Omneon Video Networks, the leading provider in cost-effective and flexible networked media servers, today announced the new Omneon SPECTRUM ES media server system, a low-cost, low-profile playout server for remote "edge server" applications. Delivering a threefold increase in channel capacity at almost half the cost of previous offerings, this new system brings the benefits of Omneon's open and advanced architecture to an entry-level configuration. Along with setting a new standard for the lowest cost per channel in the industry, Omneon is also extending its leadership in deploying smart, manageable media server scalability. Omneon SPECTRUM ES incorporates the multidimensional scalability scheme that is designed into the company's full product line, providing unsurpassed price/performance and flexibility to customers.

"Omneon SPECTRUM ES is an exciting system because it brings the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of Omneon's architecture to edge applications while providing a platform that can scale virtually as far as our customers want to go," said Geoff Stedman, vice president of marketing for Omneon Video Networks. "Not only can users scale their systems, but they can do it in a smart way by scaling one dimension at a time, thereby optimizing system performance at the lowest possible cost."

The smart, multidimensional scalability of the new Omneon SPECTRUM ES media server system enables customers to expand I/O ports, bandwidth, capacity, and redundancy in granular increments, either simultaneously or independently - without turning the system off. The new system incorporates Omneon's innovative file system, which seamlessly spans from the smallest to the largest configurations. By incorporating the most flexible and seamless growth path in the industry, Omneon SPECTRUM ES allows customers to pay only for what they need and will never have to do an expensive and disruptive overhaul to their systems.

The Omneon SPECTRUM ES is a new media server configuration that delivers leading price/performance in the industry's most compact form factor. This full-functioned, six-channel playout media server dramatically improves cost per channel for video delivery while occupying just three units of rack space and is an ideal system for entry-level configurations or edge server applications. The Omneon SPECTRUM ES is capable of storing up to 72 hours of 12 Mbps video material.

New System Components
In conjunction with the introduction of the Omneon SPECTRUM ES media server system, Omneon also introduces a number of new core system modules that further increase system flexibility and add new configuration options. These additional components include the new MULTIPORT MIP 3000 series media interface adapter, MEDIASERVER MCP 2100 server component, and MEDIASTORE MSC 4400 storage element. Each of these new modules can be added to any existing Omneon implementation, or they can be part of any new system configuration.

MULTIPORT MIP 3000 Series
This new line of media interface adapters increases channel density while lowering the overall cost-per-channel for multichannel video delivery. The MULTIPORT series provides playout for up to six channels of MPEG-2 video, each with up to 16 audio channels, within a single 1 RU device. As the system's interface adapter for video, audio, timecode and control, the MULTIPORT's modular design supports a range of configurations, including three- or six-channel playout or even three mirrored redundant channels.

MEDIASERVER MCP 2100
As an enhancement to the current MEDIASERVER line, the MCP 2100 integrates multiple high-speed serial busses for real-time media I/O, Gigabit Ethernet for non-real-time file transfers and dual Fibre Channel loops for redundant, high-performance connectivity to system storage arrays. As a core server component in an Omneon SPECTRUM system, the new MCP 2100 delivers unmatched price/performance in an entry-level server configuration and can be integrated seamlessly with other Omneon modules to enable industry-leading system scalability.

MEDIASTORE MSC 4400
In a single-RU chassis, the new MEDIASTORE MSC 4400 can hold four disk drives (146 GB drives) in a 3+1 array configuration. A fully loaded MSC 4400 in a 3+1 RAID configuration can store 72 hours of 12-Mbps video content. The MSC 4400 storage solution offers both smaller physical size and lower cost in a configuration optimized for the specific requirements of smaller installations and remote playout servers.

Newly Named Omneon SPECTRUM Line of Media Server Systems
As part of today's announcements, the company introduces the newly named Omneon SPECTRUM line of media server systems. The Omneon SPECTRUM line encompasses all possible configurations of the company's system components, which include MEDIAPORTS, MULTIPORTS, MEDIASERVERS, and MEDIASTORES. Omneon SPECTRUM media servers can be configured precisely to meet the individual requirements of a customer and can be extended as needed in manageable, cost-effective increments. Across the entire Omneon SPECTRUM line, a modular, advanced architecture provides the ability to expand a customer's implementation seamlessly in multiple dimensions without the need for a complete system overhaul.

The Omneon SPECTRUM is a powerful media server system built around a flexible shared storage infrastructure specifically designed for the acquisition, management, and playback of digital media. The Omneon SPECTRUM gives users maximum flexibility in scaling channels, bandwidth, and storage capacity in small or large increments as desired. High-speed serial I/O busses provide real-time connectivity, while Gigabit Ethernet offers non-real-time network connectivity, enabling Omneon SPECTRUM users to have the freedom to use multiple data formats and multiple applications, with the compatibility to support existing systems and add new services.

The entire line of Omneon SPECTRUM media server systems will be available for demonstration at IBC2003, Stand 8.281, September 12-16 at the Amsterdam RAI.

About Omneon
Omneon Video Networks is the leading provider of cost-effective and flexible networked media servers for the broadcast and video industry. The company's unique strategy integrates a strong foundation in broadcast with the best practices of information technology - giving its customers the best of both worlds. Because Omneon SPECTRUM media server systems are based on an open and advanced architecture, broadcast and video professionals are able to minimize both upfront and ongoing expenses, while gaining the flexibility to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Omneon pioneered the use of open systems in broadcast and, as a result, receives wide support from the application developer community. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Omneon has a strong global presence with customers in 22 countries on five continents. Visit Omneon on the Web at www.Omneon.com.

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