special report the connected world supplement
Other items to consider when dealing with this step are viewing ingested content (both proxy-viewing and quality viewing quality check) and applying quality control rules against ingested content. Another process that should fall within automation is the detection of rights for an associated file. As more content is coming and going out, broadcasters need to coordinate if they have the appropriate rights for the content as well as when and how it should be posted. There is software that is available that can alert users if these rights are expired and will not allow the content to go to air if not all the right items are in place. This can save broadcasters from costly mistakes. Though interconnected, another important element to a successful multi-platform TV workflow is quality control checks and correction processes. Consumers are demanding the same quality of content that they would find in a regular terrestrial broadcast. The mantra ‘oh this is just for the Internet’ is not going to cut it anymore. In fact, in the case of the recently-launched HBO Go service, viewers can see shows before they are even aired on regular TV. Soon viewers will be requesting closed captioning and loudness regulations similar to those in place for terrestrial broadcast. Now, broadcasters can be prepared for these changes by accommodating the transcoding of these different file formats as well as preparing files to meet audio and video standards. To maintain the automation throughout, these processes should not be just merely added but fully integrated into the current software workflow.
To ensure the processes were done correctly, quality control checks need to be put in place. Software that gives users the ability to check ingested media for issues with the audio, video and ancillary data before moving it into the preparation or onto transcoding stage is ideal for this situation. This helps to ensure that the workflow is not being clogged up with non-compliant content. Users
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importance for operators to be able to address the multitude of devices that enter the market at a speed much greater than the pay-TV industry is used to acting. The NDS Service Delivery Platform enables pay-TV operators to introduce a secure framework for the development of connected device applications by the app developer community, to communicate with and enrich their service. By providing controlled access to metadata and programming from the operator’s headend with pre-defined APIs, any SDK can be used to develop applications for new devices - thus the community of app developers can be employed to develop new applications across a multitude of devices. When you look at the impact the launch of devices such as tablets and smartphones have had on the pay-TV industry, we are clearly seeing
new technologies driving change in behaviour, and the scope of what’s possible is no longer limited to the set-top box, to physical headends or even the home. But one thing that we can be certain of is that people’s appetite for content is growing and they will still be watching TV in one form or another for a long time to come.
www.ibeweb.com l the connected world supplement september/october 2011 l ibe l S25
will also want checks that analyse content post transcode and before distribution to mitigate the risk of sending out bad content. By having all quality control software integrated into the same user interface as the processing helps to allow all these checks to happen without reingesting content. If there is a problem with the file, it can be quarantined and the user can decide how to proceed. This way the problem files do not affect the rest of the files being processed and users do not have to reingest problem files - they can simply move forward with fixing the issue. As mentioned earlier, the
proliferation of multi-platform TV is presenting additional advertising opportunities for broadcasters. Each separate distribution method is being viewed as a separate advertising opportunity. Coordination becomes more important than ever when dealing with this. By linking the media processing software to the station’s broadcast trafficking and rights system, users can schedule content for release date for air. With integration strategies, like BXF and FIMS (Framework for Interoperability of Media Services), users can easily integrate their processing solution with their broadcast trafficking system. A result of this, integration is now during the processing phase, the air schedule can be put in place and the rules around it that are being handled or dictated by upstream business processes. The software can then alert users if a file is not available or if the rights have changed.
Since these technologies are all available now, there are broadcasters such as the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the US who are already putting this workflow into action. PBS is an American non-profit public broadcasting television service and the most prominent provider of television programs to US public television stations, which is broadcast by its independently owned member stations across the US. The media entity recently enacted the Non-Real- Time Program File Delivery Project
The viewing public’s actions show they’re ready for a convergence platform model for their viewing experiences. Whether it’s a combination of over the top television, terrestrial television or media sharing in the house with iTunes, Netflix and different download to rent/download to own
models, the mobile accessibility viewer experience really is starting to find that niche. Broadcasters need to
change their thought process and workflow to accommodate this.
(NGIS-NRT) which plans to transmit approximately 40 hours of programming from its headquarters to its member stations in a 24-hour day. Each PBS member station operates as an independent entity, using a variety of equipment. For this project to be a success, all the member stations have to have the ability to play the files transmitted. To ensure compatibility, the files sent to PBS member stations are being transmitted in AS-03 file format, a constrained sub-set of the MXF standard, which allows interoperability with a variety of industry standard editing workflows and video playout servers. For this application, the RadiantGrid New Media Automation Platform, along with its Preparation Workflow and Quality Analysis modules, handle the transcode of files to AS-03 and add additional safeguards that content sent out can be played back. The platform integrates with each station’s respective broadcast trafficking system and will have received the station’s time and date transfer requirements as dictated by the station. Once the time and date arrives, RadiantGrid will transfer the pre-processed files to the station’s playout server, as scheduled. Two stages of notification are built into this process so that stations are alerted should the scheduled media not be available or has failed processing, providing them with ample time to react. By designing a workflow in this manner, PBS has all the checks and balances in place. The viewing public’s actions show they’re ready for a convergence platform model for their viewing experiences. Whether it’s a combination of over the top television, terrestrial television or media sharing in the house with iTunes, Netflix and different download to rent/download to own models, the mobile accessibility viewer experience really is starting to find that niche. Broadcasters need to change their thought process and workflow to accommodate this.
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