Harris Addresses Multi-Platform
April 15, 2012, NAB, Las Vegas– Harris Corporation is releasing a multiplatform head end platform that changes technologies and integrates the web, new media, broadcast, and rights management. This unified approach flows through trafficking and billing.
The highly automated workflow provides enterprise level content management with common data to a single database through the addition of some plug-ins. To complement the other tools, they introduced Magellan, for network management and remote management of direct machine communications.
A guest speaker from Sinclair Communications described how they use the Harris tools. Traffic and ad management are the key to their operations, and they sell ads to be broadcast over TV. The tools and equipment help them manage broadcast operations as well as the insertion of local and network adds.
For live productions, Harris has equipped the BBC with a Degas system as the prime control. These racks of equipment have a high level of integration of functions within the boxes. The router supports a multi-viewer for ease of segment identification in a production flow.
For trucks and touring video production, they integrated a system that automatically sets up and resets functions per show. The network equipment includes coax connectors as well as digital inputs, so they can handle any type of outboard equipment at the production site. The trucks also have patch panels for manual switching should the switcher or router experience difficulties.
Managing assets is getting more complex and difficult as a number of assets increased by 30 percent per year. Now, tools help generate metadata that is time-code based. This allows production companies and broadcasters the ability to group assets by time as well as by subject.
Harris is continuing to develop new services and capabilities and continues to expand their global footprint. They have 170 customers located in 33 different countries. Currently, the foreign sales account for 56 percent of the total revenue. For more information go to http://www.broadcast.harris.com .
