Digital Alert Systems And Harmonic Pair Up To Ease Emergency Messaging In ATSC 1.0 And ATSC 3.0 Environments

Digital Alert Systems, a global provider of emergency communications solutions for media providers, and Harmonic, have formed a new technology partnership. Under the agreement, the Digital Alert Systems DASDEC Flexible Emergency Messaging Platform and its EAS-Net communications interface integrate with Harmonic’s XOS Advanced Media Processor. This integration makes it possible for video distributors that use both companies’ systems — whether operating in ATSC 1.0, ATSC 3.0 or both environments — to include emergency information in their programming in the most efficient manner. It benefits all types of video distributors, including traditional OTA broadcasters and CATV and streaming providers.

Combining the market-leading Harmonic XOS Advanced Media Processor with Digital Alert Systems’ DASDEC with EAS-Net, customers can provide emergency alerting information — including text crawls and audio — using a single, simple IP communications connection. This solution eliminates the need for one or more separate media keyers, switchers and a host of individual cables and connectors, or the need to use the highly unpopular full-screen replacement. The net result is a very clean installation for less cost and clutter. And because the DASDEC is IP-based, it can be placed in a remote market and network-connected directly to the Harmonic XOS processor — something that the company says “wouldn’t be possible without EAS-Net.”

The EAS-Net communication protocol not only enables emergency alert text and audio message transfers to remote devices, but it also includes many revolutionary features, such as flexible event scheduling, simultaneous multi-station alerts and multilingual support. EAS-Net also features expansion options, like EAS-Net AEA, which supports the Advanced Emergency Information (AEI) elements in the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) standard. This means the same equipment supports both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 standards and future developments.

The Harmonic/Digital Alert Systems solution has made it possible for Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns, operates and/or services 185 television stations in 86 markets, to test and demo the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and AEI for ATSC 3.0.

“Linking Harmonic’s XOS Advanced Media Processor and Digital Alert Systems’ DASDEC with EAS-Net provides a direct IP connection for emergency alerting, including text crawls and audio, across multiple streams in both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 environments at minimum cost and fewer points of failure,” said Mark Aitken, SVP, advanced technology, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and president of ONE Media 3.0. “Further, EAS-Net enables Advanced Emergency Information routing, an essential broadcast core network function. This aligns perfectly with Sinclair’s mission to create and deploy a resilient and connected NextGen broadcast network for our NextGenTV experience.”

The companies say Harmonic’s XOS is the only tier-one media processor that has successfully integrated with Digital Alert Systems’ advanced IP-based EAS-Net protocol.

“This partnership marks two best-in-class companies coming together to streamline the emergency message requirements for broadcasters and Multiple Video Programming Distributors,” said Bill Robertson, vice president of business development, Digital Alert Systems. “Both the DASDEC system and the Harmonic XOS media processor offer the dual-platform benefit of supporting ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0. Also, EAS-NET saves customers money by reducing equipment footprint, and it packs many revolutionary features that further distinguish ATSC 3.0 from ATSC 1.0.”

“Many Harmonic customers are already enjoying the simplicity, agility and flexibility enabled by this integration in their day-to-day production environment,” said Jing Zhou, ATSC solution manager at Harmonic. “Our collaboration with Digital Alert Systems is another example of Harmonic’s continued investment and commitment to ATSC and the entire broadcast community.”