Importing Playlists from 3rd Party Scheduling Systems

or from other ENCO Software packages.

 

A Playlist can be created in any of the popular scheduling systems and imported into DAD. Some of these scheduling systems have an automation output option that allows the user to specify which system they are using. If this option is available for ENCO, programmers should be able to generate a log and import it directly into DAD.

If this is not available with the scheduling system being used, then an Import Filter might be required.  Import Filters are custom written for each station and are a purchase option.

Merged logs can be imported separately then merged within DAD or merged outside of DAD with a different program. 

 

Importing an ASCII file from within DAD.

If the scheduling system allows one to send a flat ASCII file directly to DAD, one can import that log through the main Playlist Modify window.

From within the Playlist Modify window press the PLAYLIST button. This opens a second window displaying the currently existing playlists. Select the button IMPORT. This opens the IMPORT PLAYLISTS window.  

Users can enter the Import Path in the field at the top of this window. Generally this is F:\DAD\IMPORT. This can set to any path depending on your configuration.  When the path is entered, the available files to be imported should appear on the left side of the window. Select the proper log on the left side, choose the ASCII FLAT FILE option on the right side and press the IMPORT button. This will import the file and close the IMPORT window. The newly imported playlist can now be loaded from the playlist window.

Users should not use the DADpro PLAYLIST option to import ASCII files. This is used to import an existing playlist that was created from another DAD system.  The DELETE button can be used to delete the ASCII files from the left side of the IMPORT PLAYLISTS window.

The simplest ASCII import file contains only the Cut number and a Transition code.  For example:

00007L

In the above example, cut 00007 would be imported as an autoLoad. 

Advanced users can also configure an ASCII output with more information if desired. For Example:

Field Field Name Type Width
1 CUT character 5
2 FUNCTION character 1
3 DELAY character 8
4 PLAYS character 2
5 SEC character 1
6 TER character 1
7 SEGUE character 1
8 TIME character 8
9 BEGEND character 1
10 CHAIN character 8
11 ROTATE character 8
12 TYPE character 1
13 COMMENT character 35
14 LINEID character 10
15 STARTTIME character 7
16 ENDTIME character 7
17 FOSTART character 7
18 FOLENGTH character 7
19 FISTART character 7
20 FILENGTH character 7
21 LIBLOC character 2
22 LIBNAME character 8
23 GUID character 36
24 ORDERID character 5
    TOTAL 183
         
  Function Codes Type Codes  
  (A)utoplay T(A)MS event  
  auto(L)oad (B)acktime marker  
  (N)ormal (C)omment  
  (S)egue (D)elay for  
    (E)xecute command  
    c(H)ain to  
    (O)ver cut  
    normal (P)lay  
    (R)otate to  
    (T)imed event  
           

 So, an ASCII file might look like the following:  

00002

S

 

 

 

 

13:14:00

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13:18:00

 

 

 

C

This is a test comment

HARD

L

 

 

 

 

13:45:00

2

0

 

T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY

 

H

 

NOTE: The ASCII log output must be formatted so it complies within the DAD playlist structure above.

For complete details about the entire DAD Playlist Structure including entry options for Branches and all other Playlist Events, please review the Playlist Structure PDF file.

 

 

 

Merging two existing playlist within DAD

From within the Playlist Modify window press the PLAYLIST button. This opens a second window displaying the currently existing playlists. Select the button MERGE. This opens the MERGE PLAYLISTS window.

The MERGE PLAYLISTS window lets you merge or combine the contents of two playlists.  This screen has two displays, each of which contains all available playlists.  Position the first of the two playlists in the highlight bar of the Playlist A display, and the second in the highlight bar of the Playlist B display.  

Playlists can be merged under either of their original names, or a new playlist can be created with the combined contents of the original two.  Type the name of the playlist to receive the combined contents in the MERGE PLAYLIST A AND B TO: window (8 character limit, no spaces). 

 Touch the MERGE button. DAD completes the merge process and displays the PLAYLIST window.

 WARNING:  If playlists are merged under either of the original names, that original playlist will be permanently altered.  The only way to recover the original playlist would be to manually delete the newly merged cuts on an individual basis, using the MODIFY and DELETE buttons.  

NOTE: If no timing information is contained in the playlist, the two playlists will be merged together in an alternating sequence, like playing cards being shuffled.  If timing information is present, the playlists will be merged chronologically.  

 

Importing an ASCII file into DAD using another program.

A log can be imported into DAD using one of the following ENCO programs:

SCHEDULING WIZARD

IMPORT

MERGE

These programs are purchase options and can be run on any computer that has access to the DAD Network. These programs will import and create the playlist directly into DAD.

 

Scheduling Wizard allows users to create custom clocks and assignment grids that are merged with the log that is being imported. This is very convenient for stations that are automated or running several satellite based shows. The clocks can contain programming events like switcher commands, spot breaks with liners and program blocks, which are filled, from the traffic or music log.  Once clocks have been created the user can select the day to import and generate the log.

 

 

 

Import is a program that also allows users to import logs from a 3rd party scheduler.  Import uses a custom written file that allows programmers to customize their logs with Hard Branches and other control elements. Import can be used to import the log and create the playlist when the scheduling system cannot provide a direct-to-DAD file.

 

 

 

Merge works just like Import with the added ability of merging two logs together to create a single playlist.