MTV Networks Europe Implements One of the First Super-Digital Broadcast Solutions in Europe
today announced that MTV Networks Europe will be one of the first networks
to implement a new super-digital broadcast solution that will allow them
to reduce the production process and 'time to air' by over 30 percent.
MTV Networks Europe viewers will now have access to new programs faster
than ever possible when traditional linear video tape technology was used in
production.
IBM, along with storage services company, Sagitta and broadcast technology
specialists, Pinnacle Systems, have developed a 'supercomputing' digital
video editing and storage solution which will allow MTV Networks Europe to
handle large quantities of digital video data simultaneously. The new
solution will eliminate the need to replicate new source material across the
production department and multiple edits to reduce production time and
simplify media management.
"This project is all about putting in place our digital approach for the
future. The solution will let us get more work done in shorter periods as a
result of more collaborative work and will give us flexibility and
scalability in our growth as our needs increase," said Mike Spinks, VP
Broadcast Technology Planning, MTV Broadcast Services. "By working with
technology leaders such as, IBM, Sagitta and Pinnacle, MTVNE is getting
state of the art capability to deliver new exciting programming more
efficiently and quickly to our viewers."
The way in which MTV's large video files are stored is crucial to the
success of this MTV Networks BV project (based in Holland), which is being
considered as a model for pan European roll out. By implementing IBM's
General Parallel File System (GPFS), MTV can tap into "supercomputing
technology" to help multiple users of the Pinnacle Systems Liquid editors
access and edit the same video files simultaneously using multiple streams.
The Storage Area Network (SAN) solution, which can currently accommodate 3
TeraBytes of disk storage space -- 260 hours of online digital video-- is
built around industry standard servers and storage configured as a Linux
cluster and IBM's GPFS. This means it can be easily scaled to meet growing
requirements by simply adding additional servers and storage as needed. .
The IBM infrastructure includes FAStT 700 storage and IBM eServer xSeries
systems to provide a resilient infrastructure with no single point of
failure.
The suite of Pinnacle Systems' Liquid editors are fully integrated in the
SAN and includes, Liquid blue, Pinnacle System's flagship networked craft
editor for broadcast professionals, which offers full end-to-end native
digital production in multiple formats. Furthermore, the MTV purchase also
includes Liquid chrome for post-production functionality, and Liquid purple
for the company's DV editing needs. With image quality and workflow
efficiency concerns at its core, Pinnacle Liquid editors have a unified
workspace for multi-layer editing, effects, and compositing. As a complete
solution, MTVNE will harness both the advantages of networked media and one
of the most comprehensive broadcast editing solutions available to
programmers today.
The entire infrastructure was first staged within Sagitta's technology lab
to verify its capabilities. This included assessing the effectiveness of
pioneering broadcast workflow processes developed by industry specialist
Marquis Broadcast to meet MTV's specific requirements. The infrastructure
was also subject to thorough stress testing before implementing the proven
solution at MTV.
About MTV Networks Europe
MTV Europe is Europe's largest 24-hour music television network, reaching
more than 113 million households in 48 territories via terrestrial, cable,
satellite, digital, and broadband. MTV Europe currently comprises the
following channels - MTV España, MTV European (an English language channel
serving 24 countries including Czech Republic, Israel and Turkey), MTV
France (serving France, Belgium & French speaking Switzerland), MTV Germany
(serving Germany, Austria and German speaking Switzerland), MTV2 Pop (pop
channel in Germany), MTV Italia, MTV NL, MTV Nordic, MTV Polska, MTV Classic
(a second bespoke music television channel targeting Polish viewers aged
25-40), MTV Portugal, MTV Romania, MTV UK & Ireland, VH1 UK and VH1
European. MTV Europe also owns TMF in Holland, which runs alongside MTV NL,
as well as TMF Flanders and TMF UK. There are 5 digital channel brands
available in the UK - MTV Dance, Base, Hits, MTV2, VH1 Classic, with Base,
Hits, MTV2 and VH1 Classic available in Europe There are also 20 localised
online services: mtv.es servicing the MTV España market; mtve.com servicing
MTV Nordic and MTV European territories in English; mtv.fr serving France;
mtv.de and mtv2pop.de both in German servicing the Central market; mtv.it
aimed at users in Italy; mtvnl.com servicing the Dutch market alongside
tmf.nl and tmf.be; mtv.pl and mtvclassic.pl aimed at the MTV Polska and MTV
Classic market in Poland; mtv.ro servicing the Romanian market; mtv.co.uk
for the MTV UK & Ireland market, mtvbase.co.uk servicing MTV Base viewers
across Europe; mtv2.co.uk and mtv2europe - two English language sites
running alongside the MTV2 digital channel. Servicing VH1 are vh1.co.uk
complementing VH1 UK and vh1e.com servicing the European VH1 market. In
addition there are two sites servicing Nickelodeon - nickelodeon.nl
servicing kids in the Dutch market and nickelodeon-es.com servicing kids in
the Spanish market. All brands are specifically tailored to satisfy the
tastes and nuances of each market including local presenters, programming
and playlists.