Ignite News Workflow

Application Note

April, 2007
Overview

Today’s television news operation is facing a competitive The news production studio and control room crew have
environment of unprecedented scope. Newspaper and magazine traditionally numbered as many as a dozen or more skilled, and fully
Web sites, blogs, mobile devices—not to mention traditional over- occupied, technicians. This approach is less than efficient—leaving
the-air radio stations and subscription-based radio services—are little opportunity for a station to redeploy resources to expand
vying for, and drawing the attention of, people who may have once programming or launch new channel-like operations, such as those
relied exclusively on TV for their news. for online-, mobile-, or broadband-delivered services.

This competitive landscape puts several significant pressures on a The Grass Valley™ Ignite™ integrated production system delivers
television station. News production is a capital-intensive enterprise just that kind of flexibility and efficiency. It gives a single operator
compared to the incremental expense of creating a newspaper Web control over video switching, audio mixing, digital video effects, still-
site. And the demand for more, higher-quality, and high-definition store devices, character generators, video and audio servers, and
(HD) programming will continue to drive equipment-purchase camera robotics. When a newscast is going according to plan, an
cycles. operator can rely on a pre-programmed timeline to execute events
in order. But the Ignite system also gives the operator a number of
As well, the once unassailable advantage of the television set, options to manually direct the broadcast through unscripted and
its screen, is gone. Mobile phones, PDAs, personal video players, breaking-news events, then rejoin the timeline when ready.
and personal computers can all display video content. Although
the experience of viewing video on these devices is not the same Because the Ignite system is scalable and modular, it can speed a
as viewing it on a plasma-screen television, it is nevertheless an station’s transition to digital and HD production. Its ability to execute
experience that consumers are demanding. complicated, multi-source video and audio events identically—
again and again—improves a newscast’s on-air look and feel, and
virtually eliminates technical errors—all while utilizing personnel to
their fullest.

Audio Mixer Panel Kayak DD/HD Video Switcher Panel QUICbox Programmable Controller

The Ignite platform provides a single point of management for control-room and studio devices.

Ignite News Workflow


Ignite Integrated Production System

The Grass Valley Ignite line is an integrated software and hardware room crew. The Ignite system provides the same effects as a
platform that provides a single point of management for control standalone Kayak switcher, with four keyers and four effects keyers
room and studio devices. By taking advantage of its operational or channels per mixed/effects (M/E) bank.
efficiencies, a news operation can redeploy skilled professionals to
other tasks that require their skills and attention. Other Ignite options include interfaces to Grass Valley and Vinten
Radamec robotic camera systems for SD and HD production—as
The Ignite system is a fully scalable solution that lets stations well as the Grass Valley ScriptViewer teleprompting system, which
choose a system suited to their capital budget and production supports the Ignite control-room automation systems and third-
needs. At its simplest, the system provides video and audio party newsroom computer systems. The ScriptViewer system
automated control over a 1 M/E standard-definition (SD) imports scripts and graphics directly from a producer’s rundown
switcher with 16 video inputs and 24 audio inputs. In its largest within seconds. An operator can execute scripts manually or
configuration, Ignite provides a 4 M/E HD system with 96 video automatically.
inputs and 96 audio inputs.
And the Ignite system is fully compatible with the media object
The scalable Ignite hardware platform includes the server (MOS) protocol, which allows it to interface with, and take
Ignite 1000 1 M/E and 2000 2 M/E systems for small-and mid- programming instructions from, most newsroom computer systems,
market applications, and the 3000 3 M/E and 4000 4 M/E systems including ENPS and iNEWS.
for larger-market applications.
The Ignite line also supports the QUICbox™ programmable controller,
In fact, the Ignite line includes nine basic models with an array which enables an operator to manually override pre-programmed
of options. A station can also pair an Ignite system with a high- video and audio elements to handle last-minute changes in plans.
performance Grass Valley Kayak production switcher control panel This tactile interface gives users the dual capabilities of switcher
and a Klotz audio console panel to produce some newscasts in an and audio panels.
automated mode and others using a traditional studio and control-

Base Specification
Video Audio* Control Ports
RS-232, -422
In Out In Out
Standard Standard Opt. Standard Opt. Standard
1-M/E-DD 16 15 24 32 8 16 16
2-M/E-DD 32 20 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 16
SD 2-M/E 48 24 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 16
SD 3-M/E 72 36 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 32
SD 4-M/E 96 48 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 32
HD 1-M/E 24 12 24 32 8 16 16
HD 2-M/E 48 24 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 16
HD 3-M/E 72 36 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 32
HD 4-M/E 96 48 24 32, 48, 64, 96 8 16, 24, 40, 48 32
* Audio options are offered in the following configurations only: 24 In x 8 Out, 32 In x 16 Out, 48 In x 24 Out, 64 In x 40 Out, 96 In x 48 Out.

Ignite News Workflow


Levels Of Redundancy

The flawless production of a newscast is critical. The Ignite system The redundancy of the Ignite system also permits operators to
offers partial and full-redundancy options to ensure that operators execute one show on air while prepping another with a secondary
keep those programs on air without a hitch. These options provide workstation. This capability allows personnel to preview a show
for switchover capabilities for keyboard, mouse, and monitors before it goes to air.
(KVM), control, video, and audio for all CPUs, video and audio
frames, and work stations. Through it all, the Ignite system’s tri-monitor display gives the
operator a complete graphical picture of all automation and manual
The three basic Ignite system configurations are: controls without having to navigate into sub-menus, making
operations that much easier and intuitive.
• Single, which includes one set of CPUs, video and audio frames
• Partially redundant, which includes redundant CPUs and one set
of video and audio frames
• Fully redundant, which includes redundant CPUs and redundant
video and audio frames

Manual Machine & Audio Control Event Timeline, Rundown List, Video Switching & DVE Control
CG List, Breaking News &
Teleprompting
A tri-monitor display provides an Ignite operator with full program status at a glance.

Ignite News Workflow


Easy Sequence Programming

Programming a production sequence into an Ignite system does When it’s necessary to depart from a pre-planned format, an Ignite
not require mastery of an arcane coding language. Instead, the operator can use the more than 300 show-builder or late-breaking
system uses transition macro elements (TMEs), graphical icons that news (LBN) keys of the Ignite system. LBNs are pre-built production
represent full production functions. TMEs are akin to a television events that an operator can insert onto an event timeline. These
director’s commands, such as “Take camera 1 with mic 2 up,” events range from simple camera shots with an appropriate
”Dissolve to still store,” and “Insert key.” microphone level to an eight-box effect with multiple microphones
and graphic layers.
TMEs can represent complex events using multiple source effects
and key layers. Whatever a director would call can be represented By using LBNs, an operator can manually execute a production
with a TME. An operator can define parameters such as video until the station’s pre-planned format can be rejoined. Stations can
source, video clip ID, CG page, switcher transition desired, and also program QUICbox controller keys to function as LBN keys—or
audio levels. perform a manual override using the Ignite system’s graphical user
interface.
During production, as the timeline of the TMEs executes an event,
the Ignite system’s hardware, switcher, audio console, CG, video Whether using LBN keys through the Ignite system or the QUICbox
server, and other devices execute the event as planned. The TME controller—performing a manual override using the Ignite system’s
learning curve for an experienced director or technical director is interface—all methods provide audio and video source choices and
very short. transitions, enabling an operator to manually execute the production
until the pre-planned format can be rejoined.

TME Describing
On-Air Event

P/P

Audi
On-Air Event
Load

Transition Macro Elements (TME) are graphical

icons that, when grouped, represent an
on-air event style as a template. This template
is populated with source ID information such
as video clip ID, CG ID, switcher transition type
and duration, and audio levels in addition to
any other requisites for composing the event.

Live RT1

Ignite News Workflow


Scripted Programming

Most news operations employ a newsroom computer system But news production is a highly dynamic process and the Ignite
(NRCS) to lay out their shows using a scripted rundown. The system is well-tuned to provide a high degree of flexibility for fast-
Ignite system interfaces to most NRCS platforms through the MOS paced newscasts. When a change is made in the rundown, an Ignite
protocol. The process starts when a director codes TMEs into the operator can immediately accept the changes, or choose to wait to
producer’s rundown on the newsroom computer; an experienced review them. And an operator can re-import a rundown at any time
director can code a 30-minute newscast in about 10 minutes. The during a production without affecting what is currently on air; this
director then converts these rundown commands—or rundown technology also allows for an immediate transition from one live
converts them—into the Ignite system. program to the next without breaking away.

Once the TME timeline is loaded, the Ignite system displays a Operators can also deal with breaking changes by inserting LBN
graphical representation of the coded show on its center monitor. keys with a click of a mouse or a press of a button. Navigating
Any misspellings, conflicts, or erroneous TME information is flagged around the rundown list gives operators the ability to drop, add,
so the director can correct the problem prior to going live. skip, or float stories. Ignite directors can even make manual
adjustments on the switcher interface, as well as perform manual
To direct a show, an Ignite operator triggers a cursor to cross the audio adjustments and change any command of a TME anytime
series of production events, which are color-coded by their general during a show.
function (i.e., camera shots, sound-on-tape sequences, voiceovers,
full-page graphics, double boxes, and more).

The transition macro event timeline allows an Ignite operator to assemble TMEs in a preferred order as dictated by the
newsroom computer system rundown or by a director executing a non-scripted show.

Ignite News Workflow


Going Unscripted

In addition to highly scripted events such as newscasts, the Ignite For on-the-fly production, such as a live entertainment segment, an
system excels at handling non-scripted events such as election operator can turn to the QUICbox controller. This tactile-interface
coverage, talk shows, game shows, and live entertainment panel provides immediate event control, which makes directing
segments. The Ignite system enables an operator to cope with without a script or rundown even easier. An operator can pre-
unscripted material in multiple ways. program the controller with simple or complex TMEs and LBN keys
to provide audio- and video-source choices and transitions to work
First and foremost, an operator always has the option of punching a manually for the duration of a program, or until a pre-planned
show on the switcher and audio mixer manually. The Ignite system format can be rejoined.
supports this approach completely.
The QUICbox controller also provides an operator with simple
Alternatively, an operator can handle changes by inserting elements manual audio and video source control. Whether operating from
such as LBN keys through a mouse-click on standard TMEs the rundown or on the fly, this kind of inherent flexibility makes the
displayed on the center monitor of the Ignite interface. As with Ignite system a perfect fit for any fast-paced newscast.
breaking-news events, outlined earlier, the operator can easily drop,
add, skip or float stories using the mouse.

Ignite News Workflow


Summary

The Ignite integrated production system gives television newsrooms • Increase programming opportunities through the addition of day
a cost-effective means to cost effectively create high-quality, highly parts and, most importantly add, new channel-like opportunities
consistent news and live entertainment programming. It does so by virtue of its single-workflow, multi-distribution capabilities
through its ability to:
• Deliver greater production efficiencies (less equipment
• Improve program quality through tighter pacing and a more maintenance and depreciation) thereby lowering operating
consistent on-air look—regardless of who’s directing a show expenses while also increasing a station’s programming
capabilities, resulting in a strong investment return
• Help stations shift people from content shuffling to content
creation, thus making the most of their talent investments

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