Antenna Cyprus Boosts Channel Playout Efficiency and Expandability With Industry-Leading Harmonic Spectrum(TM) Media Server

Harmonic the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure announced that Antenna Cyprus has upgraded its channel playout infrastructure with the installation of a Spectrum(TM) media server system at its Nicosia, Cyprus, broadcast facility. Supporting file-based operations while ensuring reliable and scalable playout, the Harmonic solution has allowed Antenna Cyprus to realize greater efficiency, from ingest to editing to archive, and to lay the foundation for a smooth migration to HD playout. 

"We chose to upgrade to the Spectrum media server system because of its excellent reputation, as well as its robust capabilities and simple scalability," said Michael Dallas, technical director at Antenna Cyprus. "The server system enables us to accept and work with a variety of file types, which is increasingly important as more and more content - from commercials to sports coverage - is being delivered to our facilities via file transfer. The ease with which we can move files around our facility has brought real time savings to our operations. As we look toward HD playout and the launch of additional channels, we're confident the Harmonic system will best support fast and cost-effective expansion." 

 The Spectrum media server system, comprised of Media Director(TM) server controllers, MediaPort(TM) real-time video encoder/decoders, and MediaStore(TM) storage arrays, reflects Harmonic's expertise in broadcast media technologies, as well as the best practices of information technology. Boasting wide format and wrapper support, along with open networking protocols that enable direct access to content by any file-based media application, the server system makes it easy for Antenna Cyprus to ingest file-based content, transfer media to the Avid® Media Composer® nonlinear editing system for editing, and play out programming and commercials in a streamlined end-to-end workflow. 

 As Antenna Cyprus evolves, the Harmonic solution will enable the broadcaster to scale channels, storage, bandwidth, and redundancy independently in smart, cost-effective increments. The Spectrum system's modular design assures that such upgrades can be performed without interruption of regular playout operations.

"As the established market leader in media servers, Spectrum is the ideal platform for streamlining media production and broadcast operations, and implementing file-based workflows," said Liron Nitzan, regional sales manager for Cyprus at Harmonic. "The modular architecture of the Spectrum system enables broadcasters to realize efficient tapeless television operations while maintaining maximum reliability and flexibility."

 Athens-based Pierides TechnoSystems (PTS), Harmonic's channel partner and a leading broadcast industry systems integrator in the region, provided delivery, installation, and support.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/technology-news/item/3408-antenna-cyprus-boosts-channel-playout-efficiency-and-expandability-with-industry-leading-harmonic-spectrum-tm-media-server.htmlSource: http://cablequest.org/news/technology-news/item/3408-antenna-cyprus-boosts-channel-playout-efficiency-and-expandability-with-industry-leading-harmonic-spectrum-tm-media-server.html