Softron's OnTheAir Node 3 (Electronic Download) is Softron's highest-end playout software. It's a Mac-based, customizable video server with an open client-server architecture, and it can be controlled remotely over the network. One client computer can control multiple OnTheAir Node servers, and third party applications, such as Traffic and Media Asset Management, can be used to provide control with real-time media cataloging and validation. Where in previous versions of OnTheAir Node, HD support and a static logo overlay feature were optional, they are now built-in. OnTheAir Node 3 doesn't have a user interface but rather supports two client applications for UI functionality: the free OnTheAir Live, for playlist playout; and the optional OnTheAir Manager, for scheduling. OnTheAir Live is a playlist manager for live productions. It provides a user interface for adding media and controlling playback, and it has all the features required for live operations, such as cue mode and A/B roll. OnTheAir Manager is the solution for 24/7 unattended playout. It uses a calendar user interface for scheduling, and it provides advanced features such as EPG, categories, and redundancy. OnTheAir Node 3 requires one license per output channel and supports up to four HD channels on one Mac, and one OnTheAir Live and/or OnTheAir Manager can control as many OnTheAir Node 3 channels as you need. In OnTheAir Node 3, Softron uses its own playout engine called Smart Playout Engine. This player allows mixing multiple codecs and resolutions in the same playlist without installing any additional software, and it features three resize tools that will help efficiently scale frame sizes. Automatic Resize scales to Fill, Pan-and-Scan, or Letterbox; Manual Resize lets you define parameters; and Smart Resize produces an advanced resize of interlaced clips, limiting artifacts to a minimum or none. The standard playout file type is QuickTime (.mov), but you can also select Transport Stream (.ts), MXF (.MXF), and others. Still images play in PNG and other formats, and audio support ranges up to 5.1 channels. OnTheAir Node 3 also supports direct-to-web streaming via the optional Softron MovieRecorder 3, without any additional output card; and it supports streaming with an additional card via the optional Softron MovieStreamer HLS.
