Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/668752
B r o a d c a s t e r s S h o w D a i l y 1 7 W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 PCTV SERVES UP LOCAL PROGRAMMING WITH TIGHTROPE MEDIA SYSTEMS Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV), a local 24/7 provider of three PEG (Public, educational and government access) channels serving more than 20,000 cable TV subscribers in the Pittsfield, Dalton and Richmond, Massachusetts area, has upgraded its video production and playout capabilities with the latest version of Cablecast automation and playout software from Tightrope Media Systems. Cablecast 6.0 offers a substantial improvement over previous generations, including a completely redesigned user interface to help users work across more devices, including cell phones and tablets. These improvements help the modest PCTV staff work far more efficiently – and achieve more operationally – across the broadcast and production workflow. "So many of us now use mobile devices when interacting with the Cablecast software, so this was a helpful addition that comes at the perfect time," said Shawn T. Serre, Education Coordinator and Chief Engineer at Pittsfield Community Television. "We also still use desktops to schedule our pro- gramming, and the software automatical- ly adapts to whatever screen we use. Also, many of the menus and toolbars have been updated, making the user experience far more intuitive." PCTV seamlessly integrated Cablecast 6.0 software with its existing Tightrope hardware, which the broad- caster has leveraged and gradually upgraded for program scheduling, automation and playout since 2003. PCTV's complete Tightrope system includes a Cablecast Pro VOD server (which also includes Cablecast automa- tion software) and two Cablecast SX2HD 2x1 video servers. These servers provide PCTV with a total of four playout channels (HD or SD), and two encode channels. "We started with the basic Tightrope PEG channel configuration, using Cablecast for our main server and automation platform, and the Carousel digital signage system for bulletin boards. We later added downstream keying, VOD, live streaming, high-definition server playback, and separately added Tightrope's ZEPLAY instant replay sys- tem for our sports production," said Serre. "Tightrope products are integrated to pro- vide maximum impact with minimal workflow effort, and the software upgrades provide a level of enhancement one might expect with an entirely new system." That minimal workflow effort is achieved through the system's ability to intelligently automate and update infor- mation across the various Tightrope prod- ucts. Serre points to how Carousel bul- letins are updated with new information as schedule changes are made in Cablecast, with VOD les created at the click of a button. Additionally, PCTV's web schedules update automatically, with effortless downstream key branding. Serre adds that as a long-time Tightrope customer, PCTV has grown to rely on and appreciate its focus on cus- tomer service. "The technical support and customer service are first-rate. On the rare occasion where I have had to reach out for help, they have been a phone call or remote desktop away, and issues normally get resolved very quickly. The products are fairly priced, the technology is straight- forward and easy to master and the relia- bility is unparalleled. We never have to worry that our workflow, from scheduling to on-air playback, will fail. It is truly 'set it and forget it.'" About Tightrope Media Systems Founded in 1997, Tightrope Media Systems is the pioneer of web-centric dig- ital signage and broadcast automation systems. It provides station automation, video servers, internet video on demand, live streaming, the Carousel Digital Signage system and ZEPLAY, a multi- channel instant replay machine for stadi- ums, arenas and outside broadcast vehi- cles. Tightrope's award winning systems are used throughout the world. For more information, visit www.trms.com. WARD-BECK SYSTEMS OF CANADA TO JOIN RAVENNA PARTNER COMMUNITY Toronto-based broadcast equipment specialist Ward-Beck Systems announced its membership of the RAVENNA partner community. Known for its outstanding commitment and expertise in the broadcast domain since 1967, Ward-Beck now raises the bar still higher by adding RAVENNA/AES67 connectivity to its products. Initial prod- ucts with Ravenna/AES67 connectivity include the AMS2-N, (two channel monitor), AMS8-N (eight channel mon- itor) 32ME-N (dual 16 channel network converter with metering) MLC8-N (8 channel converter, with metering and level control). Kevin Lyver, President of Ward-Beck, said, "AoIP is the way of the future. We conducted extensive research on the different available tech- nologies and found RAVENNA/AES67 suited our needs and the needs of our clients best. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with our partners at A LC NetworX and the growing R AVENNA partner communi- ty." Andreas Hildebrand, Senior Product Manager of ALC NetworX, welcomes Ward-Beck Systems to the RAVENNA partner community. "With the rapidly increasing industry interest on AES67, an ever-growing number of manufactur- ers are seeking for fast and reliable options to integrate audio-over-IP con- nectivity into their products. We are hon- ored that Ward-Beck Systems with their palette of highly specialized products and their enviable reputation as an excel- lent project partner has chosen to use RAVENNA technology to implement AES67 connectivity into its products. We are convinced that R A V E N N A / A E S 6 7 - e n a b l e d Ward-Beck products will further enhance the field of applications for interoperable audio-over-IP solutions." About Ward-Beck Ward-Beck designs and manufactures equipment used in the radio and televi- sion broadcasting industry. Since 1967, it has supplied high quality broadcast equipment to televi- sion and radio broadcasters worldwide for both fixed and mobile installations. It has an enviable track record in the timely completion of projects and post installa- tion support. Its clients, major broadcast- ers, systems integrators and government organizations select the company to develop and supply products to address their specific operating requirements. Ward-Beck equipment is used to broadcast the nightly news, morning talk shows, the Olympics, major league sporting events, political conventions, elections and more. Legacy Ward-Beck products are sought after by music pro- ducers and it has equipment in many educational and governmental institu- tions. It is a team of audio specialists; its roots are sound. About RAVENNA RAVENNA is a technology for real-time distribution of audio and other media content in IP-based network environ- ments. Utilizing standardized network protocols and technologies, RAVENNA can operate on existing network infra- structures. RAVENNA is designed to meet the strict requirements of the pro audio market featuring low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability. While primarily targeting the profes- sional broadcast market, RAVENNA is also suitable for deployment in other pro audio market segments like live sound, install market and recording. Possible fields of application include (but are not limited to) in-house signal distribution in broadcasting houses, theaters, concert halls and other fixed installations, flexi- ble setups at venues and live events, OB van support, inter-facility links across WAN connections and in production and recording applications. Unlike most other existing network- ing solutions, RAVENNA is an open technology standard without a propri- etary licensing policy. RAVENNA is fully compatible with the AES67-2013 standard on H igh-performance Streaming Audio-over-IP Interoperability. THE LTO PROGRAM LAUNCHES TAPE MEDIA SHIPMENT REPORT The LTO Program Technology Provider Companies (TPCs), Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM and Quantum released the total industry LTO Ultrium format tape media shipment data, announcing a record 76,000 PB (compressed) of total capacity shipped in 2015 alone, an increase of 17.8 percent over the prior year. The milestone, announced in tandem with the launch of a new report showing both 2015 and year- over-year generational data, provides a clear picture of the long-term viability and importance of tape in today's rapidly shift- ing storage environment. The report also showed more than 385,000 PB of total data capacity has been shipped since the introduction of LTO Ultrium cartridges in 2000. A petabyte (PB) equals roughly four times the amount of data contained in the Library of Congress. For an understanding of the amount of data shipped to date, multiply the amount of data in the Library of Congress by 385,000, and imagine all of that data stored on tape. The report shows significant increas- es in year-over-year total capacity shipped aided by the introduction of LTO-7 prod- ucts, which were made available to the market during the last quarter of 2015. Shipments in 2015 reflect a small decrease in media unit shipments over the prior year, which is typical as the market antic- ipates the introduction of a new genera- tion. The year-over-year unit shipments are offset by the total capacity shipped in the same period, indicating that tape usage is migrating to higher capacity LTO-6 and LTO-7 technologies. "Tape continues to serve IT profes- sionals in many industries with low cost, and secure and reliable data storage, espe- cially for longer term applications," said Jason Buffington, Principle Analyst, Data Protection at ESG. "With LTO-7 technol- ogy recently coming onto the market, we're expecting a continued use case for the technology in many industries, as well as adoption in new industries seeking ways to safely store rapidly increasing data." The reports are available on the LTO Program website at www.lto.org.