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PAC -12
Distribution Center
Winner of
network automation
Submitted by
Comcast Media Center
Runner -up
Centralcast
Submitted by Myers Information
Systems and Evertz Microsystems
Comcast Media Center (CMC) successfully launched
seven new HD sports networks for PAC -12 Enterprises
(PAC -12) from a new origination environment
in CMC's Centennial, CO -based facility.
Known as the PAC -12 Distribution Center (DC), this environment
complements the PAC -12 Network Center (NC) in
San Francisco. CMC also provides PAC -12 with occasional satellite and terrestrial
fiber acquisition, feed record, media prep, content storage, compression/
encryption and uplink services.
Given the dynamic nature of live sports networks, CMC determined that
interoperability between the DC and the NC was paramount to the PAC -12
team. Therefore, CMC designed the systems to allow the San Francisco staff
to produce and contribute file -based content, remotely schedule and segment
feed records, and drive programmatic changes as necessary.
The operations staffing model for the DC needed to be flexible and able to
expand /contract as schedules dictated. To support these requirements, CMC
designed the origination environment to include one command -and- control
master -control station to manage scheduled playback of PAC -12 Conference
programming; seven individual network live -event "pods" (one national and
six regional), located immediately adjacent to command and control for live
game switching, graphics and commercial insertion; and a supervisor and engineering
desk to centrally manage all programmatic and /or technical exception
handling.
The DC acquires content from multiple sources - either file -based from the
NC and commercial advertising systems, or scheduled feeds /live events delivered
via dedicated fiber circuits set up between the NC, conference campuses and the
DC. This fiber connectivity allows the DC to perform disaster recovery for PAC -
12 should the NC be unable to perform its regular functions.
Winner of
newsroom technology
Submitted by
Fujitsu Network Media Solutions
Runner -up
Associated Press DSNG vehicles
Submitted by Ericsson
Recently, CBS News began exploring the benefits
of IP -based newsgathering via corporate LAN/
WAN. By delivering video from bureaus located
around the world over its IP corporate network
to headquarters back in New York City, CBS News could save
on fiber and satellite bandwidth costs, as well as more easily
cover certain breaking -news events.
A key challenge was convincing the company's corporate IT department
that CBS News transmissions could use existing corporate bandwidth without
causing any QoS issues to the network. CBS News chose Fujitsu IP -9500
H.264 AVC encoders for its new IP -based newsgathering workflow. When the
network began implementing IP -based newsgathering, it discovered that the
encoders could be used to simultaneously transmit high -quality HD audio and
video over fiber, IP and satellite.
When used as part of the new IP newsgathering workflow, the Fujitsu
encoders are located onboard an OB truck in the field or at a local news
bureau. After compressing video and audio signals from Sony XDCAM video
cameras and decks, the encoders send the signals to Sencore 3187B modular
receiver decoders located in the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. The
decoders then convert the signals into an HD video feed for recording and
broadcast use.
With satellite bandwidth costing several dollars per minute, CBS News' new
IP newsgathering approach is extremely cost -effective because it relies on the
company's low -cost internal LAN /WAN. The network anticipates that it will
increasingly rely on IP video and audio transmission in breaking news situations
where Internet connectivity is available. For example, during news coverage
of Hurricane Sandy, environmental conditions made it impossible for the
network to rely on satellite; however, leveraging a good IP connection, CBS
News was able to deliver life- saving information to its East Coast viewers.
38 broadcastengineering.com
I March 2013