The VSNONETV multichannel integrated
playout solution
features dynamic
graphics composition
to allow users to insert
necessary information,
such as elements of
PiP, video squeeze,
crawls, RSS feeds or
transition effects,
which are relevant to
the programme.
change from a consumer standpoint, Warman stresses, the platforms being used to
view content do cause a change in broadcasters’ branding strategy.
“Mobile, over-the-top (OTT) and broadcast channels each need their own branding
approach, identity and considerations for
resolution, screen size, aspect ratio and
many more. This, in turn, creates complexity and the need for appropriate branding to
ensure the correct treatment of each target
device,” he explains.
To service all channel branding requirements, Harmonic is offering the Spectrum
X advanced media server system, which
provides ingest and playout for baseband and
IP workflows. Designed for production and
playout applications, the Spectrum X combines file, baseband and transport stream
ingest with integrated channel playout (ICP)
capabilities, including graphics, branding,
digital video effects (DVE), and live switching of baseband and compressed IP sources.
Commenting on how technologies have
impacted broadcasters’ channel branding
strategies, Warman says: “The technology
itself implies a major change. This concept of
simultaneous SDI and IP means that a single
playlist under automation control can derive
two different, synchronised outputs with
different resolutions, matching graphics
or a sub-set of graphics that are appropriate for the downstream target devices and
consumers.”
Warman also recommends the deployment of Harmonic’s Electra X broadcast
encoders alongside the Spectrum X, in order
to create additional value for users by enabling differentiated content to be produced
for regional variation and market interest.
Equipped with hybrid capabilities, both
the Spectrum X and Electra X also support
4K/Ultra HD (UHD). Earlier this year,
AsiaSat launched its 4K/UHD channel 4KSAT2/HVN on the AsiaSat 4 satellite located
at the 122°E orbital location.
Supporting the delivery of the 4K/UHD
channel is the Spectrum X and the Electra
X3 — which are designed specifically for 4K/
UHD encoding — alongside the MediaGrid
Ethernet-based shared storage system, as
well as the Polaris playout management
suite. The deployment of Harmonic’s equipment has enabled AsiaSat to deliver a full
4K/UHD channel production and transmission system from AsiaSat’s Tai Po Earth
Station in Hong Kong.
VSN’s Monteverde, however, suggests
that more work can be done to retain eyeballs. He elaborates: “Even though channel
branding is fundamental to make a channel
attractive, we also find that channel branding today has to include a balance between
branding, content quality and the accessibility to certain content. Working well on these
three areas is extremely necessary in today’s
globalised competitive scene.
“We often say content is king, and we rely
on the quality of the content to be popular
and successful. Hence, we find it important
19
MANAGEMENT
November 2016
for broadcasters to start focusing on content
branding, in addition to channel branding.”
VSN offers channel branding functionality with its integrated playout solution
VSNONETV, which is designed to support
real-time multi-channel ingest to a wide
range of codecs and file containers. With
each channel containing up to eight layers
of graphics output and up to two DVEs per
channel, users can use the dynamic graphics composition function to insert elements
of picture-in-picture (PiP), video squeeze,
crawls, RSS feeds, or transition effects on
the programmes.
For further flexibility on channel branding, VSNONETV can be integrated with
master control switchers. For programmes
streaming on OTT or new media platforms,
the solution also provides live censorship
tools, allowing users to place blurs or beeps
to sensitive content.
“Moreover, VSNEXPLORER media asset management (MAM) provides a tight
integration with social media network
platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or
YouTube,” Monteverde explains. “We believe publishing in social media networks
is extremely important to push audiences
into a broadcast channel and should be
considered part of the channel branding
strategy of a station.”
For Avid, according to Naor, its 3DPlay
channel branding solution provides datadriven and real-time graphics that can be
triggered with different data, clips and images to deliver updated content. Furthermore,
3DPlay can be used with a single channel or
multiple playout channels through a single
user interface.
She concludes: “The 3DPlay enables
users to create branding graphics such
as coming up next, promo over credits,
squeeze backs and multiple tickers. Using
the action-based graphics controller, users
can combine graphics, content and animation into a button or an action, and define
its behaviour. These actions can be triggered
multiple times using different data, enabling
the user to adapt to changes with greater
flexibility.”
Axon addresses India’s demand
for 4K/Ultra HD
India is a burgeoning
market for 4K/Ultra HD
(UHD), described Axon
Digital Design, who already counts Tata Sky, Axon showcased a range of solutions at last month’s Broadcast
Zee Entertainment and India 2016, including the SynView modular multi-viewer, which will
support India’s increasing demand for 4K/Ultra HD, said Axon.
STAR as among its customers in India.
build a hybrid multi-viewer with hundreds
GeertJan Gussen, marketing manager
of inputs.
at Axon, said: “Offering local support is
Gussen continued: “Given the current
very important, especially as people transiinterest in 4K/UHD, we are confident that
tion from SDI to 4K/UHD and IP.”
Axon products such as SynView and the
At last month’s Broadcast India 2016
new 4K/UHD up/down-converters recently
in Mumbai, Axon debuted the SynView
added to our Synapse signal processing
modular multi-viewer in Asia. Capable of
range will help shape the future of 4K/
handling both 4K/UHD and any IP formats,
UHD production for Indian broadcasters.”
Axon says the SynView is “ready for the
At Broadcast India 2016, Axon also
future” and can support whichever video
highlighted the latest version of the
transport mechanism the industry chooses
Cerebrum control and monitoring softto adopt.
ware, a control solution for mobile proDesigned for use as a standalone unit
duction, news and studio live production,
or as part of an Axon Synapse signal promaster control and remote production.
cessing system, the SynView solution suits
Addressing complex production envia wide range of applications, and from
ronments, Cerebrum reduces production
small to extremely large monitoring walls.
workloads by enabling complex tasks to
According to Axon, SynView is the
be completed in minutes, according to
only single field latency (20ms@50Hz and
Axon. The software supports a wide range
16,[email protected]) multi-viewer system
of third-party devices including routers,
on the market and is also designed to be
production switchers, servers, receiver
highly customisable. Two basic models,
decoders, multi-viewers and waveform
available in two versions (SDI I/O or Ethermonitors, all of which can be managed
net I/O), can be mixed and matched to
from one easy-to-use interface.
Streamline your broadcast workflow
Courtesy of BT Sport
❝Channel
branding
helps
broadcasters
to
communicate
with the
viewers the synergies
between the different
content and programming
strategies of a channel.❞
— Mariano L. Monteverde,
Sales Director, Asia-Pacific, VSN
Draco tera KVM switches connect operators
to vital production equipment, without
compromise.
With no transmission delay or picture
degradation, they are the ideal solution for
today’s broadcast and post facilities, increasing
efficiency and streamlining the production
workflow.
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