Worldwide video solutions leader Thomson recently implemented a deal with NBC Universal's Local Media Group; their owned-and-operated (O&O) stations have been updated with Thomson Grass Valley server technology to create an automated HD playout system.
This innovative deal involves eight of the 10 Local Media markets, which reach across the nation. Included are NBC's flagship station, New York's WNBC, and five others serving the country's largest markets.
Each of the eight participating stations received K2 HD Media Servers, which are all managed at the hub in Burbank, creating a geographically vast FTP network. This commercial delivery system oversees the distribution to its local markets, where playout is handled by on-site K2 HD servers.
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| The Thomson Grass Valley K2 HD Server | |
Originally launched to support the broadcast of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, it has been re-established as Local Media's instrument in dispensing HD promos, commercials and electronic billboards amongst its local television stations.
"We chose the Thomson Grass Valley K2 servers because of the versatility of the platform design that we needed to create for our stations and the ability of the K2 system to expand as our digital requirements continue to change," said Jason Kornweiss, NBC Universal's vice president of TV stations broadcast operations, media distribution services division. "We were pleased that Thomson was able to meet our very aggressive timeline ahead of the Olympic Games."
The Local Media Content Server (LMCS) project is a new file-based playout system, covering an Internet Protocol (IP)-based wide area network (WAN) connection among stations. Participating stations were given four new K2 HD servers to support this platform. Each local station can download files at their convenience, whether immediately or at a previously scheduled time. Proving a major benefit to last-minute production needs, the files prepped for air at the hub in Burbank are ready to go live immediately upon arriving at their destination.
The eight NBC stations that have received Thomson Grass Valley K2 HD servers for the LMCS project include: WNBC, WCAU, WMAQ, WRC, KNBC, KXAS, KNSD, and KNTV.
"Using their IP-based WAN and our K2 servers, NBC Local Media now has the ability to manage and distribute high-definition content,” said Senior Vice President of Broadcast & Professional Solutions, Systems Division, Jeff Rosica."
NBC's Media Distribution Services group runs two additional hubs, located in New York and Miramar, Florida, serving the O&O stations and eight Telemundo stations. These hubs process network-based content while deploying locally-based promotional and commercials spots to viewers.
The LMCS platform stores content in the Burbank outpost to be distributed to local stations via NBC's dedicated WAN, according to the automated rundown list. This distribution is made possible by additional K2 servers located at the network's main hubs that generate an IP signal, creating a network of highly efficient file transfers.
HD long-form syndication is being planned for the near future. In addition to HD spots on their digital channels, stations locally down convert these HD streams to SD for play on their NTSC channel.