Installation manual

Engineering - 7
Types of SMARTCASTER Automation
There are several ways to use a SMARTCASTER to automate a radio station. “Ultimation”, (Music on
Hard Drive), Jock-In-the-Box, (Compact Disc), and Satellite are the three basic types of digital automation
around today. Often, these can be combined. For example, it is not unusual for a station to combine a
satellite news feed, a satellite talk show feed, and Music on Hard Drive for regular station programming.
Satellite Automation
In this type of automation, the SMARTCASTER is slaved to the commands of one or more satellite
Networks. The satellite service feeds the normal station programming through the satellite downlink.
However, the satellite service also “tells” the SMARTCASTER when to play commercials, liners, Audio
Switcher ID’s, etc. via relay closures. The SMARTCASTER then plays back, from the hard drive,
previously recorded local material.
In many satellite automation situations, it is not unusual to have more than one satellite feed. In these
cases, the SMARTCASTER can be wired with Network switching devices to switch between the different
satellite feeds on a timed basis.