Media Object Server

The Media Object Server (MOS) protocol allows newsroom computer systems (NRCS) such as Ross Video Inception, Octopus Newsroom, Dalet, ENPS or AQ broadcast to communicate using a standard protocol with video servers, audio servers, still stores, and character generators for broadcast production.^[1][2]

The MOS protocol is based on XML.^[3] It enables the exchange of the following types of messages:^[4]

Descriptive Data for Media Objects. 

The MOS "pushes" descriptive information and pointers to the NCS as objects are created, modified, or deleted in the MOS. This allows the NCS to be "aware" of the contents of the MOS and enables the NCS to perform searches on and manipulate the data the MOS has sent.

Playlist Exchange. 

The NCS can build and transfer playlist information to the MOS. This allows the NCS to control the sequence that media objects are played or presented by the MOS.

Status Exchange. 

The MOS can inform the NCS of the status of specific clips or the MOS system in general. The NCS can notify the MOS of the status of specific playlist items or running orders.

MOS was developed to reduce the need for their development of device specific drivers. By allowing developers to embed functionality and handle events, vendors were relieved of the burden of developing device drivers. It was left to the manufacturers to interface newsroom computer systems. This approach affords broadcasters flexibility to purchase equipment from multiple vendors.^[5] It also limits the need to have operators in multiple locations throughout the studio as, for example, multiple character generators can be fired from a single control workstation, without needing an operator at each CG console.^[6]

MOS enables journalists to see, use, and control media devices inside Associated Press's ENPS system so that individual pieces of newsroom production technology speak a common XML-based language.^[7]

History of MOS

The first meeting of the MOS Protocol development group occurred at the Associated Press ENPS developer's conference in Orlando, Florida in 1998. The fundamental concepts of MOS were released to the public domain at that conference.^[8]

As an open protocol, the MOS Development Group encourages the participation of broadcast equipment vendors and their customers.^[9] More than 100 companies are said to work with AP on MOS-related projects. Compatible hardware and software includes video editing, storage and management; automation; machine control; prompters; character generators; audio editing, store and management; web publishing, interactive TV, field transmission and graphics.^[7]

Current development is happening on two tracks: a socket-based version, and a web service version. The current official versions of the MOS protocol, as of January 2011, are 2.8.4 (sockets) and 3.8.4 (web service).^[10]

There is also a Java based implementation called jmos that is currently compatible with MOS specification 2.8.2.^[11]

References

1. "MOS Project". Mosprotocol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
2. "Cover Pages: MOS-X (Media Object Server - XML)". Xml.coverpages.org. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
3. Qureshi, Rizwan (2009-04-01). "MOS Protocol Fundamentals - CodeProject®". Codeproject.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
4. "Mos Faq". Mosprotocol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
5. "Newsmaker". Newsmaker.us. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
6. "Media Object Server - eNotes.com Reference". Enotes.com. 2002-03-21. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
7. WGN-TV, Chicago, Illinois, USA. "ENPS and MOS". Enps.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
8. "Mos Faq". Mosprotocol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
9. "How to Participate in MOS". Mosprotocol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
10. "MOS Protocol 2.8.4 (Current)". Mosprotocol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
11. "jmos - Open java implementation for Media Object Server Communications Protocol (MOS) - Google Project Hosting". Code.google.com. Retrieved 2012-05-03.