How Does OTTera Process Ad Breaks from a Signal Source

Modified on Fri, Jan 5 at 9:20 AM

When receiving a source signal for processing or re-transcode, OTTera can handle ad markers in two ways:

SCTE35 signals in the transport stream -- for broadest compatibility these should be SpliceInsert, Immediate with pre-specified durations
Manifest decoration in m3u8/MPD

We do have some third party partners we can bring onboard* to help with streams that do not use either of the above methods--NOTE that these will have additional costs depending on the source feed characteristics:

Conversion from DTMF/audio cue tones to digital signaling
Inference of ad breaks based on other playback characteristics-- i.e. detecting different placement for a logo bug, or a specific bumper that runs pre-ad roll

OTTera also has capabilities to do ad slate/house ad replacement in feeds that have pre-stitched ads, to put in platform-compatible slates, and/or to adjust ad break duration to meet platform ad break requirements. NOTE: this often comes with variable cost, as well, since these processes are often manual, and require more dedicated engineering time.

Requirements to do this:

Ad breaks must be signaled with duration specified ahead of time
content partner must provide evergreen short form content to be used to replace any extra time from the original ad break that must be covered up if converting to a shorter break duration- i.e. original feed signals 4:30 ad break, and platform only accepts 2:00 ad breaks. OTTera will need varied content to put together the remaining 2:30 of the originally signaled ad break
Interruptible placeholder slate to fill any time not directly coverable by short form content