Pharos reports a bouyant 2003
Pharos Accelerates Broadcasters Towards Unified Process Control
Pharos reports a bouyant 2003, specialising as it does in broadcast process control architecture. The company announced five major product innovations:
The alternative to inefficient and space-consuming panel-per-product operation, Pharos Pilot MCR enables an entire broadcast network to be controlled via touchscreen or standard computer mouse and keyboard. Events can be managed live or pre-scheduled, relevant information being displayed when and where the operator needs it. Users can configure new device control displays with Panel Designer. This facility permits easy expansion of existing Pilot-controlled systems or relocation of specific MCR functions to adjacent or remote workstations. Easy to use and implement, Panel Designer works offline, enabling a system manager to create panels at home and upload via remote access. All major third-party broadcast systems can be interfaced to Pilot MCR, including remote cameras, lighting, ingest line switchers, local routers, graphics origination, VT and server-based archives, post-production studios, dubbing facilities, monitoring and transmission.
Continuing the development of the Playtime family, Studio Playtime employs Pharos' unique package playout concept. Studio Playtime enables broadcasters to emulate on-air the look and feel of internet Web pages. It is ideal for the live studio gallery or playout centre that needs to deliver complex presentation whilst taking in live feeds to air. Studio Playtime greatly reduces operational workflow and production costs for live events. An edit timeline forms the basis of a unique toolset for the creation and delivery of 'broadcast media publishing' channels. This allows a scheduler to create television channels that would otherwise require extensive post-production. A Studio Playtime package can have any number of layers, simplifying the control of a complicated presentation channel and controlling many different devices at one time.
Pharos has added automated remote ingest to its Multichannel Audio Server, offering full networking and media management for voiceovers and programme repurposing. The system can be operated manually or via any automation system using VDCP, the industry-standard server interface. Batch voice-over processing enables many audio announcements or clips to be recorded in one session. Announcements and programmes can be captured and archived via an in-built SQL database. Pharos has also incorporated a powerful search engine enabling archived audio files to be found easily in playlists or played directly to air.Now Web-enabled so clients can make bookings online, Pharos Almanac is a scheduled-event-based management system for timed switching, automated record and playback. Switching, archiving and duplication can be performed from the desktop.
All Pharos systems now have a Web-enabled information centre to display setup data, status, error messages and technical information. This important new feature means that it is easier to manage any Pharos control system from any location; so-called 'Shut the door, turn off the lights, supervision'.
Pharos director Roger Heath reports on key 2003 sales successes: "We worked with BBC Technology to automate the structure and playout of promotional credits on BBC One and Two. The system makes the task of generating promotional credits between programmes quicker and easier. Based on a Pharos Control Platform (PCP), the installation interfaces to a Pharos Audio Server and Snell and Wilcox Magic DaVE digital video effects processor, enabling the operator to prepare complete promo sequences which are then automatically timed to fit the required playout duration. A user interface screen displays each component of the end-of-credit sequence and allows DVE moves to be assembled, rehearsed and previewed before they go to air. Programme audio fades are handled automatically to ensure smooth transition from programme sound to promo. Promotional credits are important in broadcasting; they outline upcoming programmes to audiences at the point where viewers are most likely to switch channels.
"Channel 4 Television joined the growing number of broadcasters to adopt the Pharos Pilot distributed control system, reducing the need for device-specific hard-wired panels. Four Pilot touchscreens have been installed as the primary operational interface in a brand new master control room at Channel 4's Westminster playout centre. The MCR is in round-the-clock use monitoring and routing incoming and outgoing circuits for the Channel 4, E4, and the Filmfour services. Pharos Pilot allows network infrastructure to be supervised and routed using intuitive graphic displays. Events can be managed live or prescheduled. All switching and control can be performed via touchscreen or computer mouse and keyboard. Pharos Panel Designer allows facility managers to modify Pilot control panels quickly and easily or to create entirely new panels as additional equipment is brought into service. Existing Pharos equipment at Channel 4 includes one of the largest browse systems installed in Britain, enabling programmes and commercials to be viewed on desktop PCs throughout the building."
"Trans World International opted for Pharos Pilot MCR as primary routing and device control system at the company's newly equipped Media House facility. The world's largest independent producer of sports television, TWI produces, packages and distributes over 6,000 hours of television programming each year. Located in Chiswick on the western approach to central London, Media House itself is one of Britain's biggest television facilities, serving independent producers as well as its US-based IMG parent group. Pilot MCR controls the Media House routers and a wide range of ancillary equipment including synchronisers, aspect ratio converters, proc amps, legalisers, safe-area generators, line-identifiers, SDI audio shufflers and satellite dish positioners.
"CNBC Europe, Europe's leading real-time business and financial news channel, chose a Pharos Almanac event switcher and Pilot reactive controller to enable remote routing and systems operation from its Fleet Place headquarters in the City of London. CNBC chose Pilot for its cost-efficiency, its exceptionally flexible interfacing and speed of implementation, particularly appreciating the freedom to construct its own interface graphics as the network infrastructure expands.
"Uncle, a new post-production facility being built adjacent to the BBC Television Centre in London's White City, decided on Pharos Pilot RT to provide efficient control of its entire routing system. Part of The Farm Group, Uncle is located on two floors of Network House, Arial Way. Facilities will include two online edit suites, ten offline suites and two audio dubbing suites. Uncle's Pharos Pilot RT controls six levels of Pro-Bel routing."
Based in Reading, England, Pharos Communications specialises in software architecture for broadcast process control. Since its formation in 1997, the company has developed a wide range of systems for digital asset management, programme archiving, router and device control, and playout to air.
Published on 29 Nov 2003