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  Texscan MSI - 801.956.0000 - fax:801.956.0750 - 2210 West Alexander Street, Suite A - Salt Lake City, UT 84119

Edit Express Tape Compiling Edit Express Tape Compiling System Troubleshooting and FAQ


To effectively troubleshoot any system a basic understanding of how the equipment is supposed to function as well as a knowledge of what the system limits are is required. Normally this understanding is gained from the initial installation and training as well as from the installation and operations manual. Should additional training be desired please call Texscan MSI for more details and options.

The most common problems encountered are human caused. Fortunately these are usually the easiest to rectify. The next most common problems are deck related; broken belts, dirty heads, bad tapes, deck control problems, out of calibration, etc. It is important to know that head end insertion tape decks and editing machines require a complete rebuilding and calibration approximately every ten to twelve months. Tape reading problems experienced in the head end are good indicators that deck rebuild and calibration may be required either of the insertion tape decks or of the editing and compiling tape decks. During the overhaul of insertion decks especially, it is very important to pay special attention to threading ring mechanisms due to the rigorous demands of this type of deck application.

The following troubleshooting guide is as in depth as possible, however, since it is virtually impossible to list all possible problems you may want to add problems, causes and solutions that you experience while working with these systems. It is also appreciated by the personnel and customers of Texscan if you could fax or email your problems, causes and solutions to us so that we may include them in future issues of this troubleshooting guide.

 

System Overview

The major component signals of a Texscan Edit Express tape compiling system consist of left channel audio (channel 1), right channel audio (channel 2), video, and deck control. Tape and spot information is maintained in a database and this database is the key to the automated, time saving functionality of the system. The system is utilized to create library tapes of customer spots and then use the library tapes to create the on-air master tapes comprised of required spot inventory for a given time period.

Left channel audio (channel 1) normally contains all of the spot marking information. This information is in the form of FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) marking which allows the syking which allows the system to read and keep track of the spots on a library or master tape. The PC Marker board installed in the Edit Express computer generates and reads the FSK marking contained on a tape.

Right channel audio (channel 2) normally contains the spot program audio. The system can also be configured such that stereo audio is utilized and the program spot audio is contained on both channel 1 and 2 audio tracks.

Video is produced from the source deck and is recorded onto the target decks during library or master tape building. The system utilizes time code which is located in the video in order to achieve frame accurate compiling.

Control of all decks in the tape compiling system is accomplished using 422 serial control. The control signals originate from the Edit Express computer and the PC Marker board and are appropriately routed to all system decks.

The Edit Express computer not only runs the Edit Express softwarit Express software and database but controls the other components which comprise the system. Installed in the computer are two types of printed circuit boards built by Texscan MSI for the Edit Express system. These boards are the PC Marker Board and the Black Burst board. The PC Marker Board sends all deck control commands as well as reads the left channel FSK marking from tapes. The Black Burst board produces black video for blacking tapes and to lay down between spots as well as routing video signals. There are three different types of black burst boards available (YC688, Component and YC3.58) and should match the type of library arrangement that is configured for a specific system.

The database(s) consist of tape (library, master and customer) information as well as all the spots which reside on each tape. The system uses the tape bin and location system to track the individual tapes defined to the system and the information connformation contained in the database(s) is updated to match the tapes as changes are implemented.

Library tapes are composed of many individual client spots which have been specially recorded on these tapes so that the system can quickly, easily and automatically produce on-air master tapes from just a few library tapes. The library tape contains a directory of information of where spots are located on this particular tape and tracks time code locations of the in and out points for all the individual spots on the tape. The individual spots on a library tape do not contain individual spot marks at the beginning of the spots.

Master tapes are constructed from the library tapes of customer spots and will be the tapes which are actually used to generate the on-air distribution audio and video signals. The master tape consists of a directory containing information about all spots located on the tape; spot name, advertiser ID, cut number, etc., and the control track location where each individual spot may be physically located on the tape. Additionally, each individual spot contains a spot mark located at the first of each spot which also contains spot information and is used for verification and quality control issues pertaining to airing of the spots. The master tapes are noe master tapes are normally created from directories produced by a traffic and billing system which indicate what spot inventory should be available on a network for the period of insertion for which the master is being created.

Although some of the hardware components which comprise the Texscan Edit Express tape compiling system will be covered in the discussion of problems and solutions it is not the intent of this troubleshooting guide to go into detail on the hardware components of the system. Almost every system in the field differs in hardware configuration and there are many different approaches to achieving the overall results. Therefore system hardware will only be discussed as it applies to general system problems being encountered .

Troubleshooting

The Texscan Edit Express tape compiling system troubleshooting guide is broken down into three basic sections for each problem; the symptom, the probable cause and the possible solution.

Symptom: The system will start the Edit Express software but will not allow access to functions.

Probable Cause:
1. The software protect key is not installed on the printer port of the Edit Express computer.
2. The protect key is for another version of the Edit Express software.
3. The software protect key is defective.
4. The printer connected to the software protect key and the printer port of the computer is not turned on.
5. Printer is not functioning properly.
6. Corrupt Edit Express software.
7. Edit Express computer system problems.
Possible Correction:
1. Install the software protect k> 1. Install the software protect key on the printer port of the Edit Express computer.
2. Install the proper software key for the version of Edit Express being utilized.
3. Replace with a known working software key for the version of software being utilized.
4. Turn on the attached printer.
5. Replace printer.
6. Reinstall the Edit Express software.
7. Determine the nature of the computer problem and take appropriate action.
 

Symptom: Experiencing tape reading problems on one or more decks in the system.

Probable Cause:
1. Left channel audio marked at too low of a level.
2. Audio problem associated with the deck(s).
3> 3. Left channel audio problem associated with cabling or connections.
4. Left channel audio problem associated with distribution amplifier or another audio component in the system.
5. PC Marker Board is out of calibration or damaged.
Possible Correction :
1. Texscan recommends the left channel FSK marks be set to a level of between -2 VU to 0 VU while marking master tapes in order to assure proper reading and allow for a small amount of tape audio degradation over time and use. Library tapes should be marked at the level of 0 VU.
2. Repair or replace the problem deck(s).
3. Troubleshoot and verify integrity of all audio system connections and cabling.
4. Isolate the component causing the problems and repair or replace the item.
5. Repair or replace the PC Marker Board.
   

Symptom: The undesired video effect of "blooming" or color smears occur when bright white or red colors appear   during the playing of spots on the air.

Probable Cause:
1. Video levels the specific spot are recorded too high on the library tape.
2. Over modulation of the spot and network video signal.
Possible Correction:
1. Customer spots should never be recorded on a library tape at much over 100 IRE during bright whites, etc., as checked with a wave form monitor. Re-library the troubled spot with the proper video levels.
2. Turn down the video modulation level on the channel modulator .
 

Symptom: Tape is loaded onto a deck but the Edit Express software says that the incorrect tape has been loaded.

een loaded.

Probable Cause:
1. The wrong tape has indeed been loaded.
2. The tape title recorded on the tape does not match exactly the tape title contained in the database.
Possible Correction:
1. Verify that the correct tape (bin and location) has been loaded in the VCR.
2. The tape title recorded on the tape must exactly match the tape title present in the database. Scan thee database. Scan the tape from the beginning to ascertain what tape title has been recorded and based upon the results take appropriate action. Appropriate action may occasionally consist of re-recording the tape directory from the information contained in the database. Verify the integrity of the left channel audio system and proper operation of all decks and PC Marker Board.
 

Symptom: C Tree database error(s) are displayed upon starting the Edit Express software or while building tapes.

Probable Cause:
1. Corruption in the database information or operations.
2. Hardware problems or failures in the Edit Express computer.
Possible Correction:
1. Back up the database information to floppy disk. Then run the datacomp utility at least one time. It is sometimes necessary to run the datacomp more than once in order to clean up certain database corruption.
ize="2"> 2. Restore a previous, backed up version of the database to resume operation before the corruption was introduced. This will probably require additional work to achieve the status of the database and tapes at the time that the database corruption occurred.
3. Run the Compress utility followed by another datacomp.
4. Reinstall the Edit Express software.
5. Ascertain the nature of the computer failure being experienced (usually hard drive problems) and repair or replace the computer.
 

Symptom: "ASI First: COM 3" error displayed when starting the Edit Express software.

Probable Cause:
1. The PC Marker Board in the Edit Express computer has failed to initialize properly.
Possible Correction:
1. Reseat the PC Marker Board inside the Edit Express computer.
2. If the PC Marker Board has failed and the reseating does not help the board must be repaired or replaced.
 

Symptom: Error "Could Not Initialize SystemComponentName" is encountered upon starting the Edit Express   software.

Probable Cause:
1. The system component stated in the error message (i.e. 422 MUX, etc.) is "locked up" and needs to be reset.
2. The system could not communicate with the system component named in the error message.
Possible Correction:
1. Reset the system component named in the error message. This can be accomplished by either turning off the power to the named device for at least 30 seconds and then turning the power to the device on again or by pushing a reset button if the device is equipped with a reset button. There may be times that it is necessary to turn off the power necessary to turn off the power to the entire Edit Express system, wait approximately 30 seconds and then restore power to all the devices followed by restarting the Edit Express software.
2. Verify cabling and connections with the named system component to insure proper communications between the device and the Edit Express computer is possible.
3. Repair or replace a device that is damaged or is not operating properly and will not reset.
 

Symptom: The system says that it needs to add spots to the master tape which are known to already exist on the master.

Probable Cause:
1. A 30 second spot is being replaced with a spot of longer duration in the current directory compared with the previous compile of this master. Often a 60 second spot will be put into a place that was previously occupied by a 30 second spot. This causes every spot after the new 60 second spot to have to moved to a new location on the tape.
2. There are director#000000"> 2. There are directory problems such that the directory currently residing on the tape is different than the directory obtained from the traffic and billing (T&B) system, i.e. there are field changes present on the directory from the T&B system.
Possible Correction:
1. Do not put a longer spot on a tape than was previously resident in the specific location. Texscan recommends that usually it is best to place 60 second or longer spots toward the end of a tape directory or in groups in order to avoid this type of problem. Sometimes, as in plodded sequential types of insertion it is necessary to place a longer spot in the position of what was previously a shorter spot and the re-adding of all subsequent spots on the tape will be unavoidable.
2. Print out the directory provided by the traffic and billing system and compare it with the directory of the tape either by scanning the tape or printing it from the database. Any changes in any spot field will cause the spot to be re-added to the master or library tape .
 

  Edit Express FT color="#000000"> Edit Express FAQ

Question: How can I help preserve the integrity of my Edit Express database?

Answers:
1. Back up your database on a daily basis when used. Utilize at least three different floppy disks to back up the database so that even with the loss of two disks the database isn't totally lost. Rotate through the back up disks so that, for instance, if compiles are done on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday basis, use disk 1 to back up Monday, disk 2 for Wednesday and disk 3 for Friday. Finally, replace the floppy disks being used for back ups on a timely basis as dictated by use.
2. Try to keep the database as small as is reasonable for your system and spot inventory requirements. Obviously, keeping a company's spot who went out of business five years ago does nothing but clutter the system and take up space. This will allow quicker database operations and seems to minimize overall problems.
3. Run the datacomp utility on a regular basis according to use.
 

Question: Can I mark long play tapes (greater than 2 minutes) with the Edit Express   tape compiling system?

Answers:
1. You can mark spots longer than 2 minutes, but there is a limit to the duration a spot can be on the Edit Express system. The spot duration limit is approximately 5 minutes. The software was not written to mark spots longer than about 5 minutes.
2. To accomplish tape marking of program material longer than 5 minutes you must use a ComSerter or some other system as the marking device.
 

Question: How can I force the compiler to re-add a spot to a library or master tape   following some sort of change in the spot?

Answer: Change any field in the spot definitions and information about the spot and the system will see the difference and cause the spot to be re-ce and cause the spot to be re-added to the tape. Normally this will be needed when changing the video "copy" on a master tape. Texscan recommends that customers utilize a normally unused field if possible to force the change so that what has transpired will be easily noticed by all operators. Be aware that the next time that the tape is compiled the system will want to add the spot once again if the current information does not match the traffic and billing directory information exactly. Normally this will be OK and afterwards no further adding of this specific spot will be called for.

Question: Is it possible to force the tape directory and the database directory to match each other?

Answer: Utilizing the "Create Directory From Database" function from the Miscellaneous Functions will cause the database directory for a specific tape to be recorded on the loaded tape. This function can be very helpful if there is known corruption of the tape title or directory and every time that the tape is loaded you get the error message that the wrong tape has been loaded. The caution for this function is that you must be aware that once the directory has been recorded onto the tape the process is not reversible. Be sure that all spot videe sure that all spot video and spot information is correct in the database before committing it to the tape!

Question: Should I ever utilize the "Update Spot File Using Directory" function?

Answer: This function should be avoided since it has been known to introduce corruption into the database.

Question: What are the required specifications for a computer to run the Edit Express tape compiling software?

Answer: The computer should be an Intel 80386 or 80486 based system running at a maximum speed of 66 MHz. Minimum RAM should be approximately 4 Megabytes. The hard drive size should be at least 300 Megabytes. The Edit Express software was written to run under the MS-DOS operating system and Texscan recommends MS-DOS version 6.22 primarily for certain functions available in this version of DOS. Version 5.0 will also run the Edit Express software .

 

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