Pro-Bel Launches Integrated Automation and Master Control System: Morpheus ICE
Reading, UK – 1st April 2008: Once again Pro-Bel has taken its 30 years of experience and used it to develop a truly groundbreaking product: Morpheus ICE (Integrated Content Engine). This standalone automation and master control system delivers in a single 3U box what would otherwise take several 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 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 Howard Twine, Morpheus Product Manager.
“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.
About Pro-Bel
Pro-Bel name is synonymous with innovative automation, media management and master control solutions as well as outstanding routing, control and signal distribution systems - all designed to be flexible and scalable, protecting the investment of the customer. With three decades of service to the international broadcast, post-production, cable & satellite communities, Pro-Bel has a unique understanding of broadcast workflow, and is an established leader in the provision of cost-effective solutions that compromise neither performance nor quality.
Contact Information:
Company contact:
Katharine Guy
Pro-Bel Ltd
Tel: +44 1189 214 294
katharine.guy@pro-bel.com
Press contact:
Jennie Evans
Manor Marketing
Tel: +44 1635 44991
jennie@manormarketing.tv
Images available at:
www.pro-bel.com/news_and_events/c/Press Information/