Master Control Products Guide

This year, TVNewsCheck is augmenting its coverage of NAB Show Hot Topics tech trends stories with information that can make your visit to NAB easier. This week’s focus is broadcast graphics (read the main story here). These companion resource guides on the technology covered each week are compilations of information provided by vendors. To download this page as a PDF, click here.  

Aveco | Booth N4509 | Website: www.aveco.com  | | 95 E. Plum St., Hazlehurst, GA 31539 | 818-292-1489

Redwood Lite  — Redwood Lite is a simple playout-with-graphics product designed for simple master control playout applications and production playout.

By integrating proven open source packages, Aveco is able to address the needs of the budget-constrained market, as well as provide mixed solutions for premium broadcasters’ high-end channels and niche channels –all managed with the same user interfaces, the same workflows and the same Aveco reliability.

Redwood Lite complements Aveco’s Redwood Play, which offers high-end branding with four channels of video layering, multiple DVEs, audio server-and-mixer and 32 layers of real-time graphics.  Redwood Lite availability for master control is set for the middle of this year.

Product info: http://aveco.com/redwood-lite

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected]

Bitcentral | Booth SU2610 | Website: www.bitcentral.com | 4340 Von Karman Ave., Suite 410, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | 949-253-9000

Central Control — Central Control is a real-time, on-air tested master control and automation solution featuring an intuitive and comprehensive interface that allows efficient, all-in-one view of everything an operator needs. With simple drag-and-drop design, which allows for agile changes on the fly, operators are not constrained by pre-defined steps or tabs requiring multiple screens. Multiple file types are played back to back, such as .mov next to .mxf and 1080i next to 720p, all without transcoding.

Product Info:  www.bitcentral.com/solutions/central-control
Availability: Now

Continuum — Continuum for mobile and OTT distribution uses broadcasters’ existing news and advertising to automatically produce a polished, 24/7 linear channel reaching new audiences. Combining the sophistication of both news and master control, Continuum produces a live, linear channel to stream anywhere, greatly expanding a station’s news and advertising reach. Because the system allows for total control over programming via three dynamic programming modes, Continuum allows for integrated advertising and sponsored content in addition to news content rather than the traditional online model of pre-roll advertising before news content. Thus, Continuum helps to drive new revenues to the station with no added costs.

Product Info:  www.bitcentral.com/solutions/continuum

Availability: 3Q 2016

To Set Up An Appointment:  [email protected] 

Crispin | Booth N5121 | Website: http://www.crispincorp.com | 600 Wade Ave., Raleigh, NC 27604| 919-846-7744

Cinegy | Booth SL11116 | Website: www.cinegy.com | Müllerstr. 27, 80469 Munich, Germany | +49 89 2388 5360

Cinegy Air 11 — Cinegy Air 11 is the latest generation of Cinegy’s broadcast automation front-end and video server. Plan, schedule and play out multiple channels of mixed format and mixed resolution SD, HD and UHD content with real-time branding and support for external hardware, all controlled from a single central interface configurable to suit any need. Create playlists (stand-alone or in collaboration) with program and commercial blocks and edit them online or off-line. Features compliance recording, as-run logging, audio profile editing, Dolby support and EAS support. Integrates with existing infrastructure and traffic control. Already in use by national broadcasters worldwide.

Product Info: http://www.cinegy.com/jml/index.php/products-mainmenu-50/playout-and-automation.htm

Price: Starting at $5,999

Availability: After NAB.

Cinegy MultiViewer 11 — Cinegy MultiViewer 11 is a powerful and flexible multiviewer implemented completely in software. Install in seconds, configure in minutes. Mix and match resolutions and inputs (SDI or RTP) and output to screen or RTP stream for viewing anywhere. View audio meters, stream information, AFD and CC data. Run headless as a service, monitor multiple multiviewers simultaneously, control directly or remotely via Web interface. Get alerts on screen or via HTTP, SMS, email or SNMP traps. Choose a standard mosaic layout or create your own multi-screen interfaces using the included layout editor. Use a UHD monitor to view four full-size HD outputs or scale to suit. With a few mouse clicks make a multiviewer of multiviewers.

Product Info: http://www.cinegy.com/jml/index.php/products-mainmenu-50/ip-based-broadcast-solutions/monitor-product-page.html

Price: Starting at $899

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

Deluxe Entertainment Services Group | SU4414 | www.bydeluxe.com | 2400 West Empire Ave., Burbank, CA 91504 | 818-565-3600 

Deluxe MediaCloud — Deluxe MediaCloud is a software-defined broadcast platform providing media asset management, orchestration, multi-channel playout and delivery network. In contrast to traditional infrastructures, Deluxe MediaCloud eliminates the need for large capital investment and refresh, reduces operating cost and future-proofs the broadcast supply chain, driving flexibility and control back to the broadcaster. 

Product Info: http://bydeluxemedia.com/mediacloud/

Availability: Now

DNF Controls | Booth N1715 | Website: www.dnfcontrols.com | 19770 Bahama St., Northridge, CA 91342 | 818-898-3380 

GTP-32 Control Processor with SCTE Control — The GTP-32 Control Processor with SCTE Control safely distributes automation-system-generated SCTE commands across multiple signal chains and streams. It facilitates a quick switch between primary automation, backup automation and manual operation and routes SCTE commands from automation or operator control to a specific inserter/encoder. It allows users to change SCTE command generators at the press of a button.

SCTE is an advanced replacement for DTMF tones used by cable headends and Internet streamers for digital program and spot insertion as well as to block and replace digital rights-managed content. GTP-32 is fully compatible with major brand inserters and encoders and offers SCTE Multi-Operational Commands via DNF’s Web-based, programmer-free user interface.    

The GTP-32 Control Processor now adds support for SCTE-104’s new Time Descriptor command.

Product Info:  http://www.dnfcontrols.com/products/index.php?cPath=28_58

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

Evertz | Booth N1502 | Website: www.evertz.com | 5292 John Lucas Dr. | 905-335-3700

Facility 2020 — Facility 2020 is a software-defined data center for broadcasters. It leverages its Software Defined Video Networking (SDVN) infrastructure and intelligent resource management to allow customers to enable a data center approach to their facility where they can virtualize the processes and services used in the facility.  

Facility 2020 enables a shift from a discrete and dedicated hardware infrastructure to one where software processes are spun up and spun down to create a heterogeneous infrastructure.

Florical Systems | Booth N5924 | Website: www.florical.com |

4500 NW 27^th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | 352-372-8326

AssetTagger — Florical has added a new application to its SMART Central line of web-accessed products that provides the ability to “tag and bag” syndicated promos for live playout. AssetTagger gives the station the ability to mark the virtual SOM for the video and audio layers. This allows Florical’s Acuitas to play back that raw promo several different ways. It automatically tags the promo during playout. Depending on how the raw promo is scheduled, it can be played out to show “Tuesdays at 4 p.m.,” “Tomorrow at 4 p.m” or “Coming up Next.” This greatly reduces the labor time for syndicated promos. 

Product Info: http://florical.com/assettagger

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected]  

Grass Valley, a Belden Brand | Booth No. SL106 | Website: www.grassvalley.com | 3499 Douglas-B.-Floreani, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4S 2C6 | 514-333-1772

iTX On-Demand — iTX On-Demand is a new video-on-demand/over-the-top solution that automates the VOD process and reduces prep time for both pre-recorded and live productions. It is available as an option with Grass Valley’s iTX Integrated Playout Platform or alongside third-party playout solutions. iTX On-Demand manages the production of VOD assets from the start of the production process. iTX recipes within the On-Demand system contain all of the assets for each VOD work order, allowing complex tasks to be performed automatically in parallel with the linear production workflow, without the need for manual intervention.

For pre-recorded shows, VOD can be “pre-packaged” and published to multiple platforms in advance of playout; effectively winning back lost hours in the C3 window and potentially recovering millions of dollars in lost revenue every year.

Product Info: http://www.grassvalley.com/products/itx_on-demand

Datasheet: http://www.grassvalley.com/docs/DataSheets/playout/itx_on-demand/GVB-1-0579A-EN-DS_iTX_On-Demand.pdf

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected]               

Imagine Communications | Booth N2502 | Website: www.imaginecommunications.com | 3001 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Frisco, TX 75034 | 866-446-2446 

Versio — The 100% software, fully IP-enabled and cloud-capable Versio is an integrated playout solution used worldwide by media companies from small, single-channel to large, multichannel environments and master control operations. The 3.0 release of Versio marks the introduction of the Versio MCS, an optional intuitive touchscreen-based master control surface. The Versio MCS feature brings new efficiencies to master control, enabling operators to manage Versio’s switching, graphics and automation capabilities with a simple touch of a button in a single or multichannel environment. The new control surface also enables advanced levels of user interface customization. Media companies can now optimize their control surfaces for specific requirements and use cases.

Product Info: http://www.imaginecommunications.com/products/playout/integrated-playout/versio

Datasheet: file:///Users/mckenzie/Downloads/imagine_versio%20(4).pdf

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

NVerzion | Booth No. N3725 | Website: www.nverzion.com | 296 E. 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84107 | 801-293-8420

CloudNine Video Server — New updates to NVerzion’s CloudNine video server improve workflow and operational efficiencies within broadcast organizations. Leveraging CloudNine, stations can simultaneously record and playout content from a wide range of third-party commercial and program delivery systems — as well as update metadata. Key new features include network trigger monitoring and management, CloudCoder functionality for internal transcoding operations, Smart Storage Technology for sharing and accessing file content across multiple video servers, and CloudStore for multichannel playout. The new enhanced CloudNine video server also allows broadcasters to deliver closed captions over line 21, CEA-608 for analog TV or CEA-708 for digital TV. The video server offers support for all major codecs, wrappers and native file formats without transcoding, flipping or remixing.

Product Info: http://nverzion.com/products/cloudnine.php

Datasheet: http://nverzion.com/literature/CloudNine-datasheet.pdf

Availability: Now

Component Level Automation System Solutions (CLASS) — NVerzion has enhanced its CLASS platform to speed up the efficiency of a broadcaster’s file-based workflow. CLASS now supports the Microsoft ^Windows 10 64-bit operating system, providing broadcasters with a range of new capabilities and benefits, including a feature-rich GUI tailored to customer style and preference. Additional enhancements include: optimized conflict reporting, video server mirroring, and fast and easy Join-in-Progress (JIP) functionality. Simplified quality control via NVerzion’s new NPoint Direct video preparation software and media events capabilities allows stations to accurately time secondary events, such as banners and crawls on the clip timeline, during the QC process, without the need for additional video server ports.

Datasheet: http://nverzion.com/literature/CLASS-CloudNine-datasheet.pdf

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

Pebble Beach Systems | Booth N5323 | Website: www.pebble.tv | 12 Horizon Business Village, 1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0TJ, UK | +44 1932 333 790 and 2095 West 6th Ave., Suite 200, Broomfield, Colorado, 80020 | 720-638-7171 

Orca — Orca is Pebble Beach Systems’ new software-defined, virtualized IP channel solution.  Well-suited to meet the needs of centralcast hubs, service providers, MCOs (Multiple Channel Operators), sports broadcasters and corporations, such as publishing companies seeking new ways to inform their audiences, Orca delivers a flexible option to deploy or contract IP-based channels almost instantly without the burden of racks of complicated hardware, and weeks or months of setup and provisioning.

As a completely virtual channel-in-a-box —without the box— Pebble Beach Systems’ Orca represents cutting-edge broadcasting of the future. Orca channels run in a virtual machine (VM) in a private cloud with IP inputs and outputs. Orca delivers all of the functionalities that could previously only be handled by discrete hardware video servers, graphics and captioning systems, within a pure software environment. 

Product Info: http://www.pebble.tv/products/orca/

Datasheet: http://www.pebble.tv/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PBS-Orca-Data-Sheet.pdf

Availability: Now

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

Pixel Power | Booth: SL5922 | Website: www.pixelpower.com | 209 E. Alameda Ave., Suite 102, Burbank, CA 91502| 818 276 4506

StreamMaster — StreamMaster is an integrated playout platform for complex channels that can run on dedicated hardware, virtualized in a data-center or virtualized in the cloud. The Gallium workflow and automation solution has integrated API control of StreamMaster in the same way that any third-party automation system can also integrate and control StreamMaster.

The software-defined system is format agnostic, scalable and flexible, which enables cost saving and new pricing models, including pay-as-you-go for pop-up channels.

Product Info: http://www.pixelpower.com/products/streammaster

Datasheet: http://www.pixelpower.com/sites/pixelpower.com/files/streammaster_letter.pdf 

PlayBox Technology | Booth N5915 | Website: www.pbtusa.tv | 2970 Clairmont Rd. NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30329 | 404-424-9283

CloudAir — CloudAir, which is available on a software-as-service basis, allows a new television channel to be set up in matter of seconds. It is designed for anyone who wants to broadcast TV content, be it on a real-time 24/7 basis, a catch-up facility, the red button element of a reality show or a short-running series such as a sports event. It can also be deployed as the basis of a highly secure redundant and disaster recovery system.  
CloudAir is provides true playout with graphics on any enterprise-class blade, rack or tower server. Once CloudAir is installed, no auxiliary hardware is required.

AirBox Neo — AirBox Neo is a playout server developed on AirBox. It can be operated unattended round the clock or over-ridden for live-to-air transmissions. UHD, HD and SD are all supported in single AirBox Neo server.

Rushworks | Booth SL 11808| Website: www.RUSHWORKS.tv | 800 Parker Square, Suite 200, Flower Mound, Texas 75028 | 888-894-7874  

A-List Broadcast TV Automation — Featuring a drag-and-drop scheduling interface supporting up to four SD or HD playback channels in a chassis, A-LIST connects a live source (single or AV router output) for input pass-through and recording, and creates multiple layers of downstream graphics, including bugs, crawls, animated  snipes and EAS notifications.  Numerous playback formats are supported, with real-time up- or down-conversion between SD and HD. A-LIST interfaces with traffic and billing systems for schedule import and as-run verification, and reports missing files via email.

The newest A-List feature is successful integration of BXF (Broadcast Exchange Format) file parsing into A-List Broadcast Automation and Streaming Systems. Working with Myers, a pioneer in broadcast management software and author of the ProTrack traffic and billing system, Rushworks has implemented the most common subset of the SMPTE-developed BXF schema.

Product Info: http://rushworks.tv/a-list.htm

Datasheet: http://rushworks.tv/index_htm_files/RUSHWORKS%20A-LIST.pdf

Availability: Available now.

To Set Up An Appointment: [email protected] 

SAM – Snell Advanced Media | Booth SL1805 | Website: http://www.s-a-m.com | A Newbury Berkshire RG14 2NX | Phone +44 1635-569-777  

Read all of TVNewsCheck‘s NAB 2016 news here.