“Most of our routing and control systems are from Pro-Bel,” explained Ingolf Graichen, Senior Manager DVB/CA Operation at APS. “The new Cygnus fits well into the existing environment and can be easily integrated in the overall systems architecture.” In an ideal alignment of two expert service providers, APS and Pro-Bel have had a long-term relationship for many years. Graichen singles out for praise Pro-Bel’s “good support, not only in regards to service, but also concerning the exchange of information and considering the needs of APS on new developments.”

MCM is playing a crucial part in the technology evolution of The Farm, a name synonymous with primetime TV, having worked on shows like The X-Factor, Ross Kemp on Gangs, and Hustle, to name just a few. The Farm recently turned ten years old and is celebrating by revamping its technology offering. “The 13 Soho Square building was the start of The Farm 10 years ago,” says Jack Edney, The Farm’s Chief Engineer. “Now it has been fully refurbished and Pro-Bel’s MCM is an integral part of the infrastructure management.”

MCM offers a flexible and user-friendly set of technologies for supervising and controlling broadcast production and delivery networks. It provides access to multiple systems from one, user-definable interface, simplifying decision-making and operational actions for users, and freeing them up to react quickly and flexibly to live or unexpected events. It is compatible with both third-party and proprietary Pro-Bel routing, automation, master control and signal processing products.

“It is essential that MCM is compatible with multiple platforms, this is key to a good operational environment,” explained Edney. “Its comprehensive integration capability means that it makes complete sense to go down the MCM route. But of course it is also the best possible way of controlling the router hardware which Pro-Bel has also supplied. These routers form an integral part of the picture editing and sound suites, and the flexibility of MCM is crucial for our operational setup.”

The results so far have Soho smiling. “We are achieving everything we expected to, the team at Pro-Bel have been great to work with and attentive to all of our requests,” confirmed Edney.

Other recent MCM customers include ITN and Red Bee Media. Pro-Bel’s Regional Business Development Manager, UK & Ireland, Malcolm Butler says, “The fact that MCM has now been chosen by a leading broadcaster, a top service provider and one of the foremost post-production houses is confirmation to us that our vision of a unified monitoring and control system is the right one.”

Turner Broadcasting System Inc
By Ron Tarasoff, Vice President - Broadcast Technology & Engineering

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. faces any number of challenges in the pursuit of its core business, which is of course creating and delivering some of the world’s most popular content across some of the world’s most-watched broadcast and new media channels.

Important underlying trends include the convergence of broadcast technology with IT; the necessity to be responsible towards the environment; and, in the volatile economic climate in which we are now living, the need to work as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

So when the possibility arises to do something positive which combines all three of those factors, we get really interested…and we have recently implemented just such a project.

It involves the technology known as Virtualization.  This is where a single computer can do the job of multiple separate computers, by transforming normal hardware resources…CPU, RAM, hard disk and network controller…into software equivalents to create fully functional “virtual” machines running their own operating systems and applications just like “real” computers.

We decided to apply virtualization to a truly mission-critical part of our operation: playout. This is where the schedule for each of our channels, including major program items, commercials, promotions and channel branding, is delivered by a software-based automation system.  Because this is at the core of our business, and where popular program content is involved, we can’t afford to take chances!

Up to now, our automation system, Morpheus from Pro-Bel, has run on a range of individual PCs…quite a number of them, in fact. We calculated that we could virtualize up to 30 separate desktop PCs on a single Hewlett Packard Blade Center, with a number of resulting benefits: cost and environmental, but also improved reliability, flexibility, and time-to-air.

Earlier this year we tested the concept of using virtualization software from VMware for an automation system. The original plan was to move over a single channel, truTV (formerly CourtTV) but at the very last minute we perceived a need to extend the project to include the Cartoon Network.

We immediately noticed a significant time saving when adding an additional system. This could not have been achieved in anything like such a short time using traditional “separate PC” methods. 

This project exploited the intelligent fusion of broadcast technology with means and methods from the world of IT. It benefited from a high degree of enthusiasm and co-operation from not only the suppliers involved, but from our engineering staff members as well.

We now have the ability to fundamentally re-engineer the way we work. Automation is just the latest area in which we are using virtualization.  Like other industries, we are looking at all processes that might benefit from this technology. In fact anywhere we need to combine cost benefits with improved reliability…and of course that is everywhere!

By using virtualization we can systematically decrease power consumption, reduce physical space requirements, and be mindful of costs.

The Panthers, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, have completely renovated the control room that was built in 1995, converting it from analog to SD format with all systems fully upgradeable to HD. At the heart of the system is a large-scale Pro-Bel Sirius Gold router currently configured 256 x 320 as well as a Freeway RS422 and Aurora router control.

Berkley Dickens, Broadcast Engineer, PantherVision, explains, “We are now able to utilize the latest technology in video production. Formerly we converted from digital to analog for processing; now we are able to maintain all video sources in a native digital SD format. We anticipate converting to a full HD production in the near future and this project provides the infrastructure required for that.”

PantherVision is now using two Mitsubishi Diamond Vision screens, 31.5’ x 77’ each, which support full high definition signals.

Dickens continues, “The Pro-Bel routing systems give us the ability to quickly change the input to the Diamond Vision screens from live sports content to graphics. The Pro-Bel router is the backbone of the entire technical operation and allows us the flexibility required by live sports productions. We depend on our router to send the proper signals throughout our facility and Pro-Bel has provided the ease of operation and programming we rely on.” In addition to the screens, PantherVision also sends the signals throughout the stadium via its in-house RF system. It utilizes salvos to accomplish this as users change the various channel content from pre-game graphics to live video during the game. “The ease of programming salvos is a welcome feature in the Pro-Bel system,” concludes Dickens.

Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. was the design consultant working with owner’s representative NW Getz & Associates while Professional Products Inc. was the systems integrator.

“It is always great to see our products used in different and exciting surroundings like the Panthers’ stadium. Sirius Gold has already been widely deployed for OB work and this is a natural extension,” says Adrian Scott, Chief Marketing Officer, Pro-Bel.

This new technology allows virtual PCs to be created on Hewlett Packard (HP) Blade Centers, replacing the need to install actual hardware PCs to run applications. Turner installed the virtualization technology – supplied by VMware - through August and September and then, after extensive testing in conjunction with partners Pro-Bel, Hewlett Packard and Cisco, decided to go to air with the new technology.

Because of the number of PCs normally required to operate channels of this nature virtualization can provide considerable time-to-air and cost savings as well as the improved redundancy and flexibility.

Ron Tarasoff, Vice President, Broadcast Technology and Engineering for Turner says, “Virtualization allows us to re-engineer the way that we have traditionally done things. We can now design a system where we can save on power consumption, expansion costs, physical space and cooling resources, which in this day and age is very important. I believe that virtualization is of great significance for the broadcast industry. It is a natural progression.”

Adrian Scott, Pro-Bel’s Chief Marketing Officer, comments “Pro-Bel has a long relationship with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and we were eager to work on this project. Because of the way that Morpheus is architected we can take full advantage of virtualization and thereby enable our customers to realize numerous benefits.”

Morpheus ICE was adjudged the year’s best Workflow/Asset Management/Automation solution against stiff competition from a variety of other new products. Hosted and organised by Cable and Satellite International Magazine, the award cited the level of innovation within ICE and the fact that it provides a real-world solution to real-world problems. Earlier this year ICE also won a Broadcast Engineering Pick Hit award at NAB 2008.

ICE is a standalone content delivery system which combines automation, master control, media playout and storage in a single 3U housing. The judges recognized that ICE gives its users an unprecedented level of power and flexibility which would otherwise take separate products from several manufacturers to achieve.

Based on the company’s globally successful Morpheus automation and playout technology – including its renowned Media Ball™ approach to secondary event management – Morpheus ICE provides everything broadcasters need to deliver from one to four channels. As it is fully compatible with the Pro-Bel Morpheus system it is also suitable for adding cost-effective channel backup, preview or regional opt-out management to existing systems.

“We are very pleased with this latest award for ICE. It confirms our commitment to innovation without losing sight of commercial realities,” says Adrian Scott, Chief Marketing Officer, Pro-Bel. “Our technology is precision designed and engineered with direct reference to customer requirements both now and into the future.”

The network is using the system to automate the process of airing show credits in the lower third to allow for overlapping promos in the upper third. The system effectively adds an additional 30 seconds of air time for network marketing and saves up to 30 minutes of production time in an edit suite per credit squeeze.

By integrating Chyron’s Channel Box with Pro-Bel’s Media BallTM, a technology that forms the heart of the company’s Morpheus automation system that Turner Broadcasting System Inc. uses, the Cartoon Network can automatically air any combination of credits, promos and starting segments, in real-time without user intervention. This significantly reduces the costs for broadcasters. Pro-Bel’s Media Ball allows complex sequences of events to be packaged together, instantly providing simple presentation for the operator and easy manipulation within the Cartoon Network schedule. The tight integration required between Channel Box and Morpheus makes this a revolutionary collaboration.

“Morpheus triggers Channel Box to create the squeeze allowing any number of promo combinations without user intervention. The industry is always looking for ways to work faster, easier and closer to air, while reducing costs and this technology integration provides a unique solution,” commented Kevin Prince, Chyron’s Chief Operating Officer. “Chyron and Pro-Bel’s product managers worked very closely with the Cartoon Network to ensure a tight knit integration and the result is a highly innovative technology that further enhances the automation process and increases ROI.”

Based on the company’s globally successful Morpheus automation and playout technology – including its renowned Media Ball™ approach to secondary event management – Morpheus ICE provides everything broadcasters need for single channel playout and by linking ICE units together, a multichannel environment. As it’s fully compatible with existing file formats ICE is also perfect for adding cost-effective channel backup, preview or regional opt-out management to existing systems.

ICE supports a wide range of SD and HD video file formats removing the transcode bottleneck. It also features at least 1 Terabyte of internal RAID storage – plus, connection to external Network Attached Storage. This internal capacity equates to at least 100 hours of DV25, devoted to caching media for playout.

A fully featured mixer is included, using Pro-Bel’s years of master control expertise. This includes four external video inputs for live sources as well as allowing the system to perform fades, mixes and wipes from internal sources. In addition ICE can control an external Pro-Bel router for further source selection, and manages audio voiceovers using either embedded audio or the 16 discrete AES/EBU audio inputs. ICE can import and store graphical material (logos/bugs) and layer them onto the output stream, it can also integrate with external third-party graphics devices.

Benefitting from Pro-Bel’s full range of scheduling expertise, ICE has the technology to load, edit and append schedules, either on or offline with content availability checks performed automatically.

“ICE also has the ability to handle unpredictable events where the lengths of the breaks vary, which is of course a key requirement in the modern broadcast environment. Another advantage of being part of the Morpheus family is that additional Media Management facilities can be added as and when required,” explains Dave Collins, Chief Engineer.

“ICE is a logical progression for Pro-Bel and provides the ideal channel playout solution or redundant backup while offering an easy and affordable expansion route. Because of the breadth and depth of expertise we are able to cover all the key bases without compromising the technology or the price,” adds Graham Pitman, CEO, Pro-Bel. 

“We developed and launched 3Gbit/s-capable larger and smaller routers with Pyxis and Cygnus back in 2007.,” says Pro-Bel’s Routing Product Manager Alan Smith.  “We have now given Sirius 3G capability to ensure that we can offer it across the whole range of router sizes. With almost 1000 units shipped to date, Sirius is a hugely popular router and is under constant development as the market evolves.”

Due to its range of sizes, Sirius appeals to a broad cross-section of the market, from small post-production use to larger central area routing. As Sirius is also a very compact router design it is also very popular for OB trucks of all sizes. 

“The 4U 64x64, 7U 128x128 and 16U 256x256 frames are capable of routing any combination of signals, including 3G,” says Smith. “The new 3G input, output and crosspoint cards are compatible with the whole range, and we are introducing these to replace the current HD cards at no additional cost to the customer. They will route SD, HD and 3G signals and automatically detect and switch to handle the correct signal type. This change will be phased in over the next few months. Existing systems in the field can be upgraded to 3G by card replacement,” says Smith.

Adrian Scott, Pro-Bel’s Chief Marketing Officer, comments: “We are proud that our key
router ranges are all now 3 Gbit/s-compatible. Even though for many 3G is still in their future, all Pro-Bel routers are designed for many years of service and it is important we give our users this choice.”

“Automation systems are an integral part of a broadcaster’s business model,” says Pro-Bel CTO Dave Collins. “In addition to new content-delivery functionality, our latest automation developments enable our customers to deploy enhanced operational security, flexibility, and channel branding, and do it all in a much more cost-effective way.”

New at IBC is the Advanced Scheduling Tool for Morpheus. Developed for multichannel environments, the tool brings a new level of flexibility to search-and-replace automation operations. It allows new content to be rapidly and accurately introduced across multiple channels, with an operator able to search for material within specified search constraints and use an onscreen report, showing every scheduled instance, to alter any metadata field on either the entire report or on individually selected events.

“This delivers enormous flexibility,” says Collins, “and adds to the powerful channel branding capabilities of Morpheus, especially when coupled with another enhancement, Alternative Break Scheduling, which allows for multiple options to be scheduled for each commercial break slot. This enables very rapid reactions in a live scenario, for example during sports events, where break duration and content may need to change instantly based upon what happens on the field of play.”

Even more operational flexibility, and considerable cost savings are now available to users with the development of a new 64-bit version of Morpheus. This delivers much greater power and flexibility of configuration, as a single Morpheus event store can now support up to 32 channels rather than eight. It also represents the potential for significant cost savings on hardware, since fewer servers are required for a given configuration, and all supported devices in a system can be shared across a larger channel count.

Morpheus ICE – Pro-Bel’s integrated single-box channel playout platform – which is making its European debut at IBC, is already benefitting from an enhancement to its Video Network Manager. This allows advanced management of both primary and secondary content, specifically subtitle and voiceover files.

Also at IBC will be updated versions of two Morpheus developments first shown at NAB: Panoplay, which allows fully redundant mirroring and disaster recovery across multiple playout sites, and Event Start Time Linking, to allow synchronised triggering of scheduled events in multichannel systems. 

“These developments hugely increase the channel architecture flexibility and resilience strategy options available within the Morpheus automation range,” says Collins. “Morpheus helps broadcasters react swiftly to evolving operational and business requirements.”