OmniBus Systems, the provider of comprehensive broadcast automation and content management solutions, launches Colossus v.3.5, the latest version of the Colossus multi-channel automation system.

With major recent installations at AETN, Technicolor Netherlands, BBC Nations, and Chellomedia, development throughout 2007, and into 2008, has significantly extended the Colossus feature set and support for third-party devices.

"2007 was a record year for Colossus, driven by our development of important new features that exploit its expandable, open architecture," said John Cunningham, EVP development and services for OmniBus. "Colossus has now reached an all-time record channel count, running complex, multi-channel operations in a multi-platform environment. Broadcasters have responded very strongly to new features that help them construct the innovative workflows they need for continued success."

"OmniBus will continue to enhance Colossus to support the world's leading broadcasters' functional, hardware integration and operational requirements," continued Cunningham. "In addition, OmniBus will continue its development investment on product and architectural improvements, ensuring continued focus on playout service availability through reliability and stability."

The extra capabilities available in Colossus include support for a wide range of new video servers from Omneon, Quantel, Harris and Thompson/GVG; feature-rich support for an increased range of master control systems and protocols including Probel 520, Miranda Presmaster, GVG Maestro and Nvision; regional break-outs for multi-regional broadcasting; sophisticated vision mixer control including complex lead/lag audio control; scheduled multi-language playout from a single channel with track-stacking; and many others.

In support of open standards, Colossus v.3.5 includes support for the SMPTE BXF (Broadcast eXchange Format) interface, allowing third-party traffic systems to integrate seamlessly with the OmniBus automation system, using XML-based formats to create and modify schedules as well as dynamically retrieve "As Run" information.

In addition to these core developments, Colossus also provides extended capabilities and customization at the user interface level enabled by the OmniBus G3 Desktop architecture. These powerful capabilities include live record support for later repeat; sophisticated search-and-replace functionality, allowing broadcasters to make instant global changes throughout an entire schedule; advanced content searching through OmniBus OPUS Content Management integration; and customizable reporting, e.g. to produce a missing materials list or schedule grid details. 

The G3 Desktop interface provides a unique, flexible and customizable environment allowing broadcasters to group together diverse functionality into a unified management interface. Colossus with G3, combined with OmniBus' workflow solutions, further enhances the system's versatility, enabling the construction of complex customized workflows encompassing ingest, quality control, automated fault logging, cache management, archive and playout.

"OmniBus continues to invest strongly in Colossus automation, culminating in this exciting new release," said Mike Oldham, OmniBus CEO. "As a company we are always interested in and act upon feedback from our customers. Colossus v.3.5 is a direct result of this feedback, which has been crucial in shaping the Colossus 2008 roadmap. OmniBus is fully committed to continuing its investment in Colossus and in 2007, significantly grew its services, development and support departments in the US, Europe and Asia."