Ampex Data Systems DST Video Archive Systems Support Television Programming Storage for Viasat
Business Editors & High-Tech Writers
NAB2001
Booth No. L365
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2001--Ampex Data Systems Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ampex Corp. (AMEX:AXC), today announced that Viasat Broadcasting UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Time Group, has installed two Ampex DST(R) 812 video server archives as part of an overall storage solution at its West Drayton, Middlesex television broadcasting facility in the United Kingdom.
Encoda Systems, who supplied the core automation and worked as Viasat's systems integrator provided the twin DST systems at the Viasat facility together with three Grass Valley Group Profile(R) XP video servers. The Profile XP media platforms and video servers are connected to the Ampex DST library systems via a Fibre Channel network. This allows the libraries to be accessed by multiple Profile XP Media Platforms and video servers.
Rod Fairweather, general manager of Basingstoke, U.K.-based Encoda Systems, which provides and oversees the play-out operations team at Viasat, commented, "We have used the Ampex DST video server archive for some time now and have found it to be extremely reliable so when it came to expanding the storage and distribution capacity of the station, the combination of the DST with the Profile Network Archive Server and the Profile XP Media Platform was the obvious choice."
At Viasat, which transmits 12 channels of broadcast programs to Scandinavian subscribers, the DST is used both for long-term storage as well as storing high repeat factor material. Material is transferred over the network between the Ampex DST library and Profile XP Media platforms dedicated to distribution. When required it can then be moved to an existing bank of Profile PDR300 devices, which are used for transmission.
"When we started looking at technology to replace our current play-out system, we set specific needs for flexibility, reliability, ease of use and the ability to expand our service according to the demands that digital broadcasting will place on us as a facility. Having looked closely at all the options, we decided that the combination of Ampex DST and Grass Valley Group would more than accommodate our technical strategy," said Per Norman, Viasat president.
"Their understanding of our needs and the expertise they are putting into the project means that we are more than confident that this solution will take us into the next millennium and meet the challenges it will bring."
"It takes a number of companies working together to provide a robust automated video server archive solution. Maintaining a close working relationship with Grass Valley Group, as well as with developers like Avalon, enables us to provide our customers with fully compatible virtual integration," stated John Hennessy, director of video and broadcast marketing for |
