Spot Substitution for Web Encoding

Introduction

1. Simian on workstation 1 'tells' Simian on workstation 2 via serial strings when its breaks are starting. Simply use a serial cable with a null-modem adapter between comm ports on the workstations. Place a 'SERIAL BREAKSTART' macro at the start of each break in the program log on Simian workstation 1. On Simian workstation 2, configure a Serial Set with a Watch String for "BREAKSTART" to perform a STARTNEXT macro. Setup of the program log on Simian workstation 2 will be the same as a program log set up for network spot substitution as shown in the BSI FAQ document "Satellite Network Spot Replacement". The concept is the same as network spot replacement, except that in this case, 'the network' is Simian workstation 1, and instead of using outboard hardware for triggers and relays, you're using serial strings.

2. Simian on workstation 1 can play audio/music-from-hard drive or have live satellite audio pass through via the ASI audio card's line, just as a stand-alone Simian workstation would.

3. Use a second output from your console or an out-board audio splitter to split your audio signal from workstation 1's line out to go to both your transmitter, and the line in on your Simian workstation 2's audio card.

4. The mixer in Simian workstation 2 is configured to mute the pass-through audio from Line In 1 durring local audio playback. This means that any time a stopset is triggered by the STARTNEXT macro, the audio from Simian workstation 1 is muted and the spots from Simian workstation 2's program log are played instead.

NOTE: It is possible to use a single workstation to perform the above function. Instead of using Simian on 2 individual workstations, it is possible to use Multi-Instance Simian on a single workstation with two AudioScience audio cards. Communications between the two sessions of Simian is still performed serially: Set up Simian session 1 to use comm. port 1, and Simian session 2 to use comm. port 2. Connect a null-modem cable between comm. port 1 and comm. port 2, and now the sessions can communicate with each other. Other than the above, the configuration is exactly the same.

Keep in mind that when two sessions are used with a single machine, there is no system redundancy incase of hardware failure. Also, processor usage will be substantial, so a high-performance workstation configured for multi-media playback is critical.

If you require further assistance, please contact us.
BSI Technical Support:
Click Here to go to
the BSI Support Center