Author: contentntek

Radio France transforms Maison de la Radio with next generation IP technology with Orange Business Services and BCE

Posted on by contentntek in News, System Integration

Following a public tender, this project was entrusted to Orange Business Services, a global digital services operator and integrator, and to BCE, a European expert in media services, and is the largest of its kind in the European media sector to date. The migration to the latest generation of IP infrastructure is key to facilitate the development of audiovisual broadcasting and production tools. This project is part of Radio France’s ambition to invest heavily to modernize its production and broadcasting tools for all radio and radio-related content by 2022.

The transformation program led by Orange Business Services and BCE involves the infrastructure of all Maison de la Radio’s studios. The new audiovisual production facilities will rely on a robust, next generation IP infrastructure based on Cisco technology for the transport and broadcast of voice and video.

“The combined expertise of Orange Business Services and BCE, complemented by the professionalism of Maison de la Radio’s project teams, will allow us to innovate and facilitate the production and broadcast of programs while meeting the highest standards required by the media sector,” comments Patrick Fasso, Technical and Information Systems Director at Radio France.

To ensure perfect convergence of the IT and media broadcast worlds, Radio France’s project teams are supported by Orange Business Services, the market leader for solution integration. Orange Business Services will ensure that all of Radio France’s needs are met, including mastering its next generation tools. The SMPTE 2110 standard, a specific protocol for the media industry, has been retained.

BCE-Orange-RadioFrance-Banner
Radio France / Christophe Abramowitz

Radio France’s teams are supported by BCE France because of its recognized expertise in the customized integration of media ecosystems, apparent at many European radio and television stations. BCE has in-depth knowledge of the sector and the needs of the media, and is a master of IP workflow infrastructures which it has demonstrated to Radio France in the past, for example, during the transition of France Info to the Maison de la Radio premises.

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Harmonic Powers Sky Italia OTT Services

Posted on by contentntek in Event, News, OTT & Streaming media

Harmonic today announced that its cloud-native media processing software and content-aware encoding (CAE) technology is powering Sky Italia’s OTT streaming services. The Harmonic solution is integrated into the Sky Italia hybrid cloud software-defined streaming platform. Leveraging the latest advancements in pure software architecture, the Harmonic solution provides Sky Italia with the agility, flexibility and scalability to speed up the launch of new premium services and enable delivery of superior video quality at low bitrates.

Sky Italia’s solution for its linear video streaming platform is based on Kubernetes and microservices to serve event-based and 24/7 channels on OTT platforms. Adhering to these requirements, Harmonic’s VOS® Cluster software dynamically controls and optimizes Sky Italia’s on-premises and cloud video-processing resources.

“To ensure the success of our next-generation streaming services, delivery of exceptional video quality and the ability to quickly adapt to changes are critical factors,” said Gabriele Ubertini, director of technology engineering and innovation at Sky Italia. “Harmonic’s cloud-native media processing software aligns with our choice of moving resources to Sky’s software-defined streaming infrastructure, while allowing us to be nimble. Using CAE, we can deliver stunning video to a larger group of subscribers, providing a better quality of experience to those in areas with challenging bandwidth availability.”

Sky Italia will use Harmonic’s VOS software for OTT media processing in on-premises datacenters integrated with the Sky Italia architecture, which leverages Kubernetes and a SMPTE 2022 uncompressed multicast video network. By enabling Sky Italia to dynamically control and optimize its video processing resources, together with their blueprint for an open-source ecosystem, the VOS solution will dramatically accelerate time to market for new channels. EyeQ™ CAE will be used to significantly reduce Sky’s bandwidth requirements, decrease CDN costs and improve QoE.

“Sky Italia asked for a highly available and scalable streaming solution for outstanding video quality and state-of-the art ABR packaging. We went above and beyond in meeting these requirements,” said Ian Graham, senior vice president of international sales and video services at Harmonic. “Having an elastic and always-up-to-date media workflow will give Sky Italia serious competitive advantages, enabling it to launch services faster and scale up seamlessly.”

Harmonic will showcase its latest video streaming innovations at IBC2019, Sept. 13-17 in Amsterdam at Stand 1.B20.

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ZTE to unveil four innovative Big Video Solutions at IBC 2019

Posted on by contentntek in Event, News, OTT & Streaming media

Addressing the problems of the traditional live streaming apps like limited viewing angles, ZTE’s 5G Live TV solution delivers an innovative viewing experience by providing the audience with three distinctive 5G scenarios, including multi-angle views, flexible zooming, and free viewpoint. ZTE’s 5G Live TV solution has empowered China’s first 5G sporting events, the 2nd National Youth Games.

Moreover, in the field of 8K video, ZTE will provide visitors of IBC with a vivid experience of ultra-HD and ultra-fast smooth 8K videos, backed up with ZTE’s end-to-end 5G+8K solution, the ultra-strong decoding technology and super-high CDN throughput capability of its 8K smart set-top box. The 8K smart set-top box has once been rewarded iF Design Award 2019 in Germany for its minimalist and ultra-thin design.

As for the integration of OTT and IPTV, ZTE will showcase a customized 4K Hybrid STB for operators. Integrated with IPTV and Google ecosystem, this STB can provide users with a wide range of Google apps, such as Google Music and Google Games, thereby allowing them to enjoy both the IPTV and OTT services at the same time.

In the field of smart home, ZTE will demonstrate its far-field 4K AI STB S200 in support of voice commands. By virtue of functions of IPTV/OTT services, smart speaker, home control, home media sharing, and home networking, S200 is an all-in-one home assistant.

In addition, ZTE will also showcase many other series of powerful STBs, including the new Dongle STB, 4K IP Media Gateway supporting Wi-Fi AP, and the highly cost-effective satellite STB and cable STB.

Committed to constant innovations in the video industry, ZTE has established close partnerships with more than 120 operators around the world and has businesses covering nearly 50 countries. Moving forward, the company will continuously provide users with more diversified, immersive and intelligent video experiences.

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COLSECOR Renews its Trust in Anevia to Expand its Sensa OTT Service

Posted on by contentntek in 30 Seconds News, Event, OTT & Streaming media

“We have been using Anevia solutions for five years,” says COLSECOR’s VP of Engineering Miguel Factor, “starting with the VOD system that we rolled out to subscribers across Argentina. It has proved an excellent product backed by very good local technical support, in our language. Our phase two investment saw NEA-DVR and NEA-CDN being used for delivery to our customer base, enabling us to offer live and on-demand video as well as catch-up and pause TV. It also included additional Anevia NEA-DVR resources, featuring Embedded Distributed Storage (EDS) to massively increase storage capacity without requiring dedicated storage servers. The expanded system gives us the capacity to add over 1,000 new video-on-demand releases per month, so we are talking about seriously large capacity. The next step will be to expand the service to other Latin American countries.”

 

“COLSECOR is a good example of efficient and effective OTT TV implementation,” adds Grégory Samson, Anevia EVP Worldwide Sales, Telco & Media. “A partnership of over 300 separate enterprises throughout Argentina, it gives viewers access to a wide range of video content through a well coordinated single portal. Initiatives of this kind are exactly what the television industry needs as it expands from traditional cable and terrestrial based delivery.”

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Dynaudio Continues Exciting Streak of New Product Launches at CEDIA Expo 2019

Posted on by contentntek in Event, News, Radio & Audio

On the heels of the release of its highly anticipated Performance series custom-install speaker range and its first-ever Outdoor models, Danish loudspeaker specialist Dynaudio today will take the wraps off its Custom Sub RCC and special control software for ELAN, Control4, and Crestron systems in Booth 943 at CEDIA Expo 2019 in Denver.

Dynaudio Sub RCC

Dynaudio developed the Sub RCC (Reaction Cancelling Configuration) to complement its Performance and Studio custom-installation loudspeaker ranges. The discreet subwoofer is designed to offer additional low-frequency extension to any audio system while facilitating high-performance 2.1 or surround setups without the issues commonly associated with many in-wall subs. It achieves extreme bass performance within a compact form factor, which can be installed in walls, ceilings, or even floors — with no back-box necessary. The RCC topology uses two sets of opposed drivers working together to eliminate unwanted vibration transmission, leaving only the desirable acoustic energy behind. Featuring one-piece construction, the Sub RCC is easy to ship and retrofit because there is no cumbersome back-box to add to its size or the expense of transport.

dynaudio_custom_install

Other key features include:

  • Mounts on the wall surface or into a standard 2×4 stud-bay before or after construction.
  • Passive subwoofer design with no complex crossovers.
  • Incredibly rigid, compact and low-resonance one-piece extruded aluminum enclosure design.
  • Adaptive bass limitation guarantees zero overload.
  • Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 16Hz – 160Hz.

Amplification is provided by U.S. specialist AudioControl. The RS 500 DSP-controlled unit is precisely matched and tuned out of the box for the Sub RCC with Dynaudio EQs and limiters. Installers can also tweak the unit’s graphic EQ if needed. For more flexibility, each amp can power two Sub RCC units.

New Integration software for ELAN, Control4 and Crestron

Dynaudio has also teamed up with U.K.-based custom-install software house Intrinsic Dev. The company has created bespoke zone-control drivers that enable full integration of Dynaudio’s Music intelligent wireless speakers and Connect wireless transmitter with ELAN, Control4, and Crestron Systems. A driver for Savant will follow later in the year. The Music wireless speaker adapts to both its position in the room as well as ambient noise levels, ensuring the best performance wherever it’s placed. Designed specifically for Dynaudio’s high-end active speakers, Connect allows users to send the device a lossless digital signal and connect Dynaudio’s Xeo and Focus XD loudspeakers wirelessly and in multiple zones.

Dynaudio Performance series

Dynaudio’s Performance series will also debut at the show. The new Performance range marks the entry point to the award-winning Dynaudio Custom Installation product lineup. It is designed to deliver high-quality sound in distributed audio and media rooms as well as other architectural audio applications. The brand-new, high-end slimline product family comprises six in-wall and in-ceiling speakers and a special fire-resistant back-box. All of the new speakers use the same technologies and go through the same expert tuning process as Dynaudio’s legendary home, professional and in-car systems.

Dynaudio Outdoor

Dynaudio’s first-ever dedicated outdoor models, the OW6 and OW8, will also be presented at CEDIA. They are IP65-rated for protection against water and dust, and feature a special UV-resistant finish (available in black or white). They can be used in 8ohm mode with a conventional power amplifier, or be linked in with a 70/100V system thanks to the built-in transformer. An articulating mounting bracket is included.

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Just Add Power Introduces New Instant Install Application

Posted on by contentntek in Distribution & Delivery, Event, News

Just Add Power (J+P), a leader in Ultra HD over IP video distribution, announced today that the company has expanded its Just OS firmware ecosystem with the addition of the Instant Install application. Making its debut in booth 1817 at CEDIA Expo 2019, the application provides fast auto configuration for any gigabit switch.

With the Instant Install app, installers can easily incorporate any gigabit switch that supports jumbo frames — managed or not — into their J+P matrix. They simply connect their devices anywhere on the switch and click a single button, and their devices are found and configured, and a driver is built — all in less than two minutes.

“Installers have been asking for an app that would take the guesswork out of any project, and we’re proud to announce that it’s here,” said Taft Stricklin, sales team manager for J+P. “With the Instant Install app, one click is all that’s needed to configure all the devices connected to the gigabit switch. A few lucky integrators have already seen it in action, and they’ve been blown away by its speed and reliability.”

In addition to the Instant Install app, the Just OS ecosystem comprises J+P’s Plug-Play-Present logic control for intuitive and reliable connection and switching of sources; the Switch Please web application for matrix switching of any J+P device from any web browser; and the Every Switch Supported firmware, which allows integrators to build any size 4K matrix on an existing network without having to change switches.

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FOR-A Highlights Integrated Product Range for House of Worship Applications

Posted on by contentntek in Event, News, Production & Post Production

At the WFX Conference and Expo later this month, FOR-A® will showcase its range of technology ideal for houses of worship. FOR-A’s WFX booth lineup includes the HVS-490 HANABI video production switcher, Variant Systems Group’s Envivo Studio production suite, ClassX content creation and graphics playout solution, and the ODYSSEY Insight video server. FOR-A will exhibit in Booth #750 during the show which runs from September 17-19 in the Orlando Convention Center.

“WFX Expo continues to be an important show to FOR-A America,” said Ken Truong, President, FOR-A Corporation of America. “It’s very targeted and provides an excellent opportunity to engage with our system integration partners, dealers, and house of worship customers. Plus, many attendees at WFX may not make it out to the NAB Show in Las Vegas or IBC in Amsterdam. We get a chance to show them some of our newest technology and how it directly benefits their applications. It’s always been a very successful event for FOR-A.”

Envivo-Studio
Envivo Studio production system

Just introduced at NAB 2019, Variant Systems will showcase the new Envivo Studio to WFX attendees. Envivo Studio is an all-in-one live production system that includes a clip player, still store, shot box, and powerful capabilities, including:

  • Live switcher (cut camera inputs)
  • Internal keyer (multi-layer overlay)
  • Switcher support (key/fill
  • Drive multiple venue screens (IMAG)
  • VDCP control
  • 24hr loop record inputs
  • Built-in slow-motion replay
  • Coaching review tool
  • Time shift

The compact HANABI HVS-490 opens the door to more affordable 4K production. HDMI 2.0b specification support provides 4K output to a multi-viewer. Offering exclusive features, including MELite™ technology, which extends the switcher’s 2 M/Es to offer 6 M/E performance, the HVS-490 is designed for use in any live environment, including mobile shoots, events, and in-house corporate productions. The switcher provides users with event memory and macro functions, as well as integrated frame synchronizers and multi viewers – making it easy to set up quickly for live performances.

FOR-A_HVS-490
HANABI HVS-490 video switcher

A demo of the latest ClassX solution of 2D/3D character generation and live motion graphics and playout software integrated with FOR-A video switchers will be on the FOR-A WFX booth. ClassX’s graphics suite of solutions is popular with universities, digital signage, live event, and sports production applications. FOR-A is the exclusive distributor of ClassX in North, Central and South America. The agreement provides broadcasters and live event producers with the ability to create and play out ClassX real-time broadcast graphics integrated with FOR-A video switchers.

ClassX offers a complete solution with pixel-perfect, real-time 2D and 3D motion graphics and titling, SportsGraphics, SocialServer, MOS newsroom interface, clip playing automation, picture-in-picture and a multi-functional scripting facility. ClassX is 12G-compatible and supports Dante® digital audio for playout.

ODYSSEY’s Insight Production Server is a multi-channel playout system, available in a two- or four-channel configuration. Offering a Web interface for control from any device with a web browser (no installation required), the video server provides a wide range of supported wrappers and codecs for media contribution and video play out with time delay playback. Insight’s flexible event processor allows users to connect multiple devices and interact with FOR-A production video switchers, routing switchers, CG generators, GPIO-connected devices and other studio equipment to orchestrate event triggering for a seamless production.

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