Modifying actions in the schedule (console)

You can't modify an action in the schedule, even if it hasn't been received by the channel. However, you can sometimes achieve a modify effect using a create action, a delete action, or both.

General rule about modifying actions

You can't modify an action in the schedule, even if it hasn't been received by the channel.

To change an action that hasn't yet started, delete the action and create it again. See the following sections for important tips on deleting and recreating.

Modifying an input switch action

You can't modify input switches in the schedule. But you can achieve the same result by deleting the action and creating it again.

Keep in mind that you can't delete or create an action that has a start time less than 15 seconds in the future. Give yourself enough time to delete and recreate the action before this deadline.

Modifying an input switch action in a follow chain

When you delete an action in an input follow chain (in order to delete and recreate it), you must also delete and recreate the input switch follow actions and SCTE 35 follow actions below this one. You must do this because each action refers to the previous action. If you delete the previous action, the next action becomes an orphan. Orphan actions aren't permitted.

Example 1: Modify an action

For example, assume this is the input follow chain:

Input A              Fixed    File
           Input B   Follow   File
           Input C   Follow   File
           Input D   Follow   File or Live
Input E              Fixed    File or Live      
        

To delete and modify input A, you must also delete inputs B, C, and D. You must delete input B to prevent it becoming an orphan. The same rule applies until the next fixed input (input E), which isn't chained to another input. Therefore, you aren't required to delete input E.

When you delete input A using the console, a prompt appears to notify you that the follow actions below this action (up to input E, which is the next fixed input switch) will also be deleted. You can cancel or continue. You must then recreate inputs A to D. Recreate them in order going down the chain: input A, input B, input C, input D.

Example 2: Delete an action

This example shows how to delete input B:

Input A              Fixed    File
           Input B   Follow   File
           Input C   Follow   File
           Input D   Follow   File or Live
Input E              Fixed    File or Live      
        

When you delete input B using the console, a prompt appears to notify you that the follow actions below this action (up to input E, which is the next fixed input switch) will also be deleted. You can cancel or continue. You must then recreate inputs C and D. Recreate them in order going down the chain: input C, input D. Remember to set up input C to follow input A instead of input B.

Inserting an input switch action into a follow chain

To insert a follow switch action into an input follow chain (between two existing follow switch actions), you must delete and recreate the follow actions below the insertion. You do that to prevent two actions from following one previous action. Branching is not allowed in the chain.

For example, suppose that you want to insert input X between input B and input C. Input C already refers to input B. You also want input X to refer to input B, but that is not allowed. Therefore, you must delete input C and the inputs that follow. You then recreate the chain in the following order: input X (refers to input B), input C (refers to input X), input D (refers to input C).

Modifying an input prepare action

You can't modify input switches in the schedule. But you can achieve the same result by deleting the action and creating it again.

Keep in mind that you can't delete or create an action that has a start time less than 15 seconds in the future. Give yourself enough time to delete and recreate the action before this deadline.

Modifying a SCTE 35 message that is in progress

You can't modify a SCTE 35 message that is active in the channel. Specifically, you can't shorten the duration of a splice_insert. But you can achieve the same result by creating a return-to-network action.

Modifying or deleting an ID3 segment tag that is in progress

You can't modify the contents of an ID3 segment tag that is active in the channel. Instead, create a new action to override the active tag. The new action can contain a tag with new content, or it can contain an empty tag:

• If the new action contains a tag with content, the channel starts inserting the contents of the new action into every segment.

• If the new action contains an empty tag, the channel stops inserting segment tags, which means you have effectively deleted the tag.

Modifying an image overlay that is in progress

You can't directly modify an image overlay (either global or per-outputs) that is running in the channel. But you can achieve the same result by creating a new action with the same layer specified. You can do the following:

• Shorten or extend the duration of an image overlay.

• Change one or more attributes.

• Specify an attribute that isn't currently specified in an image overlay. For example, you might want to specify a fadeout where there is no fadeout in the current overlay.

• Create a new action (with a new action name) that inserts an image overlay 15 seconds in the future. Make sure to specify the following:

  • The same layer as the image that you want to modify.

  • A duration that is appropriate (the image doesn't inherit the duration of the current image).

  • All the attributes that you want.

  The new action replaces the current action because you specified the same layer.

Modifying a motion graphics overlay that is in progress

You can't modify a motion graphic overlay that is running in the channel. But you can achieve the same result in other ways. For example, the authoring system (that produces the motion graphic asset) can modify the content that is being published to the URL associated with the action. For information about preparing and publishing the motion graphics asset, see Step 1: Prepare the motion graphic asset.