First published on TV Technolohy Website, May 2011

- Global programme syndication and content validation enable AWR to offer its programmes as internet-delivered podcasts.
- Pharos Mediator greatly increases audience-accessibility to AWR content, making each programme available worldwide as soon as completed rather than having to be held in a transmission queue.
- Mediator integrates AWR's entire global content production and distribution network using the Amazon cloud infrastructure. Programme content can be uploaded from regional studios and producers, some of whom operate in locations with restricted social and transport infrastructure.
- Pharos Mediator is capable of processing hundreds of programmes each day, transcoding as required using Rhozet's Carbon Coder.
-The Pharos installation is expandable to handle future audio and video distribution platforms as they are developed.
-The Amazon charge system is based on actual traffic supported by precise statistics which are appreciated by the philanthropists who fund AWR. This is much more precise than with radio where the only statistics available are the number of letters sent by readers in response to a specific programme.


The Pharos solution
Once an AWR audio file is ingested into the system, Mediator automatically verifies and renames it before and assigning it to the relevant broadcaster. This saves a lot of repetitive manual activity and eliminates the possibility of human error. Mediator's internal scheduler dictates which file is to play and at what time. All file movements are electronically logged to ensure that files are ready when and where required.

Mediator gives AWR the resources it needs to repurpose content for multiple platforms. Programmes created for broadcast via radio and satellite can be seamlessly converted into podcasts for general internet-based distribution as well as for specific platforms such as the Apple iPhone, laptops or the Megavoice Ambassador low-cost solar-powered audio player. Mediator can also process text, photo and video files.

Mediator's integral playout automation allows AWR to automate the aggregation and publication of shortwave radio and podcast content to 13 distribution sites worldwide. Seven of these sites forward content to a variety of third-party automation systems, while the remaining six distribute transcoded audio and metadata to staging media for web-based podcasting.


Implementation
The Pharos Mediator system installed at AWR runs on a blade server powered by an Oracle database. AWR's Mediator generates content and pushes it out to the Amazon cloud platform. The Amazon cloud distributes AWR's content worldwide and forms a secure bridge between the listener-access content-request interface and Mediator. Once the content is generated, an AWR web interface operates as a front end to the cloud. Listeners request audio files simply by pressing a play icon on the relevant AWR web page. The requested file is then pulled from the nearest server on the Amazon cloud, ensuring efficient distribution. Audiences access only the local layer, each specific listener's audio file request being played directly to the user.

Mediator's remote approvals workflow uses desktop browse to trigger a cumulative XML export of new and approved content. This is picked up by Google's FeedBurner and transformed into iTunes and other metadata-rich podcast formats.



Customer quotes
"Mediator provides a single platform handling incoming content, quality control, scheduling, asset management, statistics and reporting," adds AWR global resource engineer Andrew Gungadoo. "It frees our operators to focus their efforts on content and reduces the risk of implementing new distribution technologies as these become available."

"Preparing content using Mediator allows our audience to search our programmes using keywords in their own language," comments AWR web manager Marvin King. "Someone interested in Russian programmes addressing topics such as alcohol-addition, family life, or salvation will be able to search for these. Mediator also provides us with productivity features such as automated quality control which makes it easier for managers to check file integrity before programmes go online."


Case summary
The Adventist church has a long history of media-based communication, having grown out of the Millerite movement of the 1840s which made intensive use of print media. Pharos Mediator gives AWR a highly efficient basis for the co-ordination of its radio broadcast activity, and to expand its reach via the internet. File-based content received online or via CD from 80 regional studios is ingested to Mediator, checked if necessary for editorial or technical quality, and then transferred to transmission servers with the option of additional spot check prior to being made available on-air or online. Online listeners gain the freedom to hear AWR productions without waiting for a scheduled radio transmission and can also access post-transmission archived content. Mediator provides a single fully co-ordinated content management structure controlling workflow from ingest right through to on-air and online playout.

At NAB this year, we will be showcasing the Mediator content management platform fully integrated with the Evertz Media Stream Servers and Evertz Overture in a complete TV Station scenario.

New for 2011: Mediator now includes advanced broadcast automation for multi casting and studio play out.

To arrange a meeting, please call our sale team on + 44 (0) 1189 50 2323 or email nab@pharos.tv.

About Pharos Communications Limited

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

About Pharos Communications Limited
Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

About Evertz Microsystems Limited.
Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Burlington, Canada, Evertz designs, manufactures and markets video and audio infrastructure equipment for the production, post production, broadcast and internet protocol television ("IPTV") industry. The Company's solutions are purchased by content creators, broadcasters, specialty channels and television service providers to support their increasingly complex multi-channel digital and high definition television ("HDTV") broadcast environments and by telecommunications companies to roll-out IPTV. The Company's products allow its customers to generate additional revenue while reducing costs through the more efficient signal routing, distribution, monitoring and management of content as well as the automation of previously manual processes.

"OpenFARM offers broadcasters freedom to add third-party-software modules to their content management systems in essentially the same way that they select hardware for their central apparatus room," comments Pharos Commercial Director Roger Heath. "It unites the worlds of signal-processing and media asset management to form essentially a single market-place."

"Implementing OpenFARM means that anyone in future wanting to construct metadata-discovery algorithms can concentrate on a specific objective without having to build an entire operating framework," explains Pharos Chief Technical Officer Spencer Rodd. "This brings obvious advantages for broadcasters, asset-management system suppliers and software plug-in designers alike. As an initial part of our involvement in OpenFARM, we have created two example plug-ins. One detects video scene boundaries. The other converts programme credits into searchable text which is used to create metadata such as the names and titles of performers and production crew. We also put an Open Farm interface into Mediator so the data from each plug-in becomes an accessible resource. It works.

"The broadcast industry has many applications for media analysis," adds Dr James Orwell, Kingston University Academic Contributor and senior manager of the OpenFARM project. "The OpenFARM framework enables any given broadcast system to integrate any chosen analysis component. This benefits broadcast users by allowing them to add to their tool set without significant disruption, and it also creates opportunities for any given tool to be deployed more widely. The OpenFARM framework is freely available to any company that wants to develop plug-ins or use third-party plug-ins in its own systems. It provides a simple execution environment for analysis components in a robust and scalable system. An example plug-in signal processing algorithm, the framework, source code and the control centre can all be downloaded for evaluation from the OpenFARM website (www.openfarm.tv)."

"Pharos has worked with the Knowledge Transfer Partnership on this project for over a year and have achieved very positive results," Roger Heath summarises. "The partnership itself is very well organised, suggesting development avenues, ensuring that we meet targets, that we have documented what we have done, and that the outputs we produce are there."

Pharos Mediator 4 is a complete content management and workflow platform for video and audio content preparation. A Web-browser user interface provides users and operators with the tools they need to access and view all material at the desktop in a manner which is easy to understand, including content browsing, task prioritising and automatic alerts. Incorporating industry-leading technology Oracle, Java and Adobe Flash as well as utilising MXF and BXF standard files, Mediator manages content efficiently from ingest and quality assessment through to publishing and playout.

The OpenFARM project was developed by Kingston University and Pharos with the backing of Knowledge Transfer Partnership, a scheme partly funded by the British government to encourage collaboration between businesses and universities. Over the past 30 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and its predecessor (the Teaching Company Scheme) have created new opportunities to break into new technologies, new markets, new processes and production methods. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships has broadened its remit from the physical and social sciences to the include disciplines such as the arts, the media, and the social environment. See www.ktponline.org.uk

Filipe Martins (OpenFARM Lead Software Engineer) and Jeremy Blythe (OpenFARM Chief Software Architect) will be promoting the project during IBC 2010, based on Pharos stand 10.D31.

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally. See www.pharos.tv

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"Content owners looking for a content management system to automate material and metadata delivery for On-Demand & Mobile distribution should consider Mediator 4," comments Pharos Commercial Director Roger Heath. "The Mediator Content Delivery Module provides unprecedented workflow efficiency by integrating new media content preparation with existing programme material processes. Media logistic features include automatic transcoding of assets for each specified delivery platform, plus the ability to combine playout and on-demand infrastructures. The Mediator 4 platform is core for any content-focused business looking to increase revenues through the use of existing media, delivering tightly coupled targeted advertising, promotions and branding whilst keeping operating costs under control."

Pharos Mediator 4 is a complete content management and workflow platform for video and audio content preparation. A Web-browser user interface provides users and operators with the tools they need to access and view all material at the desktop in a manner which is easy to understand, including content browsing, task prioritising and automatic alerts. Incorporating industry-leading technology Oracle, Java and Adobe Flash as well as utilising MXF and BXF standard files, Mediator manages content efficiently from ingest and quality assessment through to publishing and playout.

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

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"Pharos produces a highly coordinated range of broadcast content management control solutions centred on Mediator which allows practically every element of television and radio channel operation to be handled efficiently," Elaine comments. "I first became familiar with Mediator while working at Viasat. We began using the system in June 2006 and I later ran a three-month training course for the transmission department. Mediator is controlled from networked desktop computers displaying Web-style pages. These give operators the exact information they require to perform each aspect of their duties quickly and confidently. Mediator is very easy to drive whether approached from a task-specific perspective or in total. Once incoming content has been ingested into the system, everything is handled on-screen. A huge improvement on the old days of moving tapes and disks physically to and from a library, and hoping your content arrived in a playable form."

Also supporting the Pharos training resource is Andy Benning who recently rejoined the company from Miranda. Andy's focus will be on providing an information bridge between the Pharos development team and colleagues in sales and other departments, ensuring that all Pharos staff have a good understanding of the company's capabilities.

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and an increasing number of new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

"Mediator is already used for ingest, media workflow, transfer management, router control and playout operations at Bush House," comments Nigel Fry, Head of Transmission & Distribution at BBC World Service. "Our objective was to ensure that core programme output could be kept on air in an emergency affecting our normal operations. A rules-based data export ensures that the backup system is kept up-to-date with content which can be used at any time."

The new configuration can be operated on a push-from-main or pull-from-auxiliary basis. Both the new and the existing Mediator installations are based on an enterprise architecture providing user-access from PC workstations running standard web browsers. Task-specific Web-based display screens guide operators through workflow and allow desktop search and browse of any material."

Pharos Mediator is a complete broadcast content management and workflow platform capable of handling studio control, post-production and multichannel playout. Web-browser-based user interfaces running on desktop computers provide operators with the tools they need in a style which is easy to understand, including content browsing, task prioritising and automatic alerts. Pharos Mediator manages content efficiently for media logistics, streamlining library management, ingest and quality assessment, right through to compliance, promotions management and approvals.

The BBC World Service is the world's leading international broadcaster. It provides programmes and content for radio, television, online and mobile phones in English and 31 other languages. Hundreds of reporters and specialist correspondents bring impartial news reports, documentaries and analysis from around the globe. BBC World Service also offers a mix of other programming from arts, business and culture to drama, science and sport. BBC World Service is one part of the collected international-facing television, radio and online services which form BBC Global News.

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and an increasing number of new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

The full integration of Playtime into Mediator 4 provides advanced broadcast automation functions that help broadcasters and service-providers publish content for a wide variety of distribution channels. Mediator 4 now has the ability to manage presentation requirements and content independently based on schedule priority and media-management workflows.

Another major new feature of Mediator 4 is an enhanced metadata system supporting services such as video-on-demand, .com, podcasting and mobile are launched.

Pharos Mediator is built around the Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) concept to aid speedy implementation and to provide flexibility for future products and services. Key elements such as the Mediator interface, device control, workflow and messaging are based on the best tools for the job and include Oracle, Java, Flash and industry standards such as MXF and BXF. Close integration of media asset management, workflow, playout and automation within Mediator 4 reduces the complexity and costs associated with the task repetition across multiple systems.

Exhibiting on stand 7J2-06, Pharos will be represented at Broadcast Asia by senior team members including Spencer Rodd, Patrick Keys, Tim Butler and Jonathan Yong .They will be available to answer questions and conduct real-time demonstrations showing how Pharos technology has helped international clients including Ascent Media, BBC World Service, HBO and MTV.

Founded in 1997, Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third-party infrastructure management. Pharos solutions today handle millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and an increasing number of new media distribution networks. Pharos is an open company embracing open standards. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally.

The Pharos Mediator program will integrate the company's multiple broadcast systems - including Open Text Digital Asset Management, OmniBus iTX and Pilat IBMS - into a seamless and unified operation of activities at every stage of Corus' ingest, archiving, transmission and content delivery process.

"We selected Pharos Mediator based on its proven track record for delivering highly integrated workflow programs with the flexibility to meet new and demanding broadcast environments," said Scott Dyer, Chief Technology Officer, Corus Entertainment. "We were also impressed with the depth of knowledge and experience shown by the Pharos team and we look forward to implementing Mediator in the coming months."

Pharos Mediator's automated "content centric" workflow engine requires minimal manual intervention and will help Corus meet its commitment to providing viewers with unprecedented access to its programming on multiple platforms including high definition, on-demand, mobile devices and online.

"One of the major strengths of the Pharos Mediator platform is its deep support for industry standards and third party systems which is essential for organizations that wish to create a best of breed environment," explained Glen Sakata, General Manager for Pharos Communications in the Americas. "The power of our workflow system and the substantial number of operational interfaces we provide will allow Corus to perform the vast majority of their end-to-end workflow using a consistent and highly flexible browser based environment, helping to improve efficiency across the organization."

The project will be led by Siemens who will be working closely with Pharos on the project, which is expected to go live in the latter part of the year. "This physical move and technological transformation is something that few media organizations have the opportunity to accomplish," said Holger Kormann, Vice President, Siemens IT Solutions and Services, Inc. "Siemens is pleased to contribute our expertise in technology innovation and media asset management to such an important project. We look forward to working with quality companies like Pharos to deliver to Corus the benefits of Pharos' expertise in automated workflow management. Automated workflow management is a crucial element of the new Corus content management system and will provide substantial benefits to Corus and its customers."

About Corus Quay
Corus Quay, the new base of operations for Corus Entertainment, brings more than 1,100 Corus employees together into an ambitious and technologically sophisticated state-of-the-art broadcast and production facility that is destined to become a community landmark on Toronto's waterfront.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, CosmoTV, VIVA, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW, CFOX, CKOI, 98,5 FM, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Pharos
Pharos customers around the world benefit from an enterprise approach in all areas of traditional broadcast and new media operations. Pharos software solutions improve workflow and increase efficiency for broadcasters and service providers in television, radio, VOD and mobile publishing.

Since 1997 Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third party infrastructure management. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally. Today millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and the increasing number of new media distribution networks, now benefit from the unique Pharos approach to integrated creativity, workflow and media logistics.

Pharos solutions offer a next-generation platform to better manage multi-format content and enable rapid expansion in playout, presentation and publishing. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise.

Pharos is an open company embracing open standards; we are proud of our people and of our unique development philosophy. Potential clients are welcome to inspect our development methods and fully evaluate the Pharos software platform and its unique distributed systems architecture.

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Installed over 250m2, this platform will offer services in digitization, storage, archive, post-production, transcoding and distribution in both SD/HD. Pharos will equip and integrate the platform with Media Asset Management and automation capabilities. Uniquely in the marketplace, this technology will make it possible starting from just one digital master to distribute any audio-visual program in a linear and nonlinear manner in all types of format on any types of distributors platform (VOD, catch-up, IPTV, mobile etc). The customers will be able to manage their own media via a custom interface in the form of Web-services. Pixagility platform is initially set to distribute 15 television channels SD or HD, to store several hundred Terabytes and to transcode more than 100 hours of material per day.

"This partnership with Pharos illustrates our will to bring a technical ground-breaking innovation to the French market that is able to answer the tightened budgets of channel editors, with the modes of consumption increasingly pressed for time and pressure from the public at large", declares Ronan Lunven, President de Pixagilty. "We are very excited to work with the Pharos team which is one of the world leaders in the content management solutions and who has the experience of working with the most demanding customers".
With this partnership, Pixagility is based on a technology already tested in Europe, Asia and America by players such as Ascent Media, Red Bee, Technicolor, Globecast, BBC, , and MTV.

Created in 1997, Pharos is based in Reading in the suburbs of London. Pixagility marks the arrival of Pharos (www.pharos.tv) on the French market.

About Pixagility: Created in June 2009, Pixagility is a new broadcast service provider, offering services to television channels and telecoms operators. Pixagility has a global offering: operating production sets for information and sport channels, services on a multi-channel platform, playout and consulting.. Pixagility was founded by Ronan Lunven who has twenty years of experience in the audio-visual field. More information can be found at www.pixagility.tv

PIXAGILITY SIGNE UN PARTENARIAT EXCLUSIF AVEC PHAROS

Spécialiste européen de solutions broadcast, Pharos équipera la nouvelle plateforme de services SD/HD multi-canal de l'opérateur Pixagility.

Boulogne - Billancourt, le 22 mars 2010, Pixagility, l'opérateur alternatif de la prestation
technique audiovisuelle, annonce la signature d'un partenariat inédit avec la société Pharos dans le cadre du développement de sa plateforme de services dont le lancement est prévu en juillet 2010.

Installée sur 250m2, cette plateforme offrira des services de numérisation, stockage, transcodage, publication et distribution multi-canal SD/HD. Pharos équipera la lateforme en solutions de Media Asset Management et d'automation. Unique sur le marché, cette offre technologique permettra à partir d'une seule numérisation de distribuer tout programme audiovisuel de façon linéaire et non linéaire dans tous types de format et sur tous types de plateforme (VOD, catch-up, IPTV, mobilité, ...). Les clients pourront via une interface client sous forme de web-services visualiser et gérer leurs propres médias. La plateforme est initialement dimensionnée pour distribuer jusqu'à 15 chaînes de télévision SD ou HD, de stocker plusieurs centaines de To et de transcoder/publier plus de 100 heures par jour.
« Ce partenariat avec Pharos illustre notre volonté d'apporter une solution technique innovante sur le marché français capable de répondre aux économies resserrées des éditeurs de chaînes et aux modes de consommation de plus en plus éclatés dans le temps et dans l'espace du grand public., déclare Ronan Lunven, Président de Pixagilty. « Nous sommes très excités de travailler avec les équipes de Pharos qui est un des leader mondial dans les solutions de gestion de contenus et qui a l'habitude de travailler avec les clients les plus exigeants ».

Avec ce partenariat, Pixagility s'appuie sur une technologie déjà éprouvée en Europe, en Asie et en Amérique par des acteurs comme Ascent Media, Red Bee, Technicolor, Globecast, BBC, et MTV. Créée en 1997, Pharos est basée à Reading dans la banlieue de Londres.

Pixagility marque l'arrivée de Pharos (www.pharos.tv ) sur le marché français.
- FIN -

A propos de Pixagility :
Créée en juin 2009, Pixagility est une nouvelle société de prestations de services techniques dans un modèle d'outsourcing, au service des chaînes de télévision et des opérateurs télécom. Elle propose une offre globale intégrant le conseil, la production de plateau pour les chaînes d'information et de sport, une plateforme de service, la ontinuité d'antenne et la diffusion de programmes. Elle a été fondée par Ronan Lunven qui bénéficie de 20 années d'expérience dans le domaine de la prestation audiovisuelle.
Plus d'information sur www.pixagility.tv

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For its ninth year attending the event in Las Vegas, Pharos will show full integration of Playtime into Mediator 4, providing a functionally advanced broadcast automation system that helps broadcasters and service providers publish content for both traditional channels and new media. Mediator 4 now has the ability to separately manage presentation requirements and content independently based on schedule priority and media management workflows.

Additional enhancements to Mediator 4 include an advanced metadata system allowing information to be added as new delivery platforms such as On Demand, .com, podcasting and mobile are launched. Combined with detailed workflow analytics, ongoing system optimization and maintenance can finally keep pace with a constantly evolving business environment.

Over the course of NAB 2010, senior Pharos team members will be available to answer questions and conduct real-time demos exemplifying how its technology has helped international clients across 40 countries including HBO, MTV, Turner CNN, BBC World Service and Ascent Media.

As Glen Sakata, Senior VP, Pharos Americas; explains, "The close integration between media asset management, workflow, playout and automation within our Mediator 4 platform is helping to reduce the complexity and costs associated with the repetition of the same tasks across multiple systems."

Pharos Mediator is built around the Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) concept to aid speedy implementation and to provide flexibility for future products and services. Key elements such as the Mediator interface, device control, workflow and messaging are designed based on the best tools for the job and include Oracle, Java, Flash and key industry standards such as MXF and BXF.

"Using a Service Oriented Architecture we provide a platform that is able to grow and adapt as our clients explore new business models, processes, delivery methods and content types. This agility is vital in a production and broadcast environment that is evolving rapidly and a key differentiator that defines Pharos as a true innovator within our industry." Sakata adds.

Visit Pharos at NAB booth N3719

About Pharos
Pharos customers around the world benefit from an enterprise approach in all areas of traditional broadcast and new media operations. Pharos software solutions improve workflow and increase efficiency for broadcasters and service providers in television, radio, VOD and mobile publishing.

Since 1997 Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third party infrastructure management. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally. Today millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and the increasing number of new media distribution networks, now benefit from the unique Pharos approach to integrated creativity, workflow and media logistics.

Pharos solutions offer a next-generation platform to better manage multi-format content and enable rapid expansion in playout, presentation and publishing. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise.

Pharos is an open company embracing open standards; we are proud of our people and of our unique development philosophy. Potential clients are welcome to inspect our development methods and fully evaluate the Pharos software platform and its unique distributed systems architecture.
www.pharos.tv

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For its fourth year attending the event in Dubai, Pharos will be demonstrating Mediators strength in challenging multi-platform environments such as television, radio, VOD and mobile distribution.

For the first time, Pharos will be showing the full integration of Playtime into Mediator 4, providing a full-scale broadcast automation system that helps broadcasters and service providers publish content for both traditional channels and beyond.

Playtime allows the presentation requirements and content to be separated and managed independently according to schedule priority and media management workflows. Composing the output at transmission time based on business rules set for each target channel and distribution platform.

Additional enhancements to Mediator 4 include an advanced metadata system allowing information to be added, such as genre, cast, director and trivia. This information greatly enhances the value of content, making it simple to repurpose time and again for new delivery platforms such as VOD, podcasting and delivery to mobile platforms.

"By tightly integrating media asset management, workflow, playout and automation within our Mediator platform, our clients can reduce the complexity and repetition of performing the same tasks across multiple systems," explains Tim Butler, Solutions Architect.

"Consistent data is now available across the entire environments which allows workflow to be more efficient and enables operators to be truly multi-skilled - a growing requirement in our cost conscious industry." Butler adds.

Pharos has implemented its integrated Mediator 4 solution at a number of clients across the Middle East including a high profile project at twofour54, Abu Dhabi's state-of-the-art media precinct offering facilities to production houses and broadcasters to undertake their entire workflow from content generation, editing and delivery in HD.

Pharos will be demonstrating its full range of solutions on stand ZQ-24 at CABSAT 2010 from March 2nd to the 4th at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

About Pharos
Pharos customers around the world benefit from an enterprise approach in all areas of traditional broadcast and new media operations. Pharos software solutions improve workflow and increase efficiency for broadcasters and service providers in television, radio, VOD and mobile publishing.

Since 1997 Pharos has pioneered collaborative desktop workflow and integrated third party infrastructure management. The unique Mediator content management platform, with its integrated Playtime playout and Pilot control options, provides efficient tools to deliver multi-format content globally. Today millions of media assets across hundreds of television channels and the increasing number of new media distribution networks, now benefit from the unique Pharos approach to integrated creativity, workflow and media logistics.

Pharos solutions offer a next-generation platform to better manage multi-format content and enable rapid expansion in playout, presentation and publishing. Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise.

Pharos is an open company embracing open standards; we are proud of our people and of our unique development philosophy. Potential clients are welcome to inspect our development methods and fully evaluate the Pharos software platform and its unique distributed systems architecture.

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"Intaj Lights Up" by Vijaya Cherian on Nov 21, 2009

Last month, twofour54, Abu Dhabi's media precinct, launched a state-of-the-art facility called intaj, to provide production houses and broadcasters with a one-stop HD solution that will enable them to undertake their entire workflow from content generation and editing to delivery.

In more ways than one, intaj is thought to be unique. While it may not be the largest facility in the region, it's the only one that presently offers a media asset management facility service for the region besides providing industry-standard solutions for end users.

Intaj presently operates five studios and several post production suites from two sites in Abu Dhabi located at the National Theatre site and Khalifa Park. The former includes three large HD studios, post production suites, and MAM and archiving systems while the latter, which is located within twofour54's headquarters, comprises, in addition to two small HD studios and post production suites, a playout centre and satellite teleport as well.

Heading the facility is Hasan Sayed Hasan, a former winner of the Digital Studio Broadcast Engineer of the Year award.
Hasan says clients can access an end-to-end solution that spans across all departments or use a combination of services that their project requires.

"The system is built in a flexible way to allow various clients -- each one of them having a different requirement or wanting to work in a different workflow -- to do their work smoothly," he explains. Hasan leads the tour.

STUDIOS

Our first stop is at twofour54 intaj's three large studios that were being used at the time of going to press by Abu Dhabi TV's sports channel -- a clear indication that demand will rise in time. Intaj boasts five studios in all.

Ranging in size from a news studio of 60sqm to a large live audience entertainment production studio of 650sqm, each studio is sound proofed and equipped with fully saturated lighting rigs and soft infinity cycloramas.

"Each of our studios comes with a fully-equipped production gallery, corresponding green rooms, VIP rooms, and make-up and dressing rooms. Each client's individual lighting and studio configurations can be saved so they don't have to revisit their settings each time they come to the facility," explains Hasan.

"In addition, we have a dedicated production gallery for each studio. This ensures that the facility can record or air five live broadcast shows at the same time," he adds. Large "elephant doors" allow full drive-in access to the three larger studios at the National Theatre site.

The studios include dedicated storage facilities to store clients' sets and other paraphernalia.

STUDIO RECORDING

Next, we move on to the studio recording area. The Pharos Mediator plays a key role here. It is used to initiate studio recordings, and control routers and servers for recording live and studio feeds. Hasan explains how it works.

"To start the recording process, the material ID is entered together with other available metadata such as a nominal duration. The server can be cued and placed into record, which will continue until the specified duration is reached or the Stop button is pressed. The recording is automatically entered in the Mediator database and is available for further processing such as transcoding for browse," he says. Multiple record ports can also be triggered from a single panel to provide 'ganged' record functions. In the meantime, ingest can be triggered via a soft panel, mouse click or a physical panel.

STUDIO PLAY-IN

Pharos' Studio Playtime is available in the studio galleries to replace hardware control panels with an intuitive touchscreen-based interface.
"Operations in a busy gallery require random access to clips and multiple channels feeding the studio mixer. Studio playtime is optimised for busy studio gallery operations or other areas where manual assist operation is appropriate," Hasan explains.

Studio Playtime essentially provides a paged content selector, which allows the operator to select and play video clips across a number of server ports. The user interface panels allow the Mediator database to be searched, and clips to be dragged into the grid. These clips can then be cued for playout on the available ports and triggered when required either via the interface or from external triggers such as GPIs.
Full integration with the media management system enables clips to be selected from the entire library.

They are then automatically transferred to the relevant server when required.

The user interface at intaj is fully integrated with browse, allowing clips to be previewed and trimmed as required for playout, explains Hasan.

"It also presents the clips in a grid across a number of pages allowing large numbers of clips to be instantly available. These grids can be pre-built and recalled when required for use," he says.

VIDEO SERVERS

At each of the intaj sites, a shared pool of Avid Airspeeds is available to the Pharos automation system to share between the studios, lines and media management.

Each Airspeed provides a single input or output port when operating in HD mode such as, when combined with a DNxchange module, explains Hasan.

"The Airspeed can also be configured to operate with SD such as, for dubbing SD files back to an SD VTR in the Media Management area. The Airspeeds are controlled with the Pharos Pilot control system," explains Hasan.

In addition to the AVID ports, a shared pool of ports of Omneon Spectrum HD servers is also available to the Pharos automation system to share across the whole chain.

VISION SWITCHERS

In the production galleries, intaj has chosen to install the Sony MVS-8000GSF video switchers. The MKS-2700 device control engines offer direct control of servers and other RS422 devices.

Omran Abdallah, engineering director at twofour54 intaj says the MVS-8000G was chosen because of some powerful features such as a Re-sizer function (internal 2D DME) and built-in format converter.

"The MVS-8000G suits intaj's HD productions and is in line with its operational requirements. It offers full multi-format operation across a variety of SD and HD formats, customisable control panels with highly intelligible indicators and buttons, advanced networking with system peripherals, integrated control and maintenance, powerful M/E functions and effects, and complete system scalability," he explains.

"In addition, the integrated MVE-8000A multi-format DME processor provides a wide variety of effects such as 2D/3D and linear/non-linear transforms in both HDTV and SDTV video formats. The system then allows DME- wipes, processed key, and a wide variety of attractive effects that can be controlled from the control panel as if they were a part of the switcher functions," he adds.

MONITORING

Abdallah then points out to the high quality video monitoring feature at intaj. He explains that this is crucial for producers, directors, and control room operators, especially in HD environments.

"In line with this thinking, we have chosen high-quality seamless video walls as the main monitoring systems. For instance, Barco's OVF-715 series displays are used in the larger studios' galleries. These are fed by the Miranda Kaleido-X multiviewers. The OVF-715 70" video wall systems are designed and optimised for use in a 24/7 mission critical environment.

"The Barco projection engine provides a high-contrast rear projection-system. Brightness, contrast, and large viewing angles are tailored to the human eye providing maximum readability. Also, it features a Sense6 technology that provides consistently excellent video wall colour uniformity over time," he explains.

TALKBACK (INTERCOM)

An important facility is the TELEX KP32 talkback panels and interfaces that provide comprehensive facilities to all operators.
These systems are configured to access assigned cameras, any studio floor wireless and wired facilities and any destinations of the overall broadcast centre intercom system, whether internal or external, Abdallah confides.

ON-AIR GRAPHICS

Taking us through to the next feature is AbdelFattah El-Hammouri, intaj's production operations manager. He tells us that the AVID Deko Graphics systems are accessible by each studio with the help of the Deko 3000. The Deko systems give real-time HD or SD graphics and advanced effects for live production and newsroom integration; delivering real-time 3D motions, 3D DVE-style transitions, video clips, linked sound effects and animating true 3D models.

"They have broadcast-focused workflow using intelligent templates, multi-aspect composition, Photoshop layer associations, user-definable macros with auto-learn functionality and full Unicode and QuickTime file support.

The ClipDeko option allows real-time native HD/SD graphics processing and synchronised audio clip playback," he explains.

AUDIO

Based on the Calrec Omega with Bluefin and Hydra audio network, intaj's audio production facilities provide fully redundant audio production systems with HD 24 bit/ 48KHz, 5.1 Surround Sound format, Dolby E, D and D+ Encoding/ Decoding (ready), 64 Stereo Digital AES I/O, 52 mono Line Outputs and 92 Mic/mono line inputs for each studio.

Calrec's Hydra Network allows the studios to be "combined" providing some 192 digital I/O and 156 analog mono I/O, all controlled from within a single Omega Desk, of 224 channels, 56 A/B Faders. Each console from one studio can access and control the audio lines from any of the other studio floors.

intaj has carefully planned its production facilities. It has paid special attention to the digital and network audio solutions, fitting its audio production suites with DAWs, and several different types of audio players and recorders ranging from minidisks to Dolby and DTS Surround audio formats, provided with GSM and POTS Telephone Hybrids, and ISDN/ IP codecs.

"Our studios, post-production, and VO Rooms/ suites, are acoustically treated to the highest standards. They are fitted with highly fire retardant material, and extremely low noise cooling system, which is less than 20 dBA at floor level," claims Hasan.

POST-PRODUCTION

We then move to intaj's post production facilities. intaj currently has 22 HD post facilities comprising video editing suites, audio post production, graphics and high end compositing suites.

intaj's post-production systems are based on a combination of AVID and Apple systems for video post production, DigiDesign Pro-Tools for audio postproduction and a mix of Mac and Windows-based Graphics workstations with a variety of 2D and 3D software packages installed on them.

"Our HD video editing suites are non-linear and available in multi-resolution for offline and complete end-to-end finishing. The audio suites here are geared for 5.1 surround sound and equipped with Pro-tools HD systems," adds Hasan. All AVID suites are connected to AVID Unity ISIS Storage with a mirrored storage capacity of more than 66TB, explains Martin Roberts, post production manager at twofour54 intaj.

The ingest "house format" for the AVID "world" will be the DNxHD120, he says. "We plan to combine the offline/ online editing process as we don't have any bandwidth limitations to handle the edit of multiple HD streams. This will save our clients both time and money as no online conform is required. For more of our high-end work, where the client requires to work in uncompressed HD, we can re-ingest directly into the AVID DS10 high-end compositing suite's 16TB Raid storage, where any additional finishing and compositing can take place. The DS10 unit also allows us to work in all the digital film formats such as RED, ARRI and other film formats for DPX finishing," Roberts says.

He also claims that the AVID Interplay MAM system allows them to be more productive in the post, providing both flexibility and efficiency. "These client workflows are designed to ensure the process is smooth all the way from ingest to offline/online to finishing, compositing and grading through to the final stages of a 5.1 surround mix in our Pro-Tools suites and that metadata is carried through to all stages," he explains.

In the meantime, the FCP suites are connected to the ISILON server with a capacity of 28TB. Ingest is typically done in a central ingest room through the Omneon Spectrum HD servers.

Martin explains that the "house format" for the Final cut Pro suites is the 50 Mbps Long GOP codec (as used in XDCAM HD). "A very wide range of formats is supported depending on clients' requirements. Content can also be ingested into 4TB external units that, in turn, can be directed to the edit suite if uncompressed HD or SD is required. Two of the FCP suites have been upgraded to higher-end online suites containing colour grading software and hardware feature deep effect capabilities," he explains.

MEDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT

This is one of twofour54 intaj's unique features as it cliams to be the first media company in the region to provide comprehensive media management and digital archiving services to the industry.

"A high storage capacity archiving system coupled with a sophisticated content storage management solution is designed to facilitate complex content and storage environments at intaj," claims Hasan.

Heading this part of the project is Eilidh Brandon, media asset manager at intaj.

With Pharos Mediator as the ingest tool, the material is first passed to multiple environments including Avid, Apple FCP and the production studios, allowing for a centralised point of entry for the material across both sites.

The system can handle both SD and HD material in multiple file and tape formats from HDCAM SR, HDCAM, P2 & XDCAM to digital betacam as well as external and studio feeds all from one central point ensuring proper standardised ingest QC and metadata capture.

Pharos contexts and Avid Interplay provide secure workspaces for each client within the edit environments based around their preferred workflows. This, in turn, protects client confidentiality and asset security throughout their stay with intaj. Both Avid Interplay and Pharos Mediator allow clients to browse their material prior to their edits, enabling them to create EDLs, thereby, streamlining the entire edit process.

"Metadata is crucial in facilitating the client's project and communicating vital information," explains Brandon. "By following the set workflow, intaj is able to both store clients' content and enrich their metadata in centralised areas easily accessible to the client as and when required," she explains. In the meantime, two Sony Petasite datatape libraries are controlled across the two sites by Front Porch Digital's DivArchive Middleware.

The full library management service caters to both the physical and file-based assets, thereby, offering a safe and secure environment to store media content at any quality required by the client.

This provides easy access to the client's materials, allowing them to reuse them without loss of quality, as can happen with videotapes.

"This service can also cater to both the content producer or the owner's long and short term requirements ensuring that the assets are always available and secure," explains Brandon.

PLAYOUT AND UPLINK

Besides asset management, intaj also provides a HD-capable teleport and a 20-channel playout centre.

INFRASTUCTURE

Last but not the least is the Evertz EQX routing systems that lie at the core of the project. These systems offer format independent data paths, and support 3Gb/s signals including SD-SDI, HD-SDI, DVB-ASI, SMPTE 310M digital video formats as well as optical formats. They support four independent timing planes that provide independent SMPTE compliant switching for up to four different digital video signal formats.

The central routing format is HD video with embedded audio.

Engineering director Abdallah claims that this simplifies routing operations and ensures consistent audio/married video routing. "All of the studios include a set of incoming line synchronisers, de-embedders and outgoing circuit embedders that allow direct signal routings of synchronous or non synchronous external signals. Those are based on Snell's broadcast infrastructure modular products. The facilities are highly resilient and fully redundant in all stages starting from acquisition till delivery," he explains.

The two intaj sites are linked with the expandable, high bandwidth MPLS network, in addition to dark fibres. This network is shared between VOIP, ftp A/V transfers and metadata traffic.

"All of the systems at twofour54 intaj are fully HD. The systems are 1080i but the infrastructure is designed and set up for 1080p (3Gb/s) as this is the format of the future," explains Hasan.

However, the head of twofour54 intaj is quick to add that cutting edge technology is only part of the equation. He reiterates that what twofour54 intaj brings to the table is the "skills, the talent and the creative minds".

"intaj has sourced some of the best engineers, operators, editors, designers, and client services team from across different parts of the world. We have sourced people who have the right combination of technical expertise, creativity and client-facing skills to facilitate the creation of high-quality content from Abu Dhabi. Our team is what I believe will make twofour54 intaj stand out in this region," Hasan explains.

Key systems integrators
MAIN SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR: SONY Professional Solutions Middle East.
Sony undertook the deployment and integration of the production, post and MAM facilities. The main suppliers under the Sony umbrella include AVID, Pharos, Omneon, Apple, ISILON, Front Porch Digital, Telex, Calrec, Evertz, Miranda, Snell & Wilcox, Barco, Autocue, Sennheiser, Canon, Genelec, Cisco and Vinten.

LIGHTING: Oasis Enterprises.

PLAYOUT CENTRE & SATELLITE TELEPORT:

SES Astra. Key players include Publitronic, NDSatcom, Harris, Andrew and Harmonic.

LIGHTING AT INTAJ

The lighting system at intaj's studios is designed to be flexible and enable a quick shift in the lighting set up from one programme to another.

Lighting in studios

• 80 motorised lighting hoists with 3 × 3kw dimmable channels, 1 X non dim 16 amps, 1 X DMX output (46 motorised lighting hoists in Studios 2 and 3)
• Saturated lighting grid with Desisti Leonardo 1kw Fresnel
• Desisti Leonardo 2kw Fresnel
• 4 tubes cool light and cyclorama light.
• 12 scenery hoists distributed on the border of the ceiling giving flexibility in lifting scenery pieces that do not exceed 200kg. (6 scenery hoists with similar features in Studios 2 and 3).

Dimmers:

• Studio 1 is equipped with 3 ETC + SENSOR RACKS of 288 dimmable channels x 3kw each.
• Studios 2 & 3 have 162× 3KW Dimmer modules each.

Non dim Power:

• Each Studio is able to supply up to 100 amps x 3 phase as non dim power to be used for moving lights and effects.

Hoist control system:

• Each studio is equipped with two Icarus hoist control computerised panels that can memorise hoist positions in order to recall them when required.
• Each studio is equipped with a wireless Motorola remote control to enable the lighting operator to work with more flexibility on the studio floor.

Lighting consoles:

• The lighting controllers consist of Ion and Eos lighting consoles from ETC.
• 5 x Ion lighting consoles with 2 DMX (512) Universes that could be extended into 8 DMX (512) Universes by using the ETC 3 DMX to Ethernet gateway.
• 1 EOS lighting console located in gallery 1 which is compatible with the Ion console in gallery 2 and 3.
• The lighting operator is able to programme the show from the studio floor and save it on a memory stick, then load the configuration onto the gallery console and operate the show on air from there.

Outdoor lighting:

• intaj also has a comprehensive stock of grips and accessories such as butterflies, reflectors, flags and tripod systems.
• Desisti Rembrandt Piccolo 200W and 575W HMI kits
• Desisti Rembrandt 1200/ 2500/ 4000/ 6000W HMI kits
• Desisti Cosmobeam 800W READ head kits
• Desisti Cosmobeam 1000W open face kits
• 650W Dedo Light Tungsten kits
• Sundance Dedo Light Kit 200W Daylight/Tungsten
• kino flo Diva -Lite 200 and 400 Universal kits
• Mini Flo 12'' Universal Kits

First published on Digital Production Middle East, November 2009

Ascent Media's Stephen Street Media Center in central London has been completely transformed from a transmission center based on linear playout to one capable of realizing the fluid distribution needs of clients faced with multichannel playout and delivery to multiple new media platforms with media asset management and workflow at its core. The new technology enables Ascent Media to build revenue for its clients as they seek to scale operations nationally or internationally.

Ascent's media center, part of its European transmission center, manages services for 18 channels for international broadcasters including Sony Pictures Television International, InfoTV and Disney, with another major broadcast customers on the verge of being added.

Using Pharos' Mediator content management and workflow platform, the service provider now manages 300 hours of new content per week as a combination of electronic file delivery and tape-based ingest. Mediator provides a single point of reference for all the ingest workflow at the ETC, streamlining content encoding into MPEG-file formats ranging from low-res proxies at MPEG-4, SD typically at MPEG-2 15Mb/s or IMX50, and HD across the board as XDCAM HD 50Mb/s. Following ingest, every short- or long-form item is subject to rigorous QC to ensure integrity and that the right material can pass further into the workflow.

SPTI teams in Soho or at Sony's European headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, have remote visibility of their material in Mediator. Promotions teams can browse low-res material and send a shot list to Mediator, which automatically performs a high-res restore of those shots and sends them to the relevant Sony office for editing on Final Cut Pro. The finished promo is output as a file and returned securely to Mediator ready for approval and playout.

The ETC also integrates with Ascent Media's global networks that deliver more than 35,000 hours of media content each week and play out more than 100,000 clock-accurate elements daily across more than 300 linear channels.

First published on Broadcast Engineering website, November 2009