TV Direct expands with PlayBox Neo

PlayBox Neo has completed installation of an expanded playout system at the Bangkok headquarters of broadcaster, TV Direct. The installation doubles the network’s capacity from three to six channels, transmitted in high definition via direct-to-home satellite and online.

“PlayBox Neo’s Channel-in-a-Box system has the fourfold advantage of being installer-friendly, efficient to operate, easy to expand and highly reliable,” said TV Direct’s MCR manager, Akarachai Tobsin. “This new investment comprises three additional AirBox Neo-19 servers, each configured with the resources we need to schedule programmes, commercials and promos as far in advance as the production team chooses to work. 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. That saves staff time and ensures maximum confidence. The servers are located at our satellite uplink service provider, PSI Broadcasting, here in the same city, and operated via secure IP links which carry complete programme files as well as control data.”

Centred on a scalable, multi-format, parallel output playout/streaming engine, AirBox Neo-19 allows media files to be combined into a single transmission playlist and supports simultaneous multiple SDI/IP streaming UHD/HD/SD outputs. The graphics element of AirBox Neo-19, TitleBox Neo-19, allows infinite layers of high-quality graphic overlay to be created and manipulated on-air.

“We are very pleased to have partnered with TV Direct and PSI Broadcast in this project,” added Nut Deesamer, PlayBox Neo branch director, Thailand. “The TV shopping model continues to be very popular in many countries as it gives consumers a better idea of the products they can buy than the thumbnail descriptions given in most printed or online catalogues. Remote shopping is becoming the new norm as consumers opt for product delivery rather than travelling to traditional retail stores.” Pro AVL Asia