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Red Bee Media Trials OmniBus iTX Automation to Simplify Transmission Chain, Lower Playout Costs

 
Published: Monday, 1 May 2006
 
SPONSOR NEWS DENVER — April 24, 2006 — OmniBus Systems, the award-winning provider of comprehensive automation and content management solutions to the broadcast industry, today announced that its groundbreaking new iTX solution, the first end-to-end software-based transmission system, has been installed at the U.K.’s Red Bee Media, formerly BBC Broadcast. “Though the playout market is increasingly price-sensitive, it demands greater functionality than ever,” said Ian Stubbs, head of operational strategy at Red Bee Media. “Sophisticated auto captioning, digital video effects, and interactivity are now commonplace even at the lowest price points. Complex solutions therefore have to be cost-effective and robust. OmniBus Systems’ new iTX promises sophisticated, flexible graphics, and digital video effects at a lower price point than is offered by conventional solutions, so we’re looking at how our clients could benefit from this technology.” The product of 15 years of innovation in high-end automation, the new OmniBus iTX intelligent transmission software replicates all functions of master control to a very high level of sophistication, allowing broadcasters and media groups to make a measured migration from traditional hardware-based operation to a next-generation, software-based transmission facility. The iTX system software fulfills a variety of roles: video server, master control, graphics, and logo inserter with functionality including automation, ingest, editing, and basic content management. Through the software’s flexible and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, staff can monitor and control multiple channels and schedules on-screen simultaneously. Captions, logos, vision effects, and even audio effects are built into the interface, and a preview function allows the user to validate complete sequences before they air. “A successful transmission system once required coordination of a substantial amount of dedicated hardware and related protocols to enable transmission, but iTX eliminates this challenge and reduces overall costs, serving as an unusually easy-to-maintain and cost-effective playout solution for forward-looking playout facilities,” said OmniBus CTO Ian Fletcher. “iTX integrates easily with existing broadcast systems, and we’re confident the system will allow Red Bee Media to transition painlessly and seamlessly to more flexible and reliable software-based transmission operations.” More information about OmniBus Systems’ iTX software-based transmission solution is available online at www.omnibus.tv. # # # About Red Bee Media Red Bee Media, formerly BBC Broadcast, is Europe’s leading expert in the distribution and promotion of multimedia content, offering a comprehensive range of services to playout, publish, promote, and provide media access for content across all media, from television to mobile phones. Red Bee Media is owned by Creative Broadcast Services, which is in turn owned by Macquarie Capital Alliance Group (65 percent) and Macquarie Bank (35 percent). More information is available at www.redbeemedia.com. About OmniBus Systems OmniBus Systems provides broadcasting, cable, and satellite organizations with comprehensive automation and media content management solutions that address every area of television-related operations. Its newsroom, content, and workflow automation solutions include acquisition and recording of rich media material, low-resolution editing, media asset management, and playout. OmniBus is a global company with headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices in the United States, Germany, and Singapore. More information is available at www.omnibus.tv.