Rohde & Schwarz Expands Media Server Platform

Rohde & Schwarz has expanded and optimized its R&S Venice platform for live production, studio production and channel playout applications. R&S Venice offers stability and a wide range of features.

Thanks to the use of open standards, the media server is interoperable with systems from other manufacturers and can easily be integrated into existing infrastructures. R&S Venice uses proprietary virtual storage access (VSA) technology to ensure reliable transmission even in critical applications. The latest evolution of the platform supports the SMPTE 2110 video over IP standard, NMOS and SDI.

Broadcasters and production companies face many challenges when updating their infrastructure. The R&S Venice platform facilitates the transition from SDI to IP technology. Its applications range from a standalone server to multichannel installations. It is designed for studio, live productions and multichannel playout applications.

The new R&S Venice uses a standard IT server and features a next-generation modular software design based on a new software structure. The new proprietary VSA technology enables failsafe ingest and playout operation.

VSA acts as a partition between software and hardware functions and virtualizes two physical storage units as a single virtual storage unit. All crucial components are redundant to ensure uninterrupted operation.

To achieve interoperability in existing installations, R&S Venice uses web service technologies and standard communications protocols such as VDCP, MOS and FIMS. R&S Venice supports workflows based on SDI or SMPTE 2110 by simply exchanging the SFP+ module on the video I/O board. This modular concept allows customers to flexibly transition from SDI to IP, making R&S Venice a future-proof investment.

The new R&S Venice platform will be on display at NAB as part of the IP Showcase (Central Hall C12634). The media server is the HD and UHD signal source for the subsequent workflow. Test devices receive these signals and forward them to UHD providers.

The new R&S Venice is available now from Rohde & Schwarz.