|
How to Avoid Common Errors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's never good when an encode has an error or an event does not play. We receive a number of calls each month about random errors. In most cases we find there was a logical reason the error
occurred and in most cases it could have been avoided. This month we will focus on common Encoder and Server errors:
Encoder Errors
We get calls about Encoders that missed events, encoded black or recorded the wrong program. In each case you can avoid these errors. The most common causes for the above errors include the following:
- The Encoder's hard drive is full so there is no room for the new program. To avoid this make sure you delete files daily, weekly or monthly depending on how much use your Encoders get. If you "auto encode" VLM encodes to a temp file and will auto delete the file for you. This feature must be set up in order to work properly. If you encode manually you should download our Maintenance Checklist and set a reminder to perform the tasks listed including deleting files from the encoder.
- For situations where the wrong program or just "black" was encoded, the operator selected the wrong device so the Encoder started but the device that was selected was not scheduled to play or there was just no video and the event was missed. You can avoid this by double-checking the details for encode events to make sure the correct devices are selected and are configured for the event.
Server Errors
The most common calls and causes on Server missed events are:
- The file path is incorrect so when the Server attempts to play the program there is no file at the location browsed. Make sure you browse through the network to connect the MSN with the proper file location.
- The file is part of an on-going series where the program is updated each week but the title remains the same. The event was missed because the new file was loaded but not re-linked to the title. Easiest fix is to perform a "bump from 0 offset" within the Event program and VLM will re-connect the titles and files.
- Always use the Missing Media Report as a double-check. VLM version 2.82 provides improved Missing Media tracking. Missing Media has been added to Error Pager and a "missing media" color option has been added to events in the Event Screen so they are easier to see. To set your color option, right click in the Event Screen and select Colors.
|
| How to Keep Viewers from Switching Away
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ever wonder how many viewers you lose when bad weather is approaching? I watched my wife switch off of a cable channel the other day so she could check the weather to verify an earlier thunderstorm warning. She never switched back after she got her weather update. I asked her if she would have switched if the station she was watching had scrolled the latest update across the bottom of the screen. She thought about it a few seconds and said, "probably not, I was just curious when it might hit". I don't know if she's typical of every viewer but regardless of your type of station you are competing for eyeballs just like the national network guys and today's TV viewers expect instant updates of relevant information.
BugCrawler, Informa and FireBird can connect you to the National Weather Service for free weather updates in your local area. You can schedule these updates as often as needed. When your weather project runs it collects the latest information from the National Weather Service and automatically updates the data. If you would like additional information on this or other features within our graphics products please give your Regional Manager a call at 800-601-6991. |
