Best Playout Software for Cable TV [2024 Guide]
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Key notes
- If you're in broadcast operations for TV, then you definitely need the best automated playout software to increase your hard drive storage.
- We provide you with a cost-effective playout software that automates all critical processes.
- Another tool below gives you no limit to the number of media files that can be added to this playlist.
- You can also find a program that has packages of high-quality graphic templates for ticker backgrounds.
For those in broadcasting operations for televisions, a playout software plays a major role. Playout automation software programs are gaining more relevance in the television industry due to increased storage space for hard drives.
These programs play the source media that further distribute it in a manner where it is delivered to the audience. A playout software can be just a CD/DVD player, or expensive software used for broadcasting on television.
It can involve either the usual broadcasting process for TV or radio or for personal use. But these playout systems are far different from traditional media players. These are automated and also include extensive scheduling of the content waiting to be run.
In fact, they have many more advantages over the traditional players. Here we have come up with a list of some of the best playout automation software programs.
Automated playout software for broadcasting success
Amagi CLOUDPORT
Amagi CLOUDPORT offers a champion playout software at a significantly lower cost that automates all the critical processes. It, therefore, helps lower the schedule for launch while making the SLAs better. Besides, the company also provides a TV playout software (broadcast-level) at an extremely competitive price compared to the traditional broadcast systems.
Moreover, it provides support for a wide range of audio, video, and graphics formats to deliver SD/HD or UHD playout.
It works with an extensive range of content formats and transport options. It can also be conveniently configured to work with any of your current playout systems. Best of all, being a cloud-based software, it is one of the most suitable automated playout software programs for TV channels.
What’s more? Users can even spin the channels up and down right away using this software as it lets them delve into new markets and manage the working costs.
Easy Media Suite
For those looking for something simpler and easy to use, Easy Media Suite is easily the best option. The Easy OnAir playout system allows users to drag and drop files straight from file explorer of the OS to any spot on the playlist.
The best part is, there is no limit on the number of media files that can be added to this playlist. Apart from HD, SD output, it can also provide IP output while providing conventional output. In addition, it can also provide UHD 12G or Quad 3G SDI output.
Given that it has a CG render server within, it provides animation, crawl, roll, video, picture sequences, etc., that can be added in the playout automation. Moreover, this automated software allows users to operate up to 16 SD channels with graphics in one box.
It also runs as a stand-alone program that allows control of different channels on single PC over a network. From automatic detection of cue tone and generation to the ability to have different audio levels, there are plenty of features on offer.
- Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other broadcasting software, check out our wide collection of guides.
UniPlayOne
UniplayOne comes with a fresh new design and features that are easy to use. It’s one of the most advanced and powerful automated playout software suited for satellite television channels or Cable TV services.
The software offers support for SD and HD output with Blackmagic’s Decklink boards. It also features Graphics Overlay with excellent Flash and Targa (*.tga) sequences, JPEG, Bitmaps and PNG. Moreover, it features additional template packs of superior quality graphics for ticker backgrounds.
It’s known to offer 24/7 crash-free performance and smooth switching between media files and live video. Besides, it provides smooth and consistent playback of media content in the playlist in all major formats.
Mixed playout for files of different resolution, frame rate, or audio-video Compression is one of its other major features. Furthermore, it offers scheduling of playlist items in real time, playlist loop, and Import & Export of Playlist, 24×7.
Text and graphics overlay, option to change item properties while OnAir, or instant live video ingest, low latency live and ingest are among the many other features that make it a leading playout software.
ChannelMaker
ChannelMaker is among the leading playout automation software programs known for its flexibility and control on the scheduling of media content of any TV channel. It offers easy scheduling, offers support for SDI SD/HD and IP output and multi-channel control from one workstation.
Playlists and schedule import from traffic systems, as-run log generation, automatic media validation, or alarms for rundown deviations are among its other significant features.
What’s more? It also provides support for wTVision Media Playout Server, doing away with the need to transcode. Besides, it syncs with an extensive range of third-party technologies that includes video servers, graphics platforms, MAM systems, and more.
Other features like live feed control, automatic EPG and Now/Next graphics content make it the leading software it is.
The world works on automation these days, and so using an automated playout software for your broadcasting requirements is the need of the hour. So, schedule your content before you deliver it to the audience using automation and save time.
