OnTheAir Manager
OnTheAir Manager is part of the OnTheAir Node client-server suite of products and is used to prepare the schedules, to preview the clips, check which clips are ready to air, and to take control of multiple OnTheAir Nodes and all this from a single networked workstation.
OnTheAir Manager uses a graphical calendar style interface presenting a unique and never before achieved ease of use for scheduling complex programming of single or multiple channels. If you can use iCal, you'll be able to use OnTheAir Manager.
Scheduling a TV station for 24/7 playout has never been so easy.
OnTheAir Manager can control any number of channels from one single computer. Just select the channel you want to control any immediately start modifying its schedule. As OnTheAir Manager and OnTheAir Node are built with a client-server architecture, you can even control your play out channel miles away. This is ideal for solutions where the broadcast operations (uplink to satellite, stream to internet) are in one location and the scheduling is done from a different location.
OnTheAir Manager will work with live events. Live events are as easy to schedule as a regular clip. Just create your Live event, and drag and drop it in your schedule. Live events can be handled by taking control of a video router (Blackmagic Design Videohub, AJA Kumo or most other routers). It can also be handled simply by rebroadcasting the signal that gets in the input of your card, making it a really cost effective solution.
One of the most important part of scheduling with OnTheAir Manager is to work with Attributes and categories. Attributes are "secondary events". With attributes you can do many things, from a GPI trigger, to controlling a Character Generator or a Video router. Attributes are very interesting when used together with Categories. You can create as many categories as you want, assign them a colour, but also set its default attributes. For example you can set that the commercial category gets no logo overlay, so your users don't have to remember to turn off logos for commercials.
To ensure trouble free play out, OnTheAir Manager provides detailed reports of potential problems such as overrun and underrun conditions as well as offline clips. This would allow the operator to quickly address the possible issues before they happen. You can for example export a list of all the clips that are still not ready for the next 24 hours and give that list to the person in charge so that she makes sure all the clips get ready in time for broadcast.
The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) option allows you to set various information for specific programs. You can then provide your broadcaster with an XML file holding all this information. Your broadcaster will then insert this info to be displayed on the viewer's TVs, providing continuously updated scheduling information for current and upcoming programming. The EPG option can be customised to fit each country's requirements.
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Support is included in our permanent licenses. There are no recurring fees.
Softron has a worldwide network of highly skilled specialists ready to assist.
Setting up our software is simple and straightforward. But we are always happy to help.
Our customers love our products and our support.
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Make sure to test with our free DEMO version available for download before purchasing so you are sure it fits your need. In DEMO mode, the application will allow you to create and edit your schedule, but not send it to OnTheAir Node. That's the only limitation and difference. After your test, you will keep on using the same application, just with the demo mode unlocked.
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| Playback Features |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| Read the audio and video playback features of OnTheAir Node |
| Media Management |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| Automatic relink when a file becomes online or offline | |
| File validation | |
| Duplicate Clip in Media Browser | |
| Set Attributes, and clip trimming can be propagated to all occurrences in playlists and events | |
| Database with all file informations available (Duration, Format, Metadata, …) | |
| Manual refresh for Xsan integration |
| Schedule |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| Create as many schedule as needed | |
| Assign to each schedule a Main and Backup OnTheAir Node for redundancy | |
| Calendar User Interface | |
| Show simultaneously up to 10 days of schedule | |
| Zoom in or out to show small events | |
| Validate Schedule and export a list of all possible issues (Offline files, missing playlists, Underrun, Overrun) | |
| Send the same schedule to multiple OnTheAir Node (for redundancy) |
| Events and Playlists |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| Repeat Events (every day, week, weekdays, weekends) | |
| Duplicate Events and playlists | |
| Replace Clips (one occurrence, all occurrences in a playlist, or all occurrences in a schedule) | |
| Last second change possible | |
| Preset duration for events and playlists with warning and live update in case of underrun or overrun | |
| Live events support (Control a Video router or take the input of the card - only AJA) |
| External Controls Can control (through OnTheAir Node Attributes) |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| GPI triggers (with GPICommander connected in USB) | |
| Blackmagic-Design Videohub (Ethernet) | |
| AJA Kumo (Ethernet) | |
| Other video routers: Grass Valley, Leitch, Kramer… (RS232 or Ethernet) | |
| OnTheAir CG (fEthernet) |
| Other features |
OnTheAir Manager
|
|---|---|
| As-run-logs | |
| Authentication to take control of the playback | |
| Database can be placed on a shared storage for access (one user at a time) from multiple computers. |
Important: the information below is for OnTheAir Manager only, read also the OnTheAir Node specifications to know what is required for the playout part.
| Version |
Sequoia
15.00
|
Sonoma
14.00
|
Ventura
13.00
|
Monterey
12.00
|
Big Sur
11.00
|
Catalina
10.15
|
Mojave
10.14
|
High Sierra
10.13
|
Sierra
10.12
|
El Capitan
10.11
|
Yosemite
10.10
|
Mavericks
10.9
|
| 4.0 | ||||||||||||
| 3.2 to 3.3 | ||||||||||||
| 3.0 to 3.1 | ||||||||||||
| 1.0 |
| Required Version by some macOS Version | macOS 10.13 to macOS 10.15: Version 3.2 or later (For dongle compatibility) macOS 11 or later: Version 4.0 or later (Because of UI glitches in the playlist playback controls) |
|||
| Recommended macOS (for latest version) | macOS 10.15.5 or later* | |||
| Supported Mac computers | All Macs should be supported. Just make sure that it supports the required macOS version (see above) | |||
| Recommended RAM | 4 GB | |||
| Supported Graphics Cards | All graphics cards supported | |||
| Supported Outputs and codecs | No output needed, OnTheAir Manager 'only' create a schedule to be played by OnTheAir Node. Make sure to check OnTheAir Node's system requirements for the video playout side (). | |||
| Compatible Storage | Most storage that can sustain the required constant read speed (depending on the number of channels, the codec and format). If you need to run tests, make sure to do long term tests. OnTheAir Manager only needs access to the media | |||
| Requires Monitor Connected | Yes. Even if it should behave fine in most cases, it is recommended to keep a monitor connected at all times for best performances. Or you should make the macOS think that there is a monitor connected. Beware of some KVM switches that can cause interrupts in the signal. | |||
| Number of license required | One complete license required per computer. One license can handle multiple schedules and OnTheAir Nodes. | |||
| Other software requirements | Again, OnTheAir Manager does not output video, you will need at least one license (one per output channel) of OnTheAir Node. OnTheAir Manager will allow you to create your schedule, and OnTheAir Node to play them out. | |||
We know that some of our users can not upgrade their macOS very often. This is why Softron tries to maintain compatibility with older versions of macOS as much as possible, but it is not always possible to achieve. Because Operating Systems are usually significantly improved over previous versions, Softron must use many of the more capable built-in functionalities inherent in Apple's latest OS releases. Failing to do so would mean that Softron software would essentially be blocked from using the new Frameworks provided in the OS. For this reason, Softron's free support is provided only on the current and previous macOS versions. Also, most of our tests will be done on these macOS versions, and only basic tests will be done on the previous OS. We will always try to help, but in some cases, the best solution is to upgrade your macOS to a more recent version.
Softron does not warrant that these recommended configurations will always meet specific user requirements. They are intended as guidelines and are based on extensive testing that Softron has done, they can be changed without notice. Hardware, drivers, software and operating systems change regularly and we advise users and prospective users to evaluate their requirements in their specific environment/workflow using Softron demo licenses that are available for downloading from Softron's web site.
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OnTheAir Manager 4
Version 4.0.4 - 21 March 2024
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Download |
Useful Resources
- Pre-Release versions
- Release Notes
- FAQ
- User Manual
- Help Center: Includes a lot of useful information, sometimes not available in the user manual.
- YouTube Channel
Installation instructions
Once downloaded, unzip the file, and drag and drop the Application in your Applications Folder.
You will need at least one running and configured OnTheAir Node to use OnTheAir Manager. OnTheAir Node is a paid application (one license per output channel). OnTheAir Tools is a free application that will analyse as-run-logs (the scheduling feature is only for OnTheAir Studio and OnTheAir Video)
OnTheAir Node
Playout server
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OnTheAir Tools 1.34
9 December 2019
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DEMO Limitations
OnTheAir Manager can not send schedules to OnTheAir Node but you can build schedules. (Send us an email to ask for a temporary serial number to test it)
How to unlock the DEMO version ?
Purchase a license through one of our resellers or the Softron online store, then just activate your serial number in the License window or plug your dongle in the computer.
Upgrade/Update instructions
Just download the latest version and replace your previous version. It is always recommended to run extensive tests with your specific workflow and setup before putting a new version in production. You can use a free demo version for that on a separate computer. Previous legacy versions are available from the general downloads page.
You do not need to deactivate and reactivate your serial number when updating your Softron software. Read the following article to know when to deactivate.
This software uses code of FFmpeg, licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here.
Copyright
This software uses code of FFmpeg, licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here.
This software uses the MediaInfo library, Copyright (c) 2002-2023 MediaArea.net SARL.