25-Seven Systems program delay manager User manual

Warnings and Service Information
CAUTION
TO PREVENT RISKS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS UNIT.
DANGER: There are hazardous voltages in this unit. Do not attempt to repair it.
WARNING:
:
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose the chassis to rain or
moisture.
There are no user-serviceable parts in the Program Delay Manager. If repairs are
necessary, contact Customer Service at 888-257-2578 (toll-free), or write to
[email protected].
USA CLASS A COMPUTING DEVICE INFORMATION TO USER. WARNING: This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy. If it is not installed
and used as directed by this manual, it may cause interference to radio communication.
This equipment complies with the limits for a Class A computing device, as specified by
FCC Rules, Part 15, Subpart J, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference when this type of equipment is operated in a commercial en-
vironment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause interference. If
it does, the user will be required to eliminate the interference at the user’s expense.
NOTE: Objectionable interference to TV or radio reception can occur if other devices
are connected to this device without the use of shielded interconnect cables. FCC rules
require the use of only shielded cables.
© 2013, 25-Seven Systems, A Telos Alliance Company. All rights reserved.
We are constantly working to improve our products. Specifications and features are
subject to change without notice.

25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013 3
Table of Contents
About this Manual 4
Program Delay Manager at a Glance 4
Basic Operation 7
Operating Modes 11
Build by Expanding, then Dump 11
Cough Mode 12
Exit Modes 13
Alternate Build Modes 15
Delay and speed selections 16
Front Panel 17
Detailed Operating Instructions 18
General menu procedures 19
PDMJs Front Panel Menus 20
Graphical User Interface / Web Remote 31
Logging in 31
The PD-Alert System 38
Serial / Parallel Remote Control 44
Installation 50
Axia / Livewire Configuration 55
Network Setup 56
Troubleshooting 61
Software Updates and Factory Access 62
Specifications 63
For more Information 63
Warranty 64
Close-ups
Some parts of this manual explain how Program Delay Manager works 9under
the hood;. We>ve set these in a san-serif face.
You don>t need to read these sections to operate or install the systemC
but they>re interesting, and understanding them will help you use the system
better.

4 25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013
About this Manual
These pages will help you get the most out of the Program Delay Manager™ (PDM).
! The first pages describe PDM’s basic concept and operation: if you’re looking
at a unit that’s already installed in a rack, they may be all you need.
! The next pages detail PDM’s operating modes, and how to choose the best
ones for your operation.
! Then there’s a detailed explanation of all the menus and controls, and instruc-
tions for setup and installation.
Program Delay Manager at a Glance
Broadcasters have been using Profanity Delay for decades. The first schemes used
analog tape loops, and delayed programming by several seconds. Operators who heard
something inappropriate switched the audio feed to real-time, stopping those last few
seconds from getting to the transmitter (and presumably, keeping listeners and the FCC
happy).
Before the next program segment, the operator would play a jingle or promo to the
transmitter, while the host talked into the tape delay. This would build up a fresh delay
for the next obscenity.
Tape delays were soon replaced by trouble-free digital ones, and many of today’s units
can slow down the input signal to build a delay without interrupting programming.
Other features may include automatic playout of filler material, a ‘cough button’ to let
hosts speak privately to a producer while delayed audio is on the air, and a smooth
ramp back to real-time when desired.
25-Seven’s Program Delay Manager combines the functions of the best delay units
with some unique and potentially vital features:
Automatic audio logging of every 3Dump6 event:
! What gets fed to the transmitter is automatically recorded on a time-stamped
audio file. There’s no question of what actually went on-air.
! What got dumped is also automatically recorded, on a time-stamped “off-air”
audio file. There can’t be any question of what actually took place in the studio
or over your phone lines.
! On-air log files provide proof of standards for regulatory authorities. You can
instantly demonstrate what people actually heard, not what they thought they
heard.

25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013 5
! Off-air audio files provide proof of fairness for listeners. If you had to dump a
guest comment, you can demonstrate exactly what was considered objection-
able.
! Off-air audio files can also be used as extended content for less restrictive en-
vironments. Create Web promos, or let Internet listeners hear highlights of
‘what couldn’t go on the air!’.
! Log files provide a valuable record for program management and personnel
development or evaluation.
! All log files include short audio segments from before and after the event, so
you can identify their context.
Automatic PD-Alerts1 and archives for management:
! Whenever an operator presses the Dump button, our patented1PD-Alert sys-
tem can automatically send e-mail text alerts—or actual audio files—to your
Program Director, Legal Department, or anyone else you designate. Or send
text to the PD’s and GM’s cell phones and audio files to the Legal Department.
No separate computer or operator intervention is necessary2.
! Any valid e-mail address can be used. Send PD-Alerts to offsite servers, or any-
where else you want.
! The PD-Alert system is controlled by password-protected access from a com-
puter on your network. Operators cannot change or bypass these Alerts from
PDM’s front panel.
! Audio files are also stored in non-volatile memory inside Program Delay Man-
ager. They can be retrieved, with password protection, from a connected
computer.
! PDM stores hundreds of megabytes worth of audio files internally. It auto-
matically purges the oldest ones, so it constantly maintains a secure record of
the most recent dump events.
And of course, the flexibility and smart design you expect from 25-Seven:
! Glitch-free time manipulation using technologies developed for 25-Seven’s
ground-breaking Audio Time Manager®.
! Stereo processing with CD quality, even during time manipulation. It’s clean
enough that you can use obscenity protection on live music programs and
other events.
1US Patent 8,352,629 “Media Stream Capture, Modification, and Forwarding”, January 8, 2013.
2You will need to give PDM a network connection and access to an e-mail system, since PD-Alert uses
Internet e-mail. But it doesn’t need a separate computer to run: all necessary functions are built into
PDM.

6 25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013
! Easy operation from the front panel, wired remote, producer’s computer, or
Axia console.
! Total flexibility: PDM can build delays without using filler material, by seam-
lessly stretching live audio. Or it can fill time with built-in audio playback of
pre-recorded jingles or other filler material, or by triggering your automation
system. Or it can use a combination of these methods. Or talent can pre-roll
live material before a segment starts, with a visual count-down showing when
the delay will be filled.
! Multiple Dump modes: Eliminate objectionable material seamlessly, jumping
to newer material in the buffer and then automatically rebuilding the delay. Or
use PDM’s OverkillDump mode, which plays back your custom “filler” ma-
terial without affecting the delay.
! PDM can exit from delayed segments instantly, or by subtly speeding up the
end of a segment until it catches up with real-time, or by playing out the de-
layed audio at normal tempo.
! You can change setup and parameters any time, as your station’s needs
change.
! Flexible front-panel LCD dashboard with controls for time readout, audio level
display, and quick parameter changes without a computer.
! Automatic synchronization of remote time displays, so talent can give accu-
rate time checks even while audio is delayed.
! Built-in delay for Program Associated Data [PAD] and other information over
IP and RS-232. Data streams are automatically synchronized to match the au-
dio delay.
! Built-in flexibility for serial data and commands. Communicate via RS-232,
RS-485, or dedicated IP Ethernet ports.
! Complete, easy to use, password-protected configuration and control from
any browser. No need to navigate through menus. Use PDM’s graphic user in-
terface from any computer on your local or wide area data network.
! Flexible audio configuration:
! XLR version includes separate stereo analog and AES/EBU inputs and outputs.
! Livewire version for flexible audio over IP installation, in an Axia environment.
! Flexible remote control:
! Use GPIO (buttons, relay closures, or TTL), secure Web interface, RS-232, IP
packets, or Axia/Livewire1.
! GPIO functions are fully assignable by the user.
1Requires Livewire version of PDM.

25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013 7
! Flexible, powerful serial language for custom, bi-directional control and status
reports. Language can be supported by many automation systems and custom
applications.
! Network cues can be automatically delayed to match program audio.
! Automatic synchronization to local or Network Time Server.
For more details on what PDM does and its special features, read the rest of this
manual.
Basic Operation
PDM’s flexibility doesn’t get in the way of easy operation1. These functions are also ex-
plained graphically, starting on page 11.
To begin a program segment/
…press the green BUILD button. It will flash while the delay is building up.
Talent should start talking immediately. Depending on how your system is set up2,
PDM will either:
! Build a delay by expanding: PDM will send the incoming audio to the trans-
mitter. But it’ll be subtly slowed down, taking more time until the delay mem-
ory is filled.
! Build a delay by playing a station jingle, ID, or other fill material from PDM’s
internal memory.
! Build a delay by Pre-rolling: PDM mutes its output while you play material
from another source, or while PDM signals your automation or cart replace-
ment system to play audio.
While the delay is building, the LCD will look like this:
!"#$%#&'(()*++%,-.(/0
0(
123'+4(5+$26,(((-.(78
8(
(
5+$26((9:;<(((((=+&"
The /(0(7(8 and symbols mean you can use front panel
buttons to change parameters or access PDM’s menus.
More about this on page 19.
The horizontal bar will fill, and 5+$26 on the bottom line of the display will count how
many seconds of audio are in PDM’s delay memory.
1These examples assume a normal installation: the console program output is routed through PDM be-
fore it goes to the transmitter or network feed; talent and producer are listening to the console’s program
output, not to the PDM’s delayed output. Other installation possibilities are covered later in this manual.
2You can change which mode gets activated easily, at any time, from the front panel LCD or remotely
from a Web browser. See page 22.

8 25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013
As soon as there’s enough audio in memory to dump programming smoothly, the
DUMP button will light.
The delay memory can hold more audio than is needed for a single Dump event. When
it reaches a limit you’ve previously set1, the BUILD button’s light stops flashing. The
DUMP button remains lit.
You can choose how long PDM takes to build a delay. Choose a setting based on how
quickly your talent talks, how subtle you want the time manipulations to be (slower
speaking styles can work with higher speed settings), and how long you’re willing to
wait for the delay memory to fill.
As a general guide:
Speed setting Minutes:seconds
to build 8-second delay
7* 2:00
10 1:30
15 1:00
*factory default
To dump an objectionable comment1
…tap the red DUMP button. PDM will eliminate the last few seconds of audio that you
heard in the control room, before it can get to the transmitter or network feed. How
many seconds get dumped depends on how PDM is set up, and on how much delay
memory it’s had a chance to store.
! The size of each Dump event is determined when the unit is set up, but can be
changed at any time—even while you’re on the air.
! When there’s enough audio in memory to smoothly Dump the full amount
you’ve preset, the DUMP button will light2. This starts a few seconds after you
begin a segment, or as you rebuild after an earlier Dump event.
! You can also press DUMP when it’s not lit: PDM won’t have enough audio
stored to Dump all the seconds you’ve designated for a dump event, but it will
dump whatever it has available.
! As long as the DUMP button is held down, incoming audio will be discarded.
After a Dump event, PDM begins to rebuild its memory with incoming audio, using
subtle time expansion so programming is never disrupted.
1You can also change this limit at any time.
2For extra safety, you can also connect one of PDM’s GPIOs (page 27) to keep your phone system off-air
until enough delay has been built for a smooth Dump, or to light a “delay unsafe” warning for producers.

25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013 9
Overkill( Mode
PDM also lets you dump incoming material by playing an internal audio file instead of
collapsing and rebuilding the delay. For example, a comedy show might want to cover
objectionable comments with a string of cartoon sound effects. The normal delay
doesn’t get depleted, and doesn’t have to be rebuilt. We call this Overkill Mode.
! The Controls Menu (page 22) selects whether PDM uses Normal or Overkill
mode when you press DUMP. You can change this setting as needed, for dif-
ferent program formats.
! That menu also lets you select which audio file you’ve loaded into PDM to play
during Overkill.
! PDM’s Dump Size and Delay Amount automatically adjust to the length of the
selected Overkill file: for example, if you want an 8-second delay, create an 8-
second file of replacement audio. After the file finishes playing, PDM’s output
switches back to delayed audio.
&
To dump a longer comment6
…tap the DUMP button again, while PDM is dumping. Each time you do, PDM will add
the preset Dump Size’s seconds to the current Dump event. (For example, if you’ve set
a Dump Size of 4 seconds, tapping twice will dump 8 seconds.)
! In Normal Dump Mode, PDM obviously can’t dump more seconds than it has
stored in its delay memory.
! In Overkill Mode, each press of the DUMP button starts playing the Overkill
file from its beginning. You can create a “stutter” effect or longer dumps by
pressing the button multiple times.
PANIC MODE
If a guest continues to generate objectionable material, even after the delay is empty:
press and hold the DUMP button. This mutes PDM’s output.
Panic mode works only when PDM is set to Normal dump mode. It isn’t needed for
Overkill mode, since the buffer doesn’t get depleted.
If talent wants to talk privately with the producer or guest6
…press and hold the blue COUGH button. While you’re holding it down, PDM will con-
tinue to send delayed audio to the transmitter. But it won’t store any new audio coming

10 25-Seven Program Delay Manager Version 2.3 Manual April 2013
in at the input. Anything talent says will be heard only in the studio and control room,
and won’t go to air. When you let go of the COUGH button, PDM starts to rebuild the
delay.
The Cough function is usually used for short comments (and of course, coughs or
sneezes) that won’t last longer than the Dump Size. But it continues to protect your sig-
nal during longer comments: If you hold down the COUGH button for more seconds
than are stored in memory, PDM will mute the output. It will also flash the COUGH but-
ton to warn you of dead air.
…press the yellow EXIT button. PDM will stop storing new audio, and will send any ex-
isting audio in its memory to the transmitter. Then it will send incoming audio directly
to the transmitter in real-time.
Depending on how your system is set up:
! PDM will play any remaining audio using time compression, subtly speeding
up what’s in memory to rejoin real-time faster; or
! PDM will play what’s in memory with no speed change1. Some operators call
this function roll out or wait and exit.
1Even if you’ve set the system to exit by speeding up, you can access this no-speed-change mode at any
time:
Multi-tasking
!"#$#%#&'()*'+&#,,'-"#'./01'2*--)$3'+&)4&56'5*78)'4#-,'7*6+#79'5,'()*:7'#;+#<-='
>*-'1.0'5?,)'7)#,')-"#&'-"8$4,'@"#$'()*'+&#,,'-"5-'2*--)$A'
5B'1.0',-5&-,'@&8-8$4'5'+58&')C'5*78)'C8?#,3')$#')C'@"5-'@5,'2&)57<5,-3'5$7')$#'D)CCE58&F'
)C'@"5-'5<-*5??('-))G'+?5<#'8$'-"#',-*78)='H)*'"5%#'8$78,+*-52?#'&#<)&7,')C'2)-"'@"5-'
-"#'?8,-#$#&,'"#5&73'
and '@"5-'-"#('787$:-'"#5&'2#<5*,#')C'-"#'7*6+='
2B'I-'-"#$'577,'5'C#@',#<)$7,')C'#;-&5'5*78)'-)'-"#,#'C8?#,3'-5G#$'C&)6'2#C)&#'5$7'5C-#&'
-"#'7*6+'#%#$-='J"8,'65G#,'8-'#5,8#&'-)'87#$-8C('-"#'<)$-#;-='
<B'1.0',-56+,'-"#'C8?#,'@8-"'-"#'<*&&#$-'75-#'5$7'-86#3'5$7',-)&#,'-"#6'8$'$)$E%)?5-8?#'
6#6)&(='
7B'I-',#$7,'#8-"#&'-"#'<)6+?#-#'C8?#,3')&'-#;-'$)-#,'-"5-'-"#(:%#'2##$'<&#5-#73'-)'#E658?'
577&#,,#,'8$'()*&'1.EK?#&-',(,-#6='L#-*+'8$,-&*<-8)$,'5&#')$'+54#'MN=''
To smoothly end a delayed segment/