Software and hardware tools for TV programs graphic branding

By Andrey Tsikhon

Review contents:

CGs yesterday, today and tomorrow Software and hardware tools for TV programs graphic branding Graphic tools of DMS module system The use of XDR2-GENSEC in the systems of regional air branding Akula VTM video compositing system. New model range — new features Profitt’s titling and air branding systems, clock and logo generators Overview of the systems based on extended version of Alpha Pro software X-CG character generator — good choice for titles creation TitleBox graphic manager Clock Station Leitch’s equipment for air branding Matrox InfonetTV Deko CGs from Pinnacle Systems Company Pixel Power equipment Stream Labs.’s video cards Videoprinter system for DSC video switchers Videonics titling machines

DIP Company during last ten years produces software and hardware Windows/PC based means for graphic branding of TV translations. Over this time a highly integrated team of programmers and graphic card developers have collected sufficient experience which serves as a foundation for new generation of such systems.

PKV video graphics card

PKV video graphics cards are produced as series 10x and series 30x. PKV0x series cards form analog video signals and PKV30x form digital SDI video signals. Analog video signals conform to the 720×576 graphic images with 32 bit color depth 8 bit of which are reserved for alpha channel. Digital video signal with the same resolution have 10 bit quantization.

Each series includes cards which offer user possibility of optimal choice based on a set of functional and pricing parameters. PKV101 models produce composite PAL video signal, PKV102 — composite PAL and S-Video video signals, PKV103 — PAL, S-Video, YUV and RGB signals. All mentioned models have integrated mixer for mixing in the graphics into incoming video signals from external sources. Operation of cards with external mixer in editing or master control facilities is provided by reference signal input and video signal with alpha channel output. PKV304 card dedicated for work with external SDI mixer only. PKV301 has internal digital mixer SDI which analyzes EDH flags of input signal and recalculates flags and embeds them into output signal with overlaid graphics. All the cards with integrated mixer work without decoding of passing through video signals in full bandwidth and with preserving of teletext, testing lines and other service information in VBI interval.

PKV10x & 30x Series video graphics cards

New PKV105 card development is getting finished. This card will allow overlaying color graphics onto passing through SECAM signal. Digital methods of decoding, mixing and signal generating are used.

All cards are compatible with Windows95/98/NT/2000/XP operational systems. There is a possibility of SDK providing for application development.

Title Master Pro II character generator

Previous version of Title Master Pro is well known to many TV companies of Russian and CIS countries. New Title Master Pro II product saved all positive moments of its predecessor and gained new features which concern advanced possibilities of modern computers.

Title Master Pro II editing window

The software of a system works as Windows application and has two modes: titles creation mode and titles output to TV screen mode. Titles consist of text and graphics. The images displayed on both PC and TV screens are being forming and updating independently from each other.

In the editing mode user print a text upon WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) principle. Titles on the PC screen are presented exactly in that style in which they will be displayed on the TV screen.

Titles style setup window

Rendering operations in a process of titles creation are going mostly invisible for user. Titles are grouped into pages each of which conforms to TV screen. Total volume of a project can reach 10,000 pages.

Text style is based on TrueType fonts and styles themselves have many editable parameters such as shadows, antialiasing and borders. Double effects, blur shadows and borders are possible (see fig.). Style created can be grouped into named collections which are dedicated to individual or shared usage by graphics artists. To perform quick operations one can use importing for a text buffer of operation system with automated style appliance.

Graphic components of titles are formed by importing of graphics files of mostly any format including 32 bit resolution files. Avi type files are imported and played out with animation with upgradable screen’s size up to 1/4. Graphics files are included into collection of a project being edited and can be played out both to its own pages and to all pages of a project.

For titles output there is wide range of patterns including traditional rolls, crawls, page peels and sequences according to script and locked to the exact time.

Rolls and crawls played out in pre-defined window outside of which static texts and graphics are placed. For page replacement there is wide set of effects. Output of dynamically changing titles doesn’t require rendering and can be initiated immediately after file of project loading.

The titles created in Title Master Pro II allow including of clock, temperature, moisture, pressure and other elements to be displayed. Data for that are fed through RS-232 or in a form of time code through the sound card or via local network (TCP/IP). As the sources of data to be displayed a use of appropriate modules of DMS systems recommended.

According to function continuity conception for previous version of the Title Master Pro there is a possibility to import files created earlier. Also hot keys sequences are saved. Title Master Pro II is constantly being enhancing according to users opinions.

Line Master multichannel CG

Many regional TV companies for their business models have chosen rolls, crawls and commercial logos for advertising which are overlaid onto re-broadcasted federal programs. The guarantee of economical success in this case is concentration of all hardware and software tools within minimal set if computers. For this purpose the LineMaster specialized software application is offered. The main feature of this application is simultaneous executing of several separate schedules for titled advertisement playout by means of a single PC which carries 3…4 PKV series cards. To further extend number of channels one should install additional PCs with PKV cards and connect them into local networks controlled from single LineMaster application. The idea of such system development was offered by several broadcasters mostly simultaneously and now it is effective and at the same time easy to use tool.

LineMaster main window

Titles playout is being realized for each channel in accordance with its own predefined schedule. Titles may contain crawl, animated logo, and digital values of temperature/time/pressure/moisture. A schedule contains a list of titled programs for sequential playout according to time marking and type of trigger. A line for each program includes file list on a base of which a graphics is being formed.

The following trigger types are defined:

• With user defined shift from a previous program;
• On absolute time;
• By user command.

As a time etalon for schedule synchronization computer’s timer is used as well as external LTC time code or network Ethernet packages. A preparation of a text for crawls is performed in Word text processor with a definition of line symbol’s style. Any format graphics files are used for commercial logos. Both texts and schedules can be created on remote PCs and be imported in to LineMaster application via network. To display values of temperature, pressure and moisture the use of appropriate DMS system modules is recommended.

Time9M air clock

In our country we have a strong tradition of TV channel branding by means of full screen clock-face clock. DIP Company has been staying at the beginning of this tradition. Then back in the middle of 1990th on the ORT channel a first air clock appeared which was created computer based by DIP Company. Since then tens of Russian and CIS broadcasters successfully use air clock application which now has Time9M base name. There is no possibility within single article to show screen shots of even a part of installation. Let’s just recall TV companies’ names with Time9M software in use: “1st channel”, “Kultura”, NTV, “Peterburg”, RTR, TNT, “Rustavi”, “Tatarstan”, “Khabar” and many others.

Base configuration of Time9M with static background and audio accompaniment requires PKV cards. Time9M2 version provides animated background of one minute duration cycle with precise background and audio accompaniment synchronization. In purpose of animated background creation the Time9M2 is integrated with any popular video cards such as Matrox and dpsReality as leaders. In such configuration PKV card overlay arrow and clock-face clock elements onto animated background.

External LTC time code source or computer timer or Ethernet network packages can be used as a time etalon. When there are several time etalon sources than the priority for the source is defined by configuration preset.

In fact Time9M application is a tool for different design solutions realization. In most cases user can create and modify clock design by itself.

InterPhone application for phone poll results display

InterPhone software is dedicated to gathering, processing and graphic display of the phone polls results for viewers in real time during live air. The viewers are requested to choose appropriate answer for the question by calling to related phone number. Polls results are reported to viewers by means of forming of TV image consisting of different diagrams modified during polling process.

IntelPhone system in work

InterPhone system consists of two components: IPTel and IPGraph. First one provides receiving of calls to three numbers onto modems installed into PC. The call is being interpreting as a choice of appropriate answer. Call registration is being performing automatically via imitation of receiver pickup and drop down for one long tone duration after which a line is cleared for the next call. IPTel component provides a bandwidth of up to 20 calls per minute via each input line. If the call intensity and answers number exceeds limits the operators with multichannel phone numbers are recommended to be invited.

IPGraph display component receives data about incoming calls either from IPTel component or from communication operator via constantly upgrading text file. A style for display of polling results is being chosen by user from a big number of variants available. Base templates of graphic display are: question texts, answer texts, phone numbers, bar/line/ring diagrams of different types. Additional ideas of graphic display which user may has appeared may obtain their implementation in further InterPhone version.

Specialized application for TV program branding

Software products described above are pretty universal tools. But technical progress and creative imagination of broadcasters often make tasks which are realized within individual projects. The list of such projects consists of such programs like “Lotto Million”, “Guess the melody”, “Dovgan Show”, “Own game”, “Two royals”, “Polundra”, “Golden Key” and others.

There are software versions for sporting programs branding for different kind of sports. Recently a tender for football translation branding system for Latvian TV was won.

The individual development of a system for TV displaying of SMS according to Internet chat pages style is finished. Viewers are offered to send SMS from cell phones to defined number of link operator. SMS are directed via Internet to the PC with Infon software installed which automatically displays a SMS sequence on the screen. The SMS contains author’s name and each new SMS added to the end of list while list itself is rolled in the window on a TV screen. There is a function for scheduled banner playout.

Material provided by DIP Company