Installation manual

Engineering - 8
Compact Disc Automation
Many stations opt to automate with compact disc type automation. Instead of a satellite service
determining what music goes over the air, the local station can develop its own personal type of music
format. In this situation, the SMARTCASTER uses a CD controller computer to “talk” to the various CD
decks. In addition, the SMARTCASTER can play back previously recorded commercials, weather bits,
liners, jingles, etc. In cases where the station might combine both a Network feed and compact disc
originated music, some sort of Network switching device is required.
Music on Hard Drive
Instead of using compact discs, many stations are recording all of their music to the SMARTCASTER’S
hard drive. Combined with commercials, liners, jock intro’s and outro’s, Music On Hard Drive provides
total local station automation from a small chassis. Again, if combined with one or more Network
satellite feeds, some sort of Network switching device is required.
SMARTCASTER Notes
The SMARTCASTER is built around a PC computer. However, the PC is simply the first building block
of a very complex technical system that allows the unit to produce broadcast quality audio.
For starters, the unit has a highly specialized circuit card inside that is really another computer, housed
within the main PC computer. This computer, called the audio card, has the responsibility of converting
the audio to a string of digits, compressing the digits to a set of manageable numbers, then passing the
data to the host PC for storage on the hard drive. On playback, the same thing occurs in reverse, with the
host PC passing the data to the audio computer, the computer re-expanding the stream of digits to the full
size, then recreating the audio wave to mimic the original analog signal. (See previous discussion on
“What is digital audio?”)
Because the unit is really two computers in one, there are two separate and distinct programs that run the
unit. The programs for the audio computer are called, “Audio Drivers” and give the instructions to the
audio card on how to record audio, whether it is stereo or monaural, and what frequency response is
needed.
The remainder of the software is used to control the main PC computer, to tell the inner computer what
audio files to play, when to play them, detect satellite commands, and perform other functions that
interface to the outside world.
Because of this computer-in-a-computer concept, the SMARTCASTER should not be considered to be just
like any other PC. It often can exhibit different characteristics. This makes it important that no other
software be placed into the machine!
Despite the fact that the SMARTCASTER is more than a computer, from an operator’s perspective, it
works almost like any other computer in your office. If you are familiar with PC computers used for more
conventional tasks such as logging, traffic, word processing, etc.; you may find that much of that
knowledge will come in handy when you are running a SMARTCASTER. If you are just starting to learn
computers, you might find it helpful to pick up a copy of any of the beginning computer operator’s books
that are widely available. However, you can always check with us on any questions you might have.
No Tone-Decoding Equipment
To control automation equipment, a satellite service often fires a tone down the satellite link. These
might be DTMF, 25/35 Hz, etc. At the station, some type of decoding equipment is needed to detect these
tones, and fire a relay closure. SMARTS Broadcast Systems does not manufacture, nor include, any type
of tone decoding equipment for satellite feeds. These need to be purchased from an another source. The