7.3.8. Data Integrations

Data Integrations page provides functionality that integrates with and accept data from third party systems and enable special handling of some data within the recorder. For example, a generic ANI/ALI integration could be configured to receive information over serial or IP, parse it based on user specified rules and apply it to ongoing calls.

This page shows a list of the available Data Integrations, with information on which are licensed and which are enabled. You can restrict the list to just the licensed integrations with the Hide unlicensed integrations checkbox.

Data Integrations Page

Fig. 7.46 Data Integrations Page

To configure or enable an Integration, select a licensed Data Integration from the list and click Edit Integration. This will open a page with:

  • Script Version: This will show the System version and the Current version of the integration script. If an integration has been configured, it is not updated when an upgrade happens, to prevent it from breaking. To bring it up-to-date, copy the Configuration file to a text editor (for reference), disable the integration, save, edit again and reconfigure based on the new configuration file.

  • Configuration File: This contains all variables that need to be set for the integration to work.

  • Integration Enabled: This checkbox turns on or off this Integration.

Some integrations also offer these options:

  • View Processing Logs: See how the Integration has processed the input.

  • View Input Logs: See the input from the CAD system.

  • Replay Timestamp: Copy the timestamp from the input log and enter it here to have it replay based on the current configuration setting. This allows for iterative development of the integration.

7.3.8.1. Broadcastify

Eventide NexLog DX-Series recording systems can support streaming one or more recorded streams to a feed on https://www.broadcastify.com/ Licensing is on a per-stream basis, and a stream can contain one or more recorded resources/talkgroups. Keep in mind that in this case they will be streamed together. Please contact Eventide sales for the per stream pricing. Before attempting to stream from the NexLog to Broadcastify, a feed will need to be created on Broadcastify.com. Credentials and required details to stream to that feed will also need to be obtained. Instructions on how to establish a feed, and the terms and conditions related to streaming content to a feed are not part of this document. Please refer to the Broadcastify.com -> “Broadcast” section for further details. Administrative level knowledge of the NexLog configuration manager and tools is assumed when using this document. If you are not familiar with the NexLog Web Configuration Manager, please contact your local Eventide dealer/reseller for assistance.

Software, Licensing and Configuration

Once the NexLog DX-Series recorder is licensed for Broadcastify, the integration can be edited and enabled for streaming to the Broadcastify.com website.

Licensing

  • Contact Eventide Sales to purchase an add-on license key if your recorder is not already licensed for Broadcastify. You will need to know how many unique streams you plan to stream to Broadcastify. The license generated is on a per-stream-basis.

  • Log in to the Configuration Manager

  • Go to “System” -> “License Keys”

  • Click “Add Key”

  • In the “License Key” field, enter the add-on key provided by Eventide

Configuration of the Broadcastify stream(s)

  • Log in to the Configuration Manager

  • Go to “Recording” -> “Data Integrations”

  • Select “Broadcastify Integration” and click “Edit Integration”. Here you will need to configure a mount point for the Broadcastify stream. Details about the parameters to enter are shown in the screenshot below

  • When complete check the “Integration Enabled” box (as seen in the screenshot below) and then click the “Save” button

Broadcastify Configuration

Fig. 7.47 Broadcastify Configuration

Below are descriptions of the configuration fields as seen in the above screenshot:

  • recorderUserName: Recorder user that has access to playback of the resource/talkgroup being recorded

  • recorderUserPassword: Password for the recorder user that has access to playback of the resource/talkgroup being recorded

  • talkgroup (i.e. resource name): Name of the resource/talkgroup being recorded that will be associated with a Broadcastify playback stream. You can add multiple resources/talkgroups to one stream. Note, if multiple resources are configured for one stream, they may transmit audio over each other and may not be audible. Multiple separately streamed resources/talkgroups must be configured with their own unique [Stream] sections of the configuration.

  • mount: Name of the mount where the Broadcastify playback stream can be accessed (acquired from Broadcastify)

  • host: Server address of the Broadcastify playback stream (acquired from Broadcastify)

  • port: Port to be used for the Broadcastify playback stream (acquired from Broadcastify)

  • password: Source client password (acquired from Broadcastify)

  • user: Source client username (acquired from Broadcastify)

  • name: Name of the Broadcastify stream for identification on the NexLog DX server. If you configure multiple streams, then each stream should have a unique name. Refer below for details on how to configure multiple streams.

  • delay: This is a configuration option that sets the delay between a recording and when it will playback on a Broadcastify stream. The default and minimum delay is 30 seconds, which means that the Broadcastify playback will occur 30 seconds after the recording. This can be reconfigured to suit local requirements, though must be less than the value used for retention time of the recording/resource itself.

Configuring Multiple Streams

You can configure a recorder to have multiple streams. Each stream requires the following:

  • A separate “[Stream]” section as seen in the screenshot below. The first stream in the example below is dedicated to a “Fire” talkgroup, while the second stream is dedicated to a “Police” talkgroup

  • Each stream should have its own unique mount as seen in the screenshot below

  • Each stream should have its own unique name as seen in the screenshot below

Broadcastify Configuration Multiple Streams

Fig. 7.48 Broadcastify Configuration Multiple Streams

Configuring AGC and Gain

From software version 2020.4 onwards in the NexLog DX-Series, Broadcastify streams can be configured to enable AGC and gain settings.

AGC Configure

To configure AGC, follow the steps below:

  • Log in to the Configuration Manager

  • Go to “Recording” -> “Data Integrations”

  • Select “Broadcastify Integration” and click “Edit Integration”.

  • On a new line in this configuration file, add the following text: agc: 1

  • Save the configuration file

To disable AGC, you can either change the configuration value from 1 to 0, or you can just remove the line of the text with the AGC configuration.

Gain Configure

  • To configure gain, follow the steps below:

  • Log in to the Configuration Manager

  • Go to “Recording” -> “Data Integrations”

  • Select “Broadcastify Integration” and click “Edit Integration”.

  • On a new line in this configuration file, add the following text: gain: <value of gain>

  • The supported gain values are: -4,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,4,5 where -4 is the softest volume setting, and 5 is the highest.

  • Save the configuration file

To disable a gain setting, you can either set the configuration value to 0, or you can just remove the line of text with the gain configuration.

Please also keep the following two points in mind when configuring AGC or gain:

  • Both AGC and gain settings must be specified under a particular stream. They will apply to all talkgroups that are a part of that stream.

  • If both AGC and gain are specified, only AGC will get applied.

Stream Address

Once the Broadcastify Integration Configuration File is saved, you will be able to access the Broadcastify stream by going to the address specified in the configuration file. The format of the address is:

<host>:<port>/<mount>

Based on the example in the screenshot above, the address of the mount would be:

a1.broadcastify.com:8000/dfg42yweu901

Connectivity and Access

The most common problem when setting up Broadcastify.com streaming is connectivity between the Eventide NexLog system and the Broadcasity.com mount point. Configuring access between the NexLog system and Broadcastify is unique to each enterprise networking environment and outside the scope of this document.