ABR202A Automation Trigger

[Joe Piazza]

My mom once told me there were no dumb questions, so here we go....

We just hooked up an Tiernan ABR202A receiver to get satellite programming. We're getting audio and everything is working fine, but now we need to prepare for triggering the automation system for commercial spots.

The automation system is the RCS Player 101 (previously PSI 101). We already have the satellite module activated. The last missing link is the cable that goes from the receiver to the computer.

The Relay Control Port on the receiver is a DB-25 male connector. So I need a cable with a DB-25 Female end to go into the receiver, but the big question is how does the other end go into the computer. The PC running the automation only has USB plugs and a typical 1/8" audio plug (no DB-25 serial port).

So I guess the real question is how do these trigger tones sent by the satellite provider plug into the PC to trigger the automation system....via USB or via a 1/8" (3.5mm) plug?

We are currently running the audio from the receiver directly into the board, so I guess we'll also have to channel the audio through the PC so the automation silences the network when the spots are playing. Can anyone give me an idea in layman's terms on how the audio and the trigger tones go into the PC?

Obviously I am not a sound guy, and much less an Engineer. I appreciate any info you guys can provide.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

If you have a Broadcast Tools switcher, you can use it to convert your DB-25 into a RJ-11 (phone jack), which can then be converted to a DB-9 serial port using a $5 adapter. This is how every automated station I've ever worked at (and I've worked at several ) has done it.

 

[clone]

The PC running the automation only has USB plugs and a typical 1/8" audio plug (no DB-25 serial port).

Exactly what the last guy said. But if you have no DB-9 serial port (which is becoming more and more common) on the PC either, you might need to buy a USB Serial Adapter (get a big-name, the no-names can be flaky) or install a PCI serial card.

 

[ChiefOperator]

Yes, are you using a switcher? I would guess that you are. If so, which one? Usually, the switcher will accept the closures and send the start event commands to the automation PC. Please supply more information.

 

[Joe Piazza]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Clone: The PC does not have a DB-9 Serial Port. Will a USB Adapter do the trick?

PTBoardOp & Chief operator: We are not using a switcher. This is a very basic operation with a very small budget. I'm not sure how much a switcher costs, but I'm sure management will tell me "it's not in the budget, find a way around it at Radio Shack".

It's just one network on one channel feeding the receiver 24/7, so we just need a way to play some commercials using our very simple PLAYER 101 automation.

Right now we have the direct feed going from the receiver to the board, but we need to find a way to incorporate the automation into it so we can sell some commercials (and air the LEGAL ID at night when nobody is around).

Do we really need a Switcher, or is there a way around it?

 

[ChiefOperator]

Joe,

The switcher assigns different feeds to air. In the most basic set-up, the audio card output would be assigned to one input on the switcher and the network feed would be assigned to the second input on the switcher. While airing the network, the switcher would assign input 2 (network feed) to the switcher's output, which is then aired. When the network sends a closure for the local stop set, the switcher "switches" the feeds and assigns input 1 (audio card) to the output and starts the local break. That is the basic concept.

I realize that Player 101 has a satellite module, but I'm not at all familiar with the set up. As far as I can tell, the only way around the switcher is if the module is designed so that the network feed is inputed into the sound card (line-in) and then feeds through the line out. The switching would occur inside the computer. Basically, during the local breaks, the line-in (network feed) would be muted and local spots would play through the line-out of the sound card. In this case, a switcher would not be needed.

All that said, unless someone else is familiar with the program, I would suggest you contact RCS and get their input.

 

[boiseengineer]

I personally wouldn't rely on a USB Serial adaptor. Many times I've had to unplug/plug-in a USB device when it stops responding. Wans't at all reliable with the SS32 & W2K. Trying to get software to recognize the USB COM Port was the bigger issue.

Still, you might have to try more than one brand of Serial PCI card. Once I get one working it doesn't miss a closure.

 

[kyscott]

Check with your vender. According to the RCS website, there should be a GPI module sent with the satellite package. I don't know what this module is or what it looks like since the website is very vague about this and I have never worked with the RCS sytem, but generally they allow contact closures from the reciever to control the computer. I'm guessing it's either a card that goes in the computer or an outboard box that will interface the contact closures to the USB interface like the Measurement Computing USB-1208LS.

One other thing I would suggest, RCS has a moderated forum on their website. I would join it. I have joined BSI's, Enco's and Prophet's forums. There are lots of people in these places that work with this brand of software that can give you tips and info you won't find hardly anywhere else. And if you find something new, you can share it with the discussion, too.

 

[rfburns]

The DB-25 connector on the ABR202 will give you relay closures to trigger the local breaks / IDs / etc. on the automation system. You will need some way to interface that to the automation system. I'm not familiar with your system, but most use some type of I/O card that plugs into one of the PCI slots in the computer, or an external interface box that plugs into a USB port. As suggested, you need to contact RCS and see what they recommend.

RFB