Alma TV opts for Imagine’s playout kit


Details

Rebecca Hawkes

| 11 February 2016




Imagine Communications has implemented a compact and scalable playout system for Kazakhstan’s Alma TV, enabling the cable operator to launch four in-house HD channels.



The cable service already offers more than 120 channels and has recently launched the first of its own channels: a music offering called Bulbul. The remaining three channels will go on air in both HD and SD by the end of 2016.

“The move to creating and delivering our own channels was a new step for us. We needed a packaged solution that would be absolutely reliable, with ironclad and automated redundancy,” said Alexander Trubin, head of playout, Alma TV.

“We challenged our systems integrator DNK to build it all in just a one-rack cabinet. Leveraging its experience implementing Imagine Communications’ solutions into broadcast facilities, DNK was able to meet all of our goals. We are delighted to be able to add our own channels so quickly,” added Trubin.

DNK specified six Imagination Communications Versio units, giving Alma TV four main and two back-up channels for maximum redundancy. Content is managed by a Nexio Motion intelligent media movement system, which creates automated processes to move and manage media across multiple devices. A Platinum MX 32 x 32 router with integrated Platinum SX Pro multiviewer for monitoring have also been installed.

A Selenio MCP3 platform is providing ten MPEG-2 and H.264 encoders to generate SD and HD outputs for each of Alma TV’s cable channels.

Mathias Eckert, vice president EMEA, Imagine Communications, said the implementation was the first for the company in Kazakhstan.

“Our core Versio, Platinum and Selenio products have delivered a tightly integrated solution which provides automatic up- and down-conversion as required, along with the high level of redundancy the customer specified. We can accomplish this in a short period of time and in a compacted space to get the broadcaster on the air quickly while saving real estate, power and air conditioning,” said Eckert.