Denmark's TV2 Regions Expand Channel Offering With Vector 3's MultiPlay

Eight regional stations of Denmark's TV2 network have installed Vector MultiPlayT multi-channel systems to provide master control room automation for newly-launched 24-hour regional channels.
TV2's eight regions are constituted as independent stations under the Danish broadcasting laws. Each regional station generates most of the content that it broadcasts, while some of the content is also made available for sharing with other regions. Individual stations also contribute their own newscasts for the regional news slots on the national TV2 channel.
This distributed operating model meant that during the common tendering process, each station could have made a different decision about which system to purchase. After a lengthy evaluation, all eight stations chose Vector 3 as the supplier for the new round-the-clock channels, which are branded with the name of each regional station.
A key requirement for the playout automation platform was for tight integration with the network's central MediaGenix scheduling system. While each station has its own independent MultiPlay installation, all the systems are connected with the central MediaGenix over a fiber network. All playlist and asset information is exchanged and co-ordinated through the MediaGenix system, and because each station's playout facility is completely independent, shared content can be time-shifted by each Vector MultiPlay to fit with a region's schedule variations.
The MultiPlay system at each regional station is able to use information supplied by the MediaGenix to automatically create dynamic updating of on-screen branding and program graphics, using pre-existing templates. In a further refinement of its distributed operating method, each MultiPlay system will automate the transfer of required assets from the contributing region when shared programming is scheduled.
"This is a very efficient, robust and cost-effective way of meeting our goals for round-the-clock regional channels," said Olav Helms, Technical Project Manager at TV2 MidtVest. "Playout of SD and HD, channel branding, and graphics are all handled by the Vector MultiPlay systems, and the tight integration with our scheduling and productions systems has created a streamlined and economical workflow with a great deal of flexibility built in."
TV2's MultiPlay platform is configured with dual-channel playout modules at each of the eight regions, providing main output with full redundancy. Vector Autovia provides control of redundancy operations and Vector MediaManager handles the automation of content ingest, file operations and clip movement to the servers. Custom integration with TV2's What'sOn scheduling system was provided by Vector 3, with on-site integration by AVIT Systems.
Vector MultiPlay is Vector 3's high-end modular system for multichannel broadcasting applications. Combining the flexible benefits of IT-based technology with the on-air reliability broadcast engineers demand, MultiPlay is scalable channel-by-channel to any size of operation, and renders the traditional master control room obsolete by providing all the required functionality without the need for proprietary video equipment.
"The hub and spoke topology is very effective for broadcasters looking for the best means of handling regional variations in a national network," said Glyn Bartlett, Head of Sales for Vector 3. "TV2's configuration and working model is fairly unique and this installation shows how MultiPlay can easily adapt to deliver economies and workflow improvements in complex distributed broadcasting operations."
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