Understanding and Using Commentator Metrics in the Dashboard

The Spalk dashboard is equipped with a variety of metrics that allow live support technicians to monitor and troubleshoot the quality of broadcasts. Among these, the Commentator Media Workflow Metrics provide crucial insights into the performance of the commentary team's connection and the quality of audio being transmitted. This article will guide you through accessing these metrics and interpreting them to diagnose and resolve issues effectively.

Accessing Commentator Media Workflow Metrics:

1. Log into the Spalk dashboard with your credentials.
   Navigate to the event you are monitoring. Ensure that the event is currently live or has recently been live, as metrics are only available for real-time analysis.
2. Click on the 'Commentators' tab in the dashboard. This section is dedicated to managing the commentary team.
3. Locate the team you're interested in, and click the chart icon labelled "Metrics".
4. Scroll down to view various charts displaying metrics measured from the commentator's connection and media processiong. This section houses the metrics related to the commentator's media processing in Spalk.

Interpreting the Metrics:

Below are the key metrics displayed in the Commentator Media Workflow section and how they can be used for diagnosis:

Packet Loss (aka Data Loss):

Indicates lost audio data between the commentator to the Spalk server.
Frequent packet loss can result in audio glitches or silence.
Diagnose by checking the commentator's network strength and stability.

Audio Synchronization Error:

Measures how in-sync the commentary audio is with the video output. Significant desynchronization may require resetting the commentator's network or adjusting the sync settings.

Media Processing Delay:

Represents the intentional delay applied during processing to synchronize commentary with the video.
If the delay is excessive, consult with a Spalk representative to explore reduction strategies.

Commentator Round Trip Time:

A measurement of the connection speed between the commentator and Spalk.
High values suggest a need for a network reset or a different connection.

Inserted Silence:

Silence is added when commentators disconnect, or audio packets are missing.
Regular occurrences of inserted silence could signal network issues or hardware problems on the commentator’s end.

Clock Skew:

Indicates the rate discrepancy between the commentator and input encoder clocks.
A skew that varies too much suggests computer issues on the commentator's side, like CPU overload or overheating.

Audio Jitter Buffer Length:

The buffer compensates for jitter in the audio signal.
A buffer that frequently empties could cause interruptions in audio, suggesting the need for a more stable network connection.

Connection Jitter:

Jitter roughly measures to the smoothness of the signal between the commentator and Spalk's media servers. High jitter may cause audio to arrive too late and be dropped or replaced with silence

Using Metrics to Diagnose Issues:

When faced with an issue, such as audio glitches or poor synchronization, use the metrics as follows:

1. Identify the Symptom:

Determine the nature of the problem: Is it audio glitches, dropped connections, or synchronization issues?

2. Locate the Relevant Metric:

Use the symptom to find the corresponding metric in the Media Workflow Statistics. For example, if you're experiencing audio glitches, check 'Packet Loss' and 'Inserted Silence'.

3. Analyze the Metric Data:

Observe the trends and values in the metric over time. Look for spikes, drops, or patterns that coincide with the issues observed.

4. Cross-Reference Metrics:

Some issues may be reflected in multiple metrics. For instance, high 'Commentator Round Trip Time' might also increase 'Audio Jitter Buffer Length', affecting audio quality.

5. Take Corrective Action:

Based on the metrics, you may need to instruct the commentator to reset their connection, use a different network, or adjust their setup to mitigate CPU issues.

If problems persist, further technical investigation or changes to the Spalk server settings may be required.

Conclusion

The Commentator Media Workflow Metrics are a powerful tool for ensuring a high-quality broadcast experience. By understanding how to access and interpret these metrics, live support technicians can swiftly diagnose and resolve issues, minimizing disruptions to the audience’s viewing experience. Remember, if a metric is outside the ideal range or shows irregular patterns, it is an indicator that there is an issue that needs attention. Use this information proactively to keep your broadcasts running smoothly.