Achieving maximum quality of service (QoS) for playout
By Graham Sharp, CEO, BCNEXXT USA.
Everyone knows the adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This rings particularly true in broadcast playout, where on-air errors can be hugely disruptive and costly to the broadcaster.
Traditional systems assemble video, audio, and graphics components in real-time, even when schedules are pre-set. Any glitch during this live assembly can lead to on-air errors, requiring constant vigilance from Master Control Room (MCR) operators, who need to be on standby 24/7.
By pre-assembling and QC checking as much content as possible ahead of on-air time, far superior Quality of Service (QoS) can be achieved effectively reducing operational expenses and the need for around-the-clock monitoring. This pre-assembly approach can be used for all distribution requirements, enabling the consolidation of Video on Demand (VOD), Over-the-Top (OTT), and Linear playout operations, dramatically reducing operating costs further.
Render when possible, real-time when needed
The benefits of pre-assembly and pre-rendering inspired BCNEXXT to reimagine playout with Vipe. This cloud-native solution simplifies operations and cuts costs by up to 60%. Unlike traditional systems, Vipe pre-renders the output in deliverable transport streams as soon as the schedule is received. This pre-emptive approach ensures that most processes happen ahead of time on efficiently utilized cloud-based servers, addressing potential issues long before they can impact the broadcast.
Source files are never copied into Vipe for processing - data is read directly from the source repository, then written in the Transport Stream (TS) playout format on intermediate storage, after undergoing 80+ automated Quality Control (QC) checks. This unique “assemble-and-QC-ahead” workflow lets you navigate to detailed information to solve tomorrow’s problems today. For ease of identification, the interface color-codes any errors detected during the assembly process.
Live content segments must be rendered on the fly but undergo the same process. Playout then becomes simply stitching together TS files – a very lightweight and reliable process. Full-time monitoring is only required for live events and the operator has a logical, easy-to-use and exception-driven user interface, with a full suite of emergency
content and slates at their disposal. Issues are usually flagged and can be fixed way ahead of time.
Reducing on-air errors
In typical playout systems, on-air errors can be broken down into three categories:
Schedule-induced errors: Errors in the scheduling logic can result in incorrect playlists, such as mismatched assets or disrupted sequences.
Content-induced errors: Technical glitches within the content itself can disrupt playback, causing unwanted artifacts or logical inconsistencies.
Technical system failures: Hardware malfunctions or software bugs can disrupt the entire playout, often necessitating a switch to a backup system.
Consider the following comparison of each type of error for Vipe vs traditional Channel in a Box (CiaB) systems:
The results are in
Proactive measures are more effective and less costly than fixing an issue after it occurs. We believe that utilizing the pre-assembly / pre-render concept, particularly by including QC checks in the pre-rendering process, error trapping can be taken out of the real-time domain and moved well ahead of the on-air time for all file-based content.
Live content must still be processed in real time, but by scaling resources only during the event and providing a full suite of easy-to-use tools to the operator, on-air errors are minimized, even in live events.
With more time to react, check and fix the issue, the process becomes stress free and can reduce on-air errors by up to 90%. The operators, besides covering live events, can work normal office hours, thus dramatically reducing costs and increasing their efficiency.
The future of playout
The future of broadcasting lies in innovative solutions like Vipe. By reimagining playout with pre-rendering technology, BCNEXXT is setting new standards in service quality and operational efficiency. Join the revolution today to experience playout like never before.
Visit us at IBC 2024 with a new version of cloud-native solution Vipe, at stand 3.B23. Our new playbook, “Transform Your Media Business", highlights BCNEXXT’s benchmark model for content playout and distribution, outlining how companies can take the first step towards more streamlined media operations.
Achieving maximum quality of service (QoS) for playout
By Graham Sharp, CEO, BCNEXXT USA.
Everyone knows the adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This rings particularly true in broadcast playout, where on-air errors can be hugely disruptive and costly to the broadcaster.
Traditional systems assemble video, audio, and graphics components in real-time, even when schedules are pre-set. Any glitch during this live assembly can lead to on-air errors, requiring constant vigilance from Master Control Room (MCR) operators, who need to be on standby 24/7.
By pre-assembling and QC checking as much content as possible ahead of on-air time, far superior Quality of Service (QoS) can be achieved effectively reducing operational expenses and the need for around-the-clock monitoring. This pre-assembly approach can be used for all distribution requirements, enabling the consolidation of Video on Demand (VOD), Over-the-Top (OTT), and Linear playout operations, dramatically reducing operating costs further.
Render when possible, real-time when needed
The benefits of pre-assembly and pre-rendering inspired BCNEXXT to reimagine playout with Vipe. This cloud-native solution simplifies operations and cuts costs by up to 60%. Unlike traditional systems, Vipe pre-renders the output in deliverable transport streams as soon as the schedule is received. This pre-emptive approach ensures that most processes happen ahead of time on efficiently utilized cloud-based servers, addressing potential issues long before they can impact the broadcast.
Source files are never copied into Vipe for processing - data is read directly from the source repository, then written in the Transport Stream (TS) playout format on intermediate storage, after undergoing 80+ automated Quality Control (QC) checks. This unique “assemble-and-QC-ahead” workflow lets you navigate to detailed information to solve tomorrow’s problems today. For ease of identification, the interface color-codes any errors detected during the assembly process.
Live content segments must be rendered on the fly but undergo the same process. Playout then becomes simply stitching together TS files – a very lightweight and reliable process. Full-time monitoring is only required for live events and the operator has a logical, easy-to-use and exception-driven user interface, with a full suite of emergency
content and slates at their disposal. Issues are usually flagged and can be fixed way ahead of time.
Reducing on-air errors
In typical playout systems, on-air errors can be broken down into three categories:
Schedule-induced errors: Errors in the scheduling logic can result in incorrect playlists, such as mismatched assets or disrupted sequences.
Content-induced errors: Technical glitches within the content itself can disrupt playback, causing unwanted artifacts or logical inconsistencies.
Technical system failures: Hardware malfunctions or software bugs can disrupt the entire playout, often necessitating a switch to a backup system.
Consider the following comparison of each type of error for Vipe vs traditional Channel in a Box (CiaB) systems:
The results are in
Proactive measures are more effective and less costly than fixing an issue after it occurs. We believe that utilizing the pre-assembly / pre-render concept, particularly by including QC checks in the pre-rendering process, error trapping can be taken out of the real-time domain and moved well ahead of the on-air time for all file-based content.
Live content must still be processed in real time, but by scaling resources only during the event and providing a full suite of easy-to-use tools to the operator, on-air errors are minimized, even in live events.
With more time to react, check and fix the issue, the process becomes stress free and can reduce on-air errors by up to 90%. The operators, besides covering live events, can work normal office hours, thus dramatically reducing costs and increasing their efficiency.
The future of playout
The future of broadcasting lies in innovative solutions like Vipe. By reimagining playout with pre-rendering technology, BCNEXXT is setting new standards in service quality and operational efficiency. Join the revolution today to experience playout like never before.
Visit us at IBC 2024 with a new version of cloud-native solution Vipe, at stand 3.B23. Our new playbook, “Transform Your Media Business", highlights BCNEXXT’s benchmark model for content playout and distribution, outlining how companies can take the first step towards more streamlined media operations.
Beyond streamlining playout, simplifying operations, and significantly reducing overhead, Vipe delivers rich on-air graphics as envisioned in the design studioThe Netherlands - September 11, 2024 - At the upcoming IBC Show, BCNEXXT will showcase the latest version of Vipe, introducing for the first time Vipe RT, a dedicated, real-time playout engine that supports the most complex live event and sports scenarios. IBC attendees can experience Vipe’s native Adobe® After Effects® integration at the BCNEXXT exhibit in Hall 3, Stand 3.B23.Already deployed in hundreds of entertainment channels around the world, Vipe delivers major savings to organizations of all sizes by consolidating silos, streamlining resource usage, and increasing their automation and reliability levels.Vipe also enables differentiating on-air graphics, preserving the rich designs envisioned by the artists through its native Adobe® After Effects® integration. Typical playout workflows flatten rich 3D graphics into a single .MOV file, which is then keyed over the content. As a result, the graphic loses much of its dynamics. With native After Effects integration, Vipe’s rendering engine takes all design elements, including the timing markers, and renders them in 3D exactly as the designer envisioned.“Having native graphics integration as part of a playout solution enables a workflow that supports stylish, dynamic graphics to better differentiate a channel,” states Graham Sharp, CEO of BCNEXXT, USA. “In today's multi-channel world not only are we trying to make our users more efficient, but also enable them to creatively differentiate their channels, all with 99.9999% uptime.”Vipe can be deployed across public and private clouds, on premises as well as hybrid. With its highly optimized compute usage, Vipe ensures lower-energy consumption leading to more sustainable operations and significantly reduced costs whilst delivering unmatched reliability. To learn more about the Vipe playout workflow, please visit: https://www.bcnexxt.com/approach.Learn about Adobe After Effects and give it a try by updating the app today. To enhance your workflow even further, explore the many extensions that are available as part of the Adobe Video ecosystem today.Book a Meeting at IBC 2024To book a one-on-one meeting to learn more about this modern playout service and technology, please contact: ibc@bcnexxt.com.About BCNEXXTBCNEXXT, based in the Netherlands, brings over a century of combined experience in developing Vipe, a virtualized, cloud-native system for Linear, VoD, and OTT publishing. This platform sets a new efficiency benchmark, using significantly fewer resources and achieving near-perfect uptime.
How Rethinking Playout Can Redefine Your Media Supply ChainThe Media Supply chain is a hot topic, but why?We as an industry have created huge supply chain complexity by taking a siloed approach to distribution. We have different departments, staff, technology and systems for Linear, FAST, VOD and Streaming Channels resulting in the supply chain having to deliver multiple versions of content to each endpoint.So why are we so focused on the Supply Chain? We are putting the cart before the horse and spending millions solving a problem that we could solve in a much simpler way.Why not consolidate playout first, then the supply chain only has to deliver a master version of the content, to a single end point?VIPE from BCNEXXT is a single platform that creates all of your distribution requirements in their transport stream formats from a single master content source. It does this without ingesting, on the fly, then stitches the events together into linear streams or delivers them to VOD origin servers based on your schedules and manifests.Liberate your playout and simplify your supply chain.
BCNEXXT Introduces Vipe RT at IBC 2024 Cloud-native playout solution revolutionizes live sports and events workflows, simplifying operations and reducing overhead by as much as 60%
The Netherlands - April 18, 2024 - BCNEXXT is pleased to announce that Vipe has won the 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year Award in the Asset Management, Automation and Playout category. The official awards program recognizes some of the most significant and promising new products and technologies showcased by exhibitors at the 2024 NAB Show.
Vipe is a cloud-native, software-only offering that simplifies and speeds up the deployment of fully automated linear playout (including live), OTT streaming and VOD offerings. It removes multiple silos and simplifies media supply chains. Clients experience up to 60% cost reductions.
“Vipe enables broadcasters and content owners to dramatically improve their operational efficiency,” states Graham Sharp, CEO, BCNEXXT USA. “Vipe intelligently scales resources to match the complexity of the content, consolidates linear, streaming and VOD silos under a single point of technical management, and automates most common playout tasks, increasing reliability and reducing costs.. We are honored to be recognized by the NAB and take home this prestigious award!” The 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year Award Winners were selected by a panel of
industry experts in 15 categories. “NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace showcasing the latest trends and
technology spanning creation, distribution and monetization in the broadcast,
media and entertainment industry,” said senior vice president and chief customer
success officer Eric Trabb, NAB Global Connections and Events.“Congratulations to BCNEXXT for winning the prestigious 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year Award, a testament to the groundbreaking innovation embodied by Vipe. Its profound impact on the content lifecycle underscores its pivotal role in empowering storytellers to navigate present challenges and embrace the opportunities of tomorrow.” BCNEXXT’s customer Comcast Technology Solutions was also recognized with an IABM BaM award at the 2024 NAB Show for their advanced playout workflow, which relies on Vipe. About NAB Show
NAB Show is the preeminent conference and exhibition driving the evolution of
broadcast, media and entertainment, held April 13-17, 2024 (Exhibits April 14-17)
in Las Vegas. Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters, NAB Show
is the ultimate marketplace for next-generation technology inspiring superior
audio and video experiences. From creation to consumption, across multiple
platforms, NAB Show, ranked as one of the top fastest-growing shows in the
United States, is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new
and exciting ways. Learn more at NABShow.com. About BCNEXXT
BCNEXXT, based in the Netherlands, brings over a century of combined experience in developing Vipe, a virtualized, cloud-native system for Linear, VoD, and OTT publishing. This platform sets a new efficiency benchmark, using significantly fewer resources and achieving near-perfect uptime.
OVERON, the technical content delivery division of the leading audiovisual service provider Grup MEDIAPRO, has transformed its playout operations across North and South America with BCNEXXT’s cloud-native playout solution, Vipe. As a global media distribution powerhouse, OVERON is at the forefront of delivering tier-1 sports and live content, servicing over a thousand TV channels worldwide. The move of its core playout operations, consisting of 25 television channels, to the cloud underscores OVERON's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology like Vipe for modern media distribution, ensuring high reliability and agility in service delivery.
BCNEXXT is showcasing the future of playout operations at NAB 2024 with the cloud-native solution, Vipe in the IABM lounge W236LMR (Level 2). Reducing operational costs by as much as 60% with an incredible 99.9999% uptime, Vipe is a cloud-native software-only solution designed to streamline and expedite the deployment of fully automated linear (including live), OTT, FAST, Streaming and VOD channels. Vipe combines the multiple silos that content owners and distributors typically have in place today, drastically simplifying media supply chains, reducing operator-to-channel ratio and enabling organizations to quickly deploy new channels without the upfront costs.
We are thrilled to be part of the project at Sky Europe that won the prestigieus IBC “Content distribution” innovation award. Together with Techex (https://techex.co.uk/) and Squaredpaper (https://squaredpaper.co.uk/) we managed to help Sky migrate all Content TV channels from traditional on-prem, to be fully cloud native playout channels .For us, the project started in 2019 with some DR channels, today it is running 135 live Vipe channels from the cloud.Thank you Sky Europe for putting your trust in our platform in us as a company.
BCNEXXT, the creators of the new innovative native cloud Playout platform Vipe, announced today that they have achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Technology Partner status and completed the Foundational Technical Review (FTR).