Major Satellite Broadcaster Takes to the Air with Pharos Pilot
One of Europes largest satellite broadcasters has chosen a second Pharos Pilot-MCR control as part of continuing HD resource expansion at its headquarters
One of Europe's largest satellite broadcasters has chosen a second Pharos Pilot-MCR control as part of continuing HD resource expansion at its headquarters. Pilot-MCR enables routing and device control to be configured to match the production requirements of different programmes, including fast switching between HD and SD origination.
Each programme makes different demands on the network's available technical facilities. Pilot-MCR allows staff to preset and store all major engineering parameters and switch almost instantly to handle differing programme requirements. The Pharos systems provide IP-based control of incoming and outgoing line routing, HD/SD aspect ratio, signal levels, colour balance, audio/video timing offsets and monitor stack configuration.
The broadcaster needed a throughly versatile system to ensure maximum room for manoeuvre, particularly in terms of audio and video synchronisation. Pilot MCR delivered that flexibility, including the ability to create graphic-user-interface pages quickly and easily on-site with Pharos Designer rather than having to call Pharos each time a new parameter needed to be controlled.
"Pilot-MCR interacts closely with the client's studio infrastructure. It controls over 170 Axon Synapse digital processors. The ability to interrogate and drive each Axon card via internet protocol brings massive benefits in terms of expandability which will remain a major consideration as the network continues its expansion.
Pharos Pilot provides full reactive control of broadcast routing equipment, enabling many devices to be operated via a single easily-mastered graphic user interface. Pilot-MCR is supported by a large library of device interfaces, enabling full preconfiguration and operation of third-party broadcast equipment via IP and RS-422. The template approach used in Pilot-MCR allows new devices to be programmed in quickly and easily. Pharos Pilot is at the heart of many prestigious broadcast centres including BBC World Service Radio, BBC Television Centre, BT Tower, UK Channel Four Television, CNBC Networks and TWI Media House.
Based in Reading, England, Pharos (www.pharos-comms.com) is focused on software architecture for broadcast process management. Since its formation in 1997, the company has developed a wide range of systems for automating the flow of material through broadcast facilities including playout presentation, media asset management, archiving, and facility management.
phpr-155
Published on 10 Oct 2006