Broadcast Playout Software
  • Description
  • Hardware specifications
  • Video tutorials

    MagicSoft Playout – production and broadcast automation software


MagicSoft Playout software is designed as an intuitive and powerful multi-format playout solution for professional environments such as broadcasting stations and production studios. It’s suitable for 24/7 playout for news, music and movie channels, allowing to insert commercials and to switch between multiple live video.
It works under Windows 7 / 8 / 10 and 11 and equivalent Windows Server OS (64-bit only).

MagicSoft Playout accepts any type of media files with a size between 8K (7680 x 4320) and 320 x 240 and the frame-rate accepted range is between 3 and 120 fps.

Supported LIVE inputs and outputs :
   – BlackmagicDesign devices (Decklink & Intensity)
   – NDI streams
   – UDP streams

Playout



rtmp

Output streaming supports resolutions between 4k and 360 x 288.
Some of the RTMP / RTMPS servers that work for 24/7 streaming are :
YouTube, Twitch, Wowza, Vimeo, Facebook and DaCast

There is also support for UDP ( supporting unicast and multicast by
using H264 with AAC, AC3 or MP2)




The supported video input and output modes are :
   4K UHD       23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 / 50 / 59.94 / 60
   HD1080p      23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 /30 / 50 /59.94 /60
   HD1080i       50 / 59.94
   HD720p        50 / 59.94
   SD                PAL / NTSC
The internal video engine will automatically resize, match aspect ratio and transcode the media files and the live inputs in order to match the characteristics of the output.



Playout



Playout



Up to 4 video inputs and 4 video outputs are supported and the inputs and outputs depend on the capability of the used devices :
   – SDI with audio embeded
   – SDI with audio AES
   – YUV with analog audio
   – Composite with analog audio
   – HDMI





MagicSoft Playout client allows you to schedule a certain clip or live input to be started at the pre-establish time.
The skipped events or gaps that may appear will be marked as such.



Playout


Playout





By using the “advanced audio” module, you can :
   – set up to 16 audio output channels
   – apply real-time audio loudness normalization





The sound module allows applying loudness normalization for playout files
( EBU, NTSC, YouTube or custom normalization settings are supported )

Allows using media without requiring a manual adjustment of the sound level.
    Other advantages:
       – real-time automatically processing, without compression or distortion
       – offers the best results even if the audio has a high dynamic range
       – possibility to achieve a predictable loudness level
       – guarantees that a signal does not clip



Playout


Playout








The conformance recorder module allows you to record the output of the Playout and it can work with two profiles simultaneously.






The timeline is flexible and intuitive, it allows scrubbing, marking and displaying the segments and it also shows the continuity or overlapping of the segments.




Playout



Playout





Multiple consecutive rows can be selected and transformed into a collapsible group. Working with multiple level grouping is supported.







The trimming feature allows you to easily create segments and manage the properties of each segment.




Playout






The list of video codecs and containers tested in a broadcast environment :

          – H264 AVC Intra 50 and AVC Intra 100 .mxf
          – H264 8 bit and 10 bit .mp4 / .mov / .avi / .mkv and transport stream ( 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 )
          – HEVC 8 bit and 10 bit .mp4 / .mov / .avi / .mkv and transport stream ( 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 )
          – XdCAM 35 and XdCAM 50 .mov and mxf
          – ProRes .mov
          – DNxHD 8 bit and 10 bit .mov and .mxf
          – DNxHR .mov and .mxf
          – Mpeg2 program stream and transport stream ( 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 )
          – DV .avi /.mov /.mxf and rawDV
          – DVCPRO .avi and .mov
          – DVCPRO HD .mov



The functional blocks of the MagicSoft Playout are represented in the diagram.

MagicSoft Playout internal blocks


The software has a watch-dog application that ensures the functionality of the MagicSoft Playout and sends the status and alerts by SMTP email.


The recommended configurations are based on Intel motherboards with socket AM4 / 1200 /1700 / 1151 / 2011 / 2066 / 3647
and AMD processors Ryzen series.
The list of compatible hardware is open. The hardware vendors update their systems on a regular basis and it is difficult to evaluate every new systems that come to market.
The most important thing to consider is that the video frame-buffer must be compatible with the motherboard and the rest of your system. Our software will work for sure if the systems are configured correctly.


4K UHD / Quad channel HD
Type MotherBoard Processor RAM Memory Blackmagic Card
Socket
2066 / 3647 / 2011 v3
nVidia GTX 750 or newer
Asus, Gigabyte, MSI for socket 2066
Supermicro for socket 3647
Intel processor with 8 core or better 4 X 8 GB (socket 2066)

6 x 8 GB (socket 3647)
DeckLink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer

Quad channel SD / dual channel HD
CPU Socket MotherBoard Processor RAM Memory Blackmagic Card
Intel socket
2011 / 1151
nVidia video card
GTX 750 or newer
SuperMicro, Gigabyte, Asus, MSI Intel Core i7 with 6 core and 12 threads or better 4 X 8 GB
Decklink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer
AMD socket AM4
nVidia video card
GTX 750 or newer
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI AMD Ryzen
8 core and 12 threads or better
4 X 8 GB
Decklink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer

Single channel HD
CPU Socket MotherBoard Processor RAM Memory Blackmagic Card
Socket 1151
with integrated graphics
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI Intel Core i7 with 4 core and 8 threads 2 X 8 GB DeckLink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer
Socket AM4
GTX 750 or newer
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI AMD Ryzen 7 2 X 8 GB DeckLink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer

Single channel SD
CPU Socket MotherBoard Processor RAM Memory Blackmagic Card
Socket 1151
with integrated graphics
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI Intel Core i5 2 X 4 GB DeckLink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer
Socket AM4
GTX 750 or newer
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI AMD Ryzen 5 2 X 4 GB DeckLink / Intensity
driver ver 11 or newer
Video tutorials for Playout
Installing and requirements https://youtu.be/jCB7iwqpzOQ
Starting the playout software https://youtu.be/Qz9I5BGC7hM
Setting live input and channel output https://youtu.be/D00-AkARbyc
Inserting media into Playout https://youtu.be/7GYXCZdH0Jw
Working with media in playlist https://youtu.be/0vW0fml24n8
Edit a playlist entry https://youtu.be/89IW-lTuDQM
Trimming a clip from the library https://youtu.be/CGCjDyt2TjU
Making a folder template https://youtu.be/sDZJnyjM4p0
Working with logo https://youtu.be/E36cXrd8wG0
Working with playlist editor https://youtu.be/0Ou6AQA0Pzo