Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

ZNBC chooses PlayBox Technology for its Lusaka HQ

21/06/2018

-- --

Facebook

Twitter

Google

Pinterest

Zambia's state-owned television and radio network, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, has chosen PlayBox Technology Neo as the core of a new playout facility controlled from its headquarters in Lusaka. The newly completed system was installed by Beijing-based StarTimes in partnership with PlayBox Technology Asia Pacific.

ZNBC initially upgraded to Neo at its studios in Zambia's second largest city, Kitwe, comments PlayBox Technology Asia Pacific general manager Desmon Goh. Then it expanded its Lusaka headquarters. That transition from legacy analogue equipment was greatly appreciated both by the network's technical and operational staff. StarTimes was then commissioned to replace the analogue system at the network's central studios with PlayBox Technology Neo.

-- --

The new installation includes 12 3U AirBox Neo servers combined with TitleBox Neo CG interactive graphics, a Multi Playout Manager monitoring, control and viewing system, six ListBox Neo Playlist Preparation stations and six TitleBox Neo Preparation stations for template creation. These are configured as six main and six backup playout channels, integrated with ZNBC's existing production studio infrastructure. The entire workflow is in 1080i high definition with output down-conversion for the parallel 576i standard definition transmission feed.

A key requirement was the ability to allow region-specific insertion of interstitials such as commercials into the regional stations as well as the integration with the existing media asset management system by Chengdu Sobey Digital Technology. The channel schedules are prepared using ListBox Neo preparation workstations linked to the relevant AirBox Neo servers via a 10GbE local area network. Each AirBox Neo can source content from the same LAN, from an incoming satellite feed or from locally generated SDI feeds. The project also included provision of a 96 terabyte server for storing programmes and interstitials.

In addition to the servers and software modules, six full weeks of training were provided at StarTimes office in Beijing plus three days of refreshment training at ZNBC in Lusaka. The new system is now in successful operation.

AirBox Neo enables ZNBC to source and process video and audio content from practically every known production platform or video server. Playlists can be scheduled weeks in advance to allow fully automated playout. Gaps or time overlaps are automatically resolved to ensure continuous operation even when conflicting timed events are present. Special facilities ensure uninterrupted operation if content files or even entire schedules are missing or misplaced. Changes to the playlist can be made at any time, even during an on-air session.

Facebook

Twitter

Google

Pinterest

-- --
LINK: http://www.screenafrica.com/2018/06/20/technology/film-tv-video-broadc...
See more stories from screenafrica

Africa Stories

31/10/2025

Tribute: Remembering Segomotso Keorapetse (28 May 1968 22 October 2025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 October 2025 It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Segomotso Keorapetse, an award- winning South African television d...

02/10/2025

THE CALL FOR THE SIXTH PRESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT STIMULUS PROGRAMME (PESP 6) FOCUSED ON THE AUDIO-VISUAL INDUSTRY IS OPEN

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the opening...

30/09/2025

Press Release: South Africa Announces The Heart Is A Muscle as the Official Selection for the 98th Annual Academy Awards

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Found...

26/09/2025

Call for entries for the 19th Annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs19) has been extended

The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...

26/09/2025

Invitation for people with disabilities to submit proposals for short films under the theme: Fully Inclusive

https://www.nfvf.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/fully-Inclusive-nfvf-invitatio...

29/08/2025

Call for entries is now open for the 19th Annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs19)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

27/08/2025

Call for the 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs19) Jury

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

25/08/2025

NFVF Announces New Date and Theme for SAFTAs19

Theme: One Story. One Industry. One Future. - Celebrating South Africa's Screen Legacy, Together Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (N...

15/07/2025

Invitation for South African filmmakers to submit films for the 98th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) International Feature Film category

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

28/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Marks Youth Month by Empowering Future Creatives Through Film & TV Bursaries

Johannesburg, 27 June 2025 - As the nation commemorates Youth Month 2025, the N...

13/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Opens Call for Public Film Screenings on GBV Awareness as South Africa Confronts Ongoing Femicide Crisis

Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...

11/06/2025

Press Release:NFVF Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent Funding and Fair Access Amid Industry Commentary By Ms Weaam Williams

Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...

10/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent Funding and Fair Access Amid Industry Commentary By Ms Weaam Williams

Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...

06/06/2025

CALL FOR CO-DEVELOPMENT AND WORK-IN-PROGRESS PROJECTS OF FEATURE AND DOCUMENTARY ON THE AFRICAN DIASPORA SO PAULO (BRAZIL) SOUTH AFRICA

S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...

05/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Celebrates Xoliswa Sithole's Selection for the 2025 Documentary Slate

Johannesburg, South Africa 4 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundatio...

29/05/2025

PRESS RELEASE: Remembering a South African Icon - Presley Chweneyagae (1984-2025)

Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May...

29/05/2025

Statement on the NFVF CEO's resignation

Johannesburg, South Africa 28 May 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vincent Blennies, has resigned from...

22/05/2025

Call for Public Screening Proposals in Raising Awareness on Gender-Based Violence through Film

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

13/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) call for Applications for the Marketing and Distribution Cycle 1 Funding is Open

The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that was create...

10/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation Members of the Appeal Review Committee Call is Open

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation Marketing and Distribution Advisory Panel Call.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/04/2025

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 1 June 2025 to 31 July 2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

08/04/2025

Press Release: The National Film and Video Foundation Announces its New Chief Executive Officer

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vincent Blennies as Chief Exec...

04/04/2025

ANNECY 2025 STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to submit character designs inspired by lead characters from any South Afric...

14/03/2025

Call for NFVF Funding Applications To Attend Film Festivals and Markets Taking Place From 14 April 2025 To 31 May 2025.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

01/03/2025

agua bacteriostatica comprar en lnea 18

Antis pticos Orales: Revisi n De La Literatura Y Perspectiva Actual Influenza son contradictorios, dadas las elevadas tasas de curaci n espont nea. De ser neces...

28/02/2025

The Future of Green Energy

The Future of Green Energy: Challenges and Prospects Green energy, also known as renewable energy, has emerged as a critical solution to global energy challenge...

27/02/2025

ai chat bot python 10

Beginner Coding in Python: Building the Simplest AI Chat Companion Possible AI-powered Personal VoiceBot for Language Learning by Gamze Zorlubas You can ear...

24/12/2024

PARTICIPATE AT SERIES MANIA FORUM 2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is calling for applications from South African film and television filmmakers to be part of the NFVF's delegat...

30/11/2024

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 15 January 2025 to 31 March 2025.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

16/11/2024

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Call for Market and Festival Hosting Funding Applications is Open

The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...

16/11/2024

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Call for Current Masters Students to Attend Carthage Film Festival in Tunis, Tunisa.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites current masters students t...

30/10/2024

18TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAS) HONOURED THE BEST OF THE SA FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY

Johannesburg, 26 October 2024 - The 18th Annual South African Film and Televisio...

30/10/2024

SAFTAs18 Winners List

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DOCUMENTARY !Aitsa Practitioner: Simon Kohler Production House: MED CINE BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING DOCUMENTARY Rise: The Si...

24/10/2024

PUBLIC INVITATION TO THE INTERVIEW OF NOMINATED CANDIDATE FOR THE COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION (NFVF)

In accordance with Section 6 (2) (c) of the National Film and Video Foundation A...

19/10/2024

Call for Applications: Masters Students to Attend the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos, Nigeria.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites postgraduate students to s...

15/10/2024

EXTENSION OF: INVITATION TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTARY SLATE PROPOSALS 2024

The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...

11/10/2024

NFVF Announces Old Righteous Blues as South Africa's Official Entry for the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars)

10 October 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Found...

09/10/2024

SPORTEL Monaco 2024 Ravel Booth G06/07

Sportel stand number: Ravel Hall G06/07 After a summer filled with intense sport emotions in Paris, France and beyond, Globecast will be happy to welcome you...

04/10/2024

Press Release

SAFTAs 18 Announces Date and Theme: Honouring Excellence in South African Film and Television with the theme Back to Basics . Johannesburg, South Africa Wedn...

04/10/2024

SAFTAs18 Announces Date and Theme: Honouring Excellence in South African Film and Television with the theme Back to Basics

Johannesburg, South Africa Wednesday, 2 October 2024 The South African Film ...

01/10/2024

National Film and Video Foundation Announces Leadership Changes

Johannesburg, South Africa - Monday, 30 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (...