In Broadcast - July 2016 - 54


54

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 6 - Issue 7 | July 2016

InStudio

TMD - Astro Implements First Phase... cont'd
This will manage:
* ingest from multiple sources,
including transcoding as required;
* automated QC tools linked to
compliance editing as required;
* the ability to add annotation
metadata at the point of ingest;
* the creation of browse resolution
proxies;
* ingest and linking to subtitling and
other access services;
* ingest and linking to dubbed
audio, where necessary shuffling
tracks to ensure the assets are
stored in a standardised form;
* moving the content between
storage elements including the
deep archive and playout servers.
One specific workflow requirement
that Astro demanded was an extensive
compliance procedure. Television in
southeast Asia, and particularly in
Malaysia, is governed by strict codes of
practice on decency covering violence,
sexual content, and bad language.
All content, immediately after ingest,
goes to compliance to be assessed and
edited as required.
Channel controllers and genre
commissioners have the ability to set
rules around compliance editing, which
are carried in the content metadata.
Astro's non-linear services are
branded Astro On The Go (AOTG),
which is available online, for Apple iOS
devices, and for many android devices.
Some linear channels are streamed
live, and much content is available for
catch-up. Astro also hosts a growing
VoD library.
All of this functionality is overseen
by TMD's Mediaflex, which supervises
metadata management and all content
moves; ensures only correct and
quality checked material is released
for broadcast; and publishes content
online against defined business rules.
Project Phasing
The contract was awarded in 2014.
To ensure a managed transition and
business continuity, the project was
divided into a number of phases.
Phase one of the project covered
three core asset management areas:
* ingest;
* quality assurance and compliance
editing;
* interfacing with the various
transmission;
* playout systems.
The work was also defined by a
number of stages, from requirements
capture to going live.
A broad range of operational staff

were consulted in a series
of workshops to determine
precisely what tasks made
up the running of Astro.
The involvement of staff
at all levels and from all
departments ensured a clear
understanding of what was
required.
From this it was simple
to derive a gap analysis,
identifying
where
developments
were required in workflows and in
technology, and where specific work
was required within the Mediaflex
platform. This led naturally to the
design and specification stage.
Following a path well-proven by
TMD, the next stage was to build a
test bed system. This is a standalone
implementation
of
the
target
development, but including so far
as possible sub-sets of the external
devices to be integrated as well as the
Mediaflex software. Only with this test
bed concept can such a far-reaching
project be proven without risking onair operations.
With the software and interfacing
comprehensively
proved,
the
test bed system was then used to
develop workflows. A key part of the
requirements was that suitably trained
Astro staff could develop workflows
to meet their real needs. They were
able to refine their skills as well as
configuring the initial workflows.
While the proven solution was taken
from the test bed to the production
system, the test bed platform remains
in place. This is important, not just
for developing and testing new
workflows and for certifying software
upgrades, but as a training platform
ensuring staff are fully comfortable
with the capabilities of the integrated
system before working on the live
environment.
Finally, the system is going live on
channels in a phased approach, driven
largely by the needs of the channel
groups. As a general rule the HD
channels go live first.
As a separate but vital
part of the project, TMD
has worked on the Front
Porch Diva database. It
was necessary to restore
the legacy data, extract
the relevant metadata and
transfer it accurately to the
Mediaflex-UMS
schema.
This ensures that there
is a single, clear point of
control over the archive, and

levels the information they
need to do their jobs.
One element of this is a
facility which TMD calls MiSR
(Missing Stuff Report). This
is presented as an on-screen
report showing which content
is missing. Operators have
Mediaflex the ability to filter and order
workflows can be the report as they prefer,
designed and edited easily
but typically this will just be
eliminates the risk of multiple versions a list of missing content, ordered by
confusing operations and occupying transmission time so that the most
excess storage space.
urgent items will appear at the top of
the list.
Business Benefits
A browse content server is included
With this project, Astro has a which puts all the content online for
consistent, end-to-end approach to all viewing in Astro offices. This is linked
services. Content identities are created to the privileges system so users only
in the scheduling system and its have relevant material available to
metadata grows as it flows through the them, to minimise network traffic and
operation all the way to transmission, to keep everyone focused on their own
online availability and archiving. As roles.
new versions are created, so they
The goal of the project is to ensure
are associated with the master title that users across Astro can view what
identity.
is available against a title. From the
Even live content is treated in exactly title they can see, evaluate, check
the same way. A title is created in the and schedule. They can identify what
scheduling system, other necessary versions exist, what formats they are
metadata added through Mediaflex stored in, and what quality control and
(such as incoming lines feeds) and the compliance checks have been made.
file itself grows as the event proceeds.
Ultimately the whole operation of
Equally, content commissioned by the broadcaster is simplified through
Astro, including trailers and marketing common workflows, and becomes
material as well as programmes, is more cost-effective.
defined in the scheduling system to
create the single master identity. Implementation
Mediaflex includes a production
With
the
implementation
of
module which allows users to create Mediaflex-UMS as the integration
work orders for all the versions which layer and asset management, Astro
will be required.
now has a means of configuring its
This single point of reference for workflows to precisely match their
each piece of content delivers two commercial, technical and operational
things. First, it allows a completely file- requirements.
based approach, moving to eliminate
Moreover,
the
Mediaflex-UMS
tapes and removable media. That is a platform allows Astro itself to design
significant saving in direct costs, and in and re-design workflows themselves,
continuing manual operations.
allowing the organisation to grow in
Second, it ensures that efficient use the future, whether through more
is made of storage, so that the content channels, more online services or new
is available where it is needed when offerings such as ultra-high definition
it is needed. Mediaflex implements a services and more. As consumers
number of tools which give staff at all expect "TV everywhere" services,
so AOTG (Astro On The Go)
is certain to grow, and its
success will depend upon
ever tighter integration with
broadcast workflows.
Most important, this futureproof capability sits in Astro's
own hands. They can develop
the necessary new workflows
and control new functionality
themselves, without the need
Mediaflex MiSR User Interface for support from TMD.
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.tmd.tv/mediaflex-ums http://www.tmd.tv/mediaflex-ums
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