Network file-based broadcasting with On-Air Central

By Lorna Hylton

Review contents:

Network solutions in TV production Network solutions of company Avid for broadcasting and video production Automation of broadcasting: DIP solutions Networking for live television production Solutions of the JC System Integration Company VSN — all in one Network disk arrays of company Maxtronic Network file-based broadcasting with On-Air Central Video server The tvSuite as the output module of system for organization of the off-the-air broadcasting built with application of network technologies Network solutions for program-making on the basis of Pinnacle Liquid systems Network production from Sony Network solutions Vectorbox

ON-AIR Systems, London-based manufacturers of broadcast automation systems, has witnessed an exponential demand for systems that automate the preparation of programs for transmission and the process of transmitting programs to air in both the broadcast and corporate sectors. This increase is due to the greater acceptance of readily available new technology that has arisen from the onward march of the digital revolution. Since the introduction of networked file-based end-to-end broadcasting some 5 years ago, networked file-based broadcasting is now available for comparatively low levels of investment.

Compared with traditional technology used in the broadcast industry, it is recognized that the implementation of an IT-based approach to broadcasting offers a number of crucial benefits. We know that the use of disk-based systems is less expensive than those involving tapes and that there are time-saving benefits to be gained by using computer networks to move media from place to place instead of manually transporting tapes backwards and forwards between various locations. A computer network is of course self-routing and hence makes life much simpler when it comes to the implementation of a system and the movement of media around it. It is also acknowledged that, with a little training, computer-based systems are simple to operate and their performance can be easily monitored and maintained both locally and remotely.

Computer-based systems also offer significant advantages when it comes to storage. It is now much cheaper to archive media-files to hard disk or DVD than it is to use traditional media storage solutions such as videotape. So, just as desktop publishing revolutionized printing, and non-linear editing forever changed the face of video editing, networked file-based solutions are revolutionizing the systems used to broadcast television.

Networked file-based systems like ON-AIR Systems’ own ON-AIR Central solution, offer other compelling advantages for all types of broadcasters — TV or corporates, big or small, new or old. These include reduced manning levels. Instead of employing entire teams of highly trained specialists to oversee channel playout, depending on the size of the operation, broadcasters who use file-based broadcasting may only need to employ 2 or 3 operators per shift. Broadcasters experience lower maintenance overheads and higher levels of reliability, but above all, increased flexibility in program management. Other benefits include: fast return on investment; increased productivity and efficiency via improved workflow; the scalable and modular architecture ensures a custom-built system to meet your traffic requirements; built-in metadata running on Microsoft Windows for complete compatibility with third party products, simultaneous media sharing on networks; complete data integrity; IP control for ease of operation; and proven reliability with optional external RAID configured as NAS and/or SAN storage.

Running on Microsoft Windows, ON-AIR Central is modular and scalable in design making it suitable for simple single-channel playout or a full turnkey multi-channel broadcast centre.

Corporate Broadcasters

The increase in file-based broadcast automation systems has also instigated new interest in broadcasting as a means of communication in the corporate sector. For a typical international company with headquarters, say, in the USA, a number of regional locations and a whole network of offices scattered around the world, not to mention several hundred resellers and distributors, corporate communications is a big deal.

The international corporates need to effectively communicate training programs, company information and other data to the four corners of the world, preferably using a coordinated timescale of delivery. The logistics are inevitably going to be complex, especially when you consider time differences and the need for local translations. Most large companies possess a very high understanding of IT networks and are therefore used to achieving excellent communications for their work-related data. Some of them have extended these skills to the area of corporate TV by using networked file-based broadcast automation solutions.

IP Broadcasting

Internet Protocol or IP broadcasting is also making in-roads as a means of mass communications based on the use of automated broadcasting technology. With IP broadcasting, users of ON-AIR Central can have their programs streamed to the computer desktop using satellite or broadband network and a normal computer network as the means of delivery. This method is more cost-effective than webcasting. It requires no complicated kit as just one satellite receiver or broadband modem is required per network, and it is easy to implement. This type of broadcasting is also particularly suitable for corporate communications.

Outsourcing Broadcast Automation

Many broadcasters have opted to outsource the transmitting of channels to air by choosing a dedicated transmission service company. ON-AIR Systems also offer a full 24/7 playout service to broadcasters, from their 18-channel transmission central in the heart of London where they use their own ON-AIR Central broadcast automation system. Customers include regional, national and international TV broadcasters, web-casters, corporate TV and radio stations. Channel types include films, kids programs, news, documentaries, shopping, auctions, regional and national information, chat and magazine, PPV and VOD.

ON-AIR Systems transmission centre provides a range of options for its customers including: automated program scheduling; multi-format media capture with file integrity checks; playout with scheduled automatic transitions; logo insertion; live feed insertion; 24-hour monitoring; remote scheduling; BSkyB EPG preparation; satellite feed recording; nonlinear editing; tape dubbing; format conversion; DVD archiving; media space booking and billing; satellite re-broadcasting; time delay replay; webcasting; web streaming; crawling ticker tape; SMS message display; graphics creation and delivery; and media asset management. Customers simply need to provides their programs and decide on their playout list — ON-AIR Systems do the rest.

Brief Look at the Processes

Networked file-based broadcasting, whether outsourced to a service centre or purchased as a turnkey system, simplifies broadcasting and provides a range of features that enhance the flexibility and streamline the workflow of the playout process.

ON-AIR Central comprises a number of software modules which are integrated as required to form complete end to end solutions. The modules include:

ON-AIR Scheduler: providing easy to use scheduling and creation of play lists, capture lists and graphics lists.

ON-AIR Capture: a capture program with remote IP control for up to 4 capture sources. Programmes are captured into digital file format and validated automatically. Any errors encountered during this process are logged. If necessary, the broadcaster can browse each programme via a normal 100 Base Ethernet or LAN network. Ingest formats may include Betacam SP, Digital Betacam, DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO or DVD as well as live studio or timed scheduled for lines or satellite. Other tape formats include x4 SDTI capture.

ON-AIR Studio: automated and reliable multi-format playout with full redundancy and a mixture of live and recorded options. As each program is captured, all the information relating to it is recorded automatically. Using a powerful database or central library, users can also simply click on each program to build up a playlist or runlist using simple easy-to-use scheduling software. Last minute changes can be made remotely from broadcasters’ own premises without having to physically visit the transmission service centre, just by emailing an updated playlist. Simple edits can be made by adjusting the trim in and trim out positions as can the addition of graphic events such as logo insertions, text crawls, clocks, titles and animations. Even when playlists are on-air, with broadcast automation, the customer can ask the transmission service provider to drop in a new playlist or change, add or delete programs at the last minute.

ON-AIR Server: providing 2 to 8-channel playout with remote/central IP control.

ON-AIR Scanner: for building the online file library for remote scheduling and enables user-defined validation and integrity checks of captured files.

ON-AIR Logger: provides live monitoring of the transmission status and creates an ’as-run’ log for billing. ON-AIR Central can be linked to third party automated billing programs and networked with centralized administration software.

ON-AIR Transcoder: providing automated transcoding and mirroring.

ITC Recorder: for MPEG-4 Web streaming and video-on-demand encoding.

ON-AIR TxCG: for the creation and control of multi-layer graphics.

ON-AIR InfoChannel: providing news, weather, sports results, stock market prices or other live time-sensitive data as graphic overlays to the live or pre-recorded video

ON-AIR Systems recently launched ON-AIR StudioTx, a new systems that includes the combined functionality of four existing ON-AIR Central modules, (ON-AIR Studio, ON-AIR TxCG, ON-AIR NewsPlay and ON-AIR Logger). Together these provide all the functionality of a master control room in one seamless environment. ON-AIR StudioTX is designed for all types of playout applications including 24/7 scheduled and live transmission. Features include easy drag and drop playlist editing, multiple playlist cueing, integrated graphics, automated playout, event monitoring and reporting of as-run logs.

Architecture

Media sharing and Video Area Networks (VANs) are the key elements for productive and efficient workflow. This is achieved with external disk arrays available to users via fibre channel or GigaBit Ethernet. With this open architecture, ON-AIR Central maintains compatibility with all popular industry file formats.

Conclusion

Networked file-based broadcasting offers flexibility and scalability on a level only dreamed of a few years ago and at a price that is affordable by the large broadcasters, smaller single channel broadcasters and corporate users. File-based broadcasting also offers simple, cost effective and reliable redundancy with easy hardware and program duplicating. In computer terms this is called mirroring — a simple background computer task. If the mirroring is done at another site or location connected by fibre, this becomes a true disaster recovery service.

Corporate broadcasting can be deployed at various sites around the world over a company’s own internal WAN. Up-to-date corporate news or other programs can be updated via FTP or IP using broadband. The actual playlists can be programmed locally or uploaded from the head office. Up-to-date information can be overlaid in real-time by downloading the information from the web. Different sites can have different playlists to reflect local variations.

Networked file-based broadcast automation will continue to evolve and become even more widely used. Giant steps forward are regularly being made in computer processing power and networking. We can be sure that the automation of broadcasting will be one of the first areas to take advantage of these emerging technologies.

Material provided by ON-AIR Systems Company