radio broadcasting system - world development …wdfindia.org/radio broadcasting system.pdf ·...

Radio Broadcasting System Manual Designed and Developed by

(http://wdfindia.org/manual.pdf) World Development Foundation

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Radio Broadcasting System

For

Software for Radio Automation (Scheduling, Playback & Report Generation)

User Manual

Designed and developed by

World Development Foundation Plot 5, Sector-3 Dwarka, New Delhi

http://wdfindia.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +91 11 25082764

http://wdfindia.org/

mailto:[email protected]



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Radio Broadcasting System

1. General

Present-day radio stations are successfully following the ever faster development of IT and incorporating its contributions in everyday work. Private commercial Radio Stations of modern time use complete digital chain. However, it is possible to use a hybrid system, using analog mixing cum on-air console and have the benefit of digital storage and processing. In this system, it is possible to record, store, preserve and broadcast the audio in the digital form. For this automation software is required. Most automation systems today offer the same basic set of features or functions. They all allow scheduling and play back audio from a Hard disk based PC system that is recorded in the system via CD, microphone or from the studios. The software allows instant playback of items and they all offer some type of production interface. In addition to the basic features required, many systems offer options and features to fit the needs of a Radio station’s unique situation.

Every modern radio station must have following components:

Components for preparing and processing radio programme

The system for digital production and broadcasting of the programme

Database containing the data necessary for the storage of meta data

Broadcasting of the radio programme through a scheduler A typical radio station is shown below (Fig. 1): Basically it has studios, a transmitter and a tower which holds antenna and cable. The studios are used to record the programmes from the artists, do the post production and then store it in a database. The presenter or anchor then decides the sequence of programme to be broadcasted in a transmission session on a day (scheduling) and then plays back this one by one mixing this with his voice. This is done using a software like RBS. The programme (audio) is then sent to Transmitter through a processor which enhances the quality. The transmitter converts the audio to a higher frequency (RF or radio frequency). This RF is then sent to the air using an antenna which is connected to the transmitter sing a RF cable. The listener uses a FM receiver to get the signal and recover the audio which can be listened by him.



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Fig.1 Typical broadcast system

2. About RBS

World Development Foundation (WDF) has developed a radio automation package known as “Radio Broadcasting System” (RBS) (Fig. 2) that provides all these functionality. RBS is fully integrated radio automation software which turns the PC into a fully automated radio station. The only thing a station has to do is to import the audio files into the correct database, enter the metadata such as programme title, expert’s name, royalty details etc., schedule them and RBS will play them in the desired sequence. It combines research with cutting-edge technology to bring the power, features, and reliability that professional broadcasters require. RBS takes control of all aspects of radio station and makes the broadcasting professional while saving the time and money. With the flexibility, compatibility, and strong support network, RBS is specially developed keeping in view the needs of Community and Commercial radio stations..

Radio stations, whether community or commercial, need to broadcast commercial advertisements. RBS has provision for mixing the advertisements with other programmes while making a play list. Station promos, effects, special broadcasts can also be included in the play list. It is also possible to generate daily production sheets and details of advertisement broadcasts for billing.

Broadcast System

Transmitter

Studio

Recording Scheduling

and

Playback

Listener 1 Listener 2 Listener

n

Digital storage



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RBS is simple, easy to operate, focused for community and small commercial stations and can be easily personalized which includes incorporating radio station’s logo, its name etc. WDF can also help in customizing the application for special individual needs.

RBS can play a 24 hour automated radio station program with playlists, promos, jingles, advertisements etc. Database can be safeguarded by making easy database backups. It is also possible to edit the database. This gives program directors, technicians, etc. a very powerful and versatile tool to accomplish day to day routine scheduling, editing, etc.

The major components are given below:

In Windows/All Programmes select RBS. The opening screen (Fig. 2) pops out.

Fig.2 RBS software: Opening Screen

The opening screen shifts to login screen (Fig. 3) in a few seconds without user interaction.



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Fig.3 Login Screen

Log in to the system using the user id and password allotted by the system administrator. The first screen on logging is the Welcome Screen (shown in Fig. 4) which shows the various components of the RBS system.

Fig.4 Welcome Screen



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On the top horizontal menu (Fig. 5), it has following options:

Fig. 5 Top Menu of Welcome Screen

File

Studio

Programmes

Commercial

Promo

Tools

Option/Utility

On the vertical side (Fig. 6), it has following options:

Studio

Lock

Backup

Restore

Help

Fig. 6 Vertical Screen



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On the bottom of the Welcome Screen (Fig. 7), the text shows “name of the logged in user”, his status (Administrator or announcer), date and time.

Fig. 7 Bottom of the Welcome Screen

File menu of the Welcome Screen has three options:

Log in

Log Out

Exit

Selecting Studio on Welcome screen provides screen shown in Fig. 8.

After Log in, User can go to the Studio from right menu also which is the heart of the RDS Software. The screen is shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8: Studio Screen

It will be seen that this is basically having multiple screens. Screen F (Fig. 8.1) allows selection of previously stored Playlist/programs/commercials/promos. It also has facility



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for switching to the main screen, invoking a recorder/ invoking internet/ help/ contact us or exit screen. On appropriate selection, program/commercials/promos stored in database are displayed in screen A (Fig. 8.2). Any one of them may be selected and brought to screen B (Fig. 8.3). The play list is prepared in Screen C (Fig. 8.4). Either it can be played instantly or stored for later play back. If a Playlist is selected, it is displayed in the screen C. On play back the history is displayed in screen D (Fig. 8.5).

Fig. 8.1 Selection screen

Fig. 8.2 Display screen



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Fig. 8.3 Mix of Programme/Commercial/and promo



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Fig. 8.4 Final playback list which can also be stored for future date

Fig. 8.5 History screen



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Screen A also allows searches of various programmes from the database based on the search criteria. Screen E allows control of mike and also the volume etc. Screen H shows the programme/commercial/promo being played and the position. Screen I allows customization and also placement of logo.

If we go back to the main screen, the third selection allows going to programme database. It provides two options:

Add New

Database

On Selection of Add New, Screen 9 gets displayed.

Fig. 9: Adding new programmes into Database

It is a simple screen for adding details of metadata about new programmes such as Title of the programme. Name of the programme, Category (Farming), Sub Category (Organic farming), Anchor, Accompanists, Expert’s name, Language of the programme, Right owner etc. The metadata is to be entered for each programme for search, scheduling and playback.

On selecting database from the Programmes menu of Welcome Screen, the Screen 10 gets displayed.



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Fig. 10: Programme database

The main screen shows the details of the programmes in the database namely Title, Programme name, right etc. On the top of the screen, facility for sorting on programme name, right, category etc. has been provided. There is also facility for playback of a programme. Any programme can be deleted from this screen, or added by invoking the previous screen (Fig. 9) from here.

The fourth and fifth menus of the main screen are for commercials and promos which allow similar facilities for adding new commercials/promos and viewing their databases. The screens are shown in Figs. 11 to 16.



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Fig. 11: Screen for adding new commercials

The details about the new Agency can be entered in the screen shown in Fig. 12. This can also be done using the link Welcome Screen/(Option/utility)/Add Agency

Fig. 12: Form for entering new agency details

The details about the new Company can be entered in the screen shown in Fig. 13. This can also be done using the link Welcome Screen/(Option/utility)/Add Company



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Fig. 13: Form for entering new company details

The Screen Welcome Screen/Commercial/Database takes to the screen at Fig. 14. This screen shows the list of commercials and also allows searching using various fields and parameters.

Fig. 14: Screen for commercial database



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The navigation Welcome Screen/Promo provides two options Add Promo and Database. The option Add Promo takes to screen shown in Fig. 15

Fig. 15 Screen for adding new Promos

The Screen Welcome Screen/Promo/Database takes to the screen at Fig. 16. This screen shows the list of promos and also allows searching using various fields and parameters.

Fig. 16: Screen for Promo database



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The 6th menu of the main screen provides two facilities:

Start Ripping (Fig. 17)

Start Editing (Fig. 18)

Start Ripping

This allows song tracks to be captured from CD. It uses CDex1, a utility for extracting sound files from CDs in the CD-ROM drive, and for converting WAV files into several other (compressed) formats, like the popular MP3 format (Fig. 17).

Fig.17 CDex Ripping software

1. CDex - Open Source Digital Audio CD Extractor



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Start Editing / Recording Software

RBS has two audio editing software namely based on Audacity2 (Fig.18) and its own. However, any other third party editing software can be integrated based on user’s choice.

Fig.18 Audacity audio editing software

2. Audacity® is free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/

For quick recording, the package has its own recorder which can be started from the studio screen F

The screen option /Utility provides following facilities (Fig. 19):

Report

Administration

Backup

Restore

Adjust Date/Time

Agency

Company

Help

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/



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Fig. 19 Option/utility menu

Report

RBS also enables the creation of reports on the programmes broadcasted, which can be used as a basis for paying royalties to authors and performers (Fig. 20).The report is basically a daily log sheet giving details of programmes/advertisements/promos broadcast between given two dates.

Fig. 20 RBS Report for log between two dates

The format of the reports is given in Fig.21.



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Fig. 21: Production log sheet

Commercial reports can be generated by using Screen 22

Fig. 22 Commercial Reports Menu



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A sample report is shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 23 Sample commercial report

Administration This allows creation of new user and password to be changed (Fig. 24)

Fig. 24: Changing password of users for the system



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Administrator can check the details of users role (Fig.25)

Fig. 25 Details of User Log

Administrator can also create new users by using screen 26.

Fig. 26 Creation of new user’s account

Backups

In this screen you can make a backup of your RBS databases to any device

Restore

This utility allows restoration of database



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Adjustment of date and time is possible by the screen (Fig. 27).

Fig. 27 Adjustment of date and time

Time slot rate can be entered by using screen (Fig. 28).

Fig. 28 Time slot rate



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The last screen is the help, which provides on-line manual at http://wdfindia.org/manual.pdf and also about the programme rights.

3. Technical Characteristics Work Environment: Windows 7 or higher, Web browsers: Internet Explorer /Mozilla Firefox or any other Database: MS Access Capacity: unlimited, depending on the capacity of the hardware Development Platform: Microsoft .NET Framework 4

Services Together with the installation and support of the RBS system, WDF offers:

User training

Work organization or help with the work organization

Help with the data processing or execution of the data processing

Manual data input from classical media (catalogue leaflets)

Large amount atomized manual data input and data manipulation

Digitalization

Building radio stations

Consulting

4. About World Development Foundation World Development Foundation (WDF) is a knowledge-based, global organization with a commitment to enhance the reach of mass media, communication and IT. WDF strives to empower the poor by providing education and training with the use of Radio, TV and the Internet. It also conducts research and seminars on social and economic issues. It provides consultancy and turnkey solution in the field of Broadcasting, IT and Communication.

The details can be seen at:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Articles_for_creation/World_Development_Foundation

The manual is available online at

http://wdfindia.org/manual.pdf

Please contact us on the following mail for any query:

[email protected]






mailto:[email protected]



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World Development Foundation Clients International:

Khatpat Radio, Dhangarhi, Nepal

National

Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Federal Republic of Ethiopia

Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Govt. of India

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