Imagine installs IP playout for Sharjah Broadcasting
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Editor
| 20 July 2020
Imagine Communications has revealed its role in the development of Al Wousta, the television channel owned by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and broadcast from Al Dhaid, the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah.
IMagine SBC 20July2020
Going live from Al Dhaid in February 2020, Al Wousta is said to reflect the culture of the emirate, with 90% locally created content. Befitting its status as a greenfield installation, the station is entirely reliant on IP connectivity using the SMPTE ST 2110 family of standards. The technology platform was collaboratively developed by engineers from Al Wousta and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and supported by Imagine Communications, in association with UAE systems integrator Tek Signals.

The new facility includes a large studio, post-production and a playout centre, with the infrastructure and automation for playout driven by Imagine Communications. Virtually all of the functionality of the centre is implemented in software on COTS hardware, delivering cost-effectiveness, operational flexibility and the ability to easily scale in the future. All connectivity uses IP over fibre, with sufficient bandwidth to move to 4K and HDR Ultra HD in future.

Al Wousta’s main channel relies on Imagine’s Nexio+ AMP video servers with Versio IOX SAN storage for its central storage and playout preparations ― with overall control again handled by ADC automation. As well as building the master control and automation facilities at Al Dhaid, Imagine Communications was also tasked with implementing a four-channel disaster recovery (DR) site based on the Versio modular playout system with ADC automation. This provides backup playout not just for Al Wousta, but also for other channels from SBA. Nexio Motion software provides workflow management, optimizsing content movement and exchanges between the main playout centre and DR site, for business continuity with minimal operator intervention.

“With the rare opportunity to build a brand-new facility, of course we were going to use the most powerful, agile and future-ready technology available,” explained Aisha Alzareef, broadcast technology and information systems director at Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. “The whole industry is moving towards SMPTE ST 2110 because of the real benefits open systems and IP interconnectivity deliver, like compact and flexible installations, and the ability to add new functionality and standards like Ultra HD almost at the touch of a button.”