What’s New in Avid DekoCast?
DekoCast 4.2.1: Greater Support for Open Formats and Devices
DekoCast version 4.2.1 software extends operational support for a wider variety of formats, devices and workflows.
Updated Transcode Capability: Now allows import and transcode of QuickTime media with alpha channel for fast creation of video clips into DekoCast scenes. DekoCast will create a fill and key file if the alpha channel is included in the QuickTime file.
OpenType and PostScript Type 1 fonts: In addition to TrueType fonts, DekoCast and PostDeko Lite now support OpenType (.otf) and PostScript Type 1 fonts for creation of DekoCast graphics and scenes using these commonly supported font formats.
New Communications Support of DekoCast Central:
This version of DekoCast Central includes expanded GPI support and support for the X-keys Professional keypad.
- Local RS232 COM Port
- Blastronix 8-Port PCI Card
- Burst GPI Converters
- GPI Triggers of House IDs
- Command Queues for Individual Devices
- X-keys Professional Keypad (10 Keys or 58 Keys)
New Control Features in DekoCast Central:
- VDCP Support: DekoCast Central can now be controlled by automation systems that use the Video Device Control Protocol (VDCP). DekoCast Central implements a subset of the VDCP functions.
- House ID Lookup Table Sequencing: Using the DekoCast Central control interface, you can now use the revised House ID Lookup Table dialog box to trigger multiple events of different event types through a single House ID. You can have a House ID execute a VBScript, send a GPI out, load a DekoCast scene, set any object parameter or multiple object parameters in the scene, and play an action or multiple actions.
This represents key features introduced with DekoCast version 4.2.1 software. For a complete list of new features, operational changes and software issues resolved, see the Avid DekoCast Version 4.1.2 Readme documentation. www.avid.com/support
Previous DekoCast 4.1.2: DekoCast Plug-ins!
DekoCast version 4.1.2 software delivers an exciting set of software plug-ins for enhanced scene control, playback and customization with additional scripting and API capabilities.
- iNEWS Extractor: Allows a live data connection to specific DekoCast Objects and Actions directly from an iNEWS rundown for displaying breaking news and top stories. This allows a synchronization of news content across multiple channels and programming.
A complete list of features can be found on the Avid DekoCast product pages.
- Image Fetcher: Allows automatic, time-based retrieval of web-based images into a pre-formatted location in the DekoCast scene. Users define the target location of the image which can be a local or url path. A destination file path is selected for the DekoCast scene to place the image for on-screen display. Users can define a “fetch” cycle for the interval that new images are automatically retrieved and placed into the scene without user intervention.
- RSS Extractor: Pulls web-data feeds using RSS protocol for inserting and cycling live headlines and top stories for news, sports and entertainment into DekoCast layers and crawls. Users can define the desired “fetch” cycle and append custom scripts to pre-process the data.
- Database Extractor: Enables a direct query from DekoCast Scene Objects to fields and records of ODBC-compliant databases such as MS Access and MS Excel. Users can define a desired update frequency and can append custom scripts to pre-process the query result. This feature is great for headlines and sports and election applications
- Engine Trigger: Allows DekoCast Scenes to automatically “react” and invoke user-specified Actions based on changes the Scenes parameters. A useful application would be for a DekoCast Scene with a DVE-Squeeze over input video to return to full screen only when a credit roll or news crawl has completed – without user intervention.
New Control and Automation features!
DekoCast 4.1.2 extends support of the following devices and address the automation features through the DekoCast Central Automation and Playback software:
- EAS: Added support for the TFT EAS 911 device.
- Temperature Probe: Added support for Sensatronics Series E and F devices.
- Burst Box: Added support for the model GPI-10 I86: supports unique actions for high tally or low tally on a single GPI path.
- House IDs: Provides the ability to define a look-up table to map to multiple DekoCast Scene Actions to a single House ID. This lets an automation system send a single command to trigger multiple DekoCast actions. Object Parameters in the scene (like displayed text or file names) can be overridden on recall. Look up tables can be easily distributed across multiple systems in a facility.
Graphics Workflow Integration
- Clips created using Avid DNxHD can be imported to the DekoCast for an even greater reach of your assets facility-wide.
This represents key features introduced with DekoCast version 4.1.2 software. For a complete list of new features, operational changes and software issues resolved, see the Avid DekoCast Version 4.1.2 Readme documentation. www.avid.com/support