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Difference between revisions of "Evaluating Rivendell"

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==== Broadcast Appliance ====
 
==== Broadcast Appliance ====
If you have a spare PC, you can download and install a full system on the computer, allowing you to try Rivendell with your own hardware. It should be noted that using this method to evaluate Rivendell will require the hard drive of the machine to be completely wiped and that you will loose any existing data that might be stored on that drive. Only do this if you are happy to reformat the hard drive in your computer.
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If you have a spare PC, you can [http://static.paravelsystems.com/rivendell-install-rd3/rivendell-install-rhel7.html download and install] a full system on the computer, allowing you to try Rivendell with your own hardware. It should be noted that using this method to evaluate Rivendell will require the hard drive of the machine to be '''<font style="color:red;">completely wiped</font>''' and that you will '''<font style="color:red;">loose all existing data</font>''' stored on that drive. Only do this if you are happy to '''reformat the hard drive''' in your computer. You should also know that installing Rivendell on a PC leaves you with a &ldquo;''blank slate''&rdquo;. You also need to configure Rivendell's many options and settings in order to have a fully functional system. More details are available in [[Setup & Configuration]].
If you wish to follow this route for evaluation, you can find instructions on how to install Rivendell here.
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==== Virtual Machine image ====
 
==== Virtual Machine image ====
 
We are currently looking at ways that a Virtual Machine image could be made available containing an up-to-date version of Rivendell for evaluation.  When this is available we will be updating this section with information on how to use it.  Using a Virtual Machine image you will be able to try out Rivendell without having to install it onto a spare machine.
 
We are currently looking at ways that a Virtual Machine image could be made available containing an up-to-date version of Rivendell for evaluation.  When this is available we will be updating this section with information on how to use it.  Using a Virtual Machine image you will be able to try out Rivendell without having to install it onto a spare machine.
  
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=== The Big Book of Rivendell Cookbook ===
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Inspired by [http://caspian.paravelsystems.com/pipermail/rivendell-dev/2020-February/028703.html this post to the Rivendell mailing list] by Frank Christel in February, 2020 we started writing this [[Cookbook]] on various Rivendell aspects (including getting started).
  
 
=== [[Should you think of Rivendell as just another program to run on the computer or as an appliance?]] ===
 
=== [[Should you think of Rivendell as just another program to run on the computer or as an appliance?]] ===

Latest revision as of 16:01, 16 September 2020

Before moving over to any new playout system, most users will want to have a chance to find out whether the new system will meet their needs. Rivendell is fairly unique in that it is free, allowing you to have access to the full system for as long as you want. As Rivendell runs on the Linux operating system, there is no need to worry about having to buy an OS for it to run on.

Evaluating Rivendell

There are a couple of ways in which you can try out Rivendell to see if it meets the needs of your station. The first of these is by installing a complete system (also known as a Broadcast Appliance). The second way, that is currently under development, is by downloading a fully configured VMWare Virtual image. This will allow you to run a complete Rivendell system within a virtual machine on your computer without having to find a dedicated machine. Both of these options are based on the CentOS Linux operating system.

Broadcast Appliance

If you have a spare PC, you can download and install a full system on the computer, allowing you to try Rivendell with your own hardware. It should be noted that using this method to evaluate Rivendell will require the hard drive of the machine to be completely wiped and that you will loose all existing data stored on that drive. Only do this if you are happy to reformat the hard drive in your computer. You should also know that installing Rivendell on a PC leaves you with a “blank slate”. You also need to configure Rivendell's many options and settings in order to have a fully functional system. More details are available in Setup & Configuration.

Virtual Machine image

We are currently looking at ways that a Virtual Machine image could be made available containing an up-to-date version of Rivendell for evaluation. When this is available we will be updating this section with information on how to use it. Using a Virtual Machine image you will be able to try out Rivendell without having to install it onto a spare machine.

The Big Book of Rivendell Cookbook

Inspired by this post to the Rivendell mailing list by Frank Christel in February, 2020 we started writing this Cookbook on various Rivendell aspects (including getting started).

Should you think of Rivendell as just another program to run on the computer or as an appliance?

Is Rivendell the right radio automation for you?

This Handbook on Radio Automation Systems (PDF document) is a bit dated, but contains useful information about radio automation.

David Klann hosts a Radio Automation Comparison spreadsheet. With the link, you have edit permissions to the sheet, and David encourages crowdsourcing updates to the data.

Rivendell limitations & problems

Areas where Rivendell may not meet your needs.

Stations using Rivendell

See if there is a station nearby and see if you can go see Rivendell in action.