more efficiently ,” Felstead says .

“ By using intelligent infrastructure and by building MB into ICE CiaB , the Morpheus automation and the Sirius 800 MultiViewer , and by combining all these things , we can build an infrastructure that has less dependency on multiviewer capacity , further reducing infrastructure costs .”

Indeed , in master control , a lot of the material is already prerecorded and checked . SAM believes that the emphasis should be on quality control and making sure — although without the obligation of monitoring every signal all the time — there are no audio or video errors that broadcasters would find in a live sports production , for instance . “ The more efficient broadcasters can make this environment , the better . The use of intelligent infrastructure has a direct impact on the use of — and requirement for — multi-verses and operator numbers ,” Felstead adds .

SAM has many instances of master control deployments worldwide using its Morpheus , ICE and Momen tum suite of playout systems . These products , Felstead reflects , are already improving efficiency for SAM ’ s customers in multiple different ways , from enabling on-the-fly workflow changes using Momentum to offering “ five nines ” ( 99.999 %) reliability .

He continues : “ We ’ ve built our control and monitoring system into these products and have recently integrated MB technology too . However , in terms of MB , we ’ re talking about a relatively new technology and we are deep in conversations with many customers around the world about how we can help them go further forward .”

Other broadcast technology companies are also deploying their

own master control offerings . One such company is wTVision , which recently launched the beta version of ChannelMaker V5.0 , a product designed from the ground-up to build on the extensive knowledge gained from developing and operating the previous versions of the software .

The new ChannelMaker version , says wTVision , features a fully re-imagined and “ extremely intuitive ” user interface , which includes a real-time timeline for instant comprehension of scheduled features . The system is also based on a scalable and easily “ clusterable ” database engine , which will not slow down even when manipulating the most demanding rundowns with months of scheduling ahead , adds wTVision .

For more demanding master control rooms , ChannelMaker ’ s redesigned multi-channel user interface allows a single operator to manage and control multiple channels at a glance in a quick and simplified way , using SDI or IP outputs .

The company also says that the ChannelMaker V5.0 improves its integration with wTVision Media Asset Manager , its cataloguing system . This integration makes

media organisation and scheduling even more intuitive , adds wTVision . The ChannelMaker V5.0 will be available in the third-quarter of 2016 and wTVision recommends it for broadcasters who want to create , optimise or expand their TV channel architectures .

Lawo , which designs and manufactures network , control , audio and video technology for broadcast and post production , as well as live performance and theatrical applications , recently presented its theWALL multiviewer control software , now supporting Cobalt ’ s Quint-Split multiviewer

At the recent 2016 NAB Show , Lawo unveiled theWALL ’ s inte-

Lawo says theWALL is the ideal solution for operators and EICs to configure monitor walls in OBs or studios .

gration with Cobalt ’ s Quint-Split multiviewer , as part of a recent update of theWALL . Visitors to the NAB Show had the opportunity to get a hands-on demonstration of theWALL and experienced for themselves how easily multiviewer layouts can be changed .

Cobalt ’ s Quint-Split system is the newest addition to the list of multiviewer systems currently supported by Lawo ’ s technology . In addition , Lawo ’ s smart control system supports another solution — Imagine Communication ’ s Platinum SX Hybrid system . Lawo states that more third-party multiviewer systems are slated for support in the near future , making

wTVision recently launched the beta version of ChannelMaker V5.0 , a product designed from the ground-up to build on the extensive knowledge gained from developing and operating the previous versions of the software .

theWALL ’ s smart control solutions available to a wider range of users .

According to Lawo , theWALL is the “ ideal solution for operators and engineer in charge ( EICs ) to configure monitor walls in OB ( outside broadcast ) environments or studios ”. In the frantic live production environment with its demands for fast-changing production and workflow set-ups , theWALL enables the fast and on-the-fly changing of monitor wall layouts .

With theWALL , users can intuitively configure any monitor wall , route signals , change mosaic layouts or save and load user presets — all done with an easy-to-use and cost-effective application , saving hours of downtime previously required for complex configuration changes . Instead of learning several specific multiviewer software interfaces , or asking the EIC to change a layout , users of theWALL can change all kinds of multiviewers with just one tool .

With its elaborate reformatting algorithms , theWALL “ talks directly ” to multiviewer hardware and enables easy access through a touchscreen-optimised GUI ( graphical user interface ) for mobile control . As an HTML5 application , theWALL can be operated from anywhere , utilising a broad range of devices and operating systems .

Most functions are operable via drag-and-drop , and changes will be stored in a user-managed environment or , if required , can be hosted in the cloud . theWALL makes it possible to swap productions from one OB environment to another , using preferred multiviewer set-ups in any control room , thus introducing a new level of efficiency and usability .