Furthering its mission to help community broadcasters of all sizes reach larger audiences on more viewing devices, Tightrope Media Systems has introduced the new Cablecast VIO OMNI all-in-one, channel-in-a-box system for multi-platform […]
Jak-TV, a television channel in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, has invested in a channel-in-a-box broadcast playout solution from PlayBox Techology. The system was provided by Horizon Global Media, the […]
Exclusives
LIN’s Jenkins And His Busy Tech Agenda
As LIN Media’s chief tech, Brett Jenkins has numerous balls in the air. First there’s continuing the HD transition at the group’s growing portfolio of stations. Next, there’s his work on ATSC that is planning TV’s next-generation standards. And then there’s also automation, mobile DTV, streaming and keeping an eye on the emerging 4K technology.
The once blue-sky tech that replaces a host of master control gear with a single unit is gathering more fans and deals are expected at the NAB Show.
Snell has promoted from within and named a new chief for its North American operations. The company announced Wednesday that Paul Martin, former global managing director for TV Everywhere, the […]
ABC O&Os Sold On Channel In A Box
The station group is moving ahead with installing Miranda’s iTX system at all eight of its stations by the end of the second quarter. Technical uniformity across the group is key, says ABC tech Dave Converse. “Philosophically, when you want to address a problem, you want to address it the same way. Right now, when we have a problem, we have to solve it eight times.”
IBC 2012 Wrap: M&A, Cloud, 4K, CiaB
Vendor consolidation was one of the most discussed topics at the annual Amsterdam tech conference, although no new deals were announced there. Other hot topics: new products and services based on cloud technology, multi-platform content delivery; social media services; Sony/SES Astra’s 4K demo; and channel-in-a-box.
Outsourced Master Control Drives NBC O&Os
After going it alone for eight years, NBC Owned Television Stations outsourced its master control centralcasting to Encompass Digital Media. From a single hub in Atlanta, Encompass handles basic master control chores for the 10 NBC O&Os — their main channels as well as their subchannels as well as six of NBCUniversal’s Telemundo stations. The classic hub-and-spoke centralcasting model runs on the Snell Group’s Morpheus software-based automation and media management system.
TV Techs Doubt IT-Based Playout Readiness
While the growing momentum behind so-called channel-in-a-box technology is intriguing and makes a lot of sense, some broadcast engineers say tech vendors have jumped the gun, racing to market with technology that is not mature enough for American TV station operations. “The single box units are now being utilized more for cable channels than anything else,” says Sinclair’s Del Parks. “At the end of the day, a TV station is probably a little more complex to the degree that it may need some specific pieces of equipment.”
Channel-In-A-Box Market Is Hot, Crowded
IT-based playout, or channel-in-a-box, is the hottest TV technology around these days. Propelled by broadcasters’ insatiable need to cut costs, Grass Valley, Miranda, Florical, Snell and Evertz are now offering the virtual master control technology and Harris and Harmonics may be next.
ITV, the U.K.’s largest commercial television network, will streamline its distribution chain using channel-in-a-box content delivery based on Miranda Technologies’ iTX solution. ITV’s move to an IT-based system will begin […]
With the purchase of the Dutch firm PubliTronic, Grass Valley introduces the K2 Edge master control solution and jumps into the burgeoning channel-in-a-box market.
Snell Aims To Master The U.S. Market
Centralcasting and IT-based playout are key areas of focus in the U.S. for Snell, a leading supplier of technology for TV and distribution. Simon Derry, the company’s CEO, explains that Snell has the ability to take much of the capital and operating costs out of master control with its Morpheus automation system and ICE “channel in a box.” And it’s working with broadcasters around the U.S., who are in the early stages of deploying its solutions.
IBC Trends: Cloud, Channel In A Box, 3D
Joe Zaller is just back from Amsterdam’s annual IBC tech extravaganza. He reports that in addition to boasting record attendance, the conference showcased a number of potential television game-changers. Among them: cloud-based or service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications for capturing, producing, processing and distributing video and audio as digital files; IT-based playout — more commonly called channel in a box — which offers the promise of dramatically reducing the cost of broadcast playout; and the latest developments in 3D, expected to be very much center stage next year at the London Olympics.
Snell today announced three new appointments to its Americas organization. Industry veteran Craig Turner, a Technical Emmy Award winner, joins the company as vice president of customer support. In addition, […]
Among the myriad of broadcasting gear on display at next week’s NAB Show in Las Vegas are automation, traffic and billing equipment and software. There’s growing interest in these products since TV broadcasters need to be able to oversee a growing number of channels with a shrinking number of staff.
2011 NAB Show Preview Snell Booth N1820 Snell provides broadcasters and global media companies with a comprehensive range of digital media solutions to create, better manage and streamline the distribution […]
Sinclair Broadcast Group has purchased VertigoXmedia’s Xstation, “channel-in-a-box” solution to launch a new DTV subchannel at WBFF Baltimore. In addition, Sinclair will implement similar Xstation-driven subchannels later at its other […]
