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Viz Multichannel User Guide

Version 4.2 | Published July 31, 2023 ©

Playout

Playlist Importer

images/download/attachments/72090907/diagrams_vizmultichannel-setup-playout.png

Component Placement

A second Viz Multichannel application is typically installed in the master control room (MCR) for monitoring purposes and manual update of data. It can also be used for manual playout. This installation also includes a local Viz Engine for preview purposes.

Integrated with an automation system, Viz Multichannel can import its schedule(s) and allow the automation system to control the playout of video and graphics without any manual intervention.

The following software components must be installed on the machine in the MCR:

  • Viz Multichannel client

  • Viz Engine (local preview)
    Viz Multichannel’s Schedule Collector and importer must be installed alongside the Media Sequencer. Note that you may install the Media Sequencer, Schedule Collector and Playlist Importer on the Viz Engine program machine.

The Schedule Collector collects and outputs scheduled events, typically from the automation system, which the Playlist Importer imports into the Media Sequencer for the Viz Multichannel operator in the MCR to see. Final mapping of events into the Vizrt playlist is done using the Viz Multichannel client.

Video clip transfers from Viz One to the Viz Engine program machine are initiated by the Media Sequencer once the playlist is activated.

The following software components are in use:

  • Viz Multichannel’s Schedule Collector (SCC)

  • Viz Multichannel’s Playlist Importer (PLI)

  • Viz Engine (program and preview)

  • Media Sequencer

    Note: Collection of events from scheduling systems is not currently supported by the Schedule Collector. This is done using the Viz Multichannel client in scheduling mode.

    This section covers:

Installation of Viz Multichannel

Viz Multichannel in the master control room must be connected to Viz Engines for program and preview output; however, a Viz Engine is often required for local preview in addition. Ensure that Viz Engines are ready before starting the installation steps below.

Since a Viz Engine is also used for local preview by the Page Editor, a VGA version must be installed.

IMPORTANT! Ensure that clocks on all machines in the installation are synchronized. It is also recommended to set all date formats on all machines to the same format.

Install the Viz Multichannel Client

  1. Start the Viz Multichannel installer.

  2. Click Next.

  3. Select Complete and click Next. Select Custom if a different install path is required.

  4. Click Install.

  5. Click Finish.

Install Viz Engine

  1. Start the Viz Artist/Viz Engine installer.

  2. Click Next. Check the I accept the terms in the License Agreement check box and click Next

  3. Click VGA.

  4. Click Next. Select features and/or a different install path if required.

  5. Click Install.

  6. Click Finish.

Installation of Viz Engine Machines for Playout

It is recommended to install Viz Multichannel’s Schedule Collector, Playlist Importer, and Media Sequencer on the same machine as the Viz Engine defined as your program output channel.

IMPORTANT! Ensure that clocks on all machines in the installation are synchronized. It is also recommended to set all date formats on all machines to the same format.

Install the Schedule Collector

  1. Start the Viz Multichannel Schedule Collector installer.

  2. Click Next.

  3. Click Next. Select a different install path if required.

  4. Click Install.

  5. Click Finish.

Install the Playlist Importer

  1. Start the Viz Playlist Importer installer.

  2. Click Next.

  3. Click Next. Select a different install path if required.

  4. Click Install.

  5. Click Finish.

Install Media Sequencer

  1. Start the Media Sequencer installer.

  2. Click Next.

  3. Click Next. Select features and/or a different install path if required.

  4. Click Install. Put shortcuts on the desktop if required.

  5. Click Finish.

Install Viz Engine (program and preview)

Viz Engines used as your program and preview output channels can easily switch roles, hence, you should always have two Video versions installed.

  1. Start the Viz Artist/Viz Engine installer.

  2. Click Next. Check the I accept the terms in the License Agreement check box and click Next

  3. Click Video.

  4. Click Next. Select features and/or a different install path if required.

  5. Click Install.

  6. Click Finish.

Configuration of Channels with channels.ini

In order for the Master Control Room machine(s) that use the MCR-mode of Multichannel to have access to all channels, you must populate its channels.ini file with all channels defined on the Media Sequencer machine(s). If the channel.ini configuration file is not present or incorrectly formatted, the Multichannel GUI in MCR-mode will abort startup with an error message.

Configure channels.ini

  1. In Windows Explorer, locate the Viz Multichannel’s directory where the channels.ini is:

    • For Windows XP this would normally be:

    • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Vizrt\Multichannel\channels.ini

    • For Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 and higher (64-bit Windows) this will normally be:

    • %ProgramData%\vizrt\Multichannel\channels.ini

  2. Open the channels.ini file in the text editor of your choice.

    • The file could be empty if not previously configured.

  3. Enter each channel as a separate line in the text file.

    • The format is: ChannelName=<IP address> or <hostname>

    • Example: If you have two channels named channel1 and channel2 then the content of channels.ini would be (using a random example IP-address):

      channel1=10.10.10.10
      channel2=20.20.20.20

  4. Save and close the file. Note: The channels.ini is a normal text file so make sure you save the file as type text.

  5. Add -msehost none to your Viz Multichannel shortcut as explained in Startup Parameters.

Enabling Logging

Logging will help you troubleshoot issues that may occur. Note that the log produced by Viz Multichannel only shows what the Media Sequencer attempted to play out (and not what was actually played out).

For more information on how to format output, see the Media Sequencer manual. See also Logging.

Enable Logging

  • On the Media Sequencer machine, create the following folder path: %ProgramData%\Vizrt\Media Sequencer to generate a Daily Log.

See Also