A HALO To Shine In Las Vegas At NAB Show

HALO is being pitched as a “highly specialized management system capable of overseeing and facilitating command of all DASDEC devices in an enterprise.” It is a web-based, enterprise-wide tool that forms a single aggregation point through which multiple users from different departments (engineering, legal, etc.) — all with varying permission levels — can oversee the health and status of each EAS device, alert key personnel of critical changes, centralize configuration settings, manage software updates, and consolidate FCC-mandated test results for easier EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) filings.

HALO combines operations and compliance in one configuration-control, EAS log-reporting, and error/alarm-monitoring program, thereby providing unparalleled insight and control of a company’s entire EAS infrastructure. By bringing together all EAS-related processes, HALO reduces complexity and duplicate efforts, which in turn reduces potential errors. More importantly, it enables companies to better utilize EAS subject-matter experts and decreases the time and resources spent on EAS-related matters, increasing efficiencies and making it easier to proactively address any potential compliance issues.

The EAS-Net AEA module will aggregate content (messages and multimedia) from outside sources and generate a station’s own messaging, all for transmission to AEA-enabled applications on ATSC 3.0 receivers. Adding the new EAS-Net AEA module to a DASDEC unit lets stations seamlessly integrate AEA capabilities into the next-generation TV standard, making it possible to reach targeted audiences in new ways with more detailed urgent and emergency messages and information, thereby adding another layer of value to the ATSC 3.0 experience. By driving the rich capabilities envisioned under the ATSC 3.0 standard by groups like AWARN, the DASDEC’s new EAS-Net AEA feature will enable next-level urgent communications from stations to audiences — with text, graphics, audio, and other advanced multimedia features — that provide a more interactive way of communicating emergency information that goes far beyond basic EAS. For example, stations will be able to wake up viewers’ displays for important alerts.

Highlighting the many improvements is Triggered CAP Polling. This feature is designed so that detailed event information is presented by eliminating duplicate events with limited content. For example, if a CAP version of the same alert is available, the system automatically dequeues the EAS alert and uses the CAP message. Stations and consumers benefit from a more comprehensive and detailed alert with first-generation audio.

Version 4.0 is currently shipping on all new units and is available to all current-model DASDEC-II customers for a nominal upgrade fee.