ITV

Tag: Imagine Communications

  • Spotv’s game-changing playout tech: Fast, reliable & future-ready

    Spotv’s game-changing playout tech: Fast, reliable & future-ready

    MUMBAI: When it comes to live sports, there’s no room for buffering, glitches, or lag—unless you want angry fans and viral memes.

    South Korea’s leading provider of linear and digital sports content, Spotv knows this all too well. To keep the action seamless across southeast Asia, the broadcaster has rolled out a turnkey, fully automated playout system from Imagine Communications, ensuring top-tier reliability and rapid turnaround times.

    Broadcasting from a state-of-the-art teleport and broadcast centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, Spotv’s setup is powered by Imagine’s Versio™ integrated playout platform and ADC™ automation. This future-proof ecosystem is built to scale with evolving demands, simplifying operations while delivering world-class transmission.

    Why the upgrade? Spotv isn’t just any sports network—it’s the go-to destination for Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, MotoGP™, Roshn Saudi League, and Major League Baseball, among others. As the audience demand for high-quality sports broadcasting continues to skyrocket, Spotv sought a robust, flexible, and proven solution to keep up with the pace. And that’s where Imagine Communications came in.

    “Imagine Communications understood our requirements and equipped us with a tightly integrated, highly reliable playout infrastructure that can grow as our needs change,” said Spotv head of broadcast operations and engineering Prakash Maniam. “We know that many media companies around the world have successfully deployed Imagine playout technology, and we are confident that our modern, new system will be able to support our channel playout requirements for years to come.”

    Spotv’s newly deployed 6+2 channel origination workflow runs on Imagine’s Versio playout system, featuring embedded ADC automation software. The system integrates seamlessly with more devices and business systems than any other automation product, ensuring a smooth, end-to-end workflow.

    Here’s the play-by-play of how it all works:

    . High-performance video servers: The Nexio+™ AMP® servers with automatic input format detection take care of ingesting content effortlessly.  

    . Seamless content management: The Versio Content Portal and Nexio Motion™ asset management software ensure that the right content is prepped and loaded for playout—way before game time.

    . Less hardware, more efficiency: Versio reduces the number of physical devices needed in Spotv’s transmission chain, enabling a leaner, more efficient operation.

    . Single-user interface: Spotv’s team can now monitor and manage playout seamlessly from a single interface—because who needs unnecessary complexity?

    Spotv’s selection of Imagine Communications’ technology isn’t just about keeping things running smoothly today—it’s about preparing for tomorrow’s broadcasting needs. The Versio platform’s scalability allows Spotv to easily expand and adapt to new content demands, ensuring it stays ahead of the game.

    And it’s not just Spotv that’s impressed. Imagine Communications is celebrating yet another successful implementation of its cutting-edge technology in the global sports broadcasting industry.

    “We are honoured that Spotv has joined the ranks of leading global media companies who have made Versio their playout platform of choice,” said Imagine Communications SVP & GM EMEA and APAC, Mathias Eckert. “This implementation reflects Spotv’s commitment to excellence in live sports broadcast in the region and will enable them to work more efficiently today and prepare for whatever their future holds.”

    The new playout system at Spotv was implemented in collaboration with local Imagine partner and systems integrator JAA Systems (JAA.S).

  • Imagine Communications Demonstrates Practical Evolution Towards Advanced Technologies at CABSAT 2019

    Imagine Communications Demonstrates Practical Evolution Towards Advanced Technologies at CABSAT 2019

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications experts will be on hand at CABSAT 2019 (12 – 14 March, Dubai World Trade Center, stand D2-10) to demonstrate the latest practical solutions to key issues including playout, advertising monetization and the managed transition from traditional architectures to software-defined, IP-connected infrastructures. These proven solutions allow broadcasters and media companies in the MENA region to move forward without compromising existing investments.

    “The Middle East has long been a dynamic and forward-looking media market,” said Anas Hantash, head of MESA and North Africa for Imagine Communications. “Today broadcasters and media companies are facing the challenge of developing powerful and agile infrastructures which are at the same time highly reliable and extremely cost-effective. This means taking a reasoned look at the migration from technical architectures built on dedicated appliances towards a fully virtualized, IP-based, cloud-ready strategy, which can deliver the flexibility to respond to changing demands.

    “We led the market towards software-defined solutions, and we have unrivalled experience in addressing the complex issues of integrating hybrid environments, scaling IP networks, and tailoring software solutions to broadcasters’ specific requirements,” Hantash added. “Our CABSAT presence gives us the chance to discuss how we can support customers, no matter where they are in the transition process, and do so at their chosen pace.”

    Visitors to the Imagine stand will be able to see real-world demonstrations in key areas including playout and automation, IP connectivity and networking, and advertising technology. These demonstrations will show how rich functionality is now implemented in microservices software for installing on premises or in the cloud, and show how media businesses can migrate without risk to software-defined, microservices-based virtualization and IP connectivity.

    A key demonstration will be built around Versio™, the industry’s first cloud-native, microservices-based playout solution, which supports a range of functionality including high-availability playout, storage, powerful graphics and multiformat delivery. The inherently scalable nature of the microservices architecture means that not only can it grow as the channel count and online delivery requirements grow, but functionality can also be added, including new resolutions like Ultra HD, as these are needed.

    Central to the future shape of media architectures is IP connectivity.  In action at CABSAT will be the award-winning Selenio™ Network Processor (SNP), a high-density, all-IP-capable processing platform that enables media organizations to simplify operations and reduce costs associated with supporting SDI and hybrid SDI-IP workflows in their studio and mobile facilities. Working in conjunction with the Magellan™ SDN Orchestrator software control, the SNP demonstration will showcase how customers can easily manage and control their legacy infrastructure, while seamlessly incorporating next-gen technologies, switching and interworking between HD, Ultra HD and uncompressed real-time SMPTE ST 2110 streams.   

    Proven in many implementations in the MENA region and worldwide, the Platinum™ IP3 router offers the highest integration of facilities in a single, compact device: video processing, multiviewers and synchronization, plus IP gateways, while switching digital audio, video and IP streams in the same frame. This integrated solution saves power, space and cabling. Alongside it will be the software-based EPIC™ MV multiviewer. Scalable to thousands of PiPs and hundreds of displays, EPIC MV enables operators to monitor mixed signal types on a single canvas and offers media organizations a high-quality, low cost of ownership monitoring solution for both hybrid and all-IP environments. Its flexibility will be demonstrated with HD, Ultra HD and IP inputs into a single, synchronized display.

    Optimizing revenues is the final critical element of future media businesses, and Imagine is hosting a demonstration of its advertising technology at CABSAT 2019. This is a range of uniquely powerful software applications including inventory management, data analytics and targeted advertising delivery, which give media companies the platform to increase revenues and decrease costs across multiple channels and multiple delivery platforms.

    The Ad Tech demonstration will include xG GamePlan™, the only cloud-based application available that leverages battle-tested (AutoBook™) inventory optimisation.  In additional Imagine will showcase its Targeted Delivery solutions, including Dynamic Ad Insertion, Packaging and an industry leading HTTP – UDP gateway. Imagine’s set of Targeted Delivery solutions drive enhanced monetisation and operational efficiencies for video service providers and networks across a range of use cases for both linear and OTT. 

    Also part of the demonstration will be Broadcast Master™, Imagine’s comprehensive suites of modular and scalable rights, sales, scheduling and media management solutions and Landmark™ Sales, which provides for sophisticated campaign planning and control in order to help manage the challenges of this multifaceted selling environment.

    For more information, please see Imagine Communications at CABSAT 2019, stand no. D2-10, or visit https://www.imaginecommunications.com

  • Imagine Communications to host thought-leadership sessions at IBC2017

    Imagine Communications to host thought-leadership sessions at IBC2017

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications has unveiled the schedule and speaker lineup for the IBC2017 edition of the company’s popular ImagineLIVE Power Sessions, a series of presentations and interactive discussions featuring prominent executives and experts from across the media and entertainment and IT industries. This year’s thought-leadership series, presented at Imagine’s IBC stand (4.A01), also includes a line-up of Master Classes, topical educational courses led by Imagine Communications subject matter experts.

    Power Sessions and Master Classes will be conducted at lunchtime and in the early afternoon throughout the exhibition. The IBC2017 Power Session series will include testimonials from customers and highlights of how media companies from around the world are adapting operations to next-generation architectures to achieve new levels of agility and evolve their media facilities to meet future market requirements. Power Sessions and Master Classes will focus on the solutions and technology trends, such as microservices, inventory optimisation, real-world IP deployments and OTT distribution, that are influencing the direction of evolving business models and monetisation practices.

    “The media industry is now fully engaged in transitioning operations to a new technology foundation based on next-generation architectures that leverage IP, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) compute and networking resources, virtualization and other IT technology attributes,” said Imagine Communications CEO Charlie Vogt, who will be kicking off the ImagineLIVE sessions with a special keynote on the impact of microservices that features representatives from IBM and Al Jazeera. “ImagineLIVE Power Sessions and Master Classes spotlight the trends and technologies influencing the direction of the industry and provide valuable insights into the remaining challenges and future opportunities facing today’s media and entertainment ecosystem.”

    ImagineLIVE Power Sessions and Master Classes schedule and speakers:

    Friday, 15 Sept., 17:00-17:45
    CEO Keynote: Why Microservices are a Game Changer (Charlie Vogt, CEO, Imagine Communications; Brick Eksten, Chief Product Officer, Imagine Communications; Steve Canepa, Global Managing Director Telecommunications, M & E Industry, IBM; and Miljenko Logozar, Chief Broadcast Architect, Al Jazeera Media Network)

    Saturday, 16 Sept., 12:00-12:30
    Master Class: Microservices & Open Zenium (Darren Gallipeau, Zenium Program Director, Imagine Communications)

    Saturday, 16 Sept., 15:00-15:30
    Multiscreen Opportunities – Moderated by Allan McLennan, President and Chief Market Technologist, PADEM Media Group (Steve Reynolds, CTO, Imagine Communications; Tony Emerson, WorldWide Managing Director, Media & Cable, Microsoft; and Chris Carey, Chief Revenue Officer, Verizon Digital Media Services)

    Sunday, 17 Sept., 12:00-12:30
    Master Class: End-to-End IP (John Mailhot, CTO of Networking, Imagine Communications and Andreas Lattmann, CTO, tpc)

    Sunday, 17 Sept., 15:00-15:30
    From Playout to Payout (Yuval Fisher, CTO of Distribution, Imagine Communications)

    Monday, 18 Sept., 12:00-12:30
    Master Class: Ad Optimization in the Cloud (Graham Heap, Director, Product Management, Advertising Management Systems, Imagine Communications)

    Monday, 18 Sept., 15:00-15:30
    Revenue Optimization (Sarah Foss, Chief Product Office, Advertising Management Systems, Imagine Communications and Angela Goodsir, Chief Technology & Systems Operations Officer, Multi Channel Network)

  • Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications, empowering the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation, today introduced a high-density adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoding product built on Selenio One™, the company’s software-defined linear transcoding platform. Selenio One is designed to deliver new levels of performance, flexibility and cost efficiency to broadcasters, network operators and video service providers (VSPs). The latest addition to the Selenio One family, which will be previewed at IBC2016, is purpose built to enable media companies to generate new revenue and maximise the efficiency of their networks by expanding the number of high video quality ABR and linear channels they can deliver over existing infrastructures.

    Today’s VSPs, including cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite TV providers, are struggling to cost-effectively keep pace with requirements to deliver high-quality video to an increasing diversity of Internet-connected devices. By leveraging state-of-the-art standard computing resources powered by high-performance transcoding software from Imagine Communications, the newest product in the Selenio One family provides VSPs with the ability to expand the channel-carrying capacity of their video delivery networks on demand while enabling service providers to reduce costs by moving all compression operations to a common, software-based platform.

    “The high-density transcoding instantiation of Selenio One was designed to relieve a particularly acute pain point for today’s content distributors, who have been steadily increasing the cost and complexity of their networks to accommodate shifting video consumption patterns,” said Brick Eksten, Chief Product Officer, Imagine Communications. “Selenio One redefines the operational environment for transcoding, offering cloud-like control of mixed services with the ability to define and redefine those services on the fly. Combining centralised control with dynamic service provisioning allows the operator to be more fluid in operations while providing the ability to create new services on demand.”

    This new addition to the Selenio One platform supports HEVC/H.265 and AVC/H.264 encoding in both ABR and linear transcoding formats at extremely high densities, enabling VSPs and other media companies to realise significant space and power savings. The first release of the product is capable of supporting up to 180 HD ABR or 360 HD linear channels per 4-RU server, establishing new cost-per-channel benchmarks for high quality video transcoding. Source formats supported in the first release are MPEG-2 or H.264 and HEVC/H.265 or H.264 on the output.

    Well suited for high-density terrestrial, satellite and primary distribution transcoding with ABR transcoding for over-the-top (OTT) multiscreen applications, the latest product in the Selenio One family provides a single system for any VSP looking to launch more channels, move from MPEG-2 to H.264, add HEVC/H.265, or address a multiservice lineup with linear transcode and OTT/ABR delivery.

    Imagine Communications introduced the Selenio One platform earlier this year at the 2016 NAB Show. The initial product release focused on high video quality H.264/MPEG-2 transcoding using PCIe video acceleration with integrated software multiplexing and processing. Selenio One’s software-based architecture enables service providers to customise the functionality of the platform through the selection of video processing engines. This approach ensures consistency across all compression operations through a common architecture and control system.

    All products built on the Selenio One are powered by Zenium™, a next-generation software framework that also underpins several additional solutions from Imagine Communications. Zenium utilizes a Micro Services approach to implementation and deployment that enables cloud-native component technologies to be easily distributed across multiple platforms. Zenium-powered platforms, including Selenio One, are designed to seamlessly integrate new technology as it becomes available and adapt to multiple deployment scenarios, from appliance to datacenter to cloud.

    The latest Selenio One product provides unprecedented flexibility, allowing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms to be optimised for software-only and GPU-accelerated encoding, as well as enhancing the specialised video processing and acceleration capabilities of modern processors with field-proven intellectual property from Imagine Communications.

    The first release of the high-density transcoding Selenio One includes the following features:
    • Support for up to 180 HD ABR and 360 HD linear channels per 4.3RU server
    • HEVC/H.265 and H.264 support
    • GPU-powered transcoding with Imagine’s enhanced video quality
    • Selenio One Media Manager system for redundancy and network management
    • Linux-based and distributed software architecture

    The latest release of the Selenio One platform is also a critical product within Imagine’s CloudXtream™ multiscreen solutions. The new product is tightly integrated with Telurio™ Packager to support a broad selection of packaging formats and DRM technologies. It also supports the insertion of ads and alternative content as part of the CloudXtream dynamic ad insertion solution.

    Selenio One has been shortlisted in the Playout & Delivery Systems category as a “Finalist for the IABM Design & Innovation Awards 2016.” Category winners will be announced on September 10th.

    For a demonstration of the Selenio One platform, please visit Imagine Communications at IBC2016 (Amtrium, Stand 4.A01). For more information about Imagine Communications, please visit www.imaginecommunications.com.

  • Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications, empowering the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation, today introduced a high-density adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoding product built on Selenio One™, the company’s software-defined linear transcoding platform. Selenio One is designed to deliver new levels of performance, flexibility and cost efficiency to broadcasters, network operators and video service providers (VSPs). The latest addition to the Selenio One family, which will be previewed at IBC2016, is purpose built to enable media companies to generate new revenue and maximise the efficiency of their networks by expanding the number of high video quality ABR and linear channels they can deliver over existing infrastructures.

    Today’s VSPs, including cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite TV providers, are struggling to cost-effectively keep pace with requirements to deliver high-quality video to an increasing diversity of Internet-connected devices. By leveraging state-of-the-art standard computing resources powered by high-performance transcoding software from Imagine Communications, the newest product in the Selenio One family provides VSPs with the ability to expand the channel-carrying capacity of their video delivery networks on demand while enabling service providers to reduce costs by moving all compression operations to a common, software-based platform.

    “The high-density transcoding instantiation of Selenio One was designed to relieve a particularly acute pain point for today’s content distributors, who have been steadily increasing the cost and complexity of their networks to accommodate shifting video consumption patterns,” said Brick Eksten, Chief Product Officer, Imagine Communications. “Selenio One redefines the operational environment for transcoding, offering cloud-like control of mixed services with the ability to define and redefine those services on the fly. Combining centralised control with dynamic service provisioning allows the operator to be more fluid in operations while providing the ability to create new services on demand.”

    This new addition to the Selenio One platform supports HEVC/H.265 and AVC/H.264 encoding in both ABR and linear transcoding formats at extremely high densities, enabling VSPs and other media companies to realise significant space and power savings. The first release of the product is capable of supporting up to 180 HD ABR or 360 HD linear channels per 4-RU server, establishing new cost-per-channel benchmarks for high quality video transcoding. Source formats supported in the first release are MPEG-2 or H.264 and HEVC/H.265 or H.264 on the output.

    Well suited for high-density terrestrial, satellite and primary distribution transcoding with ABR transcoding for over-the-top (OTT) multiscreen applications, the latest product in the Selenio One family provides a single system for any VSP looking to launch more channels, move from MPEG-2 to H.264, add HEVC/H.265, or address a multiservice lineup with linear transcode and OTT/ABR delivery.

    Imagine Communications introduced the Selenio One platform earlier this year at the 2016 NAB Show. The initial product release focused on high video quality H.264/MPEG-2 transcoding using PCIe video acceleration with integrated software multiplexing and processing. Selenio One’s software-based architecture enables service providers to customise the functionality of the platform through the selection of video processing engines. This approach ensures consistency across all compression operations through a common architecture and control system.

    All products built on the Selenio One are powered by Zenium™, a next-generation software framework that also underpins several additional solutions from Imagine Communications. Zenium utilizes a Micro Services approach to implementation and deployment that enables cloud-native component technologies to be easily distributed across multiple platforms. Zenium-powered platforms, including Selenio One, are designed to seamlessly integrate new technology as it becomes available and adapt to multiple deployment scenarios, from appliance to datacenter to cloud.

    The latest Selenio One product provides unprecedented flexibility, allowing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms to be optimised for software-only and GPU-accelerated encoding, as well as enhancing the specialised video processing and acceleration capabilities of modern processors with field-proven intellectual property from Imagine Communications.

    The first release of the high-density transcoding Selenio One includes the following features:
    • Support for up to 180 HD ABR and 360 HD linear channels per 4.3RU server
    • HEVC/H.265 and H.264 support
    • GPU-powered transcoding with Imagine’s enhanced video quality
    • Selenio One Media Manager system for redundancy and network management
    • Linux-based and distributed software architecture

    The latest release of the Selenio One platform is also a critical product within Imagine’s CloudXtream™ multiscreen solutions. The new product is tightly integrated with Telurio™ Packager to support a broad selection of packaging formats and DRM technologies. It also supports the insertion of ads and alternative content as part of the CloudXtream dynamic ad insertion solution.

    Selenio One has been shortlisted in the Playout & Delivery Systems category as a “Finalist for the IABM Design & Innovation Awards 2016.” Category winners will be announced on September 10th.

    For a demonstration of the Selenio One platform, please visit Imagine Communications at IBC2016 (Amtrium, Stand 4.A01). For more information about Imagine Communications, please visit www.imaginecommunications.com.

  • Ten Sports’ broadcast facility gets facelift by Imagine Communications

    Ten Sports’ broadcast facility gets facelift by Imagine Communications

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications has completed a major broadcast facility upgrade at Ten Sports, which is part of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel).

     

    Ten Sports’ new broadcast facility, recently relocated from the UAE to India, relies on an end-to-end sports production and playout solution, and supports the production and distribution of its entire family of channels.

     

    The solution includes the Imagine Communications D-Series automated content management and distribution system controlling Nexio playout servers running Nexio Motion and Insight software that create automated processes to move and manage media. Ten Sports executes ingest, asset management and playout on a Nexio Farad high-performance online storage network with intrinsic mirroring for absolute content security.

     

    Ten Sports vice president of engineering Sanjeev Bhargava said, “Our existing IT infrastructure was dated and consisted of independent islands of storage, which lacked fast throughput – slowing the entire ingest to playout process. We selected Imagine Communications to enable us to build a more efficient workflow capable of handling the demands of modern day sports production, from ingest through to playout and archive. Furthermore, as our parent company, Zee Entertainment, is also an Imagine Communications’ playout solutions customer, we knew this solution was robust enough to meet our exacting requirements.”

     

    “The Nexio IconMaster is a key component of the system and is exclusively used by our sports channels, streamlining the function of fade-in/out during live switching from one event to another – a feature that is extremely important in a sports production environment,” he added.

     

    “There are many factors to consider during any relocation and upgrade. For Ten Sports, this included the ability to work with a single supplier to provide the end-to-end technology and have this underpinned with local support. For a group that has eight sports channels covering regional and international sporting events, keeping the facility on air during the relocation and upgrade process was critical,” added Imagine Communications regional sales manager for South Asia Raj Yadav.

     

    Imagine Communications also provided the core infrastructure at Ten Sports, including the Nexio IconMaster branding and master control switcher.

  • Witness yet another technological revolution at the Broadcast India show 2014

    Witness yet another technological revolution at the Broadcast India show 2014

    MUMBAI: Saicom Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. is pleased to announce that the Broadcast India Show 2014 will be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E) in Mumbai, India on 15-17 October, 2014.

     

    Along with the grand exhibition, Broadcast India Show 2014 will also be holding a Conference on 15-16 October, 2014 at the same venue.

     

    The Broadcast India Show 2014 will once again be the platform from which the latest broadcast and film, pro-audio, video and radio, 3D and digital cinema, IPTV and Mobile TV, in their most futuristic shapes and forms will be on display. Technological mammoths from all corners of the world will return to the exhibition floor to demonstrate and discuss their creations, share their widened perspectives, and light fires underneath the trends that will come to define the future of technology as we wait to see it.

     

    Some of the world’s leading manufacturers like Panasonic, Sony, Blackmagic Design, Imagine Communications, RED, Avid, Adobe, Canon, Grass Valley, ARRI, AJA, GoPro, Atomos, Datavideo, Boston, Wasp3D, Carl Zeiss, Shure, RCS, Harman and many more will be present at Broadcast India Show 2014.

     

    One of the main highlights of the show this year is the REDucation Theatre, back for its second year after a successful stint last year. This time around, RED Digital Cinema has partnered with The New York Film Academy to offer an on-going series of workshop exploring the RED DRAGON 6K.

     

    AJA Video Systems will showcase the groundbreaking CION camera. Panasonic will launch the much anticipated Varicam, the star of a wide range of products and innovations that will make Film and TV production significantly easier. 

     

    The other attractions are the Great Britain Pavilion and the Production Village. The line-up of international exhibitors will be showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment and the cutting edge technology.

     

    The show will be host to 35 participating countries and to over 550 companies, many of them exhibiting at the show for the very first time.

     

    This is your once-in-a-year chance to visit Broadcast India show, so don’t miss out.