Rotana Builds Central Playout Facility With Harris

An international communications and information technology company, Harris Corporation, has provided an end-to-end, broadcast channel playout solution to the Rotana television network for the upgrade of its central master control room.
The Harris solution - which includes automation, servers, master control switchers, branding systems, routers, multiviewers and processing equipment - supports the expansion of Rotana TV in the Middle East.
Local systems integrator and Harris dealer Systems Design was contracted to handle the complete setup of the master control room at the headquarters of Egyptian telecommunications company Nilesat in Cairo, Egypt.
Dr. Naser Refaat, Technical Advisor at Rotana TV, said: "Our previous infrastructure could only support four channels. As our presence throughout the Middle East expands, we need an advanced infrastructure to support us and ensure we are future-proofed. The Rotana technical and commercial committee selected Harris because of its high-quality, comprehensive broadcast transmission solution, as well as for the company's very strong regional presence and local support team."
Core to the upgraded infrastructure is a Harris ADC automation system. It consists of three device controllers, two redundant database servers, five air clients and four media clients. The automation system manages playout - with six Harris NEXIO servers and two legacy servers, four IconMaster master control switchers and 13 Inscriber RTX systems for on-air graphics. The install also includes a 128x128 Platinum router with an integrated CENTRIO multiviewer and four X75 all-in-one processors to handle incoming feeds.
The upgraded MCR enables Rotana to support 14 TV channels - with the ability to upgrade to HD transmission chains in the future. The system is integrated with Rotana's channel management system, as well as with the Rotana media central archive library system, which is located 20 kilometres from the master control room.
Richard Scott, Vice President of Europe, the Middle East and Africa operations at Harris Broadcast Communications, said: "With Harris, broadcasters can streamline workflows, centralise media management and lower per-channel costs in multichannel applications. This installation illustrates the strength of Harris when it comes to providing integrated ONE solutions."
Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models.
(KMcA/BMCC)