Softron Media Services Announces OnTheAir Manager 1.0

Sept. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Softron Media Services Announces OnTheAir Manager 1.0
Software application provides powerful graphical interface for programming single or multi-channel output across Macintosh network

IBC (Booth 7.G14), Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 2, 2010 – Softron Media Services today announced immediate availability of OnTheAir Manager 1.0 . OnTheAir Manager is a Client-Server application designed to work with Softron Media Services’ OnTheAir Node and OnTheAir Server. OnTheAir Manager is used to prepare the schedules, to preview the clips, check which clips are ready to air, and to take control of multiple OnTheAir Nodes  and all this from a single networked workstation. OnTheAir Manager uses a graphical calendar style interface presenting a unique and never before achieved ease of use for scheduling complex programming of single or multiple channels. OnTheAir Manager can send schedules to any number of OnTheAir Nodes and it will automatically assign graphics, control video routers, and send GPI triggers while considering the different user defined categories of each event, playlist and clip. OnTheAir Manager will work with live events that can be triggered automatically or manually (for example by GPI) to ensure trouble free play out, OnTheAir Manager provides detailed reports of potential problems such as overrun and underrun conditions as well as offline clips. This would allow the operator to quickly address the possible issues before they actually happen.

OnTheAir Manager requires each workstation that it will control to have Softron’s OnTheAir Node installed.  OnTheAir Node is Softron's next generation play-out engine for the Mac. It has been designed to be an inexpensive, reliable and customizable video server that uses existing off-the-shelf technology. OnTheAir Node uses the same video engine as OnTheAir Video, which is installed at hundreds of locations throughout the world and has been proven over the years to be extremely reliable. OnTheAir Node provides the capability to control these engines via Ethernet, or via any TCP/IP connection. It has been available since May 2010 and is bundled with OnTheAir Live, an application used to control playlist play-out or A/B Roll play-out from the Macintosh.

“Many users want to be able to control multiple television channels’ schedules from one single location” said Pierre Chevalier, Technical Director at Softron Media Services. “The first step to achieve that goal was to have a reliable underlying architecture which we established with our OnTheAir Node product. The next step was to provide a scheduling application that is not only powerful but is also truly comprehensive and extremely easy to use. We think we have exactly what our users are looking for.”

OnTheAir Manager retails for USD 2995 (1995 EUR).  OnTheAir Node retails for USD 3295 (2495 EUR). A single OnTheAir Manager can control the output of as many OnTheAir Nodes that are present on the network. If multiple OnTheAir Managers need to control one or multiple OnTheAir Nodes, OnTheAir Server (available later this year) is the required solution.
Softron Media Services has upgrade paths for existing users of OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Air Video Express.

About Softron Media Services
Softron Media Services, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, has been providing Macintosh based video and audio solutions for over 25 years.  Softron Media Services provides applications for play-out and scheduling, news management, character generation, acquisition and device control.  What distinguishes Softron Media Services from other companies is the company’s long dedication to providing the highest professional quality video support for Apple’s Macintosh platform. Softron Media Services’ software applications are available online from the Softron Online Store as well as from Apple ProVideo integration specialists throughout the world. Resellers are listed on the Softron Media Services website (www.softron.tv). Softron Media Services’ European headquarters are located at 470, avenue Moliere, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium, Phone: +32 2 771 7371.  Intelligent Broadcasting Systems, Inc., Softron Media Services' US subsidiary, has an office in Las Vegas, NV.  For marketing and sales information about Softron Media Services’ products, please contact Mike Skibra, Business Development Manager at +1 702 275 6353 or marketing @softron.tv

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Softron Media Services has been providing Macintosh based video and audio solutions for 25 years. Applications are for small, midsize and larger broadcasters for playout and scheduling, news management, character generation, ingest and device control.