10 Sep 2008
Miranda partners with Pebble Beach Systems to offer highly automated playout system with rich graphics, and easier transition to IT-based operations
Miranda Technologies has partnered with Pebble Beach Systems to offer a highly automated, multi-channel playout system with rich graphics, and an easier transition path to IT-based operations.
'Unlike other IT-based playout equipment, which typically offers minimal interfacing with legacy hardware and control systems, the new Miranda and Pebble Beach integration allows broadcasters to retain their existing systems, while migrating cost-effectively and securely to more streamlined playout', says David Jones, Senior Vice-President - Playout and Graphics, at Miranda.
The system is based on a tight integration between Pebble Beach's Neptune automation and Anchor media management, and Miranda's Xchannel playout server with advanced graphics.
'We understand that migration to IT-based solutions will be a gradual process', said Ian Cockett, Technical Director at Pebble Beach. 'Not many customers can afford to take the risk of big-bang solutions, and it's essential to be able to fit new equipment alongside existing architectures. Our combined solution can fit painlessly into existing traffic and media management workflows.'
Miranda's Xchannel reduces capital costs by combining a video server, master control switcher, and a branding processor, all in one, highly integrated device. It's operated by standard server and branding automation protocols, making it easy to integrate with existing automation systems. Xchannel is ideal for playing out the most demanding graphics, such as complex interstitial and in-show promos, using Miranda's XmediaSuite 'smart templates' for real-time data-driven graphics with advanced logic.
Coupled with IT-based storage systems, Pebble Beach's Anchor media management can be used to intelligently move clips and graphics to and from the Xchannel playout and branding servers. The Anchor system integrates closely with the Xmedia Suite graphics management tools to ensure that the correct content is delivered in a timely fashion to the correct Xchannels.
This rich integration allows the Pebble Beach automation to manage secondary branding events directly, driving the graphics engine in the Xchannel, to perform highly efficient graphic template population, rather than relying purely on pre-rendered graphics or external databases. Miranda's manual graphics control capabilities can be used in parallel with this automation to allow triggering of graphics during live content.
For more information about Miranda's Xchannel. visit www.miranda.com/xchannel, and for further details about Pebble Beach automation, visit www.pebble.tv.
