
Advertisement content server

The Forward Splicer Portal is an advertisement content server (ad server) that is a necessary element of the splicer network infrastructure. The ad server facilitates the interaction of advertising agencies, special services, and regional broadcasting companies with the splicer network.
The server collects and stores media files (advertising and auxiliary audio-video content), insertion schedule files, and report files (splicer schedule progress reports, splicer operation technical reports).
Based on the downloaded files and specified settings (configurations), the server automatically prepares insertion schedules (SCTE 118-3) and exchanges data with splicers.
What is it used for
The Forward Splicer Portal system is an independent link in the process of digital insertion of content into television broadcast transport streams. The system is designed specifically to solve the problem of preparing and checking all files loaded into the splicers. It also takes on the functions of an advertising server (in terms of the network broadcasting system architecture with digital insertion of programs (SCTE-104/35/30 specifications)).
- The Forward Splicer Portal server is a computer running a Windows or Linux operating system on which a web server and a database are installed. The server hosts user and splicer data storage.
- The server acts as an intermediary between the open external network and the internal closed network of the splicers. All media files for insertion, schedules, and settings files are loaded onto the splicers via the Forward Splicer Portal server. All splicer reports are also transmitted via this server.
- One server with the Forward Splicer Portal system can interact with any number (up to xxx) of splicers. With its help, the user can manage the insertion of regional content for several channels (the central station main signal) for different (up to xxx) broadcast regions. The server generates schedules for splicer regional content insertion in accordance with the SCTE 118 specification.
- Several users – the operators – can connect to the Forward Splicer Portal server: up to xxx operators. Each operator is responsible for preparing schedules for specific broadcast regions and specific channels. An operator can upload media files for regional insertion to the server and download reports.
- Another category of server users are the engineers who configure and manage the splicers.
- Users access the server via an Internet connection using the Forward Splicer Portal web interface. FTP and HTTP protocols are used to upload videos and schedules to the server.
- The advertisement server communicates with splicers via a closed local network. FTP and HTTP protocols are used for this purpose.
- The integrity of the transmitted data is verified at each section. The server automatically calculates the checksums (MD5) of the transmitted files.

Features
The Forward Splicer Portal server is equipped with a web interface for operators to work with, which allows them to prepare content for insertion as well as manage, monitor, and control insertion. The web interface enables the following functions:
- uploading and validating media files for regional inserts;
- uploading and validating schedule files;
- setting up and managing splicers;
- viewing information on processed insertion channels;
- monitoring the splicers’ status;
- managing insertion.