Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 16, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At IBC 2008, Sony is presenting its optimised metadata workflow and expanded HDXchange functions. The company is also reinforcing its leadership in networked production through numerous new customers adopting the IT-based SONAPS and HDXchange workflow solutions. Broadcasters moving to SONAPS include Telecinco and SKAI, while Cosmos TV in Romania, Alfa TV in Macedonia, AC Roma in Italy and TV Vijesti in Montenegro are among those introducing HDXchange.
You & Sony: customers inspire technical innovation
No other solutions provider offers a more comprehensive portfolio for networked production, ranging from the extensive, sophisticated functionality of SONAPS to the simpler HDXchange workflow. Drawing on decades of experience in networked production and complex systems integration, Sony is presenting a file-based workflow at IBC that combines the best of XDCAM, ENPS and SONAPS and can, if required, connect with third-party products as an integrated solution.
For smaller broadcasters and production companies, Sony is introducing a new HDXchange version that supports 200,000 clips and integrates easily with an XDCAM EX workflow. Visitors can also preview XPRI NS integration.
Alongside advances in SONAPS and HDXchange, Sony is showing the latest metadata-workflow developments for more efficient file-based transfer in live production. The innovation is demonstrated with five Sony Ericsson X1 mobile phones in a typical broadcaster workflow.
SONAPS simplifies news and sports production
Sony’s Professional Services team is helping a growing number of major broadcasters future-proof live production. Recent examples include Spain’s Telecinco and Greece’s SKAI, which optimised their workflows and implemented customised SONAPS solutions.
Telecinco purchased a comprehensive latest-generation SONAPS solution and extensive XDCAM equipment, including around 150 PDW-1500 decks, PDW-U1 drives and PDW-530 camcorders, replacing its Betacam SP equipment across all production areas. XDCAM is fully integrated with SONAPS for news to provide an optimised networked-production environment.
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Sony is currently installing SONAPS in N24’s advanced news studio. The project includes extensive systems integration, training and support. The company’s television and online activities are being consolidated in the former Debis building at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. SONAPS supports the workflow throughout production and editorial operations by connecting journalists’ workstations and managing all content for television, internet and mobile delivery.
SONAPS is already used by numerous broadcasters inside and outside Europe, including Canal+ in France. Sony Professional Services also developed a customised SONAPS system for news and sports production at Russia’s RTR. After extensive testing, the broadcaster used the system at the Beijing Olympic Games. Sony architects, engineers and project managers from Russia, the United Kingdom and Japan worked closely with SOBEY experts in China to create a simple, efficient system accessible even to inexperienced users. Content produced by editors during the Olympics was processed for archiving, postproduction, playout and transfer to third parties. Around 50 to 60 sporting events were recorded each day in China, generating roughly 700 hours of HD material that was transferred to SONAPS for processing. The system proved to be the reliable heart of the broadcast operation.
New workflows for television stations and production companies with HDXchange
More than 70 HDXchange systems are already in service across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and demand continues to grow. Recent customers include Fofic in the Netherlands, Pro-Video in Serbia, AVC-Video in Croatia and GS Design in Greece. HDXchange is an important part of the XDCAM success story and is distinguished by simple installation, operation and maintenance.
Regional Romanian broadcaster Cosmos TV is currently the largest HDXchange customer, operating more than 40 streams on an HDXchange Extreme architecture with 30 TB of DDN storage. To optimise its complete workflow, the broadcaster wanted a proven end-to-end Sony solution with straightforward support.
Italian football club AS Roma also uses Sony’s easy-to-operate, efficient HDXchange solution for its own channel. For live studio, production and playout, the club selected Sony’s HDX Extreme solution with HP NAS, PlayBox integration and Final Cut Pro editors. It supports traditional broadcasting and web exploitation, while offering archive options for larger future requirements.
“From customised SONAPS solutions to ready-to-run HDXchange systems, Sony offers the broadest range of scalable, high-performance networked-production solutions covering the complete workflow,” says Roger Stephens of Sony Europe. “Demand for IT-based systems continues to rise in every country, and is currently particularly strong in Eastern Europe and the CIS.”
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