Working with Imagine Communications, SPOTV operates a scalable, fully automated playout system based on Imagine’s Versio integrated playout platform and ADC automation.
SPOTV, South Korean linear and digital sports content provider, broadcasts the top ranking international and Asian sports programming across the region, including Wimbledon, the US Open, MotoGP, ROSHN Saudi League and Major League Baseball, among others. Wanting to upgrade the quality of their services and meet growing audience demands, SPOTV looked for reliable playout infrastructure that can expand as their needs change to support their channel playout requirements into the near future.
A more immediate need is fast-turnaround live sports transmission for regional channels in Southeast Asia from a teleport and broadcast centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia’s innovation hub located to the south of Kuala Lumpur. A number of multinational companies and data centres are also located in the city.
Fully Automated Playout
Choosing to work with Imagine Communications, SPOTV now operates a turnkey, fully automated playout system based on Imagine’s Versio integrated playout platform and ADC automation. The system is integrated to cover the entire playout workflow and simplify their operations, and is built to scale easily to adapt to changes.
"Imagine Communications understood our requirements and equipped us with a tightly integrated, highly reliable playout infrastructure that can grow as our needs change," said Prakash Maniam, Head of Broadcast Operations and Engineering at SPOTV. Before investing Versio, the company was aware that the platform is in general use around the world at media companies from single channel entities to large, multichannel environments and master control operations. Praksh commented, “We are confident that this modern system will be able to support our channel playout requirements for years to come."
SPOTV's new channel origination workflow is built on Versio with embedded instances of ADC automation software, which integrates with many diverse devices and business systems and helps to maintain an efficient, interoperable workflow environment. With a fully redundant, high availability 6+2 configuration, the workflow can handle failure of two components beyond the 6 it needs to function normally.
The ADC platform for content control and delivery, incorporates asset management functionality with automated operations, distributing content efficiently, regardless of format.
Transmission Chain
Imagine's Nexio+ AMP high-performance video servers manage content ingest while automatically detecting input formats and integrating with nearly any control application, scaling to hundreds of MOS-compatible channels – with internal or external storage. Combining HP Enterprise Gen11 servers and Imagine software/hardware bundles, users can run software-defined applications that maintain high quality for all broadcast codecs and high-availability playout and ingest.
Material is managed and workflow control is handled by Versio Content Portal, part of the Versio modular ecosystem. It works as the common file orchestration layer, managing SPOTV’s storage inventory and file movement. By helping to manage the required playout assets such as video, audio or graphics, it supports efficient control of key workflows.
Finally, Nexio Motion asset management software, a utility layer that forms a connectivity and workflow path between Versio and Nexio, makes sure the correct content is loaded onto the Versio instances in plenty of time for scheduled playout.
Tiered Set-ups
Versio integrated playout is available in tiered set-ups to suit various budgets and channel creation needs. In a compact form factor, it comes with the full range of playout capabilities – advanced graphics insertion, Key and Fill support, live master control switching, SCTE insertion, audio shuffling, loudness control and so on – which means SPOTV is able to limit the number of physical devices in its transmission chain. Moreover, the platform's single-user interface simplifies operations and eases monitoring and maintenance.
"We’re pleased to have SPOTV among the media companies around the world who have adopted Versio as their playout platform," said Mathias Eckert, SVP & GM EMEA and APAC for Imagine Communications. "This implementation supports SPOTV's work in live sports broadcast in the region, improving efficiency and preparing them the future."
The new playout system at SPOTV was implemented in association with local Imagine partner and systems integrator JAA Systems (JAA.S). www.imaginecommunications.com
