TV Direct, one of Thailand’s leading broadcasters, has upgraded its ingest, channel branding and automated playout infrastructure to a full PlayBox Neo system in corporation with playout service-provider PSI Broadcasting. The enhanced servers and software are located at PSI’s Bangkok headquarters.

“We have had successful experience with PlayBox Neo in cooperation from PSI since we commenced broadcasting 2013,” comments Arkarachai Topsin, Technical Head of Broadcasting at TV Direct. “PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box systems are now being used for our complete output, comprising nine HD channels transmitted via satellite. Content ingest, title graphics, onscreen text, scheduling and playout are all performed within the PlayBox Neo user interface. It is perfectly suited to our mode of operation, especially the ability to control channel branding text and images live to air. We have also signed up to PlayBox Neo’s ASM (Annual Support & Software Maintenance) contract which includes software upgrades whenever these are issued: a useful option in the fast-evolving broadcast media industry.”

“This latest-generation system includes PlayBox Neo’s Capture Suite and TitleBox Neo-20 running on AirBox Neo-20 servers,” says Rattana Taipong, Senior Engineer at PSI Broadcasting. “Capture Suite speeds up the entire ingest process, allowing staff to respond quickly to the tsunami of content that sometimes surges into a multichannel operation. Routine tasks can be handled quickly and easily within a single graphic interface.

“An added operational bonus is the freedom Capture Suite offers to edit incoming content without having to wait for the file ingest process to complete. This is especially appreciated by newsroom staff for whom time is a vital factor in staying ahead of their competitor.

“TitleBox Neo-20 in turn accelerates the whole process of channel branding and information display. Dynamic graphics and text can be generated and controlled with unsurpassed creative freedom, turning the entire channel-branding workflow into an enjoyable experience. Administrators can defined templates to ensure continuity of graphic style within a program or across an entire channel. And the entire process can be automated or live-performed. Operators can even control text or graphic dynamics to incoming data.”

“Broadcasters and playout facility-providers throughout the world recognize both the strength and operational versatility of our products and supporting services,” adds Nut Deesamer, Director of PlayBox Neo’s Thailand branch. “Our systems are based on a range of optional modules which can be combined and configured to suit practically any style and scale of playout, from a single OTT channel up to a full multichannel broadcast network. They also allow easy interconnection of third-party devices such as routers while giving the option of performing all routing within PlayBox Neo’s internal software. Designed for 24/7 unattended operation, PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box can also be operated manually, including the ability to handle live-to-air throughput. That gives network and channel owners huge flexibility in the way they manage their operations.”

PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box and its SaaS-based equivalent, Cloud2TV, can deliver output in baseband SD, HD or UHD SDI, in DVB/ATSC-compliant IP streams and in web-based formats such as RTMP. Simulcasting of SDI and single or multiple IP streams is also possible. Playlists can be scheduled weeks in advance for automated transmission. Gaps and time overlaps are automatically corrected to ensure continuous operation even when events with conflicting times are present. Special protection is provided to ensure uninterrupted operation where content files or even entire schedules are missing or misplaced.