Southfield, MI, August 10, 2017 – As broadcasters transition to more IP workflows and virtualized environments, ENCO is introducing new software-defined tools to its TV and radio automation systems that will amplify production value while reducing operational burdens. ENCO will introduce these new automated enhancements for studio and remote production to global audiences at IBC2017, taking place September 15-19 at the RAI Amsterdam. ENCO exhibits at Stand 8.D74.
Television
On the television side, ENCO will demonstrate updates for its MOM (Media Operations Manager) system that extends MOM beyond standard automation-related tasks and deeper into the TV production infrastructure. This includes an integrated graphics generator for live channel branding, support for Network Device Interface (NDI) connectivity, and the ability to produce a live show with live camera and NDI inputs. Its support for NDI-connected devices now allows users to easily share bidirectional SD, HD and 4K/UHD video over a single, ubiquitous, standard Gigabit network – amplifying MOM’s value in IP production.
MOM was brought to market to offer broadcasters, cable television operations and streaming media providers a cost-efficient yet comprehensive platform to organize and manage a wide array of broadcast production and integrated channel playout tasks – with the same robust and reliable platform that ENCO radio automation customers have enjoyed for more than two decades.
Eschewing the complicated spreadsheet-like interface typical of more expensive systems, MOM leverages an intuitive, graphical on-air user interface with a quick learning curve a single operator can handle all of the media production and playout tasks required by the end-to-end broadcast workflow. Tasks like scheduling, logging changes, manual playback and live insertion control can be executed with simple drag-and-drop functionality, while the full platform unifies ingest, media asset management, graphics, branding, multi-format transcoding, and 24/7 multi-channel playout.
“The transition to IP-based operations is rapidly expanding, and MOM’s ease of use and expansive feature set will both simplify and accelerate the move to IP network-based production workflows for broadcasters at any budget level,” said Ken Frommert, President of ENCO.
Radio
ENCO’s innovation continues on the radio side, where the DAD platform has long been a global market leader for radio automation. At IBC2017, ENCO will demonstrate tighter integration between production and newsroom operations, and exhibit the power and interoperability of its Visual Radio solutions.
For newsroom operations, ENCO will unveil its latest MOS Interface to allow DAD systems to play out assets from any MOS-supported newsroom system. By adding support for the Media Object Server (MOS)-based protocol used by newsroom computer systems, DAD users can now manage—add, move, and modify—audio embedded in news stories. Changes are automatically synchronized with playlists to keep everything up to date.
Like its MOM automation system for TV operations, ENCO’s Visual Radio solutions leverage the power of DAD’s radio automation and management interface to deliver a complete multimedia experience to web and mobile audiences. Interoperability with leading production systems assures that radio broadcasters can support everything from content acquisition through to scheduling and delivery from a single unified platform, including targeted advertising support to help monetize online programming.
ENCO’s DAD family has more recently expanded into the area of live remote production. As part of the company’s growing enCloud suite, ENCO will introduce WebDAD to global broadcasters at IBC. WebDAD is the first ENCO enCloud solution that allows broadcasters to take full control of the radio station from any remote location with a network connection. With a direct line to DAD in the studio, the broadcaster can control the complete on-air interface over IP via any standard web browser. This includes the ability to manage and drive on-air presentation, playlist manipulation, voice tracking, and other critical production tasks across the end-to-end workflow.
Technologies like WebDAD not only introduce new operational efficiencies for full-time station personnel but also allow part-time, contract, and remote workers to access the playout system. This will open the doors to stations with a decentralized work force and allow talent to be heard in several markets with the ability to voice track from anywhere.
WebDAD expands the enCloud suite, which includes popular tools for mobile journalism and remote voice tracking. Another recently introduced application, Weblib2, allows users to remotely view and modify media libraries, edit playlists, and more using their smartphones and tablets. ENCO will also demonstrate Weblib2 at IBC.
Virtualization
ENCO will discuss the value of virtualized automation for TV and radio, with information on how broadcasters can implement ENCO automation systems running off a single ENCO1 virtualized server. ENCO1 allows ENCO software solutions to run efficiently run in a virtualized environment by leveraging existing IP audio and video technologies.
“This move toward IP-based virtualization will reduce costs and operational overhead for the broadcaster, and return rack space to facilities,” said Frommert. “At the same time, it will better facilitate remote access and control of broadcast radio operations, which lays the foundation for more efficient cloud-based and virtualized operations.”
About ENCO
Founded in 1983, ENCO Systems is a world leader in playout and automation system solutions for demanding radio and television organizations. ENCO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan USA and retains a worldwide distribution network. For more information, please visit: www.enco.com.
