Harris To Supply Production And Playout Facilities For Italy's Class CNBC

Harris Corporation has received an order spanning its HD product portfolio from Mediacontech, a leading services provider that is supplying the production and playout facilities for Class CNBC, the first business and financial news TV channel in Italy.
The major order includes multiple NEXIO XS HD/SD server systems and Velocity NX full-featured craft editors; a Platinum router; an IconMaster master control and branding solution; and two systems from its H-Class software suite: H-Class ADC playout automation and the Invenio digital asset management system. The system integrator for this project is Harris Corporation’s distributor in Italy, Video Systems Engineering (VSE).
With a focus firmly on the Italian financial markets, Class CNBC is headquartered in Milan and is a joint venture among publishing house Class Editori, NBC Universal (owner of CNBC Europe) and Italy’s commercial television company, Mediaset. Class CNBC is broadcast on the SKY Italia satellite platform and is the first Italian-language global digital television channel, providing news and information on a real-time basis, 24 hours a day, and covering trading in Europe, Asia and the United States. Class CNBC also has its channel streamed on the Internet to audiences around the globe through the Rosso Alice’s Web portal www.rossoalice.it
“The Harris approach of providing integrated solutions across its portfolio is a perfect match to the news and playout requirements at Class CNBC,” said Marco Carazzato, program manager of Mediacontech. “The company’s ONE strategy is fundamental to the implementation of this system, and the close integration of the Harris products will enable us to work effectively and easily across the complete workflow chain.”
“This is an exciting win for Harris and demonstrates once again that our strategy of providing customers with a complete workflow solution helps companies such as Mediacontech and Class CNBC achieve their business goals,” said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. “The close integration of ADC and Invenio will allow Mediacontech and Class CNBC to maintain data consistencies and improve data movement throughout their production to playout workflow.”
The Harris H-Class media software suite supports media organizations from proposals and sales through scheduling, media asset management and automated playout. Together, H-Class products constitute an integrated software architecture designed to promote a unified, interoperable workflow that results in greater operational efficiency, accuracy and flexibility.
The ADC playout automation system is a premier production room tool for automated dubbing, content management and program playout. Ideal for small- to mid-size broadcasters, the application is capable of controlling a full range of devices, including all the latest integrated switchers, servers, and channel branding systems, and of managing complex effects and playout tasks. Each preconfigured ADC system can be customised to add channels or device controls as a station’s needs grow.
Designed on a software-based codec model, the NEXIO XS server platform enables back-to-back playout of multiple formats on every channel, and is able to encompass new codecs the moment they become available. It provides an extensive range of I/O types, integrated applications support and encode options, including long GOP MPEG-2 at SD and HD resolutions, DV25, DV50 and IMX. Front-panel access to boot and media drives, as well as USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) ports, makes NEXIO XS easier to use and service than other options.
Harris Broadcast Communications provides products, systems and services that deliver interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire broadcast delivery chain.
The Harris ONE approach brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that are ideal for emerging media business models and for customers upgrading media operations to digital and high-definition services.
(DS)