Pixel Power Automates NZRB with Flying Colours

Pixel Power Automates NZRB with Flying Colours 04 Jun 2014

Leading graphics and workflow specialist Pixel Power has delivered an automated playout and branding solution to the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB). The technology allows NZRB to fully automate the overnight transmission of its two television channels, enabling them to broadcast 24 hours a day, while also enhancing their on-air look.

The two channels Trackside and TAB broadcast live race meetings during the day, so both need the option of manual control. The live race meetings include international meetings sourced via fibre and satellite. Overnight when there is no live racing a program schedule of industry focused discussion programmes and reviews, plus replay of the days racing is transmitted.

The requirement, therefore, was for a system which would allow for secure manual control to work around the unpredictability of live sports action, but which could also be relied upon for fully automated, unattended overnight operation. Pixel Power ChannelMaster and BrandMaster, together with Gallium Workflow, provided the perfect solution.

Until now we have used a home-grown automation system without presentation controls, graphics or any scalability, said Gavin Richmond, Senior Broadcast Engineer of NZRB. The Pixel Power ChannelMaster has none of the compromises of a typical channel in a box' solution, and boosts our productivity and our connection to our viewers. With the graphics capability we ensure consistent branding for our channels. It is a great step forward for us.

Trackside uses ChannelMaster with live and studio feeds during the day. During the evening it switches to automated playout, with satellite feeds and media files being used to fill air time.

The TAB installation uses Pixel Power BrandMaster, as its requirements were slightly simpler, needing no media file playout. It allows the same graphic templates to be used so there is consistent high quality branding and viewer experience. Both networks are under the control of Pixel Power Gallium Workflow, which ingests information directly from NZRB's scheduling system. There is a single shared hardware control panel.

We are now planning to move our operations from Wellington to Auckland, and to rebrand the two services as Trackside 1 and Trackside 2, said NZRB's Richmond. As part of that we will field-upgrade the BrandMaster to a full ChannelMaster system. Being able to upgrade easily and cost-effectively was another reason behind our choice of Pixel Power.

For Pixel Power, James Gilbert said This is a great illustration of the power of our playout and workflow products. What NZRB needed was simple but completely reliable control and the ability to switch between live and pre-recorded events, wrapped up in excellent branding. The image quality and graphics flexibility made Pixel Power ChannelMaster the obvious choice.

The original installation at NZRB was managed by Gencom Technology, Pixel Power's distributor in New Zealand. The system went live in November 2013. Pixel Power will also be exhibiting at BroadcastAsia on booth 5D1-05.

About Pixel Power

Pixel Power provides innovative graphics production and integrated playout delivery systems for broadcasters, OB truck companies, playout facilities, post-production houses, venues and sports complexes. Our award-winning branding and promotions systems, graphics-enabled master control switchers, and sophisticated HD/SD switchable graphics production systems allow producers to deliver dynamic live and pre-recorded content for any SD, HD, 3D stereoscopic, mobile, online or interactive application.

For over 25 years Pixel Power's engineering prowess and dedication to customer support have made it the industry's first choice. Our customer base of over 2000 systems includes market leaders like Al Jazeera, BBC, CBC, Disney, Discovery, ESPN, Sky, Technicolor, VIASAT and WDR.

Headquartered in Cambridge, England, Pixel Power has a subsidiary located in Burbank, California and a Middle East office in Dubai, as well as a global network of carefully selected distributors trained to support any requirement.

Pixel Power can be contacted online at www.pixelpower.com.

About Gencom

Gencom is a leading provider of integrated broadcast solutions, which has built a strong reputation in inspiration, partnership and support over the last 40 years. Gencom's investment in not only the finest technology but the training of their staff in areas of HDTV transmission, media asset management and delivering technologies like IPTV on a global scale, has made them one of the most talented and experienced design and support services world-wide. The company has design centres in Auckland, Sydney and Singapore, with offices in Wellington, Johannesburg and representatives in London, all of which offer end-to-end technology solutions for the broadcast, multimedia and telecommunications industries For further information visit www.gencom.com

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