Schedule¶

Makalu Traffic is the included planning/scheduling component. Its planning concept is based on playlists, shows and clips. The following table summarizes the characteristics of these and other elements that are required to understand the full planning concept:

Accessing Makalu Traffic¶

1. Open Makalu traffic via https://traffic.customer-identifier.makalu.live.

   The Makalu Traffic user interface is opened. Existing playlists and shows are displayed on the right side including properties.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic user interface

Using shows¶

Creating a show¶

To create a new show, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows and click the plus icon (Add show).

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Add show

   A new tab is opened for editing the show details.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Show details

2. In the Show properties area, edit the basic show properties.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Edited show details

3. Save the show by clicking Save below the show properties.

   The show is saved, which is confirmed by a notification message. It is also added as first entry at the top of the Shows area in the left sidebar.

   Notice

   This step is required, otherwise you cannot add primary or secondary events to the show.

4. Add a primary event to the show.

   1. In the left sidebar select Primary events and then either File, Live or Placeholder.

      Depending on your selection, either files, live sources or placeholder are listed in the corresponding area to the right.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Primary events

   2. To filter the available primary events, either use the Filter search field (if you want to search for a specific file name) and/or use the dropdown menu (if you want to select a specific time period for when the file was uploaded/created).

   3. Select a primary event and drag it onto the Drop Zone in the lower right area.

      Notice

      If you drag a file, it is directly added to the show’s clip list.

      If you drag a live event, a dialog is displayed where you must set the planned duration for the event.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Primary event added to show

      The primary event is added to the show’s clip list.

      Notice

      The fields Current duration and Overtime are updated accordingly.

      Notice

      The checkmarks Sub, SE and Meta in the clip list indicate, if there are additional elements (subtitles, graphics and/or metadata) assigned to the clip.

      Tip

      You can also add multiple primary events at the same time, by selecting multiple elements and dragging them onto the Drop Zone in the lower right area.

   4. Repeat these steps to add more primary events to the show.

      The primary events are added to the show’s clip list. The start time of each added clip is calculated accordingly, depending on the duration of the previously added clips.

      Tip

      To delete a clip from the clip list, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select one or more clips to be deleted, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox(es) in the clip list.

      2 - Click the recycle bin icon (Delete Clip).

      3 - In the subsequently displayed dialog, click Confirm.

5. (Optional) Change the order of the clip list.

   1. Select one or more clips, by activating the checkbox in the Action column.

   2. Use the arrow icons (move up, move down, move to top, move to bottom) above the clip list to change the order.

6. (Optional) Edit the clip flags.

   Notice

   By default, the Auto Follow flag is activated for all added primary events.

7. (Optional) Add secondary events to the show.

   1. In the left sidebar select Secondary events and click on the type, e.g. Graphics.

      Available secondary events of the selected type are displayed to the right.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Secondary events

   2. (Optional) To search for secondary events based on the event name, use the Filter search field.

      Only secondary events are displayed that match the search term.

   3. (Optional) To search for graphics based on the channel they are assigned to, select a channel in the dropdown menu right to the search field, which is by default set to All Channels.

      Only graphics are displayed that are assigned to the selected channel.

      Warning

      If you add multiple graphics to a show, only add graphics that are all assigned to the same channel. Otherwise, you cannot send a playlist to playout that includes this show.

   4. Select a secondary event and drag it onto the Drop Zone in the Show Addons area.

      The secondary event is added to the show addons list.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Secondary events added to a show

   5. Repeat the previous two steps to add more secondary events to the show.

   6. (Optional) Edit the properties of an added secondary event, by selecting the corresponding Action checkbox in the Show Addons area and click the Edit Addon button.

      The show addon details are displayed to the right, where you can edit the available properties.

      Tip

      To delete an added secondary event, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select one or more secondary events to be deleted, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox(es) in the Show Addons area

      2 - Click the recycle bin icon (Delete Show Addons).

      3 - In the subsequently displayed dialog, click Confirm.

8. (Optional) Add metadata to the show.

   1. In the left sidebar select Metadata and click on the type, e.g. System Metadata.

      Available metadata sets are displayed to the right.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Metadata

   2. To search for metadata based on the name, use the Filter search field.

   3. Select a metadata set and drag it onto the Drop Zone in the Show Addons area.

      The metadata set is added to the show addons list.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Metadata added to a show

   4. Repeat the previous two steps to add more metadata sets to the show.

   5. (Optional) Edit the properties of an added metadata set, by selecting it in the Show Addons list and clicking the Edit Addon button.

      The show addon details are displayed to the right, where you can edit the available properties.

9. In the Show properties area click Update.

   The show is saved.

10. To close the tab with the show details, click Close below the show properties.

    The tab is closed.

Editing a show¶

To edit a show, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows.

2. (Optional) To narrow the displayed shows, click on Filter and use the available options (e.g. select a content category, activate flags, or enter a name).

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Filter displayed shows

3. Click on the name of the show to be edited.

   The show details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Show details

   Notice

   When a user opens a show for editing, the show is locked. Until the editing user closes the show, other users only have read access to the show.

4. Edit show properties, primary and/or secondary events as required.

5. To save your changes, click Update in the Show Properties area.

   The show is saved.

6. To close the tab with the show details, click Close below the show properties.

   The tab is closed.

Editing a clip¶

To edit a clip, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows and click on the name of a show.

   The show details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Show details

2. If the clip to be edited is not in the show’s clip list, add it as described in step 8 in section Creating a show.

3. In the clip list select a clip to be edited, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox and clicking the pencil icon (Edit Clip).

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Select clip

   The clip details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Clip details

4. Either select Secondary Events or Metadata in the sidebar on the left.

   The corresponding elements are displayed to the right.

5. (Optional) Use the filter functions for name and channel to narrow down the displayed the search results.

6. Drag an element onto the Drop Zone.

   The element is added to the Clip Addons list.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Add secondary event to clip

   Warning

   If you add multiple graphics to a clip, only add graphics that are all assigned to the same channel. Otherwise, you cannot send a playlist to playout that includes a show with this clip.

7. To edit the element, activate the Action checkbox and click the pencil icon (Edit Addon).

   The addon properties are displayed in the Clip Addon details area.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Edit addon details

8. Change the properties.

   Tip

   If you are editing a graphics secondary event, you can set the time-related clip properties to default values, by clicking the set default icon (Set default values) above the clip addons list.

9. To save your changes, click Update in the Clip Addon details area.

   The clip is saved.

10. To close the tab with the clip details, click Close below the clip properties.

    The tab is closed.

Duplicating a show¶

To duplicate a show, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows and click on the name of the show to be duplicated.

   The show details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Show details

2. Below the show properties click Duplicate.

   A copy of the show (including all properties, primary and secondary events) is opened in a new tab.

3. Edit show properties, primary and/or secondary events as required.

4. To save your changes, click Update in the Show Properties area.

   The show is saved.

5. To close the tab with the show details, click Close below the show properties.

   The tab is closed.

Deleting a show¶

To delete a single show, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows and click on the name of the show to be deleted.

   The show details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Show details

2. In the Show Properties area click Delete.

   A confirmation dialog is displayed.

3. To delete the show, click Confirm.

   The show is deleted.

To delete multiple shows, proceed as follows:

1. In the left sidebar, select Shows and activate the checkbox to the right of each show to be deleted.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Shows selected for deletion

2. Click the Recycle bin icon (Delete shows).

   A confirmation dialog is displayed.

3. To delete the selected shows, click Confirm.

   The selected shows are deleted.

Show properties¶

The following table provides an overview of all available show properties:

Clip flags¶

Each clip within a show has a set of flags, that define how it should be played by the automation, especially how the start and end of each clip should be handled.

The following table provides an overview of all available clip flags:

Flag icon	Flag name	Description
	Auto Follow	When the playback of the previous clip is finished, the playback of the current clip starts automatically. By default, the Auto Follow flag is initially activated for every clip.
	Freeze Last	When the playback of the clip is finished, the last frame stays displayed as freeze frame.
	Freeze Black	When the playback of the clip is finished, a black image stays displayed. The image to be displayed is configurable.
	Loop	The clip is played in a loop until the operator manually triggers the start of the next clip. If the loop flag is activated for the last clip in a group, the whole group is played in a loop.
	Auto Cue (Cue Next)	The next clip is automatically prepared for playback, but the first frame stays displayed until the operator manually triggers the start of the next clip.
	Clean	The clip is played without graphics addons, even if graphics are assigned to it. This also applies to cases where graphics addons of the previous clip would normally extend beyond the regular end of the previous clip. Depending on how the duration of the graphics addon is set, graphics of the previous clip can stay displayed even after the next clip starts. But if the clean flag is activated for the next clip, graphics are not displayed.

Using playlists¶

Creating a new playlist¶

To create a new playlist, proceed as follows:

1. Open Makalu traffic via https://traffic.customer-identifier.makalu.live.

   The Makalu Traffic user interface is opened.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic user interface

2. In the left sidebar, select Playlists and click the plus icon (Add playlist).

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Add playlist

   A new tab is opened for editing the playlist details.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Playlist details

3. In the Playlist properties area, edit the basic playlist properties.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Edit playlist properties

4. Save the playlist by clicking Save below the playlist properties.

   The playlist is saved, which is confirmed by a notification message. It is also added as first entry at the top of the Playlists area in the left sidebar.

   Notice

   This step is required, otherwise you cannot add shows, secondary events, or metadata to the playlist.

5. Add one or more shows to the playlist.

   1. In the left sidebar select Shows.

      Available shows are displayed in the shows area to the right.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Available shows

   2. To search for shows based on their name or other show properties, use the Filter section.

   3. Select one or more shows and click Add to playlist.

      The shows are added to the playlist.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Shows added to playlist

      Notice

      The fields Current duration and Overtime are updated accordingly.

      Notice

      In the playlist the displayed show duration corresponds to the actual duration of a show (field Current Duration in the show properties).

      The start time of each added show is calculated based on the start time of the playlist (field Start Time in the playlist properties) and the duration of each added show.

      The checkmarks SE and Meta indicate, if there are additional elements (graphics and/or metadata) assigned to the show.

   4. (Optional) Repeat these steps to add more shows to the playlist.

      Tip

      To change the playlist order, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select a show, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox in the playlist.

      2 - Use one of the buttons Move To Top, Move To Bottom, Move Up or Move Down to move the show to the new position.

      Tip

      To open and edit a show directly from the playlist, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select a show, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox in the playlist.

      2 - Click the pencil icon (Edit show).

      The show is opened in a new tab.

      Tip

      To delete an added show, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select one or more shows to be deleted, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox(es) in the playlist.

      2 - Click the recycle bin icon (Delete Show).

      3 - In the subsequently displayed dialog, click Confirm.

6. (Optional) Add secondary events to the playlist.

   1. In the left sidebar select Secondary events and click on the type, e.g. Graphics.

      Available secondary events of the selected type are displayed to the right.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Secondary events

   2. (Optional) To search for secondary events based on the event name, use the Filter search field.

      Only secondary events are displayed that match the search term.

   3. (Optional) To search for graphics based on the channel they are assigned to, select a channel in the dropdown menu right to the search field, which is by default set to All Channels.

      Only graphics are displayed that are assigned to the selected channel.

      Warning

      If you add multiple graphics to a playlist, only add graphics that are all assigned to the same channel. Otherwise, you cannot send the playlist to playout.

   4. Select a secondary event and drag it onto the Drop Zone in the Playlist Addons area.

      The secondary event is added to the playlist addons.

      

      Figure: Makalu Traffic - Secondary events added to playlist

   5. Repeat these steps to add more secondary events to the playlist.

   6. (Optional) Edit the properties of an added secondary event, by selecting it in the Playlist Addons list and clicking the Edit Playlist Addons button.

      The playlist addon details are displayed to the right, where you can edit the available properties and save by clicking Update.

      Tip

      To delete an added secondary event, proceed as follows:

      1 - Select one or more secondary events to be deleted, by activating the corresponding Action checkbox(es) in the Playlist Addons area

      2 - Click the recycle bin icon (Delete Playlist Addons).

      3 - In the subsequently displayed dialog, click Confirm.

7. In the Playlist properties area click Update.

   The playlist is saved.

8. To close the tab with the playlist details, click Close below the playlist properties.

   The tab is closed.

Sending a playlist to playout¶

To make a playlist available for a playout channel in the Makalu Automation, the Send to Playout function must be used.

If a playlist is sent to playout, it is by default added to the rundown of the selected channel using the start date and time that are set in the playlist properties.

To send a playlist to playout, proceed as follows:

1. Open Makalu Traffic.

2. In the left sidebar, select Playlists and click on the name of the playlist that you want to send to playout.

   The playlist details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Playlist details

   Notice

   A playlist can only be sent to playout if all included shows are approved. Otherwise, the Send to playout function is not available.

3. Click Send to Playout.

   The select playout channel dialog is displayed.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Select playout channel

4. Select the playout channel that you want to send the playlist to.

   Warning

   All graphics that you added to clips, shows and/or the playlist must be assigned to the selected channel. If you use graphics in the playlist that are assigned to a channel other than the selected, you cannot send the playlist to playout. In this case a corresponding error message is displayed after the next step.

5. Click Confirm.

   The playlist is made available for the selected channel in the Makalu Automation.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Successful send to playout

   Notice

   If you edit a playlist, that was already sent to playout and you use Send to playout again, the existing playlist is updated and can be used for the corresponding playout channel.

Editing a playlist¶

To edit a playlist, proceed as follows:

1. Open Makalu Traffic.

2. In the left sidebar, select Playlists and click on the name of the playlist to be edited.

   The playlist details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Playlist details

3. Edit playlist properties, primary events, secondary events and/or metadata as required.

4. In the Playlist Properties area click Update.

   The playlist is saved.

Deleting a playlist¶

To delete a single playlist, proceed as follows:

1. Open Makalu Traffic.

2. In the left sidebar, select Playlists and click on the name of the playlist to be deleted.

   The playlist details are opened in a new tab.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Playlist details

3. In the Playlist Properties area click Delete.

   A confirmation dialog is displayed.

4. To delete the playlist, click Confirm.

   The playlist is deleted.

To delete multiple playlists, proceed as follows:

1. Open Makalu Traffic.

2. In the left sidebar, select Playlists and activate the checkbox to the right of each playlist to be deleted.

   

   Figure: Makalu Traffic - Playlists selected for deletion

3. Click the Recycle bin icon (Delete playlists).

   A confirmation dialog is displayed.

4. To delete the selected playlists, click Confirm.

   The selected playlists are deleted.

Playlist properties¶

The following table provides an overview of all available playlist properties:

Secondary events¶

When a secondary event is added to a clip, show or playlist, it is considered as an “addon”. Each addon has common time-related properties and optional content-related properties, that apply and can be edited within the context of the corresponding clip, show or playlist.

Common properties¶

The following common and time-related properties are used by graphics and metadata secondary events:

Graphics properties¶

The following table provides an overview of available graphics secondary event properties:

Examples for using time-related properties¶

The following table provides examples for using time-related addon properties:

Splicing properties¶

The following table provides an overview of available splicing secondary event properties:

Stream target properties¶

The following table provides an overview of available stream target secondary event properties:

Recording properties¶

The following table provides an overview of available recording secondary event properties:

Metadata properties¶

The following table provides an overview of available metadata secondary event properties: