Automation software with extensive scripting?

[cr08]

Long story made short I have been actively searching lately for alternative automation systems to try out. As much as I love SAM, I am always willing to try something new. Catch though: Two must-have features are a: Extended scripting to automate the playout how -I- want and not limited to the foresight of the developers of the program. And b: Database usage to facilitate external access to the data inside the software. These two features are what have kept me with SAM and will likely keep me firmly planted there but am highly curious if anyone else has possibly come across other packages that can do this? The only thing I see that possibly comes close, so far, is an application called ProppFrexx which I might have to demo and see to what extent it supports these needs.

[PapaBearPW]

Hi cr08,

 

Unfortunately I don't have a real suggestion that meets all your needs outside of SAM. But, I am curious as to this part:

 

Extended scripting to automate the playout how -I- want and not limited to the foresight of the developers of the program.

 

If you have some examples of the kind of scripting you would like the software to be able to handle, I would love to hear about it. I continue to work toward improving my software and am always open to new suggestions.

 

Outside of that, I do not intend to incorporate a database again with LCDJ, but most of the data can be accessed from the xml files which act as database tables and are easily parsed on any server (via php for example).

 

If a database is an absolute must, I would recommend RadioDJ. However I have no idea if it supports any kind of scripting.

[stevo87]

Currently the best thing I can find around is radioDJ, that allows me to pretty much do anything I want with the scripts and is really reliable. I never really liked the PAL scripts in SAM but I think that you will find RadioDJ's scripts are more powerful, theres very little that isnt possible.

[cr08]

Sorry for the delay in response. But to clarify I am essentially looking at PAL-like scripting abilities. Not inclusive or mandatory but simple 'nice-haves' features: Automation programming being able to call out to an external url (POST or GET?) on an event like song change, custom overlays like run a backer soundtrack and start with a randomly chosen voiceover and finish off with a defined station id and fade to normal rotation, stuff like that. Additionally it would be a bonus to add some non-radio related functions ala math/regex functions that may be necessary to accomplish a given feature.

 

As for the external access bit, it boils down to a dynamic website and automated user requests being necessary for my uses. However this is accomplished I do not care. If it means a PHP script is written to post user requests into a database and the automation software polls another php script to read those requests out and run from there, ok. If the end result is suitably accomplished, cool.

 

For RadioDJ though, I was under the distinct understanding they were against any kind of advanced scripting outside of possibly simple events? If I was wrong, to what extent are they allowing this? The only results I can find on the forums there related to the PHP pages which only tackles half my concern.

 

I do appreciate the help though, regardless.

[PapaBearPW]

Hi again,

 

I have copied that post and added it to my notes for future upgrades. I can't say when I will be able to get to implementing any of it, but it is certainly on my list now.

 

I wish I could tell you more about RadioDJ's scripting abilities but I honestly haven't seen where any can be done with it at all yet.

[djgary72]

Automation programming being able to call out to an external url

 

This is quite easily done from within RadioDJ You add the URL to the Database as an Internet stream then call that stream to Load in the playlist Via an event. It really is quite simple.

 

The event function within radiodj is quite robust providing you set MySQL to handle more connections.

 

For RadioDJ though, I was under the distinct understanding they were against any kind of advanced scripting outside of possibly simple events? If I was wrong, to what extent are they allowing this? The only results I can find on the forums there related to the PHP pages which only tackles half my concern.

 

There is no way to control RDJ from a web page, At present the web interface for Radio DJ is just a basic Voting script/ Now playing etc ....with a request function to come.

 

I really don't understand why you are making life so complicated when it's pretty easy once you get to know RadioDJ you will find it does what SAM can only without Badly written scripts freezing the program

 

 

See the Manual for more Information as to what RDJ can do http://www.radiodj.ro/download/manuals/manual_rdj1.6.0.rar

[stevo87]

I dont see any reason that SAM can do anything that RadioDJ cant, sometimes it just takes another way round things but often once a solution is found its easily accomplished. I run 2 stations using RadioDJ and have VNC on both computers meaning I can log on anywhere and control what RadioDJ is doing

[cr08]

Hi again,

 

I have copied that post and added it to my notes for future upgrades. I can't say when I will be able to get to implementing any of it, but it is certainly on my list now.

 

I wish I could tell you more about RadioDJ's scripting abilities but I honestly haven't seen where any can be done with it at all yet.

 

Thanks. I will definitely have to play around with LCDJ and keep an eye on it.

 

Re: RadioDJ; The point is being missed entirely. While some may not like PAL scripting, I find it an invaluable asset as it does allow me to do more with the software than designed from the getgo. To put it as simply as possible, PAL-like functionality in its entirety is what I am looking for. I am assuming all parties in this thread have had some experience with it before so explanation of WHAT it does should not be necessary. If it is, this thread is a good concise summary: http://forums.broadcastingworld.net/showthread.php?11624-What-is-the-purpose-of-pal-scripts

 

There was another program I used to use ages ago which is not broadcast related at all but had a similar function built in. Essentially it allowed full use of another scripting language like VBscipt, PHP, etc. while having specific internal fuctions added to interact with the program. So a script could be written entirely in PHP using stock functions including interacting with the outside world and feed that in the program to use. Ideally this would be very nice, but I am not expecting miracles.

[djgary72]

Ideally this would be very nice, but I am not expecting miracles.

 

It would appear you are expecting miracles. Either that or you just like making life difficult for yourself.

[PapaBearPW]

Making a client application interact with a remote php script would not be that difficult. The client would simply poll the script for new commands such as NEXT to move to the next song in the queue and then perform the appropriate action based on what command it receives. Or to pass info like current song, next song, etc or to check for new requests. I can easily see this as doable. The php script would just need to output some format (i.e. xml) that the client can easily parse out to read any commands. Obviously there is a lot more to it than that, but the basics shouldn't really be hard to set up.

[jasonauk]

PlayIt Live at http://www.playitsoftware.com/Products/Live has a plugin engine that uses the C# programming language to interact with the software. Give it a go, it's free