Web-based Content Browse and Selection Facilities Streamline Workflow for Journalists and Editors
DENVER -- April 14, 2008 -- OmniBus Systems, the award-winning provider of comprehensive broadcast automation and content management solutions, today announced the OmniBus SmartClient, a Web 2.0-based browse and content selection tool for journalists and directors. Using Microsoft‘s Silverlight and Web 2.0 technology, SmartClient provides a rich graphical experience and superior interactivity within a Web browser window, and without the need to install any specialized software on the client computer.
SmartClient provides cross-platform picture research facilities from any Web-enabled computer, allowing large numbers of journalists to work directly and concurrently with the content library and giving broadcasters the ability to construct more responsive and flexible workflows across multiple locations. Norwegian national broadcaster NRK (Norsk Rikskringkasting) has deployed OmniBus SmartClient as part of its new asset management system, providing access to up to 3,000 journalists in 13 regional production centers.
“The OmniBus technology provides a crucial element in our architecture, and with SmartClient we have the potential for almost limitless flexibility in access to our assets,” said Hroar Pettersen, head of technology at NRK.
Using SmartClient, journalists at any location can search for content on the system, using a wide range of criteria to interrogate the metadata. Matching results are displayed in thumbnails and can then be viewed in a frame-accurate proxy streamed to the journalist‘s computer. SmartClient allows journalists to select the shots they want, mark edit points, combine pieces of content and create a shot list, before sending the project back to the content management system for further editing. Alternatively the shotlist can be sent directly to Final Cut Pro, giving the craft editor full access to all the referenced full-resolution media and metadata.
“SmartClient is a powerful picture research tool for the first stage of content selection,” said Ian Fletcher, CTO of OmniBus. “It means journalists and editors can have easy and immediate access to the content library at any time before going to the edit suite, and can set up the material they want to work with. By allowing a more streamlined workflow and completely scalable access to the content library, OmniBus SmartClient makes it possible for broadcasters to take the fullest advantage of their content management system.”
SmartClient technology resides on a central Web server, making it easy to deploy, update and control. No installation or administration is required for the client computers.
More information about OmniBus Systems‘ digital asset management, automation and transmission technology is available online at www.omnibus.tv.
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About OmniBus Systems
OmniBus Systems provides broadcasting, cable, and satellite organizations with comprehensive automation and media content management solutions that address every area of television-related operations. Its newsroom, content, and workflow automation solutions include acquisition and recording of rich media material, low-resolution editing, media asset management, and playout. OmniBus is a global company with headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices in the United States and Singapore. More information is available at www.omnibus.tv.
