In cooperation with systems integrator Gerrit de Jonge and Omneon Video Networks, ActionTV B.V. has built the first Streaming Production Center (SPC) in the Netherlands. This facility enables ActionTV to create streaming media for live and on-demand viewing with the same speed and efficiency presently found in conventional video playout systems. The SPC has been built around the Omneon Networked Content Server with IEEE 1394 connectivity. There are two nonlinear edit suites, two encoding stations, and a digital audio mixer connected to the Omneon server. Partners in the project include Building4Media, for content delivery software, and Media 100i Cleaner Live software.

"ActionTV is a full-service streaming video company," said Dick Coenen, technical manager at ActionTV. "And as such, we've chosen the Omneon Networked Content Server because it enables us to provide all the services to enhance websites with high quality, interactive video. Omneon's system will be used in the production of A/V content for ActionTV's clients who are looking to drive their business forward by creating e-learning and corporate communications tools."

"It is the open standards approach and high degree of flexibility that attracted ActionTV to our Networked Content Server solution," said Alan Hoggarth, Omneon vice president of operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "The system can be expanded to meet the needs of their growing business at a time that suits them, with the freedom to create content in a wide variety of formats."

Creation of streaming media at the facility is done in a fully automated, near real-time process. The Omneon server stores material coming from a Digital Betacam® or DVC Pro® recorder, enabling the use of any format from analog or Digital Betacam, to DV tape. Editing is performed on Media100i that incorporates web-specific techniques such as "event streaming" during the editing process. Encoding is done using Media Cleaner 5 or Media Cleaner Live, which has the ability to create all the standard Internet broadcast formats ranging from MPEG to Microsoft Windows Media, Real Networks and Apple's Quicktime.

The entire system comes together through Building4Media's custom-made process automation software. The software manages the machine control, router switching, input and output, and parameter settings for the encoding stations. It also lets operators control the entire system from any workstation. The software provides the efficient and scheduled flow of content through the entire system. The use of these components-all centrally linked to the Omneon Networked Content Server via 1394 or Ethernet connectivity--creates a highly flexible, efficient and cost-effective production environment with tremendous future scalability and expansion options.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Action TV B.V. is a creative, full-service Streaming Video company. Action TV produces Streaming Video and all the applications necessary to effectively use video as a tool for corporate communication. Action TV's clients include advertising agencies, consultancy agencies, web designers and video producers. www.actiontv.net

Omneon Video Networks provides infrastructure for new media. Omneon's Networked Content Server is a highly scalable, data-type independent, shared-storage infrastructure. The solution is a platform that supports third-party software applications for control and transmission, media management, archive, and collaborative production. Omneon systems are used by content producers and distributors for simultaneous program creation and re-purposing for any type of distribution method. Omneon's products consist of server, disk controller, scalable Fiber Channel storage components, and software that together form a content server system. Channel or user scalability is achieved by using both IEEE 1394 and Ethernet networking technologies. This open systems architecture, known as a VIDEO AREA NETWORK, enables facilities to ingest, route, store, share and distribute digital media-comprised of audio, video, and any type of related data. Omneon Video Networks, headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is privately held and funded by prominent venture capital firms. Omneon's web site is www.Omneon.com.

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