Air Manager color scheme for work in dark or semi-dark rooms. Reload the app to apply changes. Added in 2.2.28 version. Interface with enabled option:: Interface with disabled option:
Use Docking windows interface (restart req)	Activation of the “window-snapping” interface. Reload the app to apply changes. Added in 2.2.28 version. Interface with enabled option:
Set Group Title to Group Name	The Title column of the group heading displays the group name. By default, it displays Title of the first group element. (To activate this option, Air Manager must be restarted)
Highlight Grouped Items	The Title fields for lines united into a group will have a grey frame (To activate this option, Air Manager must be restarted)

The tab allows configuring column displaying for rec-lists and contains fields for:

• forming a set of attributes (columns) displayed in rec-list windows, with an option to set a user-defined name for every column,
• user-defined names for Air Manager Top-menu buttons,
• user-defined names for displayed current statuses of rec-list lines.

The tab allows configuring column displaying for playlists and contains fields for:

• forming a set of attributes (columns) displayed in playlist windows, with an option to set a user-defined name for every column,
• user-defined names for Air Manager Top-menu buttons,
• user-defined names for Air Manager Top-menu buttons.

Parameter	Description
Column	List of columns of a playlist, with an option to turn on/off their displaying
Text	Override playlist column titles
Button	List of buttons of the Air Manager top panel
Text	Specifying user-defined captions for buttons of the Air Manager top panel
Job Status	The list of playlist-list statuses
Text	Override playlist statuses text
Color	ЗSetting status color in the Status column Click on the field to activate a dialog for color settings
User Status Config	The function defines four user statuses of playlist lines that are displayed according to the user-defined criteria. The window of choosing a status for editing. The window of setting criteria for status displaying (similar to setting the criteria for actions triggering). Example of displaying the user status in a playlist. Added in 2.3.3 version.

The Storage tab allows to configure local or network connections with database services of one or several SL NEO servers that work in a general network.

Parameter	Description
Storage servers	The window containing IP addresses of SL NEO servers with databases connected to Air Manager. These settings are necessary for providing Air Manager access to SL NEO Media Database modules and displaying clips in Media Browser and File Monitor windows.
Add/Edit	The button allows adding/editing the server with a database you want to connect. Name - a random media database name (e.g., MEDIA1, SRV1, SRV2), Type - Storage type: SL Media Storage - Skylark server media database (recommended) File Folder - File folder P2 Card Avid MXF/OP-Atom Avid Unity/Interplay Address - IP address of the server containing the SL Media Storage service, Service - the sequence number of SL Media Storage ((the number may be found in the server control web console: Administrator Control Panel→Manage→Storages. User/Password - Username and password to access the media database. It is used to set access rights for the media database, according to the list of users registered at the server. If parameters of server IP settings are correct, the left part of Media Browser will display a root folder with the name of the connected database. It will also display the database service “online” status. Corresponding SL NEO Media Storage modules must be activated at the servers.
Delete	Deletes the selected connection.
Move Up/Move Down	The buttons serve for sorting the list. The order set here is used for displaying servers and their databases in the Media Browser window.
Del to trash for	The parameter allows setting time (in days) of automatic deletion of materials from the recycle bin. The technology of removing files into a recycle bin works in the following way: when deleting a clip from the Media Browser window, Air Manager puts the material into the Trash folder and defines the time of automatic deletion for this material according to the value specified in Del to Trash field. Setting this parameter is necessary for every workplace (for every Air Manager application respectively).
Del to trash override	Allows redefining time settings for storage of a deleted clip in the recycle bin, changing the value set in media database settings of the server part of software.
Low space alarm	Low space alarm threshold
Metadata Schema…
Log user actions to	Specifying a folder to store a record of a log-file that contains user actions information.
Icon view	The window contains fields that allow setting the “Icon view” mode of icon and text displaying in the Media Browser window.
Icon size	Icon size
Icon view spacing	Spacing between icons
Icon arrangement	Icon arrangement order Left to right: row layout. Top to bottom: column layout
Icon text	Icon text arrangement
Text word wrap	Word wrapping in long texts
Thumbnail view	The window contains fields that allow setting the “Thumbnail view” mode of icon and text displaying in the Media Browser window
Icon size	Icon size
Column	Column name specified in Air Manager. You can uncheck displaying certain columns.
Name	The displayed column name. Allows to change Media Browser column titles and set user-defined ones.
List view	The window contains fields that allow setting the “List view” mode of icon and text displaying in the Media Browser window.
Icon size	Icon size
Column	Column name specified in Air Manager. You can uncheck displaying certain columns.
Name	The displayed column name. Allows to change Media Browser column titles and set user-defined ones.
Configure XMP Columns…	Specifying metadata schema fields displayed in Media Browser. Choose a field name from the drop-down list and press the button “Add”. Press “Ok”. Activate the selected items in Thumbnail view and List view areas. Values in selected fields will be displayed in corresponding columns, in the right section of Media Browser window.

The tab Actions allows setting modes of start of events for rec- and playlists.

Parameter	Description
Play/Rec start hot key	Setting a “hot key” at a client station to manage start of events of rec-lists and playlists.
Controller type	Choosing a controller model for work with recording channels (VTR control, viewing materials in Media Browser).
Port	The sequence number of controller connected to a client station
Broadcast list actions	The window of setting Top-Menu buttons for playout management. These settings might be useful while using SL NEO server as a file player in broadcasting studios and in situations, when the playout management process requires complete involvement of an operator.
Jump	Setting variant responses for the Jump (GoTo) button — commands of an urgent transition to executing any selected action in playlist: Make current only - pressing the GoTo button continues execution of the current event, the selected playlist line status changes to GoTo. Further pressing the Play button starts playback of the selected line. This option allows replacing the line designated for transition on GoTo command. Make current and Pretake - pressing GoTo continues executing the current event and changes the selected playlist line status to Cued (event is ready for a start command). Further clicking the Play button will lead to instantaneous start of playout of the selected line. This option doesn’t allow choosing another line — the transition is possible only to a line with Cued status. Make current and Play (default value) — pressing GoTo instantaneously starts execution of the selected playlist line. Restart and Pretake - pressing GoTo stops execution of the current event and changes the selected playlist line status to Cued (the event is ready for the start command).
Skip	Setting variant responses for the Skip button – the command of urgent transition to execution of the next playlist event. The Skip command is a particular case of GoTo command, so variants of response are identical.
Start type hotkey	Column+Value
Enable manual start for “HardTime” jobs	This parameter is default and allows manual launch of playback for events that have the Hard Start type of start.
Use sync bar only	The option allows managing playback channels using only the buttons for synchronous channel management in Air Manager Top-Menu (see Synchronous operations). Activation of Broadcast windows will not have any influence on the choice and change of the managed channel.
Message alert sound	Specifying a WAV audio file to play back when receiving messages in the Message List window.
Message alert delay
Auto strip storage	When active, this option allows using a clip MediaID while dragging it into a playlist, not linking it to a certain media database. The program channel will search the clip in all connected media databases and play back from the first available one containing the clip. If the option is inactive, Air Manager will use a full path to the clip when dragging it into a playlist, including the media database address. (medb://localhost:9900/title:myclipMediaID)
Check Part Media	The parameter allows activating signalization in Broadcast windows and playlist editors for the lines containing materials in the process of import or recording (line text color is red, the Status playlist column displays a title Part Media). The app uses Media fields for verification.
Check media in editors	The parameter turns on/off verification and signalization in playlist editors for lines with materials absent in the server database (the line text color is red, the Status column of a playlist editor says No Media). The app uses Media fields for verification.
Check Media Offline
Default Start Type	Setting the default start type while forming playlists. There are the following start types: Auto или Sequence - default type of start for manual placement of clips to the playlist. Lines with this type start automatically after playback of the previous line, providing non-stop execution for a sequence of events. Manual - manual launch of lines with Play, GoTo or Next commands. Using this start type by default when forming playlists might be useful during playback of clips in broadcasting studios, production of real-time programs, and when there is a need to play back materials randomly instead of a sequence. Hard Start - тstart of execution of a line/event at a set time. Start of execution is implemented by the server system timer (client PC time may differ). Use NTP time syncronization.
Media Certificates…
Strict Media Markers
Allow Jump No Media	Transition to NoMedia lines with the GoTo button
DnD Player attribute for main lists	When dragging the selected clip from the Media Browser window to the main playlist window, transfers the Player column value
Editor autosave period	Periodicity of autosave for the playlists editor, in minutes.
Confirmation on Reset	Activates confirmation when pressing the Reset button in the playlist
Confirmation on Stop Seq	Activates confirmation when pressing the Stop button in the playlist.
Browser DblClk inserts	When the option is active, a double-click on a clip in Media Browser will add it to a selected playlist position.
Player colors
Play button sends next	The setting changes the “Play” button functionality in a way it stays active during the element playback and launches the next element, when pressed. Added in 2.3.37 version
Fix durations on playlist load	The setting changes the “Play” button functionality in a way it stays active during the element playback and launches the next element, when pressed. Added in 2.3.63 version
Check secondary media	Turning off the media status check for secondary events. When checked, the status check is on. Added in 2.3.74 version.
Rec list actions	Settings of Top-Menu buttons for record management
Jump	Setting variant responses for the Jump (GoTo) button — the command of urgent transition to executing any selected action in a rec-list Make current only - pressing the GoTo button stops recording the current event, further clicking the Rec button launches recording of a selected line Make current and Pretake - pressing the button GoTo stops recording the current event, the selected rec-list line status changes to Cued (event is ready for the start command). Further pressing the Rec button instantaneously starts recording the selected line. Make current and Record (default value) - pressing the GoTo button immediately starts recording the selected rec-list line.
Enable manual start for “HardTime” jobs	This parameter is default and allows manual launch of recording for events with the Hard Start type of start.
Check media on all storages	The option allows checking coincidence of names in the Media fields for record events and clip names on all network databases connected to Air Manager.
Use sync bar only	The option allows managing recording channels using only buttons for synchronous channel management in Air Manager Top-Menu (see Synchronous operations).

The option allows managing recording channels using only buttons for synchronous channel management in Air Manager Top-Menu (see Synchronous operations).

Air Manager has options –lock-config and –unlock-config to show/hide the “Configure” item in the File menu Air Manager→File→Configure…. This option allows the administrator to exclude access of users to application settings.

To deactivate the Configure menu, launch Air Manager from the command line with a lock parameter:

airmgr --lock-config

To activate the Configure menu, launch Air Manager from the command line with an unlock parameter:

airmgr --unlock-config

To save window arrangement to an *.awp file (Air Manager Windows Position), you can use the menu command Air Manger→Window→Save Windows. To restore window arrangement, use the menu command Air Manger→Window→Load Windows.

To save the full current configuration of Air Manager, use the Windows registry editor and export a file with the following branch:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Skylark\AirManager]

To quickly transfer Air Manager configuration to another PC or to restore the previous configuration, just launch the corresponding *.reg file to enter data to Windows registry.

Before the 2.0.10 version saving Air Manager configurations was implemented to

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SkyLark\AirManager]

You can manage displaying toolbar elements via menu available on a right-click in the delimiter area. Elements marked with a flag are displayed in the toolbar area.

Element	Appearance	Description
Cue		Manual preparation of playlist lines to the start of execution. The system opens the corresponding media-file for reading, prepares it for playback (loads it to the memory and I/O board), and awaits the Play start command. At the end of Cue procedure the initial frame of prepared clip appears at the video output of corresponding server channel in a split second, in the freeze frame mode. Clip playback in the prepared line begins immediately after activating the Play command. Pressing Cue launches preparation of lines of the following types: The first playlist line with Wait status, The playlist line with Wait status positioned after already executed lines (Done status) or lines, whose execution is ignored by user (Skipped status). In the line sequence execution mode, the command for preparing the next line is launched automatically in the background mode to facilitate clean switch to the next clip (line).
Start Play		Launches execution of a line sequence in the active Broadcast window. Pressing Play without preliminary pressing Cue will automatically execute the Cue command and clip playback will start in a split second. If every line has the Sequence type of start, executing the rest of lines will happen automatically, with no operator participation.
Start Rec		Launches execution of line sequence in the active Record window. Pressing Rec without preliminary pressing Cue will automatically execute the Cue command and start clip recording. If every line has the Sequence type of start, executing the rest of lines will happen automatically.
GoTo		Emergency stop of executing the current event and switch to any other selected playlist line. Thus, after selecting the needed line, it is possible to jump up/down the list to several lines and launch immediate prompt execution of the needed event. The mode of command execution depends on settings: For a playlist - File→Configure→Actions→Broadcast list actions→Jump. For rec list - File→Configure→Actions→Rec list actions→Jump.
Freeze		Suspends playback of the executable line in the active Broadcast window. When activating this mode, the Freeze button is lit light green and the picture on the corresponding video server output is “frozen”. Pressing Freeze again continues playback.
Marker		Sets a marker on the video. Function is active in the Record window. Function of manual indexing media materials within the recording process and forming a collection of key frames. The function simplifies searching editing points during further material trimming and marking. Every pressing the Marker button fixes the current time code value at the moment of recording and forms a key frame in the separate window “Key Frames”. The set markers are displayed on the Shuttle line and in the File Monitor window during further clip editing. When selecting the needed marker or key frame in the Key Frames window, the File Monitor window marker moves to the corresponding TC position.
Next		The command provides emergency stop of execution of a current event in the active Broadcast window and switches to execution of the next in order playlist event (no status).
Stop		The command stops playback of a current line and the entire sequence in the active Broadcast window. Activating this mode stops execution of the current event with no transition to the next event. The stopped line gets the Wait status and is ready for repeated execution. Repeated playback of the stopped event occurs in case of further pressing Cue and then Play, or just Play. The version 2.0.154 allows setting confirmation for pressing this button when working with playlists. Configuring the option: AirManager→Меню File→Configure→Actions→Confirmation on Stop Seq. If the option is on, pressing the button opens a dialogue window for confirmation:
Reset		The command stops playlist execution in the active Broadcast window, resets statuses of all lines and assigns them with Wait status. Further pressing the Play button will start playlist execution from the first line. The function works similarly for record lists. The version 2.0.154 allows setting confirmation for pressing this button when working with playlists. Configuring the option: AirManager→Меню File→Configure→Actions→Confirmation on Reset. If the option is on, pressing the button opens a dialogue window for confirmation:
Hard Start		Activation/deactivation of the Hard Start mode when trimming events. When the HS Jumps button is on, the Hard Start mode works as usual, trimming clips to provide broadcast of the next Hard Start event on time. Deactivation of the HS Jumps button plays the previous clip to the end and displaces broadcast of the Hard Start event. Other than that, all Hard Start mode functions remain active even in case of deactivation of the HS Jumps button.
Hold		Holding the current event. Pressing the Hold button assigns the current event with the Hold status, infinitely holding it with no switch to the next event. The Hold function is useful for broadcasting events with set duration values from external lines in cases that require extending events duration before automatic switch to the next event (e.g., to extend duration of a news broadcast). Event Dur field will dynamically display the “extra time” value. Switching to the next event is implemented by Next or GoTo buttons.
Alarm Clip		The command for emergency switch to the “alarm” clip. Pressing the button inserts a line containing a clip with emergency sequence into the current playlist position and switches to this line. The line gets the Hold status, the app infinitely plays the “alarm” clip with no automatic switching to the next event. The Alarm Clip mode and alarm clip title must be configured beforehand. Switching to the next event is implemented by Next or GoTo buttons.
Prev Marker		Moves the playback marker to the previous key frame in the playlist window. The function works for the executed (Play or Freeze) clip with marked key frames.
Next Marker		Moves the playback marker to the next key frame in the playlist window. The function works for the executed (Play or Freeze) clip with marked key frames.
Preview		The function is available when managing the external matrix switch by the “switcher after server” scheme. The button allows to send a command to the switcher for external signal preview at the Preview output. The server must be pre-configured to manage a matrix switch. The switch preview port number is transferred from program channel settings. To implement switching, choose a LIVE-clip from the playlist and click Preview.
Edit
AutoScroll		Automatic scrolling of playlists. The function is activated automatically when launching a sequence and allows an operator to see the executable line, previous and next lines within the executing process. The function is turned off automatically when editing list lines directly within the executing process and must be manually re-activated at the end of editing. The number of lines displayed before and after the executable line is set in the Air Manager Configuration menu. The function works similarly for record channels.
Synchronous operations		Buttons for synchronous management of playback channels (Broadcast windows). The number of buttons corresponds to the number of configured channels in Air Manager Configuration menu. In case of pressing several buttons CAST_1, CAST_N, commands for managing selected playback channels will be launched synchronously. If buttons for synchronous management of playback channels are inactive, the channel with the active Broadcast window will implement management. If one synchronous management button is active, the app will implement management for the corresponding playback channel. Activating Broadcast windows does not affect selection and change of the manageable channel. The function works similarly for record channels.
Lock file monitor		The function allows the user to lock in clip displaying in the File Monitor window without switching to viewing other clips during further activation of clips and playlist lines. After activating this function, the File Monitor window (and Key Frames window respectively) will display the clip selected in the Media Browser window or in the playlist line before its activation.
Origin timecodes		Displaying the original time code in the File Monitor window. The internal time code beginning from 00:00:00:00 is default while viewing files. The original time code may be added during clip import or during recording from an external line.
Date/Time		The block for displaying current date and time. Displayed time may differ from server time, as the time value is taken from the client machine local clock. To fix the problem, configure time syncronization.
Record/play delay
Message List		Air Manager Message List displays events connected with automatic load of playlists from watch-folders in “reflection” and “upload once” modes.
List items above		Allows setting fixed number of lines displayed above the executable line. The rest of lines will be hidden.
Элементы Marker Displays		Adds configurable counters to the toolbar area.
Action1 и Action2		Generation of Item Action 1 and Item Action 2 for the current (selected) playlist element. The buttons can be activated by CTRL+1 and CTRL+2 respectively. Item Action 1 and Item Action 2 are program channel General events. They may be used, for instance, to send graphics into graphic layers for playout or to the second program channel for a preview. Added in 2.3.33 version.

Right click context menu of Media Browser opens access to different MAM functions for working with clips.

Menu item	Description
Export…	Opens the export dialog for a selected clip
Export Audio…	Opens the audio track export dialog for a selected clip
Render…	The option is identical to the export dialog for a selected clip
Attach Media…	Opens a dialogue for connecting video materials to a selected asset.
Create Proxy…	Creates a task for forming LRV profile for a selected clip. This option is useful when clip doesn’t have an LRV proxy-copy, or if LRV profile is in the base, but the physical proxy-copy file is absent.
Delete Proxy…	Opens a request window for deleting LRV proxy-copy of a selected clip.
Schedule Duration Check	Allows forced check of BRV copy duration and updates metadata parameters according to the actual file. Added in version 2.0.36 Подробнее.
Copy	Copying a clip in media database
Paste	Pasting a clip in media database When copying materials within one media database, a line (Copy N) will be added to MediaID.
Delete	Deletes a clip from the media database (metadata, BRV and LRV). Deletion of BRV from the archive folder is managed by the setting «Enable archive copy deletion» (see above)..
Delete Hires…	Opens a request window for deleting the BRV proxy-copy of a selected clip. This action is irreversible.
Delete At…	Opens a dialog for setting date and time of clip automatic deletion from media base
Kill list…	Opens a dialog for batch deletion of files from the media base. All MediaID must be listed line by line. The list may be uploaded from a file by the button Read file….
New→Media Asset…	Launches a dialog for creating a new asset where you should specify the format and planned duration. Duration will be adjusted after connecting the video material and asset.
New→Note…	Launches a dialog for creating a new news note with text input displayed at the VOD portal.
New→URL…	Launches a dialog for creating a destination link to a network resource. Such resource, for example, could be an Internet image.
New→Clock…	Launches a dialog of creating a combined clip for displaying TV clock, containing links to clips with clock background, arrows and audio.
New→Local stream…	Creating a Live clip containing a link to a local source of media data stream. (e.g. stream name: Capture_1). This technology allows playout of the server input signal in a playlist. Viewing a live-clip in the File Monitor window will be available only during local playout at the server.
New→Graphics…	Opens graphics editor for creating a new graphic composition.
New→Text…	Launches a dialog for creating a text object containing text information for titles and referring to design templates (graphic compositions with parameterization).
Edit…	Opens a dialog for editing object settings. For example, it will open the graphics editor for a graphic object.
Apply Design…	Linking a design template to a text object. Text information is unavailable for editing in this window.
Show info…	Opens the Locations And Triggers tab in the Clip Materials Sheet window.
Change fields…	Opens Clip in the Clip Materials Sheet window. Tabs Clip and User Userallow editing data in user fields of the basic metadata set. The dialog may be used for batch editing of information in the pre selected group of clips. The app will save values only for filled out fields, empty values will be ignored while saving.
Edit Metadata…	Opens the first available tab with fields of the extended metadata set (fields are loaded from the connected XMP metadata schema) Clip Materials Sheet.
Edit Status…	Opens a dialog for statuses (certificates) editing Clip Materials Sheet. Names and the number of statuses may be configured in metadata schema (see above). Status condition flag may have three states: ON (black check mark) - status is set, OFF (no check mark) - status is removed, неопределенное состояние (grey check mark) - appears in case of group setting of statuses, when status condition of selected clips differs. Statuses with indefinite condition are ignored, allowing for saving differences while group editing. Starting from version 2.4.58 it is possible to set a status color in metadata schema settings. After setting a status, the clip icon gets a strip of a corresponding color.
Edit Segments…	Opens segment editor.
Archive	Launches the archiving process for a clip BRV profile. The archiving process is managed in the “Archive Queue” window
Restore	Launches the process of restoration for a BRV profile. The restoring process is managed in the “Archive Queue” window
Flush HiRes	Launches deleting a BRV profile from the folder with HiRes originals
Archive and Flush	The group task combines archiving and further deletion of BRV
Cancel Archiving Operation	Cancels the archiving operation
Find Segments…	The dialog displays all clip segments marked with key frames of Segment Start and Segment End types.
Reset triggers…	Resets the status of processing of one or several triggers for a selected group of clips.
Web Profiles→Create Profiles…	Creating the needed Web Profiles for a selected group of clips. The Recreate if exists option forces reencoding the selected profile if it’s already been created before.
Web Profiles→Delete Profiles…	Deleting the needed Web Profiles for a selected group of clips

Media Browser extensively uses possibilities of clip dragging:

The File Monitor window is functioning independently from recording and playback channels of SL NEO media servers. File Monitor serves for viewing clips selected in the Media Browser window or from playlist and rec-list lines directly on a screen of a client PC monitor, via the Air Manager user interface. Other than that, the File Monitor window implements marking of a selected clip: re-designation of IN and OUT points, cutting playlist lines, export of marked fragments to separate media files. Operating in File Monitor is independent from work of recording and playback channels of SL NEO servers and does not affect their performance.

Element	Description
1	Name of clip opened in the File Monitor viewing window
2	The Use Proxy check box includes an opportunity of viewing proxy copies of materials in the File Monitor window (duplicates the Use Lowres Proxy setting in software configuration) - a proxy-copy will be displayed if it exists. Using low-res copies for viewing does not overload server arrays and allows many client PCs connected to SL NEO servers to work simultaneously in Ethernet network. If viewing proxy copies is activated, but a proxy copy is absent, the app will display a high res copy. If viewing proxy copies is turned off, but a high res copy is absent, the app will display a message 'VIDEO OFFLINE'
3	The current cursor position from the IN mark. Click on this field to edit the value. Field format: HH:MM:SS:FF (or HH:MM:SS;FF for NTSC format), where: HH - hours, MM - minutes, SS - seconds, FF - frames
4	Shows a list of key frames, allowing for a swift transition to the needed key frame. More details...
5	Opens a dialogue for adding a new key frame
6	The current cursor position from the material start. Click on this field to edit the value. Field format: HH:MM:SS:FF (or HH:MM:SS;FF for NTSC format), where: HH - hours, MM - minutes, SS - seconds, FF - frames.
7	The video viewing window. Displaying the message 'VIDEO OFFLINE’ means the material is unavailable. The Client Path option may be configured, but the path is unavailable from this workplace.
8	Timeline
9	IN point marker
10	Key frame mark
11	While viewing clips, the File Monitor window displays the cursor of a current position colored gray (pressing R moves cursor to the current record position, pressing Y moves it to the current playback position). When using File Monitor to view a clip from an executed playlist, the clip will have a green cursor showing the current playback point.
12	Frame-by-frame reverse playback button.
13	Frame-by-frame playback button.
14	The Stop button - playback stop
15	The Play Button - playback launch
16	КThe button launches cyclic playback of a fragment set by IN-OUT points.
17	The button launches playback of a fragment set by IN-OUT points.
18	OUT point marker
19	Smooth scrolling bar
20	Audio level indicator (DBFS scale). Every bar has a switch at the bottom that implements channel output to an audio playback device at the client PC: L - output of the selected audio channel to the left channel R - output of the selected audio channel to the right channel A - output of the selected audio channel to both channels Х - output of the selected audio channel is inactive
21	Volume control for viewing at the playback device (e.g., a client PC sound card).
22	The button for turning off sound output.
23	IN mark value. Click on this field to edit the value. Field format: HH:MM:SS:FF (or HH:MM:SS;FF for NTSC format), where: HH - hours, MM - minutes, SS - seconds, FF - frames
24	OUT mark value. Click on this field to edit the value. Field format: HH:MM:SS:FF (or HH:MM:SS;FF for NTSC format), where: HH - hours, MM - minutes, SS - seconds, FF - frames
25	Button for zooming out timeline
26	Timeline zooming controller
27	Button for zooming in timeline
28	Go to IN point
29	Go to OUT point
30	Button for setting the IN point in the current cursor position
31	Button for setting the OUT point in the current cursor position
32	Button of applying changes of IN and OUT point positions
33	Trimming clip at the cursor When pressed, the OUT point is set at the current cursor position in the initial CLIP_NAME clip. Also, the app will create a new «CLIP_NAME - Shot 1» clip with an IN point at the cursor position.
34	Button for creating a shot-clip. Creates a copy of the original CLIP_NAME clip with set IN and OUT values. The new clip name is «CLIP_NAME - Shot 1».
35	Opens a window for export of a clip fragment (from IN to OUT point).
36	Clip duration value. Click on this field to edit the value. Field format: HH:MM:SS:FF (or HH:MM:SS;FF for NTSC format), where: HH - hours, MM - minutes, SS - seconds, FF - frames.

Working with key frames and segments

• Air Manager Playlist Structure
• Air Manager Rec-list Structure

Playlist zones delimit areas of responsibility of programme and on-air services.

The option is activated in program channel settings: Administrator Control Panel→Manage→Program Outputs→Program_N→Automation→Parameters→Auto zones for layers.

The scheme showing zone positioning on the timeline

Displaying zones in the Air Manager playlist.

1. Playlist area with already played back materials
2. The played back clip
3. «Execution zone» area
4. «Operator zone» area
5. «Traffic zone» area

5. «Traffic zone» area

The size of this area is specified in program channel settings: Administrator Control Panel→Manage→Program Outputs→Program_N→Automation→Parameters→Execution zone (в формате часы, минуты, секунды).

The playlist area that can be modified by the on-air operator. Changing playlist in this area from the media planning system is not available. By default this area contains none elements (is equal zero)

Changing zone positioning on the timeline over time (comparing to the scheme A), if the on-air operator has not expanded the “Operator zone” area.

Example of displaying a playlist with absent “Operator zone”.

The operator may request extending the “Operator zone” by reducing the “Traffic zone” area. The media planning system no longer controls the area passed to “Operator zone” management. «Operator zone» extending is implemented in two steps:

• In the “Traffic zone” area, select a playlist element to which the “Operator zone” area will be expanded.
• Right click and choose «Expand Operator Zone».

The area, where data is edited by the system of media planning. Any attempts to change the playlist in this area will give the message: «Traffic zone can't be modified».

While using this function, the Message List window may display informational messages connected with its work.

At the first Air Manager launch it is necessary to implement several settings: AirManager→Меню File→Configure→Вкладка Storage

The basic settings are listed in the description of Media Connect:

• Connect to the media base and choose a metadata schema
• Specify metadata schema fields that will be displayed in Media Browser
• Set the profile of material displayed in the File Monitor window

Air Manager allows permanent monitoring statuses of clips against the set criteria. File→Configure…→Вкладка Actions→Media Certificates…

If the material does not correspond the Media Certificates configuration criteria, the Status playlist column will show the message “CertMismatch” and the line will beсome red.

Important! The material anyhow will go on-air, status check has informational character.

Starting from version 2.0.154 there is an option to set colors to playlist lines depending on values in the Player column.

Configuring the option in Air Manager: Меню File→Configure→Actions→Player colors

Option	Description
Name	Player name
Color	The set line color selected from the color palette
Add	Opens a dialogue for adding a new value
Remove	Removes the selected value
Edit	Opens a dialog for editing the selected value

Result of the function work:

The option will be useful for on-air operators able to value the convenience of highlighting external lines in playlists.

In the verision 2.0.58 the function Marker Counters has been added: displaying counters with real-time information about playout. The 2.3 line allows viewing video streams from virtual services, so the function has been renamed to Marker Displays.

The function allows displaying:

• “On-air” indicator
• Current position in a clip
• Server time
• The time left till the key frame
• etc.

Configuring the function: Меню Window→Marker Displays→Add Counter…

Option	Description
Title	Random counter name Starting from version 2.4.26 TitleBar is displayed with center alignment
Type	Counter type: IPOut Status - Server IP output status monitoring Added in 2.4.73 version. Countdown to Selected - countdown of time left till the selected playlist line goes on-air. Reclist Selected Duration - shows duration of selected events in a rec-list. Playlist Selected Duration - shows duration of selected events in a playlist. Countdown to Condition - countdown of time till the playlist line with set values in certain columns. Added in 2.4.23. Current Rec Remaining - time left till the end of the current record task (executable rec-list line). Added in 2.4.23. Current Rec TC - shows the current recorder time code. Added in 2.4.23. Current Rec Position - shows duration of the recorded material. Added in 2.4.23. Record/Play Delay - displays latency between the recorded and played back points of the video. The value is calculated as of the record time code, so for proper functioning you must choose the time code source “Time” for the recorder. Added in 2.4.23. Have NoMedia Items - the marker displays presence of “NoMedia” elements in a playlist and implements countdown till the playlist line with “NoMedia” element Current Graphics - shows the current played back clip name in the main playlist, graphic layer or logo layer. The layer is set by Layer parameter, for example: Layer=1 - main playlist. Background color shows the current state of connection to the layer: green means the counter is connected to the playlist and the playlist service is active, red - no connection to the playlist service. Added in 2.2.11 Current Clip Remaining - time left till the end of a current clip in format: HH:MM:SS. Added in 2.1.22 Countdown to Line - time left till a playlist line goes on-air. The line is selected by dragging it to the counter. This allows, for instance, to control the time left till the start of a live broadcast. Added in 2.0.154. Recording Indicator - - recorder indicator. Displays the current recorder status. Red - recording is on, grey - recording is stopped. Added in 2.0.154. Playlist Remaining - time left till the end of playlist On Air Indicator - on-air indicator. Displays the current status of a program channel. Red means live broadcast, grey - the playlist is stopped. Current Clip Position - the current position of playback in a clip. Wall-Clock Time - the server time. Countdown to Marker - the time left until the next key frame. Service Monitor - opens the window for viewing a video stream with audio from SL NEO services (Capture, Program Channel, Recorder etc.). Above the viewing window, there is a selection dialog box with the list of services available by the specified IP address. Added in 2.3
Accessibility of options depends on the counter type
Output IP	IP address of the server forming the main IP stream
Output Service	Name of the Playout service forming the main IP stream. Example: Playout_1.
Backup IP	IP address of the server forming the backup IP stream
Backup Service	Name of the Playout service forming the backup IP stream. Example: Playout_2.
Recorder IP	Name of the Playout service forming the backup IP stream. Example: Playout_2
Recorder Num	Recorder service number
Program IP	IP address of the server with a program channel - localhost or 127.0.0.1, if Air Manager is launched at the server
Program Num	The number of the program channel service
Layer	The layer number in a selected program channel. 1 - main playlist, 2 - first graphic playlist (CAST_LAY2) etc.
Marker offset	The option sets marker offset when calculating the Countdown to Marker value. 1- next one, 2- every other, etc
Condition	The condition for seraching a line in playlist for the Countdown to Condition counter. Setting is similar to the action editor and Secondary Event Generations.
Seconds only	Turns off displaying frames or milliseconds in a counter.
Bold font	Sets “bold” font for displayed text →
FG Color	Sets the font color for displayed text Added in 2.4.23.
BG Color	Sets the background color. Added in 2.4.23.

Created counters are displayed in the Air Manager toolbar. The counters may be dragged and resized.

Right-click the counter to open a menu:

In the version 2.0.57 we have added a new possibility for interactive production that allows users to quickly set a point for playback start of a playlist clip.

Right click the progress-bar line in the lower section of a playlist window displays the «Toggle Scrubbing Controls» menu, opening access to controls.

Description of used controls:

1. Cursor - displays the current playback position. It is positioned at the end of the progress bar. Dragging the cursor changes the CurPoint value (clip playback will start from this point).
2. Jog-line - dragging the line allows changing the CurPoint value more precisely.
3. CurPoint - the value of a current playback point.
4. EventDur - the value of time left till the end of the current playlist element.
5. General Duration of playback of the current playlist element including loops.
6. Cue Button - prepares a clip to start.
7. Freeze Button - works as a pause. Stops the clip playback. Repeated pressing resumes playou.

Dragging the cursor and Jog-line is possible, when a clip has the status Cued, Playing or Paused.

Before the version 2.0.71 the Backup column was used for backup recording of rec-list events, activating this function for a certain rec-list line

Starting from version 2.0.71 work of this function has been significantly modified.

Configuring this option is implemented in the server control panel: Administrator Control Panel→Manage→Recorders→Recorder_N→General.

Backup function management is implemented through a menu in the lower left corner of the rec-list window. The Rec-list backup column is left for backward compatibility and is not in use anymore.

Synchronization of slave rec-list events is implemented in the moment of changing the master recorder of a rec-list. If you manually add a task to the slave recorder playlist with activated function of synchronization, this task will automatically get the Skipped status

Starting from version 2.0.77, we have provided an option for automatic data transfer from user fields of the basic metadata set to executable playlist columns. The function works both for automated load of playlist from a media planning system and for manual adding elements to the playlist

The function “Active Folders” is activated in program channel settings: Administrator Control Panel→Manage→Program Outputs→Program_N→Storages→Edit→Active folders…, where N is the number of program channel.

Specify a folder (Active folder) and choose metadata fields for transfer in settings of a media base connected to the program channel.

Selected metadata is automatically transferred to playlists only for those clips or (или Shortcut), that are located in a corresponding folder of the media base. Clips identification is implemented by the MediaID field value.

Changing user metadata fields of a clip in media base will update the transferred values for all playlist parts in real-time.

Changing the Duration value of an executable clip in media base will stop playlist playback, if the new Duration value is lower than the current playback position.

If Shortcut of a playlist clip with already transferred metadata has been deleted from the analyzed folder, repeated adding a clip with the same MediaID to the playlist will still copy metadata for the current clip. The data will be copied from the playlist clip fields.

Selective editing of user fields in the basic metadata set is implemented in Media Browser by clicking on the needed field in «View as short list» or «View as long list» displaying modes.

Group editing is implemented using the “Change fields…” editing window.

Information on ANC data presence for a selected clip is available in the dialog: Air Manager→Media Browser→Меню правой кнопки→Show info…→HiRes→ANC Data или Air Manager→окно Clip Materisls Sheet→HiRes→ANC Data.

Possible values:

• NONE - no data,
• VANC DBG - the file was recorded with the activatedDebug VBI function
• TTX-B-625 - teletext data is present,
• SCTE-104 - SCTE messages,
• CC CEA-608/CEA-708 - closed captions,
• AFD - AFD code
• etc

The option Show ANCs: Air Manager→Меню File→Configure→Preview→Show ANCs activates displaying ANC data while viewing in the Monitor window.

Data presence is defined individually for every frame selected at a point of time, displaying the corresponding message over the image.

Possible values:

• TTX-B-625 - presence of teletext data,
• SCTE-104 - SCTE messages,
• CEA-608/CEA-708 - closed captions,
• AFD: X - presence of the AFD code with the number X.

Starting from version 2.1.22 the app has the Find next SCTE-104 frame, function available by the right click on a file name in the Monitor window. The function launches search of SCTE-104 packets, starting from the current position in a clip.

If the SCTE-104 packet is found, its content will be displayed in a pop-up window

Graphics Editor

The information is actual starting from version с 2.3.87.