Redefining Broadcast Transmission Systems: A Software-Based Approach

With the continued advances of information technology into content management and production workflows, broadcast facilities are becoming largely information technology (IT)-centric operations, leveraging proven enterprise-class server and network technologies. A major exception to this trend, however, is the broadcast transmission process (master control and playout), which remains heavily dependent on specialized broadcast hardware. In this process, transmission of a moderately complex television channel can involve a dozen or more specialized hardware components linked by an automation system. In many cases, the costs associated with this traditional approach to broadcast transmission can be prohibitive for internet protocol television (IPTV) and other new operators intending to set up and manage their own playout facilities. Furthermore, to compete head-on with mainstream broadcast channels, new service providers need to match the quality standard and aesthetics that an increasingly discerning audience has come to expect. The ability to move the transmission process to an IT platform opens the door to an entirely new business model for broadcasters. With a fully-featured broadcast transmission chain provided by a software solution operating on industry-standard IT servers rather than specialized broadcast hardware, it is now possible to build and operate a broadcast transmission center as an extension of an IT-centric enterprise.

Print ISSN

1545-0279

Electronic ISSN

2160-2492

Published

2008-01

Content type

Information

DOI

10.5594/J16018