XTV Suite

TV

TV Automation Suite

XTV Suite is a professional set of software for TV Broadcast Automation which manages Video Playout, Capture, Trimming, Scheduling and CG. Granting automatic and unattended efficiency 24×7, XTV is the perfect tool for TV stations, Satellite Channels, Cable TV, News Room, Web TV, CCTV. Corporate TV, hotel pay TV channels, museums info channels and video wall display can also use it and take advantage of its user-friendly interface. XTV Channel In A Box (CIAB) architecture guarantees a linear scalability of your TV Playout facility.
XTV Suite supports SDI (HD, 4K, 8K), IP I/O such as NDI, SMPTE 2022 & SMPTE 2110 (with specific video cards), UDP, RTMP, HLS, RTSP and more. Now also ready for Cloud with the latest XTV Cloud release!

General

All in one broadcast 4K – 2K – HD – SD playout
Complete workflow management tools: scheduling, trimming, graphic composer
Real-time capture from SDI-NDI-IP
Multiple codec playout in the same playlist with resolution and frame rate automatic adaption
Multiple format playout, automatic up/down scaling and aspect ratio adjustment (16/9, 4/3, etc…)
File sharing on LAN architecture
Direct file playout from NLE (no transcoding)
Up to 16 audio channels management
Simultaneous NDI output
Direct streaming output transport stream MPEG2 and H.264 codec, or RTMP
Automatic management of time during playout (delay/ahead) with filler
Live source full handling inside the playlist control of VTR, Switcher, GPI to Cart Machine
Multichannel and high availability configurations
Hot Key feature for instant videos playout
Graphic overlay: logos, clocks, tickers, animations
High quality squeezeback with animated background
Subtitles in overlay and Closed Caption
Clip trimming and Metadata for advertisement graphic contents
Support of SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 commands for AD Insertion
Support of EAS (Emergency Alert System)
User friendly playlist view with explicative colour scheme
As run and system logs for certification

Versions

XTV Suite (Software for 1 Playout + 1 Ingest)
XTV Compact (Software+Hardware for 1 Playout + 1 Ingest)
XPlayout (Software for 1 Playout)
XPlayout Compact (Software+Hardware for 1 Playout)
XIngest (Software for 1 Ingest)
XIngest Compact (Software+Hardware for 1 Ingest)

Options

- XMirror

Media compatibility and multiformat benefits

XTV plays out any kind of media in any resolution: DV, HDV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-1, H.264, QuickTime, MXF, XDCAM, PRORES, DNXHD, GXF, LXF, etc. XTV allows to play and mix any media format according to broadcaster’s production workflow and pros and cons of each AV codec.

XTV is compatible with the video cards from these manufacturers: Aja, Blackmagic, Bluefish4444, DekTec, Deltacast, Magewell, Stream Labs, Yuan

Dynamic Playlist: Real time playlist management without black frames nor freezes. Advanced Scheduler: Unlimited playlist length with automatic clip skipping and cutting when late.

Duration stretching when ahead of time. Sequence loop.

Automatic filler insertion for gap handling.

Log Report: Status and playout logging, with XML export for easy processing and printing.

No Database: Metadata is saved directly into media file, allowing file rename, copying and moving.

IP workflows

Support of IP I/O such as NDI, SMPTE 2022 & SMPTE 2110 (with specific video cards) turns XTV Suite to a game changer. NDI and IP sources are also supported directly on the playlist allowing playout of NDI, UDP, RTP, RTSP, RTMP, HTTP streams and setting parameters specifically, such as aspect ratio correction modes, vertical and horizontal crop to minimize letterbox on air, field dominance inversion, etc.

An internal IP encoder allows sending playout output via UDP to external multiplexers, or via RTMP, HLS, RTSP, IIS Live smooth, or windows media streaming to cloud servers for media distribution on internet. If an Nvidia GTX or better board is installed, GPU accelerated compression allows to use H264 and H265 codecs without affecting the computer’s CPU.

XTV Cloud

The new version of the well-known XTV Suite: specially designed to be installed on physical or Virtual Machines, both at your own data center or at your favorite Cloud Provider’s premises.

XTV Cloud requires a Windows Server Operating System and a hardware configuration with enough performance to act as a Video Server with IP based I/O.

Access to the Playout and Management Applications is achieved using RDP over HTML technology through any web browser on any operating system and device.

User interface is automatically scaled to the device being used and up to three simultaneous users can connect allowing control of the Playout, Media Upload, Trimming and Playlist Management at the same time.

Audio Monitoring and preview is also passed directly through the web browser allowing a seamless user experience.

Final IP output can be configured in many formats including RTMP, SRT, HLS, DASH , etc… and scaled as desired, while SCTE-35 triggers are available in SRT, UDP, HLS embedded in the video stream (not in the manifest file).

Live inputs can be configured to receive IP streams from the studio or outside broadcasts and are displayed on the Playout Multiviewer with on-screen vu meters and audio preview on the web browser.

Among the available formats you’ll find WebRTC: high quality and low latency assured plus the chance to use an AxelTech MXC as an encoder. The popular SRT format can also be used, encoding from a Vmix Software or a hardware box.

Designed to achieve a true universal format compatibility

Multi-channel TV stations and TV networks will enjoy XTV scalable structure and universal file compatibility.

XTV is designed to achieve a full universal format compatibility. XTV ties together all production departments allowing direct playout of DV, HDV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, H.265, QuickTime, AVI, MXF, XDCAM, PRORES, DNXHD, GXF, LXF, etc… in any resolution or frame rate with automatic adaption.

XTV Suite will satisfy those customers looking for second generation CIAB – Channel In A Box and will provide traditional playout deployment reliability and functionalities with the typical CIAB TCO.

SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 support

AD Insertion is a critical step for many video delivery systems and one of the most important considering the income that it should generate.
OTT (Over-The-Top) video delivery on the internet helps getting the best results in advertisement cause it is possible to send customised ads to each viewer. These systems are partially based on the AD Insertion workflow which uses the SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 standard commands as triggers.
AxelTech products for playout and encoding (XTV/XPlayout and MultiCrossConverter) support SCTE-104 on SDI outputs and SCTE-35 on IP streaming in Transport stream and SRT, inserting the SCTE metadata in the video signals/streams.

EAS (Emergency Alert System) support

The EAS (Emergency Alert System) interface, when used in conjunction with Xplayout automation software, offers broadcasters increased flexibility in broadcasting emergency alerts received from U.S. government agencies.
The critical EAS data information for on-screen text crawls received via Serial Port and audio received via a stream, are decoded by the XPlayout. The on-screen text alert is then generated, and the corresponding audio stream is delivered on-air via the SDI output (on BMD Decklink only), reducing the audio level of the current program to ensure recognition of the emergency messages.
One of the notable features of the system is the ability to customize the EAS feed for each channel. This includes adding separate logos for each channel, adjusting colors, and modifying the aspect ratio of the emergency alert graphic. These customizations can be made without disrupting the SDI signal, ensuring compatibility with existing broadcast infrastructure.
Furthermore, with the use of XPlayout, a single EAS Appliance can provide tailored EAS alerts to multiple channels simultaneously. This capability enables broadcasters to establish consistent branding across all their channels, creating a cohesive viewer experience during emergency situations.
The EAS interface in conjunction with XPlayout grants broadcasters greater flexibility in airing emergency alerts by allowing customization of on-screen graphics and audio streams, while also ensuring consistent branding across multiple channels using a single EAS Appliance.

Input Sources Multiview

In XPlayout all configured live sources in NDI, SDI and WebRTC can be displayed in a preview window on the main GUI.
The preview window features on screen vu-meters and audio waveform, audio pre listen, fast “take to air” button and a 2×2 multiview option.

XTV Suite includes:

XPlayout > 24×7 Automation
XIngest > real-time capture from SDI-NDI-IP

Free tools included in XTV Suite:

XTrimmer > Metadata injector and quality control
XScheduler > Offline playlist management
CGComposer > CG template creator
XLogsViewer > As run logs viewer
XInfo > Playlist information display
XRouter > Routing switcher sharing on LAN
XRemote > Remote control or routing switcher
XEmergency > N+1 playout redundancy (needs XPlayout licence)

Additional software modules not included in XTV Suite:

XMirror > Playlist media cache copier

XMirror

XMirror is a great feature when using a network NAS workflow. XMirror copies all files which populate the playlist from the big NAS onto a small local hard disk. Copies are performed slowly (to avoid saturating LAN bandwidth) and constantly (any modification to the playlist will trigger the copy process). Old files are deleted automatically to preserve disk space. If LAN or NAS fails, files will be played automatically from the local disk. If Local hard disk path is specified as a preferred path, media will always be played locally.

XPlayout

Supported Video Cards: Blackmagic Design DeckLink and Intensity, AJA Corvid, Bluefish
Resolutions: SD, HD, 2K, 4K (depending on AV card)
Simultaneous NDI output
Simultaneous WebRTC output
Preview output on SDI
Up to 16 Audio channels
Timecode rp188
Virtual device emulation for use as capture device in 3rd party software
Split CG layer on separate SDI or NDI in Key and Fill
SDI or NDI inputs for LIVE sources in AV bypass
Internal Digital Loudness processor ITU 1770 available on XPlayout to always get the right volume on the output

GUI

Full screen GUI optimized for 1920×1080 monitor
Channel Alias
Preview framerate adjust for RDP optimization
CC preview
Drag and Drop of multiple files
Single clip position duration and position display
Total playlist duration and remain display
First frame positioning
Dual graphical or grid style playlist GUI
Drag and Drop to GUI
OSD vu-meters and waveform
Realtime video preview
GUI lock with password
Customer Logo on main screen
Colors according to file gender or status

Features

Virtually any video and file format compatibility
Automatic upscale, downscale, framerate adaptation and aspect ratio correction
CG overlay
Key output on SDI with 32 bits QuickTime Anim, QuickTime ProRes 4:4:4:4, bitmap sequence
As run logs
Log files
VGA compatibility mode for old VGA cards
Separate audio track file management
Remote control of Blackmagic Design ATEM and NewTek TriCaster
MarkIn and MarkOut management (triggering)
Frame accurate loops REC while PLAY (for specific formats) with endless MarkOut
Realtime Vertical and Horizontal Crop
Realtime field swap: top bottom progressive
Realtime aspect ratio correction mode: Letterbox, no letterbox, stretch
Detailed info on playlist, preview and output status
AGC – Automatic Gain Control
Automatic switch on backup path in case of main path failure
Automatic play from preferred path if same media copy is available
Status file and thumbnail update of main output
Autofill from folder when ahead of time or end of playlist
Automatic load of playlist according to file syntax
Emergency file with hotkeys, also with numeric keyboard
Automatic load of last playlist at start-up
Routing switcher remote control : Blackmagic Design ATEM and Videohub, NewTek TriCaster, any RS232 or RS422 routing switcher or master control
VCR automation UVW, VP9xxx or and RS422 SONY
Cart machine control: PROMATIC, DIGICART
Fast CG for emergencies: clock, text and crawl
Automatic CG according to file gender or user custom types
Remote control of external CG
Integrated master and slave workflow
From 5 seconds to 1 day delay for SDI/NDI sources as time shifting
Subtitle rendering for SRT files
Advanced CG with clocks, tickers, rolls, crawls, bitmap animations, any video file format
2D Squeezeback with advanced background graphics layer
All CG graphics as secondary events
GPI in/out
Automatic skip/cut if schedule is late
Exact time management in cut/wait for end of current event
CG composing tool for template creation
Non-intrusive sub clip creation for advertisement insertion
Crossfade/effects between files
Traffic scheduling tool
Quality control tool with SDI/NDI output, metedata insertion and loudness control
Automatic media copy tool from NAS to local hard disk (optional)
Automatic music playlist creator (optional)

XIngest

Supported Video Cards: Blackmagic Design DeckLink and Intensity, AJA Corvid, Bluefish
Resolutions: SD, HD, 2K, 4K (depending on AV card)
Simultaneous NDI output
Simultaneous WebRTC output
Preview output on SDI
Up to 16 Audio channels
Virtual device emulation for use as capture device in 3rd party software

GUI

Full screen GUI optimized for 1920×1080 monitor
Channel Alias
Preview framerate adjust for RDP optimization
CC preview
Drag and Drop of multiple files
Single clip position duration and position display
Total playlist duration and remain display
First frame positioning
Dual graphical or grid style playlist GUI
Drag and Drop to GUI
OSD vu-meters and waveform
Realtime video preview
GUI lock with password
Customer Logo on main screen

Features

Virtually any video and file format compatibility
Automatic upscale, downscale, framerate adaptation and aspect ratio correction
CG overlay
Key output on SDI with 32 bits QuickTime Anim, QuickTime ProRes 4:4:4:4, bitmap sequence
As run logs
Log files
VGA compatibility mode for old VGA cards
Separate audio track file management
Remote control of Blackmagic Design ATEM and NewTek TriCaster
MarkIn and MarkOut management (triggering)
Frame accurate loops REC while PLAY (for specific formats) with endless MarkOut
Realtime Vertical and Horizontal Crop
Realtime field swap: top bottom progressive
Realtime aspect ratio correction mode: Letterbox, no letterbox, stretch
Detailed info on playlist, preview and output status
AGC – Automatic Gain Control
Automatic switch on backup path in case of main path failure