Spring Daylight Saving and the ContentDepot
All ContentDepot headend systems are ready-to-go for a normal transition to Daylight Saving Time at 0200ET Sunday March 9th, 2008. Here are some notes about the transition and what you need to do to prepare.
Each DST transition has two components:
- The time change in your local computers, and
- Operational considerations
DST and your local computers
The ContentDepot operates in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), an absolute standard that does not adjust for DST or summer time. Likewise, the ContentDepot delivers UTC data via Network Time Protocol (NTP) on the satellite channels. Any time zone or DST offsets are applied at end devices -- typically production computers or time-of-day displays synced via NTP.
This actually makes your ContentDepot transition to DST very straightforward: If your local computers have been updated with the latest DST patches, they will automatically step forward at 0200 local time on March 9th.
Operational considerations
The ContentDepot headend will transmit stream setup data and commands for the 0300ET hour at the end of the 0100ET hour. We recommend you review your station schedule for Sunday, March 9th to verify your local programming flow from 01:59ET to 03:00ET.
This may seem confusing but it's actually straightforward: In the ContentDepot, the 0200ET hour on Sunday, March 9th does not exist and will not execute. The system will operationally step from 01:59:59ET to 03:00:00ET.
The only operational function in your ContentDepot storage receivers affected by DST offset is the automated deletion of files based on their kill dates. The SFX receivers still operate under the "old" DST transition dates, but deleting files an hour later for three weeks won't make any difference in local operation. Displays and log entries will be incorrect for three weeks, but that's easily remedied, if desired, by hand-setting the time zone an hour 'ahead' at a convenient time. There is no operational effect of any DST change in your stream decoders -- they always function and display in UTC. What do you need to do? The most important action you can take is make sure that your local production systems (including time-of-day displays) have the latest updates so that they'll properly step ahead on March 9th.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the PRSS Help Desk at prsshelp@npr.org or call 800.971.7677.