Shipping Location
Enter new zip code to refresh estimated delivery time.
Update
Unrecognized Zip Code
Softron OnTheAir Node 3 (Electronic Download)
Softron OnTheAir Node 3 (Electronic Download)
B&H # SO3A002 MFR # 3.A002
Show MoreLess
Close
Now Viewing:
Electronic Download
Emailed within 24 Hours
Product Highlights
- Mac-Based, Video Server Playout Software
- Open Client-Server Architecture
- Supports Network Remote Control
- Supports 3rd Party Control Applications
- 24/7 Playout with OnTheAir Manager
- Supports Mixed Codecs and Resolutions
- Automatic / Manual / Smart Resize
- Static Logo Overlay
- GPI / Video Router Control
- Supports Streaming via Optional Software
Reviews 0
Write a review
This item is noncancelable and nonreturnable.
Softron 3.A002 overview
- 1Description
Softron's OnTheAir Node 3 (Electronic Download) is Softron's highest-end playout software. It's a Mac-based, customizable video server with an open client-server architecture, and it can be controlled remotely over the network. One client computer can control multiple OnTheAir Node servers, and third party applications, such as Traffic and Media Asset Management, can be used to provide control with real-time media cataloging and validation. Where in previous versions of OnTheAir Node, HD support and a static logo overlay feature were optional, they are now built-in.
OnTheAir Node 3 doesn't have a user interface but rather supports two client applications for UI functionality: the free OnTheAir Live, for playlist playout; and the optional OnTheAir Manager, for scheduling. OnTheAir Live is a playlist manager for live productions. It provides a user interface for adding media and controlling playback, and it has all the features required for live operations, such as cue mode and A/B roll. OnTheAir Manager is the solution for 24/7 unattended playout. It uses a calendar user interface for scheduling, and it provides advanced features such as EPG, categories, and redundancy. OnTheAir Node 3 requires one license per output channel and supports up to four HD channels on one Mac, and one OnTheAir Live and/or OnTheAir Manager can control as many OnTheAir Node 3 channels as you need.
In OnTheAir Node 3, Softron uses its own playout engine called Smart Playout Engine. This player allows mixing multiple codecs and resolutions in the same playlist without installing any additional software, and it features three resize tools that will help efficiently scale frame sizes. Automatic Resize scales to Fill, Pan-and-Scan, or Letterbox; Manual Resize lets you define parameters; and Smart Resize produces an advanced resize of interlaced clips, limiting artifacts to a minimum or none. The standard playout file type is QuickTime (.mov), but you can also select Transport Stream (.ts), MXF (.MXF), and others. Still images play in PNG and other formats, and audio support ranges up to 5.1 channels.
OnTheAir Node 3 also supports direct-to-web streaming via the optional Softron MovieRecorder 3, without any additional output card; and it supports streaming with an additional card via the optional Softron MovieStreamer HLS.
- Flexible Codec/Resolution Support
- OnTheAir Node 3 features Softron's Smart Playout Engine that allows mixing multiple codecs and resolutions in the same playlist without installing any additional software.
- Automatic / Manual / Smart Resize
- Automatic Resize will scale different resolution clips to Fill, Pan-and-Scan, or Letterbox; Manual Resize will let you define parameters; and Smart Resize produces an advanced resize of interlaced clips, limiting artifacts to a minimum or none.
- Play Out Up to 4 Channels
- OnTheAir Node 3 requires one license per output channel and supports up to four HD channels on one Mac, as the built-in Smart Playout Engine can take advantage of multiple cores. (Please download the matching OnTheAir Node 3 version -- Single, Dual, or Quad).
- Media Management and Validation
- OnTheAir Node 3 catalogs available assets in scan folders and informs the client application (OnTheAir Live / Manager) when a new asset arrives or is deleted. It also checks for validity and compatibility. Information is provided as XML, facilitating the use of third party applications in retrieving clip characteristics. (Ex: video codec, audio sample rate, creation date, last modification date, finder label, etc.)
- 3rd Party Integration
- OnTheAir Node 3's open architecture allows any third party application, such as Traffic or Media Asset Management, to control playout and view available media. OnTheAir Node 3 uses Telnet for its communications; the protocol is a proven and open standard that doesn't need any special requirements.
- GPI Control
- Using an optional Softron GPICommander Box, you can send GPI triggers from OnTheAir Node 3 to a video mixer or any GPI compatible device. GPICommander connects to your Mac by USB and provides 24 inputs and 8 outputs of GPI.
- Video Router Control
- You can control video routers using an optional Blackmagic-Design Videohub or AJA Kumo router. These have dedicated plug-ins that connect to your network and control crosspoints. Video router control is useful for live events in 24/7 playouts.
- Attributes for Secondary Events
- Thanks to its flexible system of "Attributes," OnTheAir Node 3 can control multiple external devices, such as video routers (through RS-232 or Ethernet), character generators, or logo inserters (using GPI triggers). Attributes are changed for the whole length of a clip and reverted back to a default value at the end. Attributes always have a default value, such as "Logo On" or "GPI On", and you decide to modify the default value only on the clips you want. For example, you can set "Logo Off" for commercials.
- Video & Audio Features
-
- HD support and a static logo overlay feature are built in
- Seamless playback
- YUV and ARGB video output modes, depending on the video card
- External and internal keying, if the video card supports keying in the desired resolution
- Scrubbing (move playout at time position)
- 4K capable in "standard mode" (i.e. without logo, Smart Resize, or streaming)
- Still image output
- Still logo overlay (png image)
- Smart Resize (handles interlaced formats without artifacts)
- Automatic Resize (automatically resizes clips to fit the video output)
- Manual Resize (user defined per clip)
- Supports direct-to-web IP streaming without any additional card via MovieRecorder 3, sold separately
- Supports IP streaming using an additional card via MovieStreamer HLS, sold separately
- Audio/video buffering
- One output per Mac if with Smart Resize and the optional Dynamic Graphics Overlay
- Same audio destinations as video output
- Linear PCM, MP3, MP2, AAC, Apple Lossless audio formats
- Plays audio only files
- Multiple audio channels output
- Audio auto-mapping (using QuickTime track languages)
- Playlist Features
-
All these require the use of OnTheAir Live, available free, as a user interface.
- As-run-logs
- Cue Mode
- A/B roll (two video cards required)
- Playlist editing during playout
- Show/Hide thumbnails
- ASCII playlist import
- Opens all vpls playlists (but cannot save in .vpls -- only in .xpls)
- Event fixed start time
- Schedule imports (imports all vpls playlists)
- Live events
- Scheduling Features
-
All these require the use of the optional OnTheAir Manager as a user interface.
- Scheduled playout
- Graphical calendar scheduling
- Dynamic calendar display resize
- Event and playlist categories
- Category inheritance
- Hierarchical playlists
- Repeat events (alias) by day, weekdays, weekend days, month
- Duplicate events
- "Stick" events to close gaps in scheduling
- Real-time display of overruns and underruns
- Create and control multiple schedules for multiple outputs using one application
- Detailed report of offline clips, missing playlists, overrun, and underrun
- Media Management
-
- Media cataloging
- Media validation
- Finder label
- Clip relative path (Clips Folder root)
- Clip trimming
- Clip splitting
- Reference movie
- MXF files support
- Still image support
- Resize clip manually
- Position clip in frame (when resized)
- Clip end behaviors (Normal, Stop at End, Hold Last Frame, Play Next Clip, Loop)
- Create offline clip (to program a clip that is not yet present on disk)
- Create live clip (using the optional OnTheAir Manager)
- Auto detection of offline clips and auto recovery (in Media List and Playlists)
- Other Features
-
- Remotely controllable by Telnet
- Matrix video routers control (requires free plug-in)
- GPI output (requires optional plug-in and optional Softron GPI Commander Box)
- GPI input (requires Softron GPI Commander Box connected to OnTheAir Live computer)
- Secondary events (Attributes)
- Integration with EAS encoders/decoders (requires optional EASController)
Table of Contents
- 1Description
Softron 3.A002 specs
| System Requirements |
Mac OS 10.8.5 or later RAM: 4 GB for single stream 6 GB for two streams 12 GB for four streams MacPro type: 2009 for single stream 2010 6 Core for two streams 2010 12 Core for four streams iMac type: 2011 with Thunderbolt for single stream 2012, 27" (68.5 cm) with two Thunderbolt ports or with PCI expansion chassis for two streams MacBook Pro type: 2011 with Thunderbolt for single stream 2012, 15" (38 cm) with two Thunderbolt ports or with PCI expansion chassis for up to four streams MacBook Air type: 1.7 GHz, dual-core, Intel Core i5 for single stream Mac mini type: 2.3 GHz, dual-core, Intel Core i5 for single stream 2 GHz, quad-core, Intel Core i7 with PCI expansion chassis for up to four streams |
| HD / 4K Support |
HD up to four streams with the appropriate hardware and depending on the codec used 4K for single stream with the appropriate hardware and depending on the codec used |
| Dynamic Graphics Overlay Support | Yes, with the appropriate hardware and depending on the codec used |
| Compatible Storage | Any storage that can sustain the required constant write speed (depending on the number of streams, the codec and format). For network storage, enable Macro blocks and disable cache flushing. |
| Number of Licenses Required |
One complete license (with options) is required per stream Please download the appropriate version -- Single, Dual, Quad |
| Supported Files / Codecs |
Supported Video Codecs: Apple ProRes 422 Family, Apple ProRes 4444, AVC-Intra (50 & 100), AVCHD, Avid DNxHD, DV-PAL, DV/DVCPRO-NTSC, DVCPro-PAL, DVCPro HD, DVCPro 50, H.264, HDV, MPEG IMX (30/40/50), MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Video, Photo-JPEG, Uncompressed, XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM HD422 Supported Video Wrappers: AVI, DV, M2T, M2V, M4V, MP2, MP4, MPEG, MPG, MXF, QuickTime, Transport Stream Supported Still Image Formats: BMP, PSD, GIF (supported only as the first image), JPEG, JPEG 2000, PNG, Targa, TIFF Supported Audio Formats: Linear PCM, MP3, MP2, AAC, Apple Lossless |
| Supported Output Devices |
For multiple outputs on one Mac, the optional Dynamic Graphics Overlay feature, if installed, and the Smart Resize feature, must be disabled within the Smart Playout Engine. AJA (drivers 10.4.5 or later are required) Io Express, by ExpressCard, single stream Io XT, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one Io XT can output two individual streams; can be daisy chained) Kona 3G, by PCI, up to four streams (one Kona 3G, with Firmware in "Standard mode," can output two individual streams; and with firmware in "4K mode," can output four individual streams) Kona LHe Plus, by PCI, up to four streams (one Kona LHe Plus card required per output) Kona LHi, by PCI, up to four streams (one Kona LHi card required per output) T-Tap, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (depends on the number of available Thunderbolt ports; one T-Tap can output one stream; cannot be daisy chained) Blackmagic Design (drivers 9.7.7 or later are required) DeckLink 4K Extreme, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) DeckLink Duo, by PCI, up to two streams (one card has two independent outputs) DeckLink HD Extreme 3D, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) DeckLink Mini Monitor, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) DeckLink Optical Fibre, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) DeckLink Quad, by PCI, up to four streams (one card has four independent outputs; two cards are required for eight outputs) DeckLink SDI, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) DeckLink Studio, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) Intensity Extreme, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) Intensity Pro, by PCI, up to four streams (one card required per output) Intensity Shuttle, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) Multibridge Eclipse, by PCI breakout box, up to four streams (one card required per output) Multibridge Pro, by PCI breakout box, up to four streams (one card required per output) Teranex 2D Processor, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) Teranex 3D Processor, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) UltraStudio 3D, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) UltraStudio 4K, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) UltraStudio Express, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) UltraStudio Mini Monitor, by Thunderbolt, up to four streams (one device required per output; requires one Thunderbolt port per device; cannot be daisy chained) DELTACAST (Please make sure to choose the right model depending on your I/O needs / May be "Low Profile") DELTA-3G, by PCI, up to four streams DELTA-HD, by PCI, up to four streams DELTA-SDI, by PCI, up to four streams DELTA-Key, by PCI, up to two streams |
Softron 3.A002 Q&A
See any errors on this page?
Let us know.
