The OnTheAir Video 4 Suite Bundle from Softron outfits your broadcast with an automated playout software and additional plug-ins to facilitate professional-quality streams. OnTheAir 4 improves upon previous versions with a schedule editor, secondary audio output, and automatic folder-based playout among other features. Included in the bundle is the Remote Pack Control to facilitate functions from your browser, closed caption support, and a Dynamic Graphics Overlay.
Softron's OnTheAir Video 4 (Electronic Download) is a Mac-based, automated playout software with a sophisticated scheduler and flexible playlist support. It is also a clip store for live operations and local broadcasts, and it's capable of direct-to-web streaming without an additional video card when paired with Softron's MovieRecorder 3, sold separately. MovieRecorder 3 receives frames from OnTheAir Video 4 and encodes them in whatever format needed, including HTTP Live Streaming. You can also stream using an additional card and Softron's MovieStreamer HLS software, both sold separately. Where in previous versions of OnTheAir Video, HD support, a scheduler, and a static logo overlay feature were optional, they are now built in.
Playlists can be scheduled to play automatically at assigned times throughout the day, non-stop for days, and they can also be looped for months, until a new start date/time hits. They can also be edited during playout. 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.
In OnTheAir Video 4, 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.
- Schedule editor
- Built-in CG (Dynamic Graphics Overlay Option)
- Secondary audio output
- Video preview + audio VU meters
- Automatic folder-based playout
- Automatic randomization
- Streaming input
- New stream deck editor
- Rename clips
- HD support, a scheduler, 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, and AAC audio formats
- Plays audio only files
- Multiple audio channels output
- Audio auto-mapping (using QuickTime track languages)
- As-run-logs
- Cue Mode
- Playlist editing during playout
- Show/Hide thumbnails
- ASCII playlist import
- Opens all vpls playlists (but cannot save in .vpls -- only in .xpls)
- Scheduled playout
- Event fixed start time
- Schedule imports (opens all vpls playlists)
- Live events video router control for switching to studio
- 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)
- Control matrix video routers (requires OnTheAir Switch application and its supported routers)
- GPI input/output (requires GPI Commander Box with no extra software as support is built in)
- MIDI controllable
- Secondary events (Actions)
- AppleScriptable
The Closed Caption Option for OnTheAir Video 4 from Softron allows OnTheAir Video 4 to pass closed captioning data. Note that not all sources of captions are supported nor can all destinations receive caption data. In some cases an audio channel may be used. Also note that an I/O card with closed caption support is required. Please refer to the user manual for OnTheAir Video 4 for details.
The Dynamic Graphics Overlay Option for OnTheAir Video 4 (Electronic Download) from Softron allows the overlay of various included graphics over your OnTheAir Video 4 clips. This option does not require an additional video card.
Depending on whether you're using a serial number or dongle with OnTheAir Video 4, there are different instructions for merging this Dynamic Graphics Overlay option into your system. Please note that the plug-in does not work with version 3. Following your purchase, please contact Softron for more details.
Add the Remote Pack Option for your Softron OnTheAir Video 4 installation to access and control your playout remotely. The option provides the ability to access your playout from a remote browser or from another OnTheAir install. The pack also includes a Media Browser to show you all the clips and media that are available for playout.