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[Tuesday at NAB]
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Revving the Automation Engine
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by Susan Ashworth,
~ April 15, 2008
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TV TECHNOLOGY
Though often considered the quiet behind-the-scenes workhorse, the technology known as automation rides into the NAB Show a little bit revamped, a little bit altered and a little bit racy.
Perhaps this makes perfect sense, seeing that we are in Las Vegas. But whatever the reason, automation solutions on the exhibit floor are grabbling hold of the automation mantle in a whole new way. These innovations are helping successfully to juggle new and complex tasks, thereby giving broadcasters the tools they need to succeed — by simulcasting SD and HD signals, by taking direction remotely from handheld BlackBerry devices, even by tapping into the burgeoning world of social networking to bring in new revenue streams.
Who knew automation had all that up its sleeve?
In the automation space, AEQ is showcasing the third generation of its radio and TV audio automation system. With new architecture built around the Microsoft SQL server database engine, the AEQ MAR4Suite Pro incorporates new features, such as a mix editor and multitrack editor.
Axel Technology is here at the show with XTV, a multiformat SD/HD broadcast automation system that features play-out, capture, trimming and scheduling. Other features include simultaneous play-out of numerous media formats, including DV, HDV, MPEG-2, DVD, DIVX, MPEG-4 and MXF. The system can be configured for standalone operation or scaled up for multichannel playout with shared storage, spare units and redundancy.
Cinegy is showing cinegy air, a system for real-time broadcast automation and play-out now offering SD/HD simulcast play-out capabilities.
For situations where remote control of equipment is a priority, Davicom is showing the remote monitoring, alarm and control system known as the MAC2 SuperMac; there’s also the MAC2, an integrated Web browser designed for PC and BlackBerry use; and a MAC2 version with full SNMP capability.
Digital Rapids comes to town with Broadcast Manager 1.2, an enterprise-level management and control application for multiple live streaming encoders. The system is designed to simplify operation with centralized scheduling, remote control and individual and group resource management.
DNF Controls is showcasing its new Universal Switch Panel (USP), a panel of multipurpose push-button switches for broadcast, production, A/V and industrial environments. The company is also exhibiting the Universal Automation Backup System, designed to backup primary and secondary on-air automation systems. Also being featured are the Flex Control Network commercial and program playout system; Flex Control Network machine control system; the GTP-32 GPI tally processor, which provides GPO, bug and logo inserter control; the ST304-DSR1K-T, which provides VTR-like control over the Sony DSR-DR1000 DVCAM hard-disk recorder; and the DMAT-EZ, a sports controller.
Florical Systems is unveiling several new automation systems, including a new means for local broadcasters to generate revenue through social networking. Tied into the company’s AirBoss automation system, the new social networking interface is called FanChat, and allows a user to subscribe to a chat room based on programming provided by a local station.
Harris Corp. is showcasing several next-generation automation offerings, including the H-Class ADC-1000 as well as the D-Series DSX7000 and DSX8000 systems. The ADC-1000 features an increased number of channels and improved device support, as well as new network control capabilities. The DSX-series products both feature a new, modular device interface control architecture for managing and controlling IP-networking devices. The DSX-7000 can support up to 40 channels of automation, and the DSX-8000 can handle multiple pairs of device controllers and support as many as 1,000 aired channels.
JLCooper Electronics is displaying several controllers, including the Eclipse Bridge controller/expander and Eclipse CX controller/expander.
Nverzion has brought its Elite suite to the NAB Show this year. These include the Silver Elite, an automation control software solution that allows users to dub material from a VTR to a video server, preview, then play it to air. Other Elite options include the Gold Elite, an expandable turnkey automation system, and Platinum Elite, a more fully customized solution for multichannel operations.
OmniBus Systems debuts new versions of iTX, its master control and playout application. OmniBus iTX 1.2 is a production and transmission system that combines the functions of a broadcast master control and play-out chain in a single software application. Another new solution on tap is the OmniBus iTX Business Continuity Process (BCP) system, a disaster recovery solution that sources content automatically from existing video servers and transfers content as required to a remote location. Once there, an iTX playback engine interprets the transmission schedules to create parallel service.
With an eye on personalized advertising space, Pilat Media arrives in town with its Integrated Broadcast Manage-ment System, a multichannel airtime sales, traffic and program management system. It allows advertising to be automatically inserted according to a household or individual subscriber profile regardless of the platform, whether it is digital TV, IPTV, or mobile TV.
PlayBox Technology is showing off Airbox 4, which allows playout of MPEG-2, DV, H.264 and WMV video clips in the same playlist. In addition, there’s a new DTMF reader plug-in, as well as support for SCTE-35 markers by allowing play-out of MPEG-2 files on IEEE-1394. The company is also showing its ListBox scheduler and CaptureBox capture plug-in card as well.
Pro-Bel is at the show with an array of solutions, including new features for the Morpheus system, including configurable channel synchronization across multiple redundant systems, and Morpheus Event Time Linking, which allows multiple channels to be triggered. Attendees can also see the new Morpheus Control and Monitoring, or MCM, a command-and-control feature.
Ross Video is here with Version 7.0 of the OverDrive automated production control system, designed for news, sports, worship and live event productions. New features include MOS integration for graphic and video server systems, an enhanced client and server architecture, and the introduction of sideCar, a remote control panel.
New features are on display as part of Snell & Wilcox’s RollMap infrastructure management system. Version 3.1 incorporates new custom-defined controls, event reporting, and advanced alarm-level masking and filtering. The company is also showcasing RollCall Control Applet V2.1, which features local and remote control capability and improved responsiveness of system-wide control.
Automating the delivery of media is a key priority for Telestream, and the company is in town with its FlipFactory New Media solution, as well as its Flip4Mac Image server component and Infinity component, which address automatic file importing.
NEWSROOM
Attendees can see the latest updates to the AP ENPS Electronic News Production System at the Associated Press booth. New features include on-air local ticker integration, a customized My ENPS feature and new Follow-Me Messaging to reach reporters when they’re in the field.
Bitcentral is here with its Precis file-based digital newsroom product, an HD-capable end-to-end digital system designed for news production and distribution. It allows field contributors to edit stories on location using notebooks, and then transfer them via broadband or microwave linkage. Precis also allows broadcasters to produce, manage and distribute stories across multiple platforms. The company is also showcasing Oasis, a broadcast news file share system that allows users to share stories between stations.
Dalet Digital Media Systems is on hand with Dalet Xtend, an extension for Apple Final Cut Pro that integrates Apple workstations in a MOS-compliant Dalet NewsPro tapeless production and playout workflow. Features include timeline-based ingest management and automated multiresolution proxy generation.
To help keep tabs on the myriad aspects of a live newscast, D.A.V.I.D. Systems is showcasing the DigaToolbar, a modular newsroom integration tool designed to centralize communication and launch other applications. It can be used to set up and recall certain screen configurations and also keeps users apprised of key events including story assignments, new and updated entries and newswire reports. The company is also showing DigaTrans IP, which transfers files, and Atom Factory, which allows Mac users to exchange video files.
Digital Broadcast is showcasing its NewsBank Automated News System. It consolidates servers and editing functions so that news stories can be received, edited and automatically aired according to rundowns provided via MOS interfaces.
Harris Corp. is showcasing NewsForce, an HD/SD file-based news platform designed to improve workflow in the field, newsroom and control room. Built around the Nexio AMP shared storage architecture and utilizing MOS-enabled NRCS integration, NewsForce is designed to optimize editing and airing of news. The system integrates with Apple Final Cut Pro to enable editing directly onto the Nexio SAN.
Octopus Trading Co. is featuring OCTOPUS 6, a platform-independent newsroom system that brings the company’s automation platform to the Mac OS and Linux users. Key features of OCTOPUS 6 include centralized updates, an installation-free client and intuitive user interface.
Quantel is focusing on collaborative workflows and new platform deliveries at the NAB Show, and is showcasing several new features to its Newsbox HD news production system as well as the Enterprise sQ news/sport production system.
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