42 TVBEurope The Workflow Keys to success
Philip Stevens visits TVN24 Poland and discovers how engineering innovation and adaptability, combined with custom-designed solutions, can lead to success
POLISH 24-HOUR news channel TVN24 faced its first major test within days of its launch when the World Trade Center was attacked in 2001. “Everyone was clamouring for news and we stayed on air with updates for both our own channel, and also those of others in our group,” reports Jarosław Kielmel, TVN24’s technical director. “It proved our choice of systems had been good and that we had selected the right technology for our needs.” And that technology has frequently included the development of in-house systems rather than relying on packages offered by outside sources. TVN24 was launched using facilities in a building occupied by the main TVN entertainment channel in Warsaw. But expansion saw the news channel move to a new building in 2004. Today, TVN24 not only broadcasts round-the-clock news output, but also produces a weather channel and a business channel in association with CNBC. In addition, there is a variant of the main channel for viewers in the United States. In November 2012, TVN24 was the first news channel in Poland to switch to HD. Kielmel was brought in to
oversee the technical operation from the outset, and he adopted a philosophy that has benefitted the channel during 12 years of broadcasting. “We needed to develop systems that not only supported the business at that time, but also would allow us to expand cost effectively in the future. The systems had to be reliable and ones we would not need to change very often as new workflows were introduced. And the way we achieved these goals
“These are installed at the regional offices and provide a most cost-effective IT solution — rather than purchasing expensive TV systems. We’ve proved there is no requirement to buy a costly codec.” Although the practice of
developing its own systems has served the broadcaster well, there is one area where a change of direction proved necessary. But even here, there was an opportunity to create a bespoke system rather than use a proprietary package. “When it came to upgrading
Studio and newsroom: Looking across the TVN24 studio with the Sharp video wall in the background
and expanding our editing stations, we found that it was considerably less expensive to switch to Final Cut Pro rather than add to what we already used,” reports Krzysztof Obrzud, broadcast IT manager, “And there is an additional benefit in using Apple products. When it comes to maintenance, we can simply go to any good computer shop and purchase, for example, a new fibre channel card or additional memory.”
Jan Jędrzejczyk: “We now have a 300Mbs bi-directional dedicated
network connecting the offices”
was to develop the systems in-house wherever possible.” For example, three SNG trucks
were needed in time for the launch date. Instead of involving established providers or a systems integrator, Kielmel decided to design the trucks and source the equipment using his own engineering staff. The installation work was then carried out by a small vehicle modification company in Krakow. “The original vehicles were based on regular Volkswagen vans, although as new trucks were needed we switched to the bigger Mercedes Sprint. Creating the vehicles in this way was not difficult and proved to be very cost effective.” Today, 12 SNG trucks have been constructed in a similar way. Although intended mainly for uplink duties, they can
Krzysztof Obrzud: “We found that it was considerably less expensive to switch to Final Cut Pro”
accommodate three cameras, a Panasonic vision mixer and Yamaha audio console where extended coverage of an assignment is needed.
Tapeless from start Another decision taken by the TVN24 team was to introduce a tapeless operation from day one. “Being completely tapeless at that time was not generally popular. But, again, it was a cost effective way to run the news operation. And because systems integrators at that time didn’t have too much experience of tapeless workflows, we decided to make the system ourselves. Our first installation involved 13 Avid Unity workstations with Newscutter.” Supporting the main
production centre in Warsaw are eight regional offices. To connect these facilities, TVN24 built its
own unique Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) fibre network. TVN24’s technical development manager Jan
Jędrzejczyk explains its development. “Initially, we transmitted the compressed MPEG-2 at 6Mbs. In 2004, we increased the rate to 12Mbs, but now we have a 300Mbs bi- directional dedicated network connecting the offices. They are able to transfer their files directly to our SAN (storage area network) here in Warsaw. The files can also be transferred from our Central Archive in Warsaw to offices, as well as between the offices. That is five times realtime – so material can be sent very quickly.” Jędrzejczyk says that another
example of looking to provide a cost effective solution is the use of Sony MPEG 15Mbs codecs.
Bespoke ingest and playout At the same time, TVN24 needed to create multichannel ingest and playout with a shared storage solution that enabled material to be browsed and archived and, after editing, to be broadcast. “We required a set-up that provided multiple user access to content, and a very fast turnaround of that material to air,” explains Obrzud. “In addition, we were looking for proxy browsing and metadata tagging by anyone on our system.” Netherlands-based
Building4Media (since acquired by Primestream) was asked to supply the software for a purpose- built design architecture created by TVN that would create the necessary workflow. The system in place at TVN24 consists of Primestream FORK Production and FORK Playout. FORK Production ingests content, creates hi-res and lo-res proxy for browsing, adds metadata and makes the material available for editing. FORK Playout provides automated master control playout to air. TVN24’s newsroom system from Octopus is connected to FORK through the Primestream MOS Gateway. “This was a big decision,” admits Kielmel. “To take different pieces of hardware and software and create our own workflow is not usual. In fact, I believe this was the first large scale Apple-based fibre channel to be used for editing.”
www.tvbeurope.com October 2013
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