CCTV Chooses PlayBox Playout and Graphics
PlayBox Technology has supplied and installed playout facilities for all three of Cambridge Community Television’s channels. These are currently running at SD but can be switched to HD when the channels migrate to the format later this year. The equipment includes three sets of playout and graphics servers together with a two-channel ingest system and a preparation server.
“CCTV chose PlayBox Technology for its range of features and competitive price”, comments Hakan Volkan, Area Sales Manager. He continues, “The system design was also seen as flexible, scalable and adaptable, and so able to meet the broadcaster’s expected future requirements”. CCTV cites the integration of TitleBox on-air graphics with AirBox automation and playout servers that allows the unattended, automated running of on-air for graphics, bumpers, ads and promos, as well as program material.
During installation, PlayBox Technology’s technical support worked with CCTV to develop custom workflows and special-case uses for the playout system. CCTV is pleased with the features including independent broadcast servers, network-attached storage, a library able to store rich metadata and the ability to prepare schedules in the library itself. Overall, this investment has increased the capacity of a small station to deliver rich media to the community.
The workflow starts with CCTV acquiring content from a wide range of sources including live studios, satellite feeds, traffic cameras, digital media files and DVDs. Playlists are prepared in advance and delivered to the AirBox playout systems for the unattended 24/7 broadcast. The on-air graphics are automated and presented live via the AirBox / TitleBox combination.
Cambridge Community Television in Massachusetts, USA, is a nationally recognized community media center that is the voice and vision of all residents, businesses and organizations in the city. CCTV provides tools and training to foster free speech and creative expression, and involves people from across the city as producers and viewers of media that is informative, engaging, and as diverse as the Cambridge community. Three local cable channels, 8, 9 and 96, feature programming produced by Cambridge residents, arts and cultural organizations and City agencies. CCTV offers hands-on media production and technology workshops, providing access to emerging technologies and state-of-the-art media equipment, to improve the capacity of our local producers to use media to engage in issues from their own perspectives.