PANELLISTS
28
April 2017
Virtualised and soft workflows the way
BAS to sell KSC Core in Thailand
Bangkok-based distributor Broadcast Audio Service ( BAS ) has been chosen as a reseller partner for KSC Core , a software-based broadcast control and monitoring solution . Developed by German broadcast systems integrator BFE , KSC Core will be introduced to the Thai market by BAS , who will handle sales , pre-configuration , commissioning and installation of solutions , as well as training of customers ’ engineers .
Indian news network picks Masstech for MAM
To modernise and streamline its media workflows , Indian news broadcaster ABP News Network has selected media asset management ( MAM ) solutions from Masstech . The new deployment , said ABP , enables fully automated workflows that maximise efficiency and interface with the network ’ s existing production systems . This “ advanced workflow flexibility and deep third-party integration ” combines with Masstech ’ s HTML5 browser-based MAM interface and native transcoding to make it faster and easier to preserve , access , move and manage content across news production , promotions and archiving operations .
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Audience Management
PANELLISTS
Fintan Mc Kiernan
CEO Ideal Systems South-east Asia
Patrick So
Regional Manager Asia Pacific Magna Systems & Engineering
Craig Johnson
Managing Director - Media Nielsen
Software-defined architectures and the virtualisation of key broadcast functions are increasingly becoming the norm , as Shawn Liew discovers .
As video content is increasingly consumed at any time and on any number of devices , it is becoming a prerequisite for broadcasters and media companies to deliver an increasing number of services to a growing diversity of platforms .
The real challenge facing broadcasters today , thus , is to optimise their operations with as much flexibility and cost efficiencies as possible , so as to meet the evolving demands of video content consumers , says Joe Khodeir , senior vice-president , Asia- Pacific , Imagine Communications .
He tells APB : “ Broadcasters must also meet consumer expectations for the highest-quality experience , which means adapting workflows to incorporate 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ), high dynamic range ( HDR ) and other advances . A migration of operations to a more agile and flexible environment , one based on specialised software running on common , IP-based computing platforms , is the only way media companies can meet subscriber demand while integrating these emerging capabilities into their workflows .”
Reiterating Imagine Communications ’ commitment to software-centric technology models , Khodeir explains how software-defined workflows provide the needed agility to eliminate dependencies on specialised hardware , which cannot be easily updated or re-configured to host new services .
He also highlights how new channels can be launched virtually instantaneously in a software-defined setting by simply
configuring assets , schedules and outputs . “ Whereas once it took a lengthy procurement cycle — in some cases — to get a new channel on air , a softwaredefined architecture , particularly if it resides in the cloud , can be put into service in a matter of days , or even hours .
“ Central to this is the migration to IP connectivity . Once the content can be moved around as simply and seamlessly as the metadata and business information , the whole architecture becomes much more flexible .”
While the transition to IP is well and truly under way , it will arguably take years before broadcasters are ready to go fully IP . This is a point Imagine Communications recognises with its software-defined playout approach , which offers a variety of deployment options , as well as the ability to support SDI-only , IP-only or a hybrid of SDI and IP workflows .
In January this year , for example , media entertainment company RS Thailand turned to Imagine Communications for the building of a new master control facility . Because RS Thailand was already on air with some existing technologies , including a recently built newsroom , it was not practical for the company to move straight to an all-IP environment , Khodeir explains .
One of the key reasons RS Thailand chose Imagine Communications , he adds , is because of the latter ’ s success in transitional hybrid architectures , which still retain the advantages of centralised control and fully integrated software systems . “ RS is now empowered to move to next-generation architectures at a pace that ’ s non-disruptive to current solutions lifecyles , and which is in alignment with market demand .”
RS Thailand ’ s existing newsroom computer system , for example , “ talks directly ” to Imagine Communications ’ ADC automation solution , Velocity PRX proxy editor and Nexio server network — collectively , this allows content to be easily moved , while rundowns and
❝ A migration of operations to a more agile and flexible environment , one based on specialised software running on common , IP-based computing platforms , is the only way media companies can meet subscriber demand .❞
— Joe Khodeir , Senior Vice-President , Asia-Pacific , Imagine Communications playlists are automatically transferred and managed . The system also talks to the SelenioFlex File platform , which transcodes file-to-file , providing distribution for online delivery , as well as IP connectivity inside the centre , such as for desktop proxy editing .
Critically , perhaps , it is really about designing solutions that best serve customers ’ interests , in oppose to any efforts to dictate a technology direction , says Khodeir . Demonstrating this belief , Imagine Communications ’ playout and asset management solutions are part of a modular platform that can be adopted in a manner that best fits an organisation ’ s current needs — be it premise or cloud ( public or private ), or a combination of both , as well as baseband or IP .
“ Imagine ’ s solutions are also based on a common , cloud-native fabric , which enables the rapid integration of new technologies and standards , enabling media companies to move to high-quality services in lockstep with customer demand ,” Khodeir informs .
To suit the ever-changing broadcast environment , one company ’ s strategy is to offer a flexible over-arching control layer . “ We are also actively involved in helping a number of end-users investigate new business models , playout technologies and workflows ,” reveals Ng Tze Ming , regional sales manager , Asia- Pacific , Pebble Beach Systems .
Particularly , Pebble Beach Systems has a strong track record of deploying multi-channel playout automation systems in Asia-Pacific , says Ng , who cites the installation of the Marina enterprise automation solution at Malaysia ’ s Media Prima , which went live earlier this year .
Ng continues : “ Marina ’ s ability to control diverse technologies means that broadcasters can maintain current workflows while easing the migration to new channel technologies . It can also adapt and scale in order to control changing playout technologies from SD to HD , 4K / UHD and virtualised playout .”
Another key strategy for Pebble Beach Systems is to offer a multi-vendor solution in a pure software environment . The company believes that while some may choose to build all-IP infrastructures , specialist solutions are still required for specific functionalities , including version management , playout , high-end graphics and non-linear distribution . “ In fact , many broadcasters have unique customisation requirements that are best met by a best-of-breed approach to outfitting the transmission facility ,” Ng says .
Replacing SDI connections with