AdMaster inserted Sports Spots being cut off by RDJv2.0

[KJ6EO]

Hello and thanks for reading my post.  I'm running RDJv2.005 and using AdMaster as my Traffic Software.  Every Tuesday and Thursday I run local Sports Updates that are inserted and managed by AdMaster.  I've got this problem where RDJ just cuts off the last 10 to 15 seconds of the Spot and starts playing whatever's next on the Playlist.  I can't edit those mix points in RDJ, because I never import the Sports Updates into RDJ, only AdMaster.  I have gone back and double checked the source mp3's and they are ok.  Any suggestions or comments you might have would be appreciated!

[Jhonny]

Think the next and end point are not in the right place for that variable track.

[plauri]

Think the next and end point are not in the right place for that variable track.

But if it's a variable track it cannot be edited with Next and End point!

[KJ6EO]

But if it's a variable track it cannot be edited with Next and End point!

Yes, that is correct.  I never import my Spots into the RDJ Database because they're externally managed by AdMaster.  So, as far as RDJ is concerned they don't exist.  In the AdMaster Traffic Files, there is only a single line that contains the path to the file.  RDJ calls up the file and adds it to the Playlist.  However, it's listed as 45 seconds instead of it's true length 58 seconds.  So, when it plays, 13 seconds on the end of the Spot are cut off.  I went back and checked the source file, and it's 58 seconds long and plays correctly.  All of my Spot files are created using Cool Edit Pro.  I've never seen a problem like this before.  I've sent an email to AdMaster explaining the problem and asking for their opinion.

[Marius]

Thanks for reporting, i will check it out today.
PS: The vdf files are cued using the global threshold settings found in rdj options. Did you tried to normalize the volume of your spots? Maybe their volume is too low and thus the cue next/end is set too soon. Do you think that you can send me privately 2-3 of your spots for testing?

[KJ6EO]

Thanks for reporting, i will check it out today.
PS: The vdf files are cued using the global threshold settings found in rdj options. Did you tried to normalize the volume of your spots? Maybe their volume is too low and thus the cue next/end is set too soon. Do you think that you can send me privately 2-3 of your spots for testing?

Hi Marius - Thanks for your message.  After investigating this problem, I discovered the problem and I'd like to share the solution with you.  First of all, I unknowingly caused this problem.  The MP3 file I spoke of (KZNQ Sports - Top Play Tuesday) existed in the Database.  I deleted all the Sports Files when I started using Admaster, but somehow I missed that one.  The path that AdMaster specified for the file was the exact same folder from where I had uploaded the old file:

E:\Music Library\UR Spots\KZNQ Sports - Top Play Tuesday.mp3

So, the old file got over written, but I never updated it in the Database.  So RDJ played the correct file, but only played 45 seconds of it (what the database listed the length as) instead of playing the remaining 13 seconds.  Now, since I deleted the old file from the Database, RDJ will have no alternative but to play the file from the path specified by RDJ.

This also answers another problem I've been having.  I run several shows on the weekend.  They are supplied in segmented MP3 files i.e (RR01, RR02, RR03, etc).  I just overwrite the existing files (the files that already exist in the database).  I noticed that those show segments get cut off too.  Because the Database looks at the length of the file that existed when it was imported into the database, and not the length of the new overwritten file.  If I delete then re-import the new segments into the Database, then the Track ID numbers are all different and I'll have to delete and rewrite all the Event Actions that call them up. 

So my question is ... is there a way to update the files without updating the database and not have RDJ cut them off if they're longer than the previously existing file?

Your expert guidance is appreciated!

[plauri]

So my question is ... is there a way to update the files without updating the database and not have RDJ cut them off if they're longer than the previously existing file?

Yes, use VDF (Variable Duration File), you don't need to update the database, just copy the new file over the old one (maintaining the same name)

[KJ6EO]

Yes, use VDF (Variable Duration File), you don't need to update the database, just copy the new file over the old one (maintaining the same name)

Hello Plauri - Excellent tip.  I went into Tracks Manager and enabled VDF on those files.  Your help is appreciated!  Have an enjoyable weekend.

[Marius]

Ok, let me know if i understand correctly, did you rewrote the files that were as music?

[KJ6EO]

Ok, let me know if i understand correctly, did you rewrote the files that were as music?

Hi Marius ... In the beginning before AdMaster, I just rewrote the Sports files (not updated in the DB).  When I purchased AdMaster, I deleted all the Sports files from the DB.  I specified the path to the files in AdMaster, then AM wrote a path to the file in the txt file (that it generates for RDJ).  What happened, is that somehow I missed deleting one of the sports files and it was still in the DB.  It's important to note that AdMaster used the same file path as RDJ did in the past.  So when RDJ read the path to the file.  It played the updated file, but only 45 seconds of it because that was the length specified by the old file in the DB.  I hope I haven't been too confusing.  This wasn't a RDJ bug.  Unfortunately, it was caused by me.

On another note, any files that exist in the DB that I rewrite weekly, have now been set to variable length type.

Regards,

Bill 

[rkriggs]

try running utilities and verify tracks

Randy