The Outdoor Channel has purchased Leitch's Nexio HD server platform for its new high-definition channel. Outdoor Channel 2 HD will offer programming both shared and independent of the existing Outdoor Channel to cable and satellite audiences.
The channel selected the Nexio HD server platform along with Leitch's Nexio TXS transmission server system, enabling the network to accommodate both standard and high-definition. The shared storage system has 16 146GB drives. The complete server solution includes the Nexio Playlist event sequencer; Instant Online, which conforms the proxy edits for immediate transmission or finishing on the craft editor; and Ingest Control Manager.
Nexio HD uses a software-based agile codec for high-definition video. Based on a new, 64-bit dual processor platform, this technology allows the integration of baseband high-definition record and playback directly into the server system. The platform provides two channels of HD output (decoding), or one channel of input (encoding), and one HD output in either 720p or 1080i format. Initial decoding for outputs support MPEG-2 ML@MP and 4:2:2 profile. On the encoding side, initial support is for MPEG-2 I-frame at high level and 4:2:2 profile at 50Mb/s, with other formats such as Panasonic's DVCPRO 100 HD to follow. The systems integrator for the project is Technical Innovation, based in Norcross, Georgia.
For more information, visit www.leitch.com and www.outdoorchannel.com.
