Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 9, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The project is intended to implement five plus one functionally identical HD/SD-capable playout systems, which will be integrated into ZDF’s digital production landscape.
The playout systems must be available to television operations with high reliability 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. According to Studio Hamburg Media Consult International (MCI), the project has a planned duration of approximately 30 months. However, the first of the six playout systems in total will be fully functional and ready for operation by the launch of ARD & ZDF HDTV, the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in February 2010, it adds.
The ZDF main channel, ZDF Info, ZDF Neo and ZDF Theaterkanal, as well as 3sat programming, will be handled via the playout systems. The technology will be migrated during ongoing operation, the company explains.
The renewal of the playout systems is a very large, highly complex IT project, says Ralf Schimmel, Managing Director of MCI. On average, 15 MCI engineers and technicians are responsible for carrying out the project in close cooperation with ZDF, Schimmel adds.
Alongside the six playout systems, each with an associated continuity-control room, the order also includes equipping the ingest and acceptance rooms and the Multiplex and Compression Center.
Harris Nexio systems are used as playout servers and controlled by Pebble Beach Automation, MCI explains. The programme mixers and redundant routers come from Evertz, and the entire fibre-optic infrastructure is also supplied by the Canadian manufacturer. The Lynx modular series for signal distribution and an extensive FTP server system from storage specialist Isilon will also be integrated, it adds.
In addition to integrating all broadcast-technology components, MCI is also supplying and integrating the Content Management System (CMS). An automated file-check and transcoding system will also be integrated. The transcoding system is responsible for upconverting SD formats for HDTV playout. Also noteworthy is the software-based News Crawl System included in the order, which is being developed by MCI. The MCI workshops will plan, manufacture and install all technical furniture on site according to the customer’s wishes, the company explains.
The order was placed at the end of August 2009. Following a ten-week lead time, assembly began in October. The first of the six playout systems was handed over to ZDF at the end of 2009.
Further links:
- Further information
Further information
Further information
Further information
