Imagine Communications Selected For Alma TV Project

Imagine Communications recently installed a compact scalable playout solution at Alma TV, the largest cable television operator in Kazakhstan. The new installation allows Alma TV to add four HD channels.

Alma TV offers more than 120 channels on its cable service, and decided to add four in-house channels in 2015, available in both SD and HD. The challenge for systems integrator DNK Kazakhstan was that the cable operator's technical facilities were already crowded, requiring the system to be implemented in a single rack.

Key to the deployment is Imagine Communications' Versio integrated playout solution. DNK specified six Versio units, giving Alma TV four main and two backup channels for maximum redundancy. Content is managed by a Nexio Motion intelligent media movement system, which creates automated processes to move and manage media across multiple devices, including the Versio systems. The system also includes a Platinum MX 32 x 32 router with integrated Platinum SX Pro multiviewer for monitoring.

Also incorporated into the turnkey solution is encoding. The Selenio MCP3 platform is providing 10 MPEG-2 and H.264 encoders to generate SD and HD outputs for each channel, including integrated loudness control. It also provides analogue audio support for commentators. Test and measurement equipment includes Videotek devices for signal control and an MSA-100 multi-source transport stream analyser to monitor the encoded outputs.

Alexander Trubin, head of playout for Alma TV, explained: "The move to creating and delivering our own channels was a new step for us. We needed a packaged solution that would be absolutely reliable, with ironclad and automated redundancy. We challenged our systems integrator DNK to build it all in just a one-rack cabinet. Leveraging its experience implementing Imagine Communications' solutions into broadcast facilities, DNK was able to meet all of our goals. We are delighted to be able to add our own channels so quickly."

"This is our first playout implementation in Kazakhstan, and the first venture into playout for Alma TV," added Mathias Eckert, vice president EMEA for Imagine Communications. "Our core Versio, Platinum and Selenio products have delivered a tightly integrated solution which provides automatic up- and down-conversion as required, along with the high level of redundancy the customer specified. We can accomplish this in a short period of time and in a compacted space to get the broadcaster on the air quickly while saving real estate, power and air conditioning."

One of the channels is already on the air. The remaining three are expected to go live by the end of 2016.

Image: Mathias Eckert, VP Europe, Middle East & Africa, Imagine Communications.

www.imaginecommunications.com

(JP/MH)