1. The Applications (v.4.x)
Table of Contents
Preface
When choosing or evaluating a playout solution from ToolsOnAir, it is helpful to get to know the software components of the solution as a starting point. In general, our playout solutions are aimed at two focused use cases: Live Production Playout (just:live) and Automated Master Control Playout (just:play) both enabling video and realtime graphics playout with the adequate and project-related licensing options. Our playout solutions are designed as true client-server solutions with the backend applications named Just Out and Just Connect and the frontend application called Just Control. The ability to play out video files and static or realtime graphics as well as triggering/controlling external devices is defined by the number of dedicated video, graphics or event layers available. To create realtime graphics templates for use with both just:live and just:play, a separate macOS based application namely Composition Builder (composition:builder v.5.0) is available as part of a realtime graphics layer license. The applications Just Connect and Just Control can be installed on as many machines deemed necessary for the project or workflow requirements, thus enabling you to set up Multi Channel Environments in different ways, whereas the output license for Just Out is licensed on a per channel base.
just:live User Interface – Live Production Playout for Video and Realtime Graphics
The just:live user interface (run in Just Control) streamlines the Playout of Videos and realtime Graphics in any live environment while maintaining full control over the live production workflow.
just:play User Interface – 24/7 Automated Broadcast Playout Server
The just:play user interface (run in Just Control) drives an automated Master Control playout solution with SD, HD, and UHD format support, seamlessly integrating live feeds and routers as well as GPI events and realtime graphics.
Backend Applications
Just Connect
Acts like a centralized database by receiving and sending all the information related to a playout channel.
Interconnects to all Just Out engine(s) and Just Control user interface(s), related to a particular playout channel and managed by Just Connect. Distributes rendering tasks to playout engines on different machines.
Enables the handling of optional redundancy and failover scenarios for playout channels.
Just Out
Composites Videos (or a Live Input Signal) and Graphics running as a background application.
Able to run on multiple dedicated playout machines, for example playing videos on one dedicated machine and rendering realtime graphics on another one.
Multiple instances of Just Out on different machines can be used to set up a Redundant System – enabling load distribution and fail-safe operation.
Optional functionality such as Event Layers, Redundancy and Failover may be licensed separately depending on your requirements.
Sample Setup
This setup picture applies to both the just:live and just:play user interface. For simplicity only Just Control is shown.