Trigger Decoder Latency Adjuster Network Broadcast Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network broadcasters face challenges in synchronizing local television station breaks with network video signals due to transmission delays, leading to potential black screen moments during transitions between programs and advertisements.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a trigger decoder and latency adjuster within the RT system at local stations, which separates the trigger control signal from the network video signal, calculates the transmission delay, and adjusts the master control switcher clock to ensure precise timing of station breaks, synchronizing with the intended broadcast schedule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the network video signal is transmitted via satellite connection to the local station, then the program content can be delivered from network to affiliate, but a transmission delay is introduced that causes synchronization issues between the network video signal and local station breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the satellite transmission delay (δ) and uses this pre-determined value to adjust the timing of station break trigger control signals. By calculating the delay in advance and compensating for it in the timing logic, the system ensures that local station breaks are synchronized with the network video signal despite the inherent transmission lag.
2Reliability
If the master control switcher switches from network program to local station break based on trigger control signals, then seamless transitions can be achieved, but transmission delay causes the breaks to occur at incorrect moments resulting in black screen conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the timing parameter of the station break trigger control signals by subtracting the measured satellite delay (δ) from the scheduled break time. This parameter adjustment ensures that the trigger signal is sent at the correct moment, accounting for the transmission delay, so that the master control switcher switches to the local station break exactly when intended, preventing black screen conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network tweaks the schedule by adjusting station break timing close to actual airing, then the broadcast schedule can be optimized, but local stations must quickly adapt to revised schedules while maintaining synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the measured satellite transmission delay to automatically adjust the timing of station break trigger signals. When the network tweaks the schedule, the local station's master control system receives the updated schedule and uses the pre-measured delay value to automatically calculate and apply the correct timing adjustments, enabling rapid adaptation without manual intervention and maintaining synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to automatically switch among video signals in a television broadcast are disclosed. A trigger decoder may receive a network video signal for a network program. The network video signal may be comprised of a video signal and a trigger control signal. The trigger control signal may comprise a time period indicative of how long until a station break is to occur within the network program. The trigger decoder may separate the video signal from the trigger control signal. A latency adjuster may determine a delay between the transmission of the network video signal and the reception of the network video signal. A master control switcher clock may be reset based on the delay. The master control switcher may receive the video signal for the network program, and one or more video signals from one or more video servers containing video content. The master control switcher may select one of the video signals to output, wherein the time for switching from the video signal for the network program to another video signal is controlled by the trigger control signal and the reset clock.