Making its UK debut at Broadcast Live, Pharos Mediator Enterprise is one of the most innovative new developments in broadcasting. Developed from the field-proven Mediator media management system, Mediator Enterprise enables television network staff to concentrate on content rather than kit. It automatically tracks content flow from initial acquisition to playout and post-transmission storage. Configurable for large or small networks, Mediator Enterprise includes ingest tools, browsing, quality-control processing and management of tape, near-online and archive libraries. On signing in to the system, individual operators are presented with a familiar web-based control screen matching the specific roles they perform within the organisation. As content progresses towards and beyond transmission, it is automatically presented to the appropriate user. Combining media asset management and workflow management, Mediator Enterprise offers a step-change increase in the efficiency of broadcast network operation.
Pharos Mobile Content Transcoder enables rich media files to be converted quickly and easily from a wide range of telco-specific formats such as the 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards used in high-speed wireless networks. Source files are displayed on a browser-driven control screen. Transcoding is activated by dragging and dropping files between source and destination format folders. Files can be converted in any order between MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, DV, 4:2:2, 4:2:0 and uncompressed. Output bit-rate is user-assignable. Applications of Pharos Mobile Content Transcoder include downconverting broadcast-quality content for internet-based distribution, upconverting internet-delivered ENG feeds, and a wide variety of file-format interchange tasks in programme production, post-production and playout. The unit occupies a compact 1U x 600 mm chassis and is controlled via a standard browser.
Pharos will also be demonstrating a new MPEG4-based browse system, Pharos Reflection, which allows incoming video to be viewed by up to 20 users simultaneously on existing PC or Mac desktop PCs. Reflection is compatible with video servers handling MPEG2, DV25, DV50 and uncompressed signal formats. Source material can be accessed via FTP or file sharing.
A powerful update to the Pilot Ria web-based intranet control system will be introduced by Pharos at Broadcast Live. When launched at IBC2004, Pilot Ria set new levels of operational flexibility for broadcast staff by enabling full reactive control of routing equipment from any web browser via local or secure-coupled intranet. It can be deployed quickly and easily throughout a single-site or multi-site facility and, when necessary, enables engineering staff to reconfigure a system from home or while travelling. Pharos Pilot Ria 2 adds to the existing feature-set major enhancements including salvo/macro functions, destination locking, and destination grouping. Full details will be released at the exhibition.
Pharos will exhibit a major innovation in Media Asset Management at Broadcast Live, being the first to implement Isilon intelligent clustered storage into a MAM system. This enables broadcasters to benefit from Isilon’s ‘pay as you grow’ storage solutions, expandable up to 528 terabytes of capacity and 7 gigabyte/s data speeds.
Pharos offers modular broadcast process control ensuring efficient media asset management and workflow, enabling broadcasters to expand their business horizon whilst containing costs. Users interact via web pages and can control and manage end to end, from ingest through playout to archiving. Applications include presentation, asset-management, interactive broadcasting and preservation. Pharos will be on Stand F74, Broadcast Live, Earls Court 2, London, June 20-22.