MPEG-2 ad insertion................
SeaChange Introduces Spot Pro Digital Video System for Television
Operators
SeaChange SPOT Family Extended to Empower Smaller Broadcasters and Networks with Digital Storage and Playback
Western Show Booth 4756
MAYNARD, Mass., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaChange International, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SEAC) today introduced SeaChange SPOT Pro, a low-priced video server
system providing small- to medium-sized television operators with the control
and reliability of digitally encoded MPEG-2 programs and commercials. The
software-based SeaChange SPOT Pro outperforms tape decks and cart machines
because it automatically records, stores and plays video material without
expensive maintenance, labor-intensive operation, cumbersome tape libraries,
and degeneration of video quality.
SeaChange designed SPOT Pro to enable television operators to make a cost-
effective move from tape-based systems to digital video. Priced below
$90,000, the complete system enables MPEG-2 encoding with up to 12 Mb/second
quality; fault-tolerant storage scaleable up to 5,000 commercials; database-
centric scheduling; and remote diagnostic capabilities. The system can run in
either semi-automated environments triggered by a master control switcher or
can be run fully automated in time-based environments. Because SPOT Pro
operates over a TCP/IP network, functions such as traffic and scheduling can
be executed from separate workstations within the appropriate departments.
"Television operators of all sizes are pursuing digital video solutions
and SeaChange provides a variety of systems to put digital excellence within
their reach," said Bill Styslinger, president & CEO, SeaChange International.
"Like the rest of the SeaChange SPOT family, SPOT Pro is engineered with the
reliability and complete end-to-end performance required by television
operators."
Among the first operators to enhance its tape-based system with SPOT Pro
is KDTV Denver, one of over 200 municipal access channels nationwide that airs
a mix of programming including city council meetings and other municipal
events, public policy programming, live satellite feeds, and studio programs.
The 16 tape decks currently used for KDTV's two-channel operation require
continuous manpower for tape preparation, program scheduling and playback.
Like many other access channels with a complete weekly program schedule,
KDTV's playback decks get heavy use. This year they were due for replacement,
but the operator chose to make a more reliable growth-oriented investment in
digital storage and playback.
KDTV will use SPOT Pro for all of its public service announcements,
promotions and most of its regular programming. By coordinating a few tape
decks with the SPOT Pro, KDTV will simplify and streamline programming while
minimizing maintenance operations. Now, in addition to a much more flexible
schedule, the channel will be able to easily provide promotions and, for the
first time, program specific schedule information. Since SPOT Pro is open and
scaleable, it will also allow KDTV to make a gradual, affordable transition to
a totally digital operation.
"Like all networks, KDTV strives to provide high quality programming while
controlling equipment and operating costs," said Ms. Byron West, director of
television, KDTV Denver. "SPOT Pro's consistent MPEG-2 output will give us
the advantage of providing the video quality audiences expect, while the
system's reliability and automation will enable us to focus on programming
improvements."
The SeaChange SPOT Pro is available internationally for PAL and NTSC
environments. Pricing is dependent on the configuration.
Founded in 1993, SeaChange International, Inc., of Maynard, Mass.
( www.schange.com ), is a leading provider of software-based products to
manage, store and distribute digital video for television operators and
telecommunications companies. The Company's products automate the management
and distribution of short- and long-form video streams including
advertisements, movies, news updates and other video programming requiring
precise, accurate and continuous execution. SeaChange's products are
installed in hundreds of geographic markets and serve more than 11,500
channels worldwide.
NOTE: SPOT System and SPOT Pro are trademarks of SeaChange International,
Inc. All rights reserved.
SOURCE SeaChange International
/CONTACT: John Coulbourn of SeaChange International, 508-897-0100 ext.
3098, johnc@schange.com/
/Web site: schange.com
(SEAC) |
