Mediacorp with IHSE KVM Switches

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, beginning with radio broadcast in 1936 followed by television broadcast in 1963.  As over-the-top media distribution evolved, the organisation embraced new technology and transmission methodology. Today, it is the leading Singapore-based media company covering the widest range of media platforms; spanning digital, television, radio, print and out-of-home media with over 50 products and brands in four languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). The organisation’s recent move to Singapore’s ultra-modern media hub at Mediapolis@One-North instigated a new era of broadcasting, radio and online operations for Mediacorp.

To meet its consumers’ changing viewing behaviour, Mediacorp has discarded old operational habits and departmentalised working to establish and foster closer interaction between production and distribution operations, enabling it to accelerate and simplify operational workflows. With a wide and versatile range of technology from almost 40 manufacturers the facility embraces a service-orientated architecture with automated end-to-end file-based workflows and a deeply integrated enterprise orchestration layer.  Functioning together, the result is seamless interaction between the different business units via a common platform. Enhanced collaboration between departments allows more than 1,500 people, including journalists for TV, radio, news and online media and technical operation teams, to work together and share resources across the whole campus from ingest to playout.

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

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Rapid project completion

The whole project was completed in less than four years from initial concept to final commissioning, enabling Mediacorp to launch services from the new facility on the target date in late 2016.  During the process, a wide range of best-of-breed technology was identified and the complete system design and integration completed within that period; as well as full system commissioning and user training.

The new 79,500 m2 campus includes six networked TV and news studios, a 1,500-seat broadcast-ready theatre, 14 radio studios and over 100 individual editing and post-production stations.  Operations span all the necessary business fields including extensive online distribution and OTT services as well as press and publishing departments. A fully integrated multi-lingual newsroom was constructed and integrated on a single 3,000 m2 floor with three news studios featuring cutting-edge LED video walls, AR/VR technology and four flashcam positions. 

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The new Mediacorp Campus is one of the most modern multi-media broadcast and media centres in the entire South-East Asian region today.  Mediacorp currently delivers to the widest range of media platforms in Singapore spanning digital, television, radio, print and out-of-home media.

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

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Live studio and media operations

In order to address the needs of a wide range of production and support staff, Mediacorp required a way of connecting and managing an extensive portfolio of live news and media operation production equipment to operational staff spread widely throughout the facility. Three separate systems were required in the news, studio and media operations areas to ensure instant and flexible access to the appropriate equipment, whenever and wherever operators need it.

The Media Operations Centre (MediaOp) utilises individual point-to-point KVM extenders carrying a range of DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, RS232, analog audio signals and USB data transfer.  In addition, a small Draco tera compact switch enhances the versatility of the installation, providing instant switching between sources for key operational staff requiring immediate access to a range of different sources

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The instant, delay-free operation of the Draco tera KVM switches and extenders allows vision mixers and editors, producers and playout controllers to manage their operations without any distractions or interruptions.

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An impressive range of broadcast devices is made available to operators through the Draco KVM switches and extenders.  These include Vizrt tools, Avid, Adobe, LAWO VSM and EVS production and editing devices, NRS teleprompters, radio scheduling tools and various robotic and computerised control devices.  Bidirectional USB data capability ensures instant and responsive control of equipment though keyboard, mice, touch screen, pointing and other interface devices.

Connection to the switches and extenders from points around the facility was made using CatX and fiber cabling, depending upon the distance involved. 

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

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Workflow control through Lawo’s VSM

Lawo’s VSM (Virtual Studio Manager) Control and Monitoring System provides the overall control layer across the TV and radio facility.  The VSM control system interfaces with all the Draco tera KVM switches to deliver flexible and speedy control of the connections from broadcast operators, production staff and engineers to sources feeding into the tera switches.  This occurs at the same time as the VSM system is used to manage and control the broadcast workflow.  The result is a fully integrated system that not only operates effectively and in the manner required by producers in their quest to deliver the highest quality TV and radio output, but is future proof and easily extendable and upgradable as requirements and equipment change in years to come.

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

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Quotes

“We needed a system that would act transparently, so that operators could focus on their creative jobs and not have to consider the interconnection technology.  Also one that is flexible in operation, secure and reliable, with redundant capability to cover any problems.” Wang Yin, Project Manager, Mediacorp Pte Ltd.

“The quality, performance and reliability of the IHSE Draco system is unsurpassed and enabled us to deliver a complete, fully integrated, solution that exceeded expectations.”  Steven Cheng, Director at Broadcast Engineering Services.

 

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

KVM in Broadcast – Streamline the Broadcast Workflow

In today’s fast-paced broadcast environment, the ability to instantly access essential equipment is crucial to every great transmission.

IHSE Draco tera KVM switches allow operators, engineers and producers to manage any device from any workstation; delivering greater flexibility, increased efficiency and enhanced system security and reliability. Broadcast studios, OB vans and post production facilities around the world rely on Draco tera switches to connect and control vital equipment.

The Draco tera range of switches has key features that make it ideal for the fast-moving and presurrised broadcast environment; in fixed installations, live outside broadcast and in the post-production and audio and video editing industries:

  • Instant connection and switching
  • Near-zero transmission latency
  • HD-SDI and USB 3.0 parallel switching
  • Artefact-free video and audio
  • Support of all digital and audio video formats
  • Integration with third-party controllers
  • Extensive redundancy and security options
  • In-band and out-of-band control and administration
  • Modular, expandable, future-proof

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Draco tera KVM switches for total connectivity

The Draco tera range extends from 8 to 576 non-blocking, assignable ports. With mixed operation over copper and fiber cables, the switches can handle all types of digital video up to 4K UHD resolution and analog and digital audio as well as SDI and USB 3.0. The Draco tera KVM switch delivers visually lossless transmission, instant connectivity and extensive configuration and redundancy options. Draco tera connects and switches users to remote CPUs and servers instantly; with no transmission delay or picture degradation. It is the ideal solution for today’s broadcast facilities.

Mediacorp – Singapore’s pre-eminent multi-platform broadcaster bases operations around IHSE’s Draco tera KVM switches and extenders

Trusted by broadcasters around the world

IHSE Draco tera KVM switches and extenders are used by TV and radio broadcast organisations, post production studios and music producers around the world.  They all have one goal: to provide the best and most reliable output.  Draco tera KVM switches and extenders help them achieve that goal.