NTM Launches Fourth Channel Using Vector Multiplay For Playout Automation

The Swedish media group NTM has successfully added a fourth television channel to its offering and seamlessly completed the upgrade of its systems to use Vector Multiplay.
The company is a repeat customer of Vector 3, a leading developer of IT-based graphics and playout automation solutions for the master control room.
NTM began their venture into local television in 2006 with the 24NT station in Norrköping. This was followed by 24Corren (Linköping) and 24Norrbotten (Luleå) in 2008 and the fourth station was added in Uppsala in October 2010.
The four channels deliver local news, sports, weather, information and a teletext service, 24 hours a day. The concept and programme structure for the four channels is similar, but each has its own local editorial and advertising content.
NTM selected Vector 3's VectorBox as an all-in-one automation solution handling playout, graphics, tickers and transitions. There is no need for external mixers, graphics or logo generators. NTM chose the VectorBox for its stability, flexibility and affordability.
Teknomedia, NTM's wholly-owned production company, was able to easily and rapidly integrate their in-house "Edge" scheduling and asset management software with VectorBox thanks to their open architecture. The integration is xml-based, as VectorBox can be controlled via XML-formatted resource files. The Edge software produces playlists, fills graphics templates and stores assets in a central NAS storage for the Vector 3 systems to pick up.
Erik Tilleby, Manager of Teknomedia, commented: "What I think is unusual about VectorBox is that the entire architecture is open and can be controlled directly through XML-formatted resource files. What we experienced when we integrated with VectorBox was how easily we were able to steer the system and get it to do what we wanted."
The new channel launch and Vector Multiplay upgrade went according to schedule and were managed by local system integrator JMG Support AB with remote support from Vector 3. Vector Multiplay enables redundant resources to be dynamically managed and allocated, maximising flexibility and reducing costs.
The Swedish group is content with the stable, robust and reliable automated playout solution that has provided zero technical problems. It is also a solution that is scalable and can continue to grow with the company.
Roman Ceano, General Manager, Vector 3, said: "The NTM local channel roll-out is an excellent example of how the latest technologies can be deployed innovatively to deliver an automated and affordable television service which is both high-quality and provides relevant and useful information to viewers."
(KMcA)