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FNN XDS Receiver Information
(Updated March, 2012) Quick Links: Receiver Login | Programming the Receiver | Quick Start Guide | XDS Manual | Authorization Letter | FNN News Schedule for XDS Receivers | Audio Port Usage for Specific Programs | XDS Net Cues | XDS Receiver Discovery Tool | FAQ Programming the ReceiverDepending upon the program, monaural audio may appear on either the left or right audio channel or both of the port being used. In all of our systems, the indication "L or R" next to a program name indicates that either the left or right audio channel is to be used. In those cases using both audio channels is not necessary or recommended. The remaining programming will appear on the left channel only or the right channel only in mono. Station receivers are specifically authorized for programs and channels. If you are contracted to receive a program or channel and you do not see it listed in the "Programming and Scheduling" section of your receiver (see instructions below) then email help@fnnonline.net or call (888)407-4376 option 2 during regular business hours for assistance. ----- News Network: The FNN news network elements may be individually scheduled to run live or delayed out of audio port A. Due to the time sensitive nature of this content we do not recommend delaying any news element for more than 60 minutes (except for the Gator Football Report which should be aired in accordance with your Gator Network contract with IMG Sports). The news network elements include:
1. Special reports are activated for breaking news events such as hurricanes. Notification is sent via email. Contact help@fnnonline.net to be sure you are on the mailing list. 2. Election returns are sent on election nights and vary in length depending upon the election. Notification is sent via email (above). 3. FNN Hispana newscasts available to Spanish language stations under a separate contract. Contact alspry@fnnonline.net. 4. Gator Football Report available seasonally only to stations contracted to carry the Gator Network through IMG Sports. ----- To program your receiver for the above news elements: FNN News, FNN Sports, Florida Business News, FNN Special Reports, FNN Election Returns:
FNN Hispana, Gator Football Report: Same as above, except these programs are available on all ports of the receiver instead of just port A. Net cues are "FNN0105" for *start and "FNN0107" for end. *Note: We recommend not using the start closure unless absolutely necessary. The best practice is to join the network on a time-based command from your automation. ----- To program your receiver for the Gator Network: Gator Network programming (by
contract with IMG/Fox and the University of
Florida) is designed only for live broadcast.
Therefore Gator programming in the XDS receiver
is not setup for delay broadcast.
Same as above except choose "FNN 2L & 2R..." from the programs dropdown. You will take audio ONLY from the Left audio channel of the port connector and map relays "FNN0108" for local break, "FNN0109" for station ID, and "FNN0110" for end of broadcast. Same as above except choose "FNN 2L & 2R..." from the programs dropdown. You will take audio ONLY from the right audio channel of the port connector and map relays "FNN0112" for local break, "FNN0113" for station ID, and "FNN0114" for end of broadcast. Same as above except choose "FNN 3L & 3R..." from the programs dropdown. You will take audio ONLY from the left audio channel of the port connector and map relays "FNN 0115" for local break, "FNN0116" for station ID, and "FNN0117" for end of broadcast. Note that all of the above sports distribution is done in "dual mono". FSU, UCF, and USF programming is on only the left or right audio channel of the port. Do not use left and right audio channels simultaneously. ----- Recommendations:For the easiest and most reliable use, we recommend dedicating port A to the news network elements, and then ports B, C, & D to sports distribution. If you take multiple sports products, and can wire out all four audio ports, then we recommend scheduling "FNN 1R..." on port B 24/7, "FNN 2L & 2R..." to port C 24/7, and "FNN 3L & 3R..." to port D 24/7. Ports C & D, in this configuration, must have left and right audio channels wired independently to separate inputs/POTS/audio switcher inputs. In this configuration it then becomes a simple matter of accessing the proper audio channel at the proper time for the sports product you are airing. For "Better Lawns & Gardens", "Florida Roundtable", "Florida Exclusivo", and FNN Hispana elements we recommend scheduling these programs on port B along with the "FNN 1R..." channel as described above. These programs do not conflict with the "FNN 1R..." program. ----- Important Notes:
----- Media Alert SetupOnce your receiver has been authorized: Pro-4 Models: To receive the Media Alert Data service, you must manually tune the service to one of the four audio ports by accessing the receiver via its IP address with a browser. The username is "tech" password "radio". Under "Audio Ports" click the "Select Programming" button. Under the audio port you wish to dedicate, click the drop-down and choose "Media Alert" and click "Select". Then, 1)
From a command line prompt enter -
telnet [IP address] [2000]. Once you have chosen the audio port, you can wire out the data using the "PAD" port on the back of the unit. If you chose to use port A use pins 1(TX) and 5(gnd), if port B use pins 2(TX) and 5(gnd), if port C use pins 3(TX) and 5(gnd), and if port D use pins 4(TX) and 5(gnd). Pro-1 Models: Telnet to the IP address of the receiver using port designation 2000 (from a command prompt type "telnet XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX 2000" press enter). Enter the following command: PAD PGM, A, 1106 The pins to use on the Pro-1 PAD port are 1(TX) and 5(gnd). Note that there is NO audio associated with Media Alert, however the program must still occupy an audio port - this is the way the system is configured. You will not be able to use the assigned port for any other purpose so plan accordingly and avoid scheduling any programming to that port. Pro-1 receivers used for Media Alert will be unable to utilize the receiver for anything else. You do not need to wire anything to the audio port connector for Media Alert - just the "PAD" port. The baud rate is still 9600, 8, N, 1. -----FAQ----- Q. What will I need to do when I get the new XDS Receiver? A. You
will need to fax back the authorization letter
so that we may properly authorize your receiver
from the head-end before you can start
scheduling programs. You will then need to set up the receiver and schedule the programs you will be taking and choose the ports/pins for audio output and contact closures. --- Q. Who is buying the receiver? A.
---- Q. I need to buy a receiver. What do I do? A. You can purchase a receiver by visiting http://www.clearchannelsatellite.com/collections/receivers or by contacting Monty Dent at Clear Channel Satellite Services at (303)925-1708 or via email at montydent@clearchannel.com. ---- Q. I need more than one receiver. What do I do? A. FNN is providing one "Pro-4" receiver per physical address at no charge. With 4 audio ports (4 stereo channels or 8 mono), you will have the ability to take all of our feeds at the same time on one unit. This should service all radio stations in your facility. If you have an extenuating circumstance, you can purchase another receiver by visiting http://www.clearchannelsatellite.com/collections/receivers or by contacting Monty Dent at Clear Channel Satellite Services at (303)925-1708 or via email at montydent@clearchannel.com. ---- Q. What is the "XDS Receiver Discovery Tool"? A. This is a Windows PC utility that you can install on a computer that, when run, will "discover" any XDS receivers on your local network and allow you to log into them directly for administration (as opposed to going through the affiliate website interface). NOTE: This utility requires .NET framework version 3.5 or above. The XDS receiver and the PC running this utility must be on the same side of your computer network's firewall. For more information on the tool click here. ---- Q. How can I get my hands on the "Quick Start Guide" or manual ahead of time so I can prepare for the installation? A. Click here for the "Quick Start Guide". Click here for the manual. ----
A. At least for now, you will keep the ComStream receiver and continue to receive Bucs programming on it. ---- Q. I am affiliated with the "MJ" morning show. How will I get this programming? A. At least for now, you will keep the ComStream receiver and continue to receive this programming on it. ---- Q. What capabilities does the system have? A. The XDS satellite system has, what is known in the industry as, "store & forward" capabilities. The receiver has a flash drive installed that will store audio. This will allow you to delay broadcast most programs fed on the network without the need for external recording systems. The receiver has 4 audio "ports". Audio on these ports is determined by how you program the receiver. Before using the receiver you will need to configure the audio ports for the programs you wish to take. Instructions will be included as to how to do this. You will also need to program any automation closures (now referred to as "Net Cues") you wish to use. Neither audio nor closures will work until you fax back the authorization letter and then configure the receiver. See a list of available net cues here. ---- Q. What will I need to have in order to use these extra features. A. You will need to have a internet/LAN connection (ethernet) for the receiver in order to administrate the record and playback functions of the unit. The internet connection also helps us (the network) diagnose the health of your receiver. ---- Q. I have an XDS receiver that I use for Premiere, Citadel, or ABC. Can I use it to pick up FNN? A. Unfortunately no. Each receiver is authorized specifically for a certain satellite carrier and there is no crossover between Premiere, ABC, and FNN. You can, however, continue to use the same coaxial feed from the satellite antenna's LNB that feeds your Premiere and/or ABC XDS receivers for the FNN XDS receiver. ---- Q. Do I need to do anything to my dish, cabling, LNB, etc? A. In most cases, no. If your Tiernan/ComStream receiver was working, so should the XDS. No changes are necessary to the rest of the satellite downlink system at your station. Note that, by default, the receiver does not provide LNB voltage. This is changeable by the user. ---- Q. Is this going to cost me anything? A. FNN is footing the bill for the receiver. It is the station's responsibility to install the unit. If you contract for engineering services please arrange for your engineer to install the unit on his or her first scheduled visit following receipt of the receiver. This should avoid any additional cost to you. FNN is not responsible for the physical installation of the receiver. ---- Q. How much space does the receiver utilize? A. The XDS receiver takes up two rack spaces. Depending upon the model, the Tiernan/ComStream receiver takes up one to two rack spaces. If you are using the separate thumbwheel switch for the Tiernan/ComStream, that also takes up one rack space. Therefore you should be able to replace both units with the XDS without eating up additional territory in your rack. ---- Q. How do I hook up the audio to the new receiver. A. Although the audio
connector on the back of the XDS looks the same
as the audio connector on the Tiernan/ComStream
(the the connector actually fits into the XDS),
the pin-outs are different. So you cannot
simply unplug from one unit and plug into the
other and expect it to work properly.
Wiring instructions are included with the new
XDS receiver and are also posted as part of the
"Quick
Start Guide". Audio pin outs are
described on page 5. ---- Q. How do I hook up and program contact closures? A. The XDS closures appear on a male 37 pin D-Sub connector on the back of the unit. Wiring instructions will be included with the unit. We will also include a Broadcast Tools COA-37 XDS Adapter that will break out the 37 pin Relay A connector to four, eight position removable screw terminals for connection to the 16 normally open dry relay contacts. NOTE: The XDS receiver, by default, will not be programmed to fire closures. You will need to follow the instructions to properly "map" any contact closures to the desired pins before the relays will work. For a complete list of current network cues that can be mapped to contact relays click here. ---- Q. When we plugged in the receiver, the wrong call letters appeared on the display. A. Please let us know if this happens. It won't affect the operation of the receiver, however it will help us keep our records straight and prevent issues later on. ---- Q. I am affiliated with Media Alert and nothing else. What do I do? A. You should contact Media Alert and see what they have decided about your particular situation. In most cases they will provide an XDS receiver for you. Media Alert setup instructions are here. ---- Q. This FAQ sucks! I still need help installing or configuring the receiver. What do I do? A. If this FAQ does not address something with which you need assistance, please contact us via one of the following methods:
Please provide your call letters and receiver serial number when emailing or calling. |