VT Communications Collaborates with Harris Corporation to Build New Multiplatform Programme Distribution System
September 08 2006 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris
Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today announced that it is collaborating
with VT Communications, an industry-leading broadcast services
provider in the United Kingdom, to integrate the Intraplex(R)
NetXpress(TM) audio-over-IP managed platform as a key component in
the development of the first phase of VT Communications' innovative
new multiplatform global content distribution system. VT
Communications has selected Harris to supply a range of products,
including the D-Series(TM) Playout Automation system, an
application within the H-Class(TM) Application Suite, and the
NetBoss(R) network management system for complete fault management
and performance reporting. The system also will use Intelligent
Media Mover, a Harris workflow management solution. As part of an
overall system, Harris is supplying infrastructure products for an
integrated Broadcast Centre located in southern England that will
manage the worldwide operation. VT Communications has provided
world-leading distribution and transmission services from a
traditional control room infrastructure since its formation in
1997. However, there was a need for a fundamental shift in the
company's operational paradigm to develop services to encompass the
global, multiplatform, multimedia requirements of today's
broadcaster. Consequently, VT Communications built a new media
distribution system, equally suited to stream or file-based media,
to maximise the benefits of IP and state-of-the-art multicast
techniques. By coupling this technology with distributed
asset-management, network automation and custom-developed content
management, VT Communications is able to offer a complete,
single-sourced, media-management, global distribution and
transmission/platform delivery service over multiple media
platforms. Live or stream management is facilitated within the
Global Media Network (GMN), allowing point-to-point and
point-to-multipoint distribution within the network. "We chose to
collaborate with Harris on this major project because it was able
to provide a turnkey solution that allowed us to maximise the
benefits of a multiplatform distributed network," said Bryan
Coombes, general manager, broadcast, VT Communications. "We worked
with Harris to architect a system that would develop our
capabilities to transport, manage and monitor our audio services.
The NetXpress(TM) platform is central to this distributed network,
and provides a flexible audio codec that features very low latency
when switching from one multicast source to another. High
flexibility coupled with a high packaging density allows our
customers to benefit from a simplified, cost-effective route to
provide global, multiplatform broadcast services." "We worked very
closely with VT Communications to provide a turnkey solution that
would support its cross-media broadcast infrastructure," said Dave
Dougall, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa sales for
the Harris Broadcast Communications Division. "Harris' ability to
integrate the various components to support a global IP-based
solution -- from media management and system automation to media
monitoring -- will enable VT Communications to expand its business
model to incorporate countless platforms and provide new
revenue-generating streams. Unique to this installation is the
centralisation of the automation control, which enables the
globally located NetXpress(TM) codecs to be controlled by the
D-Series(TM) via an SNMP protocol." This new distributed model
removes the traditional audio router as a single point of failure
from the workflow, with all routing occurring on a meshed,
multiple-route infrastructure. By choosing the best platform to
suit their programming needs, broadcasters benefit instantly by
getting higher availability and flexibility when it comes to
managing their distribution paths. The Intelligent Media Mover
management tool is core to VT Communications' ability to redirect
and, if necessary, repurpose media based on user-defined business
rules. For example, it is possible to reformat files to suit
diverse platforms, including Internet formats for podcasting,
streaming, file-on- demand and mobile network delivery.
Furthermore, by integrating VT Communications' asset management
capability using Harris' Intelligent Media Mover file management
tool, program files of differing formats delivered to the Broadcast
Centre by FTP for ad-hoc transmission can be utilised for secondary
revenue generation. So by providing point-to-point program
delivery, ad-hoc program delivery under automation control and
secondary IP delivery, VT Communications is able to provide a
complete, single-sourced, end-to-end solution for every broadcast
output requirement. NetXpress(TM) is the next generation in the
Harris(R) Intraplex(R) line of reliable transport solutions,
streamlining the broadcast industry's transition from T1/E1
circuits to IP connections. It is a managed networking platform
that can send multiple services -- including audio, data and PBX
telephone connections -- over a single IP connection. NetXpress(TM)
offers IP-based, scalable bandwidth circuits that are less
expensive as a result of packetisation, a process in which
information is divided into small segments and placed into packets
prior to transport over the IP network. Designed as a
mission-critical automation solution for direct-to-home (DTH)
satellite delivery services platforms, cable multiple system
operators (MSOs), and global and national commercial TV networks,
the D-Series(TM) automation solution emphasises workflow
efficiency, coupled with the highest levels of system resilience.
With complete scalability and redundancy, D- Series(TM) allows
stations to manage complex, multi-channel operations, while
employing a small number of staff. In addition, D-Series(TM)
customers can reconfigure and upgrade their systems while remaining
"on air." NetBoss(R) is a turnkey, end-to-end Service Assurance
solution for broadband, wireless and converged networks. The
innovative approach to network and service management employed by
the NetBoss network management platform provides a low total cost
of ownership for network operations and maintenance, and enables
operators to improve quality of service. NetBoss(R) functions as a
scalable "manager-of-managers," enabling users to proactively
manage and maintain their entire network from legacy to next
generation, from a single Web-enabled view. The NetBoss network
management platform is a product of the NetBoss(R) business unit,
an operation of the Harris Microwave Communications Division. About
VT Communications VT Communications, part of VT Group plc, is a
leading specialist communications services company, providing
innovative technical solutions and systems integration across the
RF spectrum from VLF to SHF from 29 locations around the world. VT
Communications designs, builds, operates, maintains and supports
mission critical infrastructure for some of the most demanding
organisations among them defence organisations, national
governments, NGOs, broadcasters and space agencies. VT
Communications has extensive expertise in developing everything
from principal infrastructure to delivering unique customised
technical solutions. Its core capabilities include Radio Frequency
Engineering, ICT, Specialist Vehicle & Container Engineering
and Power Generation & Distribution, providing all technical
support services, communications facilities management and project
management. Currently, VT Communications provides such services for
a broad range of customers including the UK Ministry of Defence,
the Swedish Navy, European Space Agency and global relief
organisations. Global broadcast infrastructure owned and operated
by VT Communications transmits over 1,000 hours of both short and
medium wave broadcasts every day for customers including the BBC
World Service, NHK (Radio Japan), Radio Canada International, Radio
Netherlands, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Voice of
America. VT Communications is a founding member of Digital Radio
Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcast related organisations
working to bring digital AM radio to the market place. Additional
information about VT Communications is available at
http://www.vtplc.com/communications. About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information
technology company serving government and commercial markets in
more than 150 countries. With headquarters in Melbourne, Florida,
the company has annual sales of $3.5 billion and nearly 14,000
employees -- including 6,000 engineers and scientists -- dedicated
to the development of best-in-class assured communications(TM)
products, systems, software and services. The company's operating
divisions serve markets for government communications, RF
communications, broadcast communications, and microwave
communications. Additional information about Harris Corporation is
available at http://www.harris.com/. See Harris Broadcast
Communications Division IBC Stand 7:621 & M225 DATASOURCE:
Harris Corporation CONTACT: Laura Whitaker, Vice President,
Marketing Communications, Harris Broadcast Communications Division,
, +1-408-782-1201; Meriam Khan, MKM Marketing Communications, , +44
(0) 20 8141 4703 Web site: http://www.harris.com/
http://www.vtplc.com/communications http://www.ibc.org/
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