• Fully Automatic or Manual workflow to produce a Visual Radio live video channel.

Figure 1 – VJ Pro Architecture

• VJ Pro is virtually compatible with any video and file format: DV, HDV, DVCPRO, MJPEG, MPEG-2, TS, MPG, VOB, H.264, H.265, AV1, MP4, QuickTime, PRORES, DNxHD, AVI, WMV, ASF, MXF, XDCAM, IMX, GXF, LXF, FLV, MKV, WebM, HuffYUV, VP8, VC3, JPEG2000, DPX in any resolution or frame rate with automatic adaption.
• Video Playout and Capture – 2 channels playout with video mixing/crossfade/effects. Perfect Audio/Video synch 1 channel recording.
• Graphics engine – Multi-layer CG for graphic generation with Fill and Key. Automatic titling (song author and title). Animations, logo, Ticker, Clock, etc. RSS feeds, Weather information, News, etc.).
• Free CG Composer software for graphic layout creation.
• User Interface – Smart GUI for manual control of graphics, layouts, video switcher, cameras, recorder, and studio switch. Hardware Instant keyboard with 64 hotkeys.
• Video Switcher control – Native integration with Atem, VMIX, Tricaster, etc. Connection: SDI/NDI/Stream (according to video switcher features). TCP/IP and serial connection.
• Integrations with external/third-party products are typically part of a Visual Radio setup:
• Radio Automation – Native integration with DJPro and Xradio automation from AxelTech;
• Middleware module to integrate third-party Radio automation (Zenon, Netia, etc.);
• Radio Console – Native integration with Oxygen digital radio console. Custom modules to integrate third-party mixing consoles (Studer, Axia, Lawo, DHD, Wheatstone, etc.). GPIO management;
• Cameras – Camera control (Sony/Visca/Panasonic protocols). Intelligent switch for automatic camera switch (multiple configurations and rules).

Figure 2 – Audio & Video typical routing

• Advanced Audio Routing: It allows to mixing of the studio audio live contribution, microphones, with the audio track of the video clip on air. This technicality adds a big value to the Visual Radio product, making possible a user experience identical to traditional radio broadcasting.

Figure 3 – VJ Pro Advanced Audio Routing

Free tools included in VJ Pro:

• XTrimmer > Metadata injector and quality control
• CGComposer > CG template creator

Video Out:

• Supported Video Cards: BMD DeckLink, AJA, Bluefish, Deltacast;
• Resolutions: SD, HD, 4K;
• NDI outputs;
• CG KEY and FILL output;
• BMD ATEM, NEWTEK TRICASTER, VMIX and others.

Video codecs:

• MPEG 4 part 2;
• Cisco OpenH264;
• Intel Quicksync H264;
• Nvidia NVEnc H264;
• Nvidia NVEnc H264 lossless;
• Nvidia NVEnc H265;
• MPEG 1;
• MPEG 2;
• DV;
• DVCPRO;
• MJPEG;
• FLV Sorenson;
• HuffYUV;
• WMV 8;
• Google VP8;
• Apple Prores proxy, LT, 422, HQ;
• QuickTime ANIM;
• Uncompressed 422 8-bit;
• Uncompressed 422 10-bit;
• DNxHD;
• VC3;
• OPEN JPEG2000;
• DPX.

File Format Wrappers:

• Mpeg Program (MPG);
• Mpeg Transport (TS);
• MPEG4 part 14 (MP4);
• QuickTime (MOV);
• DNxHD (MOV);
• IMX MPEG4;
• MXF;
• MXF D-10 (IMX);
• GXF;
• DV;
• FLV;
• DVD VOB;
• ASF;
• iPod Mp4;
• AVI;
• Matroska (MKV);
• WebM;
• Image Sequence (DPX, PNG, JPG).

Audio Codecs:

• WAV (16, 24, 32, Cinema, signed, floating, etc…);
• MP2;
• MP3;
• AC3 (ATSC A/52A);
• AAC;
• ALAC;
• ADCPM;
• VORBIS.

Graphic Formats:

• PNG, TGA, BMP, TIFF, JPG, GIF;
• Quicktime ANIM, Prores 4:4:4:4, bitmap sequences.

“We offer advanced broadcasting technology that combines visual and social media features to enhance user engagement. As a supplier, we have provided AxelTech’s products and solutions to various broadcasting companies, ensuring seamless integration into their existing infrastructures.

We are extremely satisfied with AxelTech as a partner and supplier. Their innovative solutions have consistently exceeded our expectations. The team at AxelTech is highly professional, responsive, and dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services that meet the unique needs of our clients.

Their ability to integrate advanced technology with practical broadcasting solutions has significantly enhanced the user experience in our projects.

AxelTech has demonstrated exceptional reliability in both the quality of its products and the timeliness of its support services. We are confident in their capacity to deliver high-level projects, such as the SABC tender, and we highly recommend them without reservation.”

Bahamus Limited – Ghana

Radio2 is the flagship FM/DAB channel of RAI, focusing on entertainment with a schedule primarily composed of live shows and music performances featuring both national and international talents.

The project aimed to create a Visual Radio channel for distribution on the national DVB-T 202 channel and streaming on the Raiplay portal (https://www.raiplay.it/dirette/rairadio2). RAI Radio 2 uses Netia Radio Assist for radio automation.

AxelTech provided the Visual Radio subsystem and advisory services for the commissioning. The centralized Visual Radio Control Room was configured to go on air with one of the 6 studios equipped for Visual Radio productions, including cameras, lights, monitors, and more.

“The project’s challenge was to launch the first RAI Visual Radio channel within a short timeframe. This involved integrating with existing automation and consoles, as well as collecting and post-producing 5,000 video clips. It also required defining the channel’s branding and establishing protocols for various scenarios such as automatic on-air, live studio, news bulletins, and advertisements. AxelTech played a crucial role, going beyond being a mere supplier by leveraging their experience to proactively guide through the production start process.”

Rai Radio2 – Italy

SBS owns and operates radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Orlando, Tampa, and Puerto Rico.

SBS has decided to implement Visual Radio for some of its stations to oversee live shows. During the shows, the DJ operates the broadcast consoles, while the VJ Pro manages everything else, such as camera switching, character generation (CG), animations, and other visual elements.

They have integrated Rubicon and Axia digital broadcast consoles for this purpose.

“After conducting several POCs with other vendors, we ultimately chose AxelTech as our Visual Radio solution provider due to its simple integration into our existing ecosystem. The support we received from the company throughout the system deployment was incredible.”

SBS – USA

Radio Kiss Kiss, part of the CN Media Group, commissioned AxelTech to implement a Visual Radio system with specific requirements: no impact on current production processes, handling of live broadcasts and music videos, creation of independent advertising segments, management of video clips for jingles and stingers, automation of graphics production, frame-accurate synchronization of content, TV automation for nighttime slots, integration of Studer On-Air 2000 mixer & Zenon Media automation, audio signal distribution via Dante, and 4K visual channel production.

“Radio Kiss Kiss is well-known for its dedication to producing high-quality content with precision. We were worried that incorporating Visual Radio could compromise the meticulous work we do for our radio broadcasts. Additionally, we were concerned that integrating with the Zenon radio automation might lead to additional issues. However, AxelTech once again proved to be a reliable supplier, capable of assisting clients in finding the best solutions to meet their technical, editorial, and timing objectives.”

Radio Kiss Kiss – Italy