SSVC enhances British Forces TV with Miranda master control and channel branding

Miranda have announced that the UK broadcaster Services Sound & Vision Corporation (SSVC) is installing, through systems integrator ATG Broadcast, three Presmaster 2 master control switching and channel-branding panels and three Imagestore master control switching and channel-branding processors.
The installation is part of a complete digitisation of the company's entire production and transmission services.
ATG Broadcast is integrating the Miranda systems with IBIS automation for control of two channels, British Forces Broadcasting Services 1 and 2 (BFBS 1 and BFBS 2), which are broadcast via satellite to UK forces around the world.
"The BFBS television service brings the best of British television to our armed forces and their families serving outside the UK," explained SSVC Director of Technology Simon Shute. "We ingest programs from all of the main UK networks, and it's important that we transmit this material -- especially time-sensitive and topical programs - very promptly. Some of these shows go out live, simultaneous with their UK airing, so a significant part of the branding effort we require is rapid 're-branding.' Miranda's template-based approach to channel-branding graphics allows us to store unbranded clips on our servers, and then use the IBIS automation to drive appropriate channel branding, rather than using conventional video editing to produce multiple versions."
The upgraded production and transmission system at SSVC is due to go live in June 2005. IBIS automation will control the whole operation and fire pre-programmed templates as part of playout automation. The time saved by Miranda's template-based branding system will allow SSVC to get programs to air more quickly, and will also enable the company to dedicate more time to the look of broadcasts through improved program junctions.
"Miranda systems were selected for the SSVC upgrade because they integrate well with IBIS automation and they feature the ability to recall templates for use in channel branding," said Alan Pimm at ATG Broadcast. "The use of these templates with the Imagestore's Easytext automated character generator option enables rapid production of high-quality graphics for branding and promotional messages, resulting in a sharper overall presentation for BFBS television broadcasts."
Miranda's Imagestore processor features integrated video/audio clip playout for interstitials, moving CG backgrounds and promotional clip overlays.
Multiple options across the Imagestore range include video and multi-group audio mixing, an agile DVE, and a multi-level, automated character generator.
All of these mixing and branding features can be controlled by the Presmaster 2 master control switcher panel.
(SP)