Softron OnTheAir Node Upgrade (Electronic Download)is an upgrade from an OnTheAir Node 3 system that has neither HD support nor the logo overlay option installed. The upgrade is to the full version of OnTheAir Node 4, which features HD support and static logo overlay built in.

OnTheAir Node is Softron's highest-end playout software. It's a Mac-based, customizable video server with an open client-server architecture, and it can be controlled remotely over the network. One client computer can control multiple OnTheAir Node servers, and third party applications, such as Traffic and Media Asset Management, can be used to provide control with real-time media cataloging and validation.

OnTheAir Node doesn't have a user interface but rather supports two client applications for UI functionality: the free OnTheAir Live, for playlist playout; and the optional OnTheAir Manager, for scheduling. OnTheAir Live is a playlist manager for live productions. It provides a user interface for adding media and controlling playback, and it has all the features required for live operations, such as cue mode and A/B roll. OnTheAir Manager is the solution for 24/7 unattended playout. It uses a calendar user interface for scheduling, and it provides advanced features such as EPG, categories, and redundancy. OnTheAir Node 3 requires one license per output channel and supports up to four HD channels on one Mac, and one OnTheAir Live and/or OnTheAir Manager can control as many OnTheAir Node channels as you need.

In OnTheAir Node, Softron uses its own playout engine called Smart Playout Engine. This player allows mixing multiple codecs and resolutions in the same playlist without installing any additional software, and it features three resize tools that will help efficiently scale frame sizes. Automatic Resize scales to Fill, Pan-and-Scan, or Letterbox; Manual Resize lets you define parameters; and Smart Resize produces an advanced resize of interlaced clips, limiting artifacts to a minimum or none. The standard playout file type is QuickTime (.mov), but you can also select Transport Stream (.ts), MXF (.MXF), and others. Still images play in PNG and other formats, and audio support ranges up to 5.1 channels.

OnTheAir Node also supports direct-to-web streaming via the optional Softron MovieRecorder, without any additional output card; and it supports streaming with an additional card via the optional Softron MovieStreamer HLS.

Mac-Based, Video Server Playout Software    Open Client-Server Architecture    Supports Network Remote Control    Supports 3rd Party Control Applications    24/7 Playout with OnTheAir Manager    Supports Mixed Codecs and Resolutions    Automatic / Manual / Smart Resize    Static Logo Overlay    GPI / Video Router Control    Supports Streaming via Optional Software

OnTheAir Node features Softron's Smart Playout Engine that allows mixing multiple codecs and resolutions in the same playlist without installing any additional software.

Automatic Resize will scale different resolution clips to Fill, Pan-and-Scan, or Letterbox; Manual Resize will let you define parameters; and Smart Resize produces an advanced resize of interlaced clips, limiting artifacts to a minimum or none.

OnTheAir Node requires one license per output channel and supports up to four HD channels on one Mac, as the built-in Smart Playout Engine can take advantage of multiple cores. (Please download the matching OnTheAir Node version -- Single, Dual, or Quad).

OnTheAir Node catalogs available assets in scan folders and informs the client application (OnTheAir Live / Manager) when a new asset arrives or is deleted. It also checks for validity and compatibility. Information is provided as XML, facilitating the use of third party applications in retrieving clip characteristics. (Ex: video codec, audio sample rate, creation date, last modification date, finder label, etc.)

OnTheAir Node's open architecture allows any third party application, such as Traffic or Media Asset Management, to control playout and view available media. OnTheAir Node uses Telnet for its communications; the protocol is a proven and open standard that doesn't need any special requirements.

Using an optional Softron GPICommander Box, you can send GPI triggers from OnTheAir Node to a video mixer or any GPI compatible device. GPICommander connects to your Mac by USB and provides 24 inputs and 8 outputs of GPI.

You can control video routers using an optional Blackmagic-Design Videohub or AJA Kumo router. These have dedicated plug-ins that connect to your network and control crosspoints. Video router control is useful for live events in 24/7 playouts.

Thanks to its flexible system of "Attributes," OnTheAir Node can control multiple external devices, such as video routers (through RS-232 or Ethernet), character generators, or logo inserters (using GPI triggers). Attributes are changed for the whole length of a clip and reverted back to a default value at the end. Attributes always have a default value, such as "Logo On" or "GPI On", and you decide to modify the default value only on the clips you want. For example, you can set "Logo Off" for commercials.

- HD support and a static logo overlay feature are built in

- Seamless playback

- YUV and ARGB video output modes, depending on the video card

- External and internal keying, if the video card supports keying in the desired resolution

- Scrubbing (move playout at time position)

- 4K capable in "standard mode" (i.e. without logo, Smart Resize, or streaming)

- Still image output

- Still logo overlay (png image)

- Smart Resize (handles interlaced formats without artifacts)

- Automatic Resize (automatically resizes clips to fit the video output)

- Manual Resize (user defined per clip)

- Supports direct-to-web IP streaming without any additional card via MovieRecorder 3, sold separately

- Supports IP streaming using an additional card via MovieStreamer HLS, sold separately

- Audio/video buffering

- One output per Mac if with Smart Resize and the optional Dynamic Graphics Overlay

- Same audio destinations as video output

- Linear PCM, MP3, MP2, AAC, Apple Lossless audio formats

- Plays audio only files

- Multiple audio channels output

- Audio auto-mapping (using QuickTime track languages)

All these require the use of OnTheAir Live, available free, as a user interface.

- As-run-logs

- Cue Mode

- A/B roll (two video cards required)

- Playlist editing during playout

- Show/Hide thumbnails

- ASCII playlist import

- Opens all vpls playlists (but cannot save in .vpls -- only in .xpls)

- Event fixed start time

- Schedule imports (imports all vpls playlists)

- Live events

All these require the use of the optional OnTheAir Manager as a user interface.

- Scheduled playout

- Graphical calendar scheduling

- Dynamic calendar display resize

- Event and playlist categories

- Category inheritance

- Hierarchical playlists

- Repeat events (alias) by day, weekdays, weekend days, month

- Duplicate events

- "Stick" events to close gaps in scheduling

- Real-time display of overruns and underruns

- Create and control multiple schedules for multiple outputs using one application

- Detailed report of offline clips, missing playlists, overrun, and underrun

- Media cataloging

- Media validation

- Finder label

- Clip relative path (Clips Folder root)

- Clip trimming

- Clip splitting

- Reference movie

- MXF files support

- Still image support

- Resize clip manually

- Position clip in frame (when resized)

- Clip end behaviors (Normal, Stop at End, Hold Last Frame, Play Next Clip, Loop)

- Create offline clip (to program a clip that is not yet present on disk)

- Create live clip (using the optional OnTheAir Manager)

- Auto detection of offline clips and auto recovery (in Media List and Playlists)

- Remotely controllable by Telnet

- Matrix video routers control (requires free plug-in)

- GPI output (requires optional plug-in and optional Softron GPI Commander Box)

- GPI input (requires Softron GPI Commander Box connected to OnTheAir Live computer)

- Secondary events (Attributes)

- Integration with EAS encoders/decoders (requires optional EASController)

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does the electronic download version work fine?

A: Yes it does.

Q: 2. Can TurboCAD open AutoCad or DraftSight 2D files or, must I convert them to DXF file format?

A: Encore TurboCAD Designer (Electronic Download) can open 2D files from AutoCad and DaftSight so long as they are in one of TurboCAD's supported formats. TurboCAD supports the following formats: 3DS, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, BMP, DWG, DXF, EPS, Facet, FACT, GIF, grid surface, IGES, JPEG, paper space, PDF, PICT, PNG, Rhino, SAT, spline, STEP, STL, text, TIFF, Trimble SketchUp, TrueSpace COB, and viewports.

Q: 3. What are the system requirements? I want to make sure it will work on my system.

A: The system requirements for the SONARWORKS SoundID Reference for Speakers & Headphones Plug-In and App are macOS 10.14 to 12 or later or Windows 10 to 11 or later.

Q: 4. Can I run Pro-Q3 on Logic Pro X?

A: This can be run in Logic Pro X. Please note, this is an upgrade product for those who already own Pro-Q 1 or 2.

Q: 5. How many installs of this can be used? (One for a desktop, one for an iPad for use at different times, etc.)

A: According to Newtek there is no limitation on how many devices can run on a single LivePanel license. The LivePanel serial number is activated on the TriCaster and acts like a web server, which would allow multiple devices to use it's capabilities.

Q: 6. Is the BH #PRREMMOUSE • MFR #REM-MOUSE controller compatible with this software?

A: While we are not aware of this specifically working with that Prompter People product, it appears to be a pretty standard looking mouse. There may be some specific features the Prompter People product has that does not work with this software, but I would imagine they should work well for general mouse scrolling.

Q: 7. Softron M|Replay is this replay software supports 1080p 59.94 framerate?

A: We can find no prohibition with this product regarding codecs. We suggest downloading the demo and see if it works for you. If so, then you can purchase the license. http://www.softron.tv/products/mreplay

Q: 8. can you export the models to another program?

A: JetStrike can be used in any 3D program that supports any of the following 3D formats: OBJ Quads, C4D (R12+), FBX Quads, 3ds Max, 3ds+ Max (Vray 1.5+). Compatible programs include Cinema 4D, 3D Studio Max, Maya, and Blender. For After Effects, JetStrike requires Video Copilot's Element 3D After Effects plug-in, sold separately, as it functions within the plug-in. Outside of After Effects,

Q: 9. Can this be used to upgrade from the Basic edition to the Business edition?

A: Yes Silhouette Studio Business Edition would upgrade from the Basic Edition.

Q: 10. can i get a key emailed to me or do i have to wait for an actual card?

A: The Silhouette Studio Business Edition is an actual shipped card.