NTV-Plus Introduces Russia’s First HDTV Channel Using Omneon Spectrum Media Server System

Omneon
Video Networks announced that
Russia’s
only direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV system, NTV-Plus, has deployed an Omneon
Spectrum media server system to support ingest, storage, and playout for

Russia’s first HDTV
channel. NTV-Plus offers more than 90 channels, including 15 sports channels
and the new HD sports channel.

“Omneon
interoperability with other critical broadcast systems has enabled us to
implement a flexible and efficient platform for HD playout,” said Oleg
Kolesnikov, technical director at NTV-Plus. “The launch of an HD sports channel
is a significant achievement in our market, and with Omneon supporting our
operations, we are confident in our continued ability to deliver this
groundbreaking service to viewers with the best possible quality and
consistency.”

With Omneon
technology at the core of its operations, NTV-Plus has not only introduced

Russia’s first
HD sports channel, but also enhanced the efficiency of production and playout
throughout its sports broadcasts. Working with systems integrator Okno-TV,
NTV-Plus built a completely automated multichannel master control facility from
which all its sports channels originate. The new HD channel uses a separate
delivery and distribution platform for transmission, but is otherwise entirely
integrated into the larger facility’s A/V routing and automation
infrastructure.

The
Spectrum system works as an HD content cache server, providing DVB/ASI ingest
using external MPEG-2 compression at a 50-Mb/s constant bit rate. A Snell &
Wilcox Memphis encoder captures the HD content, either HDCAM videotape
recordings or live-event transmission feeds, and material recorded onto Omneon
Spectrum system can be edited and subsequently scheduled for playout.

A Harris
ADC100 automation play-to-air system triggers video server operation for
selected clips and feeds them through GPI-controlled Snell & Wilcox
converters and logo inserters.

“The
Spectrum system easily integrates into complex broadcast environments, and this
allowed NTV-Plus to launch

Russia’s
first HD broadcast channel from their existing facility,” said Geoff Stedman,
Omneon vice president of worldwide marketing. “With its unique scalability and
interoperability with third-party applications, the Spectrum system not only
supported the addition of a new HD channel today, but can support continued expansion
at this dynamic broadcast facility in the future.”

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