Glossary¶
This manual uses specific Makalu and media/broadcast terms. The most important concepts are explained when first introduced, and a list of key terms is available in the following glossary:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A/B mode | A mode in which Makalu alternates playback between two cascades (A or B) on a playout server. |
| Aging date | The date when a file is automatically deleted from playout storage (if no longer used in the rundown). |
| Asset | A media file uploaded to Makalu and processed for use in shows. Also referred to as "media asset". |
| Audio mapping | A feature for routing audio channels from input to output, allowing flexible audio track assignments. |
| Automation | The Makalu component for controlling playout, managing the rundown, and operating players. |
| Backchannel | A playout output signal returned to Makalu for preview and monitoring. |
| Cascade | Two fixed ports (A and B) on a playout server to which Makalu assigns and plays clips when using A/B mode. |
| Channel | A self-contained, configurable playout unit in Makalu through which video content is distributed linearly. Each channel has its own rundown, its own players (at least one main player, plus a backup player in redundant configurations), and its own configuration. |
| Clip | An asset (video file, live source, or placeholder) that has been added to a show. Clips are the primary events in shows. |
| EPG | Electronic Program Guide. A schedule of current and upcoming broadcast content, typically displayed in TV applications and set-top boxes. In Makalu, EPG data can be attached to playlists, shows, and clips as metadata and transmitted to downstream systems or service providers. |
| Expiry date | The date when a file is automatically deleted from ingest storage. When the expiry date is reached, a configurable grace period starts before the file is actually deleted. |
| File processing | An automated workflow that creates proxy files, thumbnails, checksums, and metadata after file upload to ingest storage. |
| Housekeeping | An automated process that deletes old files from storage based on their expiry and aging dates. |
| Ingest storage | The central storage (for example, AWS S3) where all uploaded files are stored initially. |
| Job | A task executed by Makalu, such as file processing, file transfer, or recording. Jobs can be monitored in the corresponding UI tabs. |
| Keyset | A collection of metadata fields that can be attached to playlists, shows, or clips. Examples include EPG information or custom metadata. |
| LED wall mode | An operation mode for a Makalu channel in which content is played out to LED walls, ribbon displays, or similar display media instead of a standard broadcast output. |
| Live source | An incoming live video feed (provided via, for example, SRT, RTMP, or HLS) that can be added to shows and scheduled in the rundown as a clip. |
| MAM | Media Asset Management system. An external system for managing media assets that can be connected to Makalu. |
| Makalu Hub | The central UI and entry point for all Makalu apps, consisting of a customizable dashboard. |
| Metadata | Descriptive information attached to assets, playlists, shows, or clips (for example, title, duration, EPG data). Organized in keysets. |
| MOS | Media Object Server. A protocol used for communication between an NRCS and various types of broadcast systems. In the context of Makalu, it enables playlists created in an NRCS to be transferred to Makalu and subsequently updated. |
| NRCS | Newsroom Computer System. An external system used in broadcast newsrooms for planning and managing news content. An NRCS can be connected to Makalu, for example, to provide playlists via MOS integration. |
| On Air Control | A security feature that ensures that only one instance of the Detailed Channel View can make changes to the rundown at a time when multiple instances are open simultaneously. |
| Placeholder | A virtual asset representing a file that doesn't exist yet. Allows scheduling content before the actual file is available. |
| Player | A Makalu software component on a playout node that plays out video content according to the scheduled rundown. Channels can have main and backup players. |
| Playlist | A container for one or more shows, scheduled for a specific date and time. Playlists are added to the channel rundown for playout. |
| Playout node | A server running the playout engine. |
| Playout storage | The local storage on playout nodes where files are copied from the ingest storage and cached for playback. |
| Primary event | The main content in a show: video file, live source, or placeholder. |
| Proxy file | A low-resolution copy of a video file created automatically during file processing. Used for preview and editing; original quality is preserved for playout. |
| Recording | A feature for capturing live sources or playout output to file. Can be event-based (scheduled/automated) or manual, also referred to as "crash recording" when started ad hoc without prior scheduling. |
| Regular mode | The standard operation mode for a Makalu channel, used for 24/7 broadcast playout. |
| Rundown | The chronological list of playlists, shows, clips, and their associated secondary events scheduled for playout on a channel. |
| Secondary event | An additional element attached to a primary event, show, or playlist (graphics, recordings, splicing markers, audio mappings, etc.). |
| Segment | A trimmed portion of a video file created by setting mark in and mark out points. Can be reusable (permanent) or temporary (one-time use). |
| Show | A container for one or more clips (primary events) and optional secondary events. Shows are added to playlists for scheduling. |
| Splicing | A signaling mechanism (based on the standards SCTE 35/104) for indicating ad insertion opportunities or content replacement points in the playout output stream. |
| Stream target | A destination for streaming playout output, such as CDN endpoints. |
| Traffic | The Makalu component for creating and managing playlists, shows, and scheduling content. |
| TX operator | Transmission operator. The person responsible for the live broadcast and real-time control of playout. |
| Widget | A reusable UI component in the Makalu Hub dashboard that displays specific information or provides specific controls. |