SÃO PAULO, Brazil—The largest independent TV broadcast organization in Brazil has chosen Playbox Neo media production and playout technology to support newly launched streaming channels, the company said today.

Stenna Group will use four new PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box units in two-plus-two main and backup configuration as well as SafeBox Neo and LixtBox Neo-20 modules, the company said.

“We needed a solution that would integrate with our existing server network and operate transparently,” says Stenna Group CFO and CTO Fabio Buhr. “PlayBox Neo was the logical choice given its proven track record here in Brazil and globally.”

Pointing to the user friendliness of its interface, Buhr said the UI offers several notable advantages. “The user interface allows every aspect of the scheduling and playout routine to be managed quickly from a single desktop,” he said. “The display is eye-friendly, easy-to-learn and ergonomically efficient with all the tools necessary for each step of the process immediately to [at] hand.”

Besides its support of automated alerts when a source freezes or gaps appear in the schedule, PlayBox Neo offers a user environment geared to 24/7 transmission, he said, adding that the platform even allows the freedom for playout staff to work remotely if required. 

“We particularly appreciate the modularity of PlayBox Neo’s product range as this allows us to configure solutions that match our current business model while retaining the flexibility to respond to future demands on a workflow,” he said.

SafeBox Neo is a turnkey playout server solution for broadcasting single or multiple television channels in HD or UHD. It provides a seamless workflow to keep a channel on-air by combining scheduling, ingest, playout, title and rolling-text management and interactive graphics within one module. It also offers remote tools to enhance QC checks, preparation and monitoring. The output can be SDI or IP-streamed. 

ListBox Neo-20 provides the editing facilities required for playlist creation, such as search, cut/copy/paste, multi-selection editing, ordering facilities and playlist printing. Each offers multiple levels of undo/redo. The integrated clip trimmer allows unnecessary segments to be removed as well as clip splitting and last-minute order reversal within the same clip. It can even be used to edit the on-air playlist. 

Neo distribution partner CIS Group, based in São Paulo, negotiated the deal. CIS Group also will train Stenna Group on use of the new technology.

More information is available on the Playbox Neo and CIS Group websites.

LONDON—Playout has always been a crucial element in the broadcast distribution chain but it is becoming even more so due to changing requirements and technological capabilities.

Broadcast technology developers like to talk in terms of evolution when it comes to advances in equipment and operational practices. The area of broadcasting that has perhaps evolved in the true sense of the word is playout. Over the years it has moved from being based on videotape—initially played out from banks of individual machines and then later automated carousels—within a broadcaster’s headquarters to third party facilities, with the further shift to file and server-based distribution.

That evolution has continued with the advent of the cloud, where files may be located outside the control center, with the most recent advancement being the further shift to remote or from-home working. 

While the adoption of virtual techniques were largely foisted on the TV sector due to the Covid outbreak, they were already being used in some circumstances and were only going to become more widespread in the future. The coronavirus, as with so many things, compelled broadcasters to bring their plans for this kind of implementation forward.

Comfort Level
“Generally speaking, media companies are more comfortable following pandemic-forced virtualized workforces with virtualized workflows,” said Rick Young, senior vice president and head of global products at LTN Global. “It feels like the industry jumped three-to-five years ahead in terms of location-agnostic production, playout and media management.” 

Pre-pandemic, virtual playout was dominated by channels containing only pre-recorded, non-live programming, according to Young. “That is not the case today, as channel creators are beginning to understand what is possible when mixing live and non-live programs.”

Young adds that audience tastes have also driven a change in how services are organized and presented, with a growing demand for live and more targeted broadcasts. “This evolution is crucial as consumer expectations for FAST [free ad-supported streaming TV] and OTT platforms are trending towards live, regionalized and fresh content, not just a string of re-runs delivered in a linear fashion.”

Mat Shell, head of sales at Pebble, acknowledges that the various lockdowns and resulting shift to working from home increased the need for “secure remote access” to playout systems. 

“System implementations obviously had to change,” he says. “The majority of broadcasters are still commissioning bare-metal systems as they contemplate their transitions to more flexible IP-based technologies,” he said. “But, regardless of whether it’s a playout solution deployed on premises or is virtualized or a mixture of both, what has driven the most change is the need to control those systems remotely in a secure way.”

Web-based monitoring and control systems enable broadcasters to run channels either within a traditional transmission control area or from an outside location, which includes other premises or an operator’s home. As for other requirements, Shell says broadcasters are “likely to want their linear channels or playout facility” to feed any OTT platforms they operate. 

“They may also wish for linear channels to feature on YouTube, complete with unique branding,” he says. “Broadcasters additionally want the ability for playout systems—both on the ground and virtualized—to cater for pop-up or event channels, specifically for OTT streaming.”

Linear, OTT Commonalities
Streaming services, notably for video-on-demand, were included under the general heading of “broadcast” but there was the impression that more conventional TV organizations with roots in the linear world still viewed their OTT rivals as being in a different category, both in terms of audiences and technology. 

These two areas are now much closer together, particularly, observes Martin Whittaker, technical product director for MAM and automation at Evertz, on the technical side. 

“Both groups—broadcast and OTT, DTC [Direct to Consumer] and digital applications—want to create playout channels quickly and easily for the lowest cost possible and control/monitor these systems from anywhere,” he said. “This in turn generates the largest possible return on investment. Overall, customers are looking for systems that give them extreme flexibility, agility and adaptability to optimize content monetization for the lowest possible cost.”

While the market is still polarized, Sanjay Duda, chief operating officer at Planetcast Media Services, views the divide as being between big broadcasters with a large number of channels that feel responsible for delivering content and information to their viewers or subscribers; and “decentralized content generators” that distribute minority interest programming for a set period of time. 

“As a playout operator, you need to be able to cater to both sides,” he said. “You have the long-term solutions on one side but you also need to have pop-up or niche channels.”

Another element in the playout equation, Duda continues, is the commercial imperative, although this has to be considered in relation to technology.

“There’s a huge push towards how this is monetized, [which could be] by creating multiple feeds from the same playout for various platforms. Those are very important features as are being able to push in any last minute ads. In the U.S., FAST channels are taking the whole place by storm because it’s become a revenue-generating model where you create a stream and deliver it on to Smart TVs. 

“It’s ad-supported and the ads are delivered completely through technology,” he added. “Achieving high fill rates is critical to success, but for that, ad insertion technology is not enough. We also need to have good tools that decide which ad to insert for which customer or Smart TV to get the best value for the ads.”

Transparent to the User
At one time this kind of capability would have been delivered by highly sophisticated and complex equipment. Today, says Phillip Neighbour, chief operating officer at PlayBox Technology, broadcasters, content providers and facilities want simplicity, while also benefiting from the latest technologies. 

“They expect a high degree of automation, now supported by machine learning and artificial intelligence,” he said. “The whole system, from ingest to playout, has to be controlled from a single, intuitive user interface that tells the operator when an action is needed but which generally handles everything to the planned schedule.”

All playout functionality, Neighbour explains, can now be implemented in software, with modern design principles utilizing microservices that can be combined as necessary to provide the required functionality for a particular channel.

“Channel-in-a-box is not a new concept,” he says, “although with modern software techniques it is extremely efficient and function-rich. Because of virtualization, broadcasters and media companies are rapidly moving towards channels without a box, either in data hubs in the machine room, a corporate or shared data center or in the public cloud.”

After a relatively long and steady progression, playout as a technology area appears to be going through an accelerated evolutionary period right now. Whether that slows or increases in pace appears to depend not only on the ambitions of broadcasters and streaming services but also the viewing habits of their audiences. 

BANGKOK—IPTV service provider 3BB TVA has chosen a multi-zone multi-channel time delay system from PlayBox Neo for integration into the engineering facilities at its Bangkok headquarters. 

The project was coordinated by O'Connor's (Thailand) Company Limited which provides a wide range of broadcast media engineering services.

"We compared a range of solutions before identifying PlayBox Neo as the preferred partner for this project," comments Kajohnsak Thanomjit, senior manager, business strategy, at 3BB TV. "The new solution was needed so that we could co-ordinate our overseas transmission schedules by adding a precisely adjustable amount of timing delay to some of our IPTV program channels. PlayBox Neo systems score very high in terms of performance, usability, durability and after-sales support."

"3BB TV is one of Thailand's most innovative telco companies," says O’Connor’s (Thailand) sales engineer Santhiti Silayaeng. "The solution were we asked to provide, integrate and commission is a 10-channel Neo TS Time Delay (https://playboxneo.com/time-delay) server. "It is configured to allow simultaneous or time-offset playout of five primary plus five backup channels."

Designed for fully automated operation, Neo TS Time Delay can be scaled to support any required number of input channels and delayed outputs, PlayBox reported. 

It provides fully transparent time delay of transport streams such as DVB/ATSC MPEG while retaining the full original quality of the source content. Time delay can be preset to run in fully hands-off mode or switched at any time to alternative offsets, including a zero delay output for each input.

All operating parameters in Neo TS Time Delay are easily adjusted via an integral web-based user interface, including channel-specific time offset in 15 second increments. Maximum delay depends on the stream input bitrate and storage capacity. Additional features include programme information display of MPEG-compliant transport streams plus automatic error logging. Connectivity features include UDP/RTP input/output, unicast or multicast, via standard Gigabit Ethernet ports. Delay for UDP/RTP unicast/multicast streams can be adjusted from a few seconds to week or more, the company said. 

3BB TV is an affiliate of Jasmine Group, a Thai major telecommunications group best known for its high-speed internet service and 3BB TV is the group's IPTV provider. 

LONDON—Playbox Technology has introduced AirBox Connect, a software-defined streaming solution for in-house or cloud use; AirBox Connect+, a fully managed service for live streaming that includes asset management, ad and CDN integration and live streaming software; AirBox Mini to meet the needs of those streaming from remote locations; and Eurisko, a low-latency hardware encoder with SDI, H.264, H.265, SRT and NDI outputs.

The company also has added two management layers. Its media asset management solution tracks content, provides simple access to workflow design and implementation tools and ensures automated playout and streaming is accurate, consistent and intuitive.

Playbox also has unveiled a complementary subscriber management layer designed specifically for OTT service. This CMS can be tailored to create a customized platform to manage revenues, whether the user offers an AVOD or VOD subscription service. Both link seamlessly to PlayBox’s traffic system.

“What we are saying with these new products, alongside our proven and popular systems, is that PlayBox is the one-stop shop for streaming and broadcast playout,” said Philip Neighbour, COO at PlayBox Technology. “We can now provide everything you need – apart from the programs – whether you choose to host the hardware, run it in the cloud or let us provide a complete managed service.

“Alongside these headline new products, we have also added new functionality across the complete ecosystem,” said Neighbour. “This covers all the areas you will need, like compliance recording, digital rights management and ad placement. We can add newsroom functionality, disaster recovery and cloud content storage. To get you on-air or online, we also have a professional services team that can provide everything from training and consultancy to wiring and configuration.”

More information is available on the company’s website. 

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.—At PBS39, Lehigh Valley Public Media, we broadcast five channels of programming: WLVT PBS, WLVT Create, France24, PBS39 Extra and WORLD Channel. PBS39’s primary service area includes much of eastern Pennsylvania and parts of western and southern New Jersey. Cable television carriers include Comcast, Service Electric, RCN, Blue Ridge Cable and others. WLVT-TV is also available over-the-air and throughout the region via DirecTV, Dish Network and Verizon FiOS.

With five separate broadcast channels—three that pass through our internal master control and two others managed by joint master control (JMCO)—a playout system we can count on 24/7 is clearly a must-have. Given the amount of live and pre-recorded content we create and deliver, we need rock-solid playout that is flexible, easy to use and affordable—all in one system.

This was made clear when our legacy automation system failed right after I started as a consultant at WLVT a few years ago. Based on my previous experience with PlayBox Neo equipment, I knew we could install one of their automation servers quickly and get it up and running in a day, which we did. We’ve been with PlayBox Neo ever since.

For WLVT, we need to add in live pledge drives with lower-thirds and insert live and pre-recorded local programming—all within our budget. We get that all in a simple-to-use system with a lot of options for the price from PlayBox Neo.

THIRD PHASE

As our programming output has expanded, so has our playout system. We’re now in our third phase of PlayBox Neo installations. The most recent install was due to a new channel launch for PBS39 Extra in March, which reruns some of our most popular shows from PBS39. We’ve assigned PBS39 Extra to our JMCO and brought our home and crafts channel, Create TV, to our in-house master control.

Create TV features original and pledge programming, which requires lower thirds and logos. We added our second dual-channel AirBox Neo server to our setup for content ingest, master playout and storage. We also added a TitleBox Neo character generator for fully interactive 4K UHD/HD/SD channel branding. With both, we can do file-based video playback, live pass-through streaming and graphic overlays. We’ve got the flexibility to play out local programming precisely when and how we want to do it.

In 2018 when our old clip player died, we replaced it with the ProductionAirBox Neo and also had that installed and working in a live show the same day. It’s used for playing clips back into our original productions that are shot in our studios.

The support we’ve received for such a mission-critical part of our operations has been stellar. Van Duke, director of U.S. operations for PlayBox Neo, has gone above and beyond for us. No matter the issue, he and his team have come through for us.

Currently, our full setup of PlayBox Neo equipment includes:

• Two dual-channel AirBox Neo servers for master control 
• One TitleBox Neo CG 
• Four channels of CaptureBox Neo to control multiple ingest channels 
• One ProductionAirBox Neo for multichannel live production clip playout 

While we use their server-based solutions, given the present state of remote production, we may look someday to the company’s Cloud2TV virtual channel playout system at some point. Cloud2TV’s SaaS lets you operate their playout channels from any location via a simple web interface.

After serving as a technical consultant to WLVT, Andrea Cummis started as the station’s chief technical officer in March of 2018. She is also the vice president of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), a role she’s held for the past year. She can be reached andreac@wlvt.org.

For more information, visit www.playboxneo.com.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—PlayBox Neo was the multichannel playout system of choice for PMCM-TV stations WNWT in New Jersey and WJLP in New York City when it was time to upgrade their playout and channel branding capabilities, PlayBox shared.

WJLP and WNWT share transmitter facilities in midtown Manhattan. WNWT is currently online with PlayBox Neo, WJLP is set to be after its site at Freedom Tower comes online later this year.

The setup at WNWT features PlayBox Neo AirBox Channel-in-a-Box servers in content ingest, master playout and backup configurations. Each is configured with AirBox Neo-19 playout software. The AirBox Neo servers are being used with TitleBox Neo character generators for fully interactive 4K UHD/HD/SD channel branding at each station. This gives each station the capacity for file-based video playback, live pass through streaming and graphic overlays, PlayBox says.

According to Jim McGowan, TV/IT engineer at PMCM-TV, the PlayBox Neo server allows for flexibility to run multiple type of signal formats, mix codecs, schedule content for automated playout and switch between programmed and live broadcasts.

Part of the stations’ choice of PlayBox Neo was its compatibility with Dual Tone Modulated Frequency triggers and the stations’ existing traffic and billing platform.

For more information, visit www.playboxneo.com.  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Global broadcast service provider SoundView Broadcasting recently acquired a PlayBox Neo multichannel playout system to work in its New York City headquarters.

PlayBox Neo Multi-Backup Manager is designed for backing up multiple playout channels simultaneously, enabling the user to choose the number of backup systems. MBM monitors user-defined lists with Neo-19 channel-in-a-box master and slave applications, where a slave application will automatically replace the master if it does not respond in two seconds or more.

“We have provided three of our full-size 3U servers for this project,” said Van Duke, PlayBox Neo U.S. director of operations. “Each is configured with AirBox Neo-19 playout software and TitleBox Neo-19 channel branding software. Servers 1 and 2 include ANSI/SCTE 35 insertion cue messaging. Servers 2 and 3 are additionally loaded with PlayBox Neo Multi-Backup Manager. Server 3 has been installed in an offsite disaster recovery facility.”

SoundView Broadcasting’s Director of Operations Sarmad Zafar described the new installation as operator-friendly and that it provides the necessary information from ingest to transmission.

NEW YORK—After a European showcase at IBC 2019, PlayBox’s latest technology will find itself under the bright lights of New York City with a spot on the exhibit floor of the 2019 NAB Show New York, Oct. 16-17 at the Javits Convention Center.

PlayBox will demonstrate its complete PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box television branding and playout system with its latest software modules.

The Neo Channel-in-a-Box is available in 3U and 1U sizes, with the former able to support two HD channels or four SD channels, and the later supporting one HD or two SD channels. It can also be configured from a wide range of Neo-series software modules and optional accessories. The system enables users to perform tasks like content scheduling, promos, commercials, graphics preparation, subtitling and billing.

PlayBox also has the Cloud2TV, a system for content owners to create broadcast channels for transmission over digital terrestrial, satellite, cable or online media. In addition, both the Cloud2TV and Neo Channel-in-a-Box products support UHD, HD and SD and can be fully-automated.

PlayBox’s booth will be located at N246.

AMSTERDAM—PlayBox Neo is marking the European debut of its Cloud2TV channel branding and playout software at the 2019 IBC Show in Amsterdam, Sept. 13-17.

Available on a competitive subscription basis, Cloud2TV comprises a range of software modules that can be mixed and matched to handle any desired combination of channels, languages and time zones, according to PlayBox Neo CTO Stanislav Petkov.

“Cloud2TV is a coordinated solution meeting every conceivable playout challenge from a single-event channel right up to a round-the-clock global network,” he said. “Scalability and ease of operation are built in right from the start."

"Cloud2TV takes playout up to the next level in terms of new-start-up flexibility," adds CEO Pavlin Rahnev. "Fast and easy to deploy, it gives network operators the freedom to scale their activities with unprecedented precision while side-stepping the cost of holding reserve equipment on standby. Cloud2TV is also the perfect platform on which to deploy a disaster-recovery facility without the rental and staffing costs entailed in equipping and operating an off-site studio.

PlayBox Neo will also demonstrate the latest updates to its Channel-in-a-Box system, which comes complete with a dedicated server in a choice of 3U and 1U sizes. The server can be used on its own or in combination with others to support any desired number of channels. Each Channel-in-Box installation can be configured from a range of Neo-series software modules and optional accessories. Content scheduling, promos, commercials, graphics preparation, subtitling and billing can all be handled under fully automated control while retaining the freedom to insert live content after any currently airing file or, for a big-breaking story, to switch instantly to live pass-through.

PlayBox Neo's Cloud2TV and Channel-in-a-Box both support UHD, HD and SD and can be operated in round-the-clock fully-automated mode. Operators retain the freedom to make schedule alterations or insert live content between prescheduled content.

PlayBox Neo will be in stand 8.B71 at the IBC Show. For more information, visit https://show.ibc.org/.

LAS VEGAS—To facilitate IPTV, web streaming and video on demand, Playbox Technology Limited will show IP-based broadcast channel branding, playout and streaming solutions—including the CloudAir Software as a Service—at the 2018 NAB Show. Designed for 24/7 IPTV and web streaming operations, CloudAir is scalable from one to many channels and can be set-up quickly without the capital cost and maintenance of on-premise installations.

CloudAir offers remote access and control via a secure web browser and enables reliable IP-based workflows for linear or non-linear distribution. It now has a transcoder that handles MPEG PS/TS, MXF, QT, AVI, MP4, GXF, MPG2, H.264, ProRes, DNX HD and MJPEG file wrappers and formats. Available via software licensing or subscription, CloudAir can be configured as a standalone cloud system or a unified hybrid solution using the PlayBox Neo Channel in a Box, which is based on the AirBox Neo server for on-site operational flexibility.

Another PlayBox product, ProductionAirBox Neo now integrates with the Associated Press ENPS, Ross Inception and MiraMedia MiraNews newsroom computer systems via MOS gateway. And, a Facebook API implementation for SocialMediaBox Neo now enables re-use of archived feeds and display 'likes' for each post.

Also on display will be Neo TS Time Delay, a compact, full-featured IP-based delay server that provides programmable delay of multiple IP transport streams for DTV broadcasters operating across multiple time zones.

The 2018 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 9-12. Playbox Technology Limited will be in booth N4520. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

Read up on all of TVT's NAB Show Sneak Peeks and other 2018 NAB Show news here.  

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—DM Digital, a U.K.-based television channel that also has a following in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania, is going with a familiar source to upgrade its broadcast playout infrastructure, choosing PlayBox Technology’s Neo series.

DM Digital had previously utilized PlayBox’s AirBox as its core playout system but it recently upgraded to Neo system, citing faster throughput, versatile channel branding and onboard transcoding capabilities as reasons for making the switch, per the official press release. The upgrade will consist of two AirBox Neo and TitleBox Neo servers with multiple HD output and live video inputs, plus two CaptureBox Neo ingest servers and ListBoxes.

AirBox Neo is a server-based broadcast playout system that allows 24/7 unattended operation, according to PlayBox. The TitleBox Neo is an optional module of the AirBox Neo and provides control during on-air sessions, including text selection, running speed and transitions. The ListBox is an AirBox plug-in for the creation and editing of schedules ahead of transmission. CaptureBox Neo, meanwhile, is an ingest server that allows HD or SD content from up to four video sources simultaneously.

WILMINGTON, DE.— Serving as the MeTV affiliate station for the Philadelphia area, KJWP has installed the latest AirBox Neo servers from PlayBox Technology to upgrade its broadcast playout system. Two AirBox Neo servers were installed at that station’s Wilmington, De., headquarters to serve as a master and backup.

The two servers are both configured for closed caption text processing and play out in 720p HD to the Philadelphia region terrestrial digital network, as well as cable. Each server comes in a 3RU chassis.

The AirBox Neo is able to support UHD, HD and SD playout and is designed for 24/7 unattended operation; it can also be operated manually, including the ability to handle live-to-air throughput. It features parallel outputs that enable the running of two or more SDI or IP streaming SD/HD feeds simultaneously. Changes to the playlist can be made while on-air, including individual clips, though not the one currently playing. Live productions are facilitated by a live show clipboard that allows insertion and/or execution of various events or live streams.

Additional features for the AirBox Neo include the ability to manipulate on-air graphics and titling capabilities live; pre-constructed graphic components; video resizing; window-style display; and website content ingest.

GLENWOOD, ALA.—Pursuit Channel, an Alabama-based network geared toward hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities, has installed PlayBox Technology’s AirBox Neo for playing content to air. The new system will be hosted by RR Media, a division of SES Platform Services.

The station’s AirBox Neo installation operates out of RR’s Media Center in Pennsylvania. It then plays out to G23 (121-degree W). A second system is set-up inside Pursuit’s headquarters that feeds IP and OTT platforms through a 1Gb fiber connection to the open internet.

Pursuit has two channels, each of which uses TitleBox Neo interactive on-air graphics and titling system. The new systems also offer ancillary CALM audio level conformance.

Prior to switching to PlayBox’s AirBox, Pursuit was using digital file-based playout.

LONDON—OH-TV, a London-based broadcater and international TV network provider, has recently added 10 AirBox playout channels from PlayBox Technology. Now with a total of 12 playout automation servers, all of which can be remotely controlled from the MCR, OH-TV offers playout services to other broadcasters as well as producing and transmitting its own channels.

OH TV Sales & Acquisitions Manager Esther Alade with PlayBox Technology UK Ltd Business Development Manager Alan Bunting.

OH-TV transmits its content to the U.K. and Europe through Sky satellite and Freeview; they also have OH USA, which is transmitted via the IP-based UN1TY platform. The company’s current clients include SMASH TV, TIWA TIWA, Hip TV Nigeria, Glitz, Views channel and VEATZ 24.

The OHTV Network delivers family friendly programming to more than 25 million people/month internationally, and 700,000/month in the U.K.