Omneon Video Networks today announced that its Omneon SPECTRUM system is being deployed by Los Angeles PBS station KLCS in a major facility upgrade and conversion to digital television. KLCS, known as The Education Station, is integrating a 28-channel Omneon SPECTRUM media server system within a comprehensive digital content distribution model that provides near-video-on-demand (NVOD), streaming specialty channels, and other rich video and data resources to the desktops of nearly one million students and teachers at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) campuses.

“We created this new broadcast model with the goal of optimizing our bandwidth use to provide more resources to the classroom,” said KLCS Director of Technical Operations and TV Engineering Alan Popkin. “Through what we call ‘daypart bandwidth management,’ we plan to change the paradigm of the way digital content interacts with the classroom.”

From the start of the school day until 4 p.m., KLCS will broadcast its main over-the-air DTV channel while delivering four to 10 streaming specialty channels directly to students’ and teachers’ desktops. Then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the facility will shift from streaming channels to four traditional over-the-air broadcast channels, delivered through the cable system. From 8 p.m. until 11 p.m., KLCS will offer a traditional DTV channel plus an HD channel, and then from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. will shift to a regular DTV channel and a heavy data push for delivery of near-video-on-demand to the LAUSD campuses.

Teachers will be able to browse the entire contents of the KLCS and LAUSD media library, which includes not only video and audio, but also PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, and other resources that will be searchable by grade level, subject matter, and state and federal standards. After previewing available material as low-res thumbnails on the WAN/LAN, teachers can request digital content for overnight datacast to the school server, where it is accessible for playout at any time.

“In shifting to this tapeless environment, we have come to view station management in terms of data,” added Popkin. “With the Omneon SPECTRUM server at the heart of the system, we’ve been able to implement the unique file and codec structure necessary to realize this concept.”

Omneon SPECTRUM media server systems are specifically designed for the complete workflow of broadcasters, enabling users to acquire, store, manage, edit, and play-to-air digital media assets for facilities ranging from a single-channel broadcast facility to broadcast networks with hundreds of channels. Unlike most large play-to-air servers, Omneon’s server system allows engineers to separate studio and edit content, play-to-air material, streaming channels, and other assets into different volumes on the same server. At KLCS the Omneon SPECTRUM acts as a hub for I/O devices, with different codecs pointed directly at specific folders. For example, the facility’s automation system sees only the play-to-air and satellite ingest folders, even though many other media assets are passing through or being archived in the Omneon system.

The smart, multidimensional scalability of Omneon SPECTRUM systems allow facilities to add or expand I/O ports, bandwidth, capacity, and redundancy in granular increments, either simultaneously or independently, without interrupting system operation. As a result, broadcasters can maximize functionality and productivity and thereby reduce current and future operating and expansion costs. Because Omneon systems are built on an open-standards approach, KLCS’ production applications – Liquid Purple and Blue NLEs and an Asaca storage device running under Sundance automation – operate seamlessly with the server in the shared storage environment. A redundant architecture ensures that there is no single point of failure. For added redundancy, KLCS is using an ingest server, also an Omneon SPECTRUM, to mirror 72 hours of programming for its main broadcast channel.

“The broadcast delivery model that KLCS has created will change the perception of public television,” said Geoff Stedman, vice president of marketing at Omneon Video Networks. “The level of integration and automation KLCS has achieved is remarkable. We’re very excited that the Omneon SPECTRUM plays a central role in this accomplishment and are pleased to be involved in bringing greater educational resources to children and teachers in the Los Angeles area.”

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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