feature automation & asset management
In today’s multi-screen world, maximising the potential revenue streams for media is a tough target. The proliferation of broadcast delivery platforms, along with the diversification of programme genres and channel types, has greatly complicated the task of taking new channels to air, for large content aggregators as well as new low-cost start ups. When you consider that many stations are still moving from analogue to digital operations, as well as migrating from SD to HD, it is a minefield out there. Dave Collins, general manager - automation and media management for Snell, reports.
An integrated platform for content assembly & distribution
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n addition to the scenario outlined in my introduction, this melting pot of rich and diverse technology offers unique and rewarding opportunities to develop and bring to market groundbreaking concepts and solutions which have the potential to change the media landscape. This article will examine technologies such as a ‘channel in a box’ approach that address multi-screen challenges and enable smooth, seamless, and cost- effective delivery of small as well as large numbers of channels.
A maze of challenges
The broadcast industry has never been more turbulent as the ongoing convergence of traditional IT, broadcast, and telecom technologies continues to blur the boundaries. For traditionalists in charge of product development, these dynamics create many dilemmas particularly in respect
Broadcast has never been more turbulent as the ongoing convergence of traditional IT, broadcast, and telecom technologies continues to blur the boundaries.
of choice of hardware platforms and OS, where appropriate. Can an appropriate solution be provided completely in software or is a mixed hardware and software solution more suitable? Can the offering be brought to market suitably before the next generation technology or platform becomes available? Can the customers actually get the suitably feature-rich products they want? And, of course, is this profitable in such a niche market?
Figure 1.
At the consumer level, the ongoing requirement to monetise content to the maximum is placing unprecedented demands on the technology and the products we use. Many content owners know they are sitting on a veritable pot of gold, but the key is to unlock the value as efficiently as possible by ensuring the content can be used in the multi-screen world. What’s more, content should be created with inherent and enduring value - ensuring that the content stands out not only today, but also in the future on potentially different devices and platforms, from 4K digital cinema to mobile screens such as smartphones. Therefore, the successful harnessing of technology is critical for making the most of the multi-screen world and reaching the goal of any content, accessed any time, on any device, and from anywhere.
12 l ibe l january/february 2011 l
www.ibeweb.com
Platform owners, be they owned and operated, public broadcasters, or large networks, probably have the hardest part in this discussion - particularly with regard to large content aggregators. The explosion in the number of channels, the introduction of new platforms, and the start of on-demand services as opposed to scheduled linear delivery, has led to a significant burden on technical and operational resources. And let’s not forget SD to HD migration, the gaining momentum of 3D, and the specter of 1080p on the horizon. Set against all of this is the ongoing activity to balance the books against continuing pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiencies.
Beyond traditional playout
Figure 1 shows a simple view of the main elements within a traditional playout system under automation control. Above the main horizontal line is the automation layer, consisting of various elements within the traffic scheduling, database, and automation control environments. Beneath the line are all of the individual hardware elements under the control of the automation layer, such as storage, servers, routers, master control mixers, graphics engines, closed captioning equipment, etc. These
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