Zetta 5.25.2’s release is right around the corner, so let’s review some of the new features included in the latest build. High Availability Slots are a modern solution for engineers that want to easily and efficiently move their sequencers and corresponding air chains. In addition, Zetta 5.25.2 includes a wide array of enhancements from Control Text, Live Metadata delays, user customizations and more. We also briefly reviewed some of the features available in Zetta 5.25.1, including one-way Site Replication, creation of new assets via record events, Spot Block Segmentation, and more.
Since we didn’t get a chance to cover Zetta 5.25.1, we kicked off this video by reviewing some of the more popular features. If you’re utilizing Site Replication, now Zetta can handle one-way Site Replication. Think of a traditional main studio with a site repped backup system at the transmitter site. You want to populate that transmitter backup with all changes, however, you might not want to have any of the those unwanted changes getting sent back to your main site. Via Configuration | Site Replication Manger, engineers can now enable the Receive-only Site checkbox so that the backup Zetta system will only receive audio, logs, changes, etc…
Aside from one-way Site Replication, Zetta 5.25.1 also allows users to create a new asset via record events (think Background and On-Demand Recordings), reconcile Virtual Log Events (Configuration | Station | Log Event Settings | Select your asset type | Enable Reconcile Virtual Log Events checkboxes), switching from AFC to BASS audio format encoding to better accommodate higher end audio formats like FLAC or Opus, added the Reload Layout menu option and Zetta can replicate Tag/Imaging/Rotation behaviors across sites. Another very important addition, Spot Block Segmentation. This will allow Spot Blocks to be separated into segments that feature new output variables to be sent with those segments when they start/stop/pause or play. There’s also a slew of new SpotBlock executable commands that coincide with various programming requirements. For a full list of Zetta 5.25.1 new features, please reference the Zetta 5.25.1 Release Notes or reach out to your local RCS contact.
Pivoting to Zetta 5.25.2, the biggest new feature is introducing High Availability Slots. There are a couple interpretation of High Availability Slots (HAS), but essentially the concept is, “We don’t care where it is playing, as long as it is playing.” Treat them as overrides, not a permanent reconfiguration. High Availability Slots must be enabled via Configuration | System | Features and note the new Zetta menu layout on the left-hand side. Once enabled, engineers can define the Slot computers via Configuration | High Availability Slots.
Let’s begin with how engineers are designing their High Availability Slots (HAS). Engineers can define a Global Slot Pool that includes computers that are allowed to control the sequencer and corresponding air chain details when triggered. Again, these are overrides, not permanent solutions. So, you can move sequencers, station audio (Hot Keys, Stacks, Z-Player), station audio input, Feedthrough Route Audio inputs/outputs and data/IP ports, station GPIOs, and Live Metadata outputs. This is perfect for when a machine has a potential issue or for everyday maintenance. Engineers can define multiple Database Watcher (DB Watcher) computers via Configuration | System | Features so that multiple machines are monitoring your entire Zetta system. If one computer that is watching the system dies, then the second DB Watcher computer will take over. In the same vein, if your sequencer computer goes down, an automatic failover will pivot air operations to your defined Global Slot Pool or defined Slot computer. Make a note of some important High Availability Slot executable commands, including Computer.Failover, which will reference the Database Watcher so that if a machine goes away, the new Slot Computer will automatically take over. Versus Computer.FailoverFrom, which will move stations out of the assigned computer. Think of a computer with 8 Splits, Computer.FailoverFrom will move all 8 stations. Whereas Sequencer.FailoverMoves will pivot only the specific station. System.Subprocess.FailoverMoves will adjust the DB Watcher to a different machine so that if DB Watcher goes down, a new machine will handle the heartbeat monitoring. Of course, the entire High Availability Slots workflow includes a vast array of API protocols as well.
As we continue with additional Zetta 5.25.2 features, again, reference the Release Notes for a full list of features, enhancements and fixes. These are simply some highlights of the Zetta 5.25.1 and 5.25.2 builds. In no particular order, Zetta 5.25.2 now allows FeedThrough Routes to include multiple Ports or IP addresses, delay messaging for Live Metadata (perfect for various audio deliveries, including profanity delays), Split players can now also include delay split messages, there’s a new option for Split Masters to provide fill content for defined Split stations, Site Repped Armed Sequencers no longer have to send Live Metadata or ETM behaviors, via User Preferences, users can now add intro values into the Event column and close both the Multisite Voice Tracking and Segue Editor/Voice Tracking window at the same time and finally users can add color to visually differentiate weekend versus weekdays.
Another noteworthy feature, engineers can now match on Control Text. For example, if you define a GPIO with a Control Text and Zetta sees a Spot Block with a matching Control Text value, Zetta will execute said trigger. Engineers can define the master Control Text via the GPIO window and if they right click on an asset to open the Properties window, , like a Spot Block, there’s now an option to define a matching Control Text. Control Text is a very engineer friendly workflow based on unique cases where engineers want a controlled reference and trigger.
These are exciting times at RCS as we continue to evolve and merge traditional radio with cloud hybrid operations. Keep it locked on our socials for updates surrounding ZettaCloud, SelectorCloud, AudioDisplay and other RCS Cloud products. Meanwhile, RCS Academy offers training and education resources that are available for you and your team to operate at your best and allow your team to focus on other daily work. There’s RCS Academies for Zetta, Zetta for Engineers, GSelector and Aquira. Looking for additional resources? We have over 150+ how to videos available on our website under the Blog and RCS Live section. If there’s a specific topic, view one of the videos and use the Seach field on the right to find videos based on specific keywords. Finally, RCS continues to hit the road, hosting training sessions and showcasing RCS Cloud. Follow us on our socials for a full list of dates.