TV TECH: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2024 NAB Show?

ERIK OTTO: Just about everybody in all walks of life seems to be obsessed with—or intimidated by—AI right now. So I expect it to be one of the big talking points at the 2024 NAB Show, if not the most significant technology trend. AI does have a great deal of potential in being able to learn and repeat common or more basic operational tasks in broadcasting, which has particular application in compliance monitoring. The downside is that some broadcasters and facilities might see it as an opportunity to reduce the number of trained staff in their master control rooms or even try to do away with them entirely, thinking even more automation is the way to go. There is also the cost of implementation to consider, so people will have to be realistic and somewhat circumspect in working with AI. It could be a useful assistive tool but it is not a cure-all.

Although HDR and the migration from SDI to IP have been discussed for some time, they are ongoing trends that will become ever more important as a growing number of broadcasters implement both of them. The two issues will be a specific consideration in terms of compliance, with bigger program file packages to monitor and analyze over newly installed IP networks.

TVT: What will be your most important product news?

OTTO: We will have some exciting news to announce during this year’s NAB Show but don’t want to spoil the surprise ahead of the game. The broadcast and streaming markets continue to evolve and expand at a rapid rate, which puts the onus on technology providers such as ourselves to keep developing systems that will provide all the necessary logging and monitoring functionality required on future media networks. At this point all I can say is that we have been busy making sure our flagship technology is one step ahead of where broadcasters need to be in such an ever-changing environment but you’ll have to wait and come to our booth to see the end result.

TVT: How is your new product different from what’s available on the market?

OTTO: Mediaproxy is an engineering-focused company and through this we have developed the most trusted compliance solution currently available to broadcasters, streamers and playout facilities. We have been developing and investing in our LogServer and Monwall technologies for more than 20 years and will continue to do so, ensuring we can provide the best, most flexible solution for our ever-growing user base.

TVT: What is it about NAB Show that brings you back every year?

OTTO: It’s simple, the customers. Being able to meet them in person, learn about their changing requirements helps us to continue to evolve our solutions to be the best on the market. That and the burgers after the show.

TV TECHNOLOGY: What do you anticipate as significant trends at the 2017 NAB Show?

ERIK OTTO: Software and IP technology continues to transform the television industry resulting in an increased convergence between traditional TV and OTT video. We are seeing the lines between TV and OTT being increasingly blurred as consumers continually switch between different viewing devices. In order to maintain high levels of service quality means that traditional TV and OTT services need to be managed and monitored concurrently.

Whereas specific broadcast functions have traditionally been contained within dedicated areas such as studios, master control rooms, and playout centers, there is a growing demand for software-based solutions that enable broadcast engineers and television executives to access any critical broadcast function from any location. As with other industries, increased workforce mobility and flexibility is becoming a reality through software running in the cloud and on mobile devices.

TVT: What will be your most important product news?

OTTO: We are releasing a major update to our LogServer software suite to support multiscreen monitoring, analysis and compliance TS and video over IP sources. By adding support for more ABR profiles, LogServer users can now view and monitor their traditional linear broadcast monitoring alongside OTT streams.

LogServer now includes support for newer broadcast standards such as HEVC, 4K UHD, and SMPTE-2022-6. Our advanced LogServer and Monwall data monitoring panels provide real-time analysis and monitoring of TS sections, ETR290 ASI priority events, closed captions, subtitles, and loudness.

We are also introducing our new Aircheck mobile app, which works in conjunction with LogServer and allows for real-time broadcast stream monitoring on iOS and Android devices. Aircheck answers the call for greater workforce mobility and system-wide visibility by providing broadcast engineers and executives access to content sources, playout and transmissions from anywhere.

With Aircheck we are first to support for live multiview monitoring on mobile devices. With Aircheck and LogServer, master control panels are finally being untethered from master control rooms. We’re really excited about this feature as it further advances the move towards greater broadcast engineering flexibility and mobility.

TVT: How is your product different from what’s available on the market?

OTTO: LogServer combines access to advanced broadcast tools from one place. It’s already being used by hundreds of broadcast engineers across the globe for meeting their monitoring, analysis, and compliance needs. As the broadcast industry moves increasingly to software-defined video solutions, we are able to quickly introduce new features and tools to our well-established software platform whether running on premises, in virtualized environments or in the cloud.

TVT: What is it about the NAB Show that brings you back every year?

OTTO: The NAB Show is effectively New Year’s Day for us broadcast engineers. We reminisce about the previous year and table innovations for the future of our industry. It’s the most important show of the year and simply an exciting place to be, whilst catching up with our partners and peers.