Application is First in a Series of Infrastructure Control Solutions
Built on DNF’s Flex Control Network®
SYLMAR, Calif. — Nov. 30, 2011 — DNF Controls today announced the Production Control Application for broadcasters built on the Flex Control Network®, DNF’s modular platform of professional IP-based machine controllers that solve all manner of operational control problems, setting a new standard of excellence for operational efficiency and profitability. The Production Control System is a specific combination of Flex Control equipment that provides fast, simple, and reliable control over video and graphic playout devices for live and live-to-tape programming, including national and local news, sports, lifestyle and talk shows, and faith-based productions.
The Production Control Application is a complete, semi-automated solution that works with existing control room equipment to simplify production control, expand production capabilities, enhance production look and branding, and minimize production errors. Broadcasters can control up to 24 channels of VTRs, DDRs, video servers, and graphic devices for on-air and on-set playout from highly reliable, easy-to-use, tactile control panels and their production switcher. Because the Production Control Application can automatically control multiple machines synchronously with the touch of a button, the technical director is free to concentrate on the production rather than the technology.
Additionally, the Production Control Application streamlines pre-production setup and last-minute on-air changes for late-breaking and unscripted events.
“Despite the complex nature of today’s broadcast operations, our customers still want a more simplified and intuitive workflow,” said Dan Fogel, CTO of DNF Controls. “This system does just that. Not only does it improve workflow and reliability by automating and timing complex interactions, the simple setup and configuration means reduced engineering involvement and cost. Groups have local control while creating centralized and shared equipment centers, and an error management tool can improve on-air performance and accuracy.”
The Production Control Application consists of dual DC20 device controllers that control up to four devices each, along with two types of control panels — a CP20 event-based, cue-marking, VTR-style control panel, and a ST420 shotbox for instantaneous access to trigger complex events. By adding device controllers, the application expands to control up to 24 channels. The result is an integrated, standalone tactile control system, or a sophisticated, cost-effective backup and manual playout control system always at hand.
The control panels talk over Ethernet to the device controllers, which contain the correct control protocols. By separating the control panels and device controllers, broadcasters can create centralized systems in an equipment or control room, or distributed systems that allows users to control playout devices with frame accuracy via Ethernet from anywhere in the world. This distributed system architecture means that failure of an individual piece will not cripple the entire system.
The Production Control System is based on the Flex Control Network, DNF’s flagship technology that encompasses DNF’s more than 20 years of experience providing “must work,” mission-critical control systems for broadcast and production operations. The Flex Control platform consists of device controllers with 25 drivers and interface solutions that combine with a full range of control panels to create applications for solving even the most complex control problems while using existing IP infrastructure as the backbone. With its tactile control surfaces, browser-based interfaces for ease of use and deployment, and simple push-button operation using “event to action” logic for sophisticated, automated control, Flex Control delivers unparalleled centralized and distributed control over machinery and workflows.
