XPression
Tick-It!
XPression Tick-It! is an automated, multi-channel, multi-zone, multi-function, collaborative information and channel branding workflow server for tickers, informational channels and channel branding.
Designed to take the complexity out of data-rich graphics and automated playout of branding imagery, Tick-It! combines live data sources with manually entered content for a unified presentation that can be scheduled to appear as a video overlay or as a stand-alone information channel.
Applications
Tick-It! is perfect for a wide variety of applications, including:
- Local TV Tickers
- Network Tickers
- Sports Tickers
- Logo Bugs w/ Time & Temp
- L-Bars
- Information Channels
- Digital Signage
- Logo Bugs
- Promotional Snipes
- Next On’s
- Program Line-ups
- Sponsorships
- Advertisements
- Interstitials
- Voice-overs
Data Types
The types of data that may be displayed with Tick-It! are virtually endless.
- News Headlines
- Weather Stats
- Sports Scores
- Stocks
- Traffic Data
- School Closings
- EAS, Amber & Weather Alerts
- Election Results
- Community Events
- and more…
Features
Browser-based with Access Control
Whether being used to control channel branding or data integration, all access to Tick-It! is browser-based, meaning that anyone with the proper credentials who is connected to the local or wide-area network can retrieve, enter, schedule, or control playback of content from any location. Robust user-rights management with audit trail ensures that only people with the proper privileges are allowed to access any part of the Tick-It! system.
Traffic Integration
Tick-It! provides support for traffic log ingestion from most modern traffic systems, and support for other systems will be added as needed.
Unlimited Advance Scheduling
Schedule recurrent content months in advance with an unlimited number of schedulers accessing the Tick-It! server from their web browsers.
Create Once… Use Many
Instead of rendering every iteration of a branding event as a separate animation clip, Tick-It!’s template-based workflow allows users to design a format and dynamically change text, images, and clips from data in the traffic log or the Tick-It! UI. The amount of time saved is literally astronomical.
Automation Simplified
With all of the branding content scheduled via traffic log import or events entered via the Tick-It! browser interface, automation simply needs to trigger the next event in a segment. If there are more events scheduled in a segment than time allows, Tick-It! just moves on to the next segment, so you’re never out of sync with programming. Supported methods include – GPI, serial, or IP.
Manual Control
In the event of any unplanned event, it’s always good to be able to take operator control of an automated environment. To manage these situations, the Tick-It! Player Monitoring & Control application allows master control operators to take graphics on/off air, run crawls, etc. across multiple streams.
Revenue Generation
If properly implemented, Tick-It! will actually pay for itself in a short period of time through the scheduling of sponsor logos and advertisements to generate new revenue. “As-run” logging guarantees that all ads will be properly billed.
Cross-Channel Promotion
In multi-channel playout environments, Tick-It! allows users to cross-promote programming on different streams. Enter the data once, and it will be presented in the correct graphic style for each channel.
Powered by XPression
Tick-It! uses the Ross XPression Real-Time Motion Graphics System to generate spectacular 3D animations that can interact with program video in ways that no DVE can, leaving viewers with a whole new branding experience. XPression’s ease-of-use and support for industry-standard graphics workflow tools makes creating customized content a breeze. Changes are also done by the end user without having to go back to the branding vendor.
Project Server Support
In multi-channel facilities, Tick-It! uses the XPression Project Server to seamlessly distribute content to each XPression playout engine without having to access each unit individually. Sponsorships and advertisements can be easily updated without having to generate new scenes.
Multi-Channel Scalability
Tick-It! is available as a single channel system (Tick-It! Solo) or supports multiple channels from a single Tick-It! Server, enabling easy rebranding of the same data for regional feeds, duopolies, master control hubs, or broadcast operation centers. An optional backup server is available for mission-critical applications.
Zone Control
With complex tickers, L-bars, and information channels, Tick-It! enables users to schedule separate content for each zone or portion of the screen. This means that it’s possible to be running multiple playlists for different types of content on the screen at the same time. Scene changes triggered by an operator or automation allow those zones to enter and leave the screen without interrupting the playlists in the other zones.
Revenue Generation
If properly implemented, Tick-It! will actually pay for itself in a short period of time through the scheduling of sponsor logos and animations to generate advertising revenue. Tick-It! also supports “as-run” logging for proper traffic reconciliation and billing.
Powered by XPression
Tick-It! uses the Ross XPression Real-Time Motion Graphics System for viewer-grabbing 2D/3D scenes and animations. XPression’s ease-of-use and support for industry-standard graphics workflow tools makes creating customized content a breeze. Changes are also done by the end user without having to go back to the branding vendor. In addition, a number of pre-defined templates are included with each Tick-It! system.
Dedicated Engine or Production CG
A dedicated XPression Bluebox engine may be used for playout, or users have the option to leverage an existing channel or layer from their XPression production graphics systems to bring content to air.
MOS Interactivity
If an XPression production graphics system is used, it’s easy to have interactivity between Tick-It! elements and MOS news graphics using XPression Transition Logic. For example, a two-line lower third ticker with a logo bug can make room for a graphic triggered from the MOS playlist and then return to its normal size when the MOS graphic is removed. Because of XPression’s multi-layered playback capability, this can all happen on a single channel!
Project Server Support
In multi-channel facilities, Tick-It! uses the XPression Project Server to seamlessly distribute content to each XPression playout engine without having to access each unit individually.
Automation
In the case of L-bars or where video squeezes are required for ticker placement, Tick-It! receives triggers to initiate those moves. Supported methods include – GPI, serial, or IP.
Contact your local Ross representative to learn more or to schedule a demo.