Thailand’s TV Direct doubles network capacity with Playbox Neo

Thai broadcaster TV Direct has doubled its network’s capacity from three to six channels, transmitting in HD via direct-to-home satellite and online, with the completion of a PlayBox Neo expanded system.

TV Direct’s MCR manager Akarachai Tobsin says the new investment comprises three additional AirBox Neo-19 servers, each configured with the resources and flexibility that will enable the broadcaster to schedule programs, commercials and promos ahead of time.

“AirBox Neo-19 also allows us to make near-to-air changes in playout running order or to transmit live whenever we choose. In operational terms, the control GUIs go beyond intuitive by being relaxing on the eyes rather than imposing a lot of glare. Content can be accessed quickly, trimmed and finessed, all within the Neo-19 environment,” he adds.

“That saves staff time and ensures maximum confidence. The servers are located at our satellite uplink service provider, PSI Broadcasting, here in Bangkok, and operated via secure IP links which carry complete program files as well as control data.”

Centred on a scalable multi format parallel output playout/streaming engine, AirBox Neo-19 allows media files of various kinds to be combined into a single transmission playlist and supports simultaneous multiple SDI/IP streaming UHD/HD/SD outputs.

Files can be trimmed, edited or repositioned at any time prior to being aired without losing the freedom to transmit live. 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.

The graphics element of AirBox Neo-19, TitleBox Neo-19, allows infinite layers of very high quality graphic overlay to be created and manipulated during on-air. Its capabilities include text selection with transitions, the creation of horizontal crawling text, vertically rolling credits and messages, still and animated logo graphics, clocks and countdowns, coming-up-next banners and the display of data coming in real time from sources such as live RSS feeds and social media.

Among the additional creative facilities of TitleBox Neo-19 are pre-constructed graphic components, video resizing (from live source or file), window-style display and website content ingest. And graphics can be controlled automatically or manually with full interactivity. APB News