La Chaîne Parlementaire-

Assemblée nationale ( LCP ), the

TV channel of the French National

Assembly , operates two studios and two control rooms located on different sites . These are linked by fibre-optic cables with control and monitoring provided by a single Cerebrum system .

by geert-jan gussen

Large broadcasters with complex playout facilities usually have workflows that include equipment from a wide variety of manufacturers . Making sure that all this equipment is properly integrated , controlled and managed is key to the success of these facilities , particularly when they are dealing with high-profile programming and playout across numerous TV channels .

It is therefore no surprise that Axon Digital Design ’ s sophisticated Cerebrum monitoring and control platform is proving so popular with broadcasters around the world . This elegant software is fast becoming the control solution for choice — not just for playout facilities but also for mobile production , news and studio live production , master control and remote production .

Designed as a customisable monitoring and control system , Cerebrum links broadcast equipment from all major manufacturers using either SNMP ( Simple Network Management Protocol ) or thirdparty protocols . The system supports a wide range of devices including routers , production switchers , servers , audio desks , camera control units , receiver decoders , multi-viewers and waveform monitors , and its advanced functionality and broad range of features simplifies multi-device control into one easy-to-use customised interface .

One broadcaster that has put Cerebrum at the heart of its playout facilities is British Forces Broadcasting Service ( BFBS ) in Chalfont , UK . Part of Services Sound and Vision Corporation ( SSVC ), BFBS delivers a comprehensive selection of UK television and radio programmes to British Armed Forces personnel around the world . As well as 20 radio stations , it has 15 live ,

At BFBS in the UK , Cerebrum controls and monitors a workflow that features Snell Advanced Media ’ s ( SAM ) ICE channel-in-a-box with Morpheus automation , a Provys traffic system , IPV ’ s Curator media asset management ( MAM ) based on Cisco hardware , Axon Synapse signal processing , Arbor mass ingest recording and NetApp storage .

24-hour TV channels to deal with , all of which are broadcast via encrypted satellite and online to an audience of 25,000 in 24 countries , and to Royal Navy ships at sea .

At BFBS , Cerebrum controls and monitors a workflow that features Snell Advanced Media ’ s ( SAM ) ICE channel-in-a-box with Morpheus automation , a Provys traffic system , IPV ’ s Curator media asset management ( MAM ) based on Cisco hardware , Axon Synapse signal processing , Arbor mass ingest recording and NetApp storage . A single control panel with a customised user interface allows BFBS staff to efficiently view the broadcaster ’ s entire transmission workflow .

Hunter Adair , head of technology service , TV and News at BFBS / SSVC , said : “ Cerebrum provides us with a holistic customised view of our operations and gives us greater

flexibility to scale and adapt in this fast-moving environment . It certainly helps us to fulfil the BFBS mission , which is ‘ To Serve Those Who Serve ’.”

La Chaîne Parlementaire- Assemblée nationale ( LCP ), the TV channel of the French National Assembly , has also installed Axon ’ s Cerebrum control and monitoring system as part of a major upgrade of its news production facilities .

LCP operates two studios and two control rooms located on different sites . These are linked by fibre-optic cables with control and monitoring provided by a single Cerebrum system . This is integrated with a Riedel decentralised MediorNet / MicroN IP router that offers advanced processing and routing capabilities via modular I / O video blocks . Using fully customisable remote panels , Cerebrum manages all of the equipment connected to the router , including a video mixer , an audio console , multi-images , intercom , tally and UDM .

The channel , which broadcasts 24 / 7 over satellite , cable , over-thetop ( OTT ), IPTV and digital terrestrial television ( DTTV ) with debates and commentary on major national and international political issues , has switched its entire infrastructure to HD — now the default format in France . As part of this upgrade , technical equipment was also renewed to streamline the workflow and improve control and monitoring .

Jérome Monteil , general manager of Ericsson ’ s Broadcast Service France , said : “ The Axon Cerebrum control and monitoring platform is key to the

success of this project as it delivers both reliability and scalability . It interfaces beautifully with Riedel ’ s MediorNet router and with other third-party equipment in LCP ’ s workflow . Cost of ownership was also a factor — using floating licences , Cerebrum offers exceptional value for money and , thanks to its intuitive design , it is very easy to add new products to the broadcast chain . We are also able to modify the system internally , which lowers the cost of maintenance and service .”

In Asia , Fuzhou Radio and TV — the broadcaster responsible for transmitting the First National Youth Games in China — has selected Cerebrum because it provides a complete view of the operational workflow , including third-party products . Through an easy-to-use customised graphical interface , it allows its engineers to ensure faults are easily located and quickly resolved .

Lin Qinhua , head of technology at Fuzhou Radio and TV , said : “ As the broadcaster in the host city for the first Chinese National Youth Games , we felt the pressure and responsibility of the occasion , especially as we were using a new broadcast system . However , the success of the broadcast showed the importance of choosing the right equipment and systems at an early stage .

“ By working closely with systems integrators and equipment manufacturers and by ensuring that we had good communication and feedback with everyone involved , we were able to make a seemingly ‘ impossible ’ task possible . The success of these Games was very satisfying and the entire project allowed our production team to accumulate valuable experience of our new broadcast platform .”

In recent months , Axon has further improved the flexibility of Cerebrum by ensuring that its latest software version incorporates support for even more high-end manufacturers including Evertz , AJA , AXIA , Allen & Heath , Panasonic , Ross Video , Yamaha , Rohde & Schwartz , Quintech and Blackmagic Design . This makes it even simpler to monitor and control multiple devices on one easyto-use interface . ❑

For more information about Cerebrum and Axon ’ s full range of broadcast infrastructure products , please visit www . axon . tv .

Geert-Jan Gussen is Marketing Manager at Axon Digital Design .