Rascular Expands Helm Integration

Rascular, PC-based multi-device control supplier, has announced the expansion of its integration of the company’s control and monitoring technology Helm with Harmonic’s Spectrum ChannelPort integrated channel playout solution.
This allows users to precisely utilise the playout technology, in conjunction with other third-party devices, via user-defined, PC-based control panels.
Helm provides comprehensive control of the ChannelPort system including the keyers for taking logos on- and off-screen and also the ability to select different graphics assets for each keying layer. Helm can also control the text displayed by the CG as well as providing access to the overall playout functionality of the unit (clip selection etc.). Additionally, operators can now import playlists compatible with the ChannelPort system into Helm providing the advantage that users can playout the complete playlist in an emergency.
Roddy Pratt, Technical Director with Rascular, said: "It’s clear for all to see that channel-in-box technologies are being deployed increasingly widely. However, this does raise issues of control and monitoring. Helm gives operators comprehensive manual access to the ChannelPort system, allowing precise access to the technology, including the creation of single button access to complex workflows. This continues a history of tight cooperation between the two companies and we’re very pleased to be working together on this project."
The integration was recently on show at InterBEE 2012.
Harmonic’s Spectrum ChannelPort offering is a next-generation integrated playout solution that combines critical channel-branding capabilities and master control switching with clip playout functionality to simplify integration and workflow, lower equipment purchase expenditures, and reduce maintenance and operations costs. Beyond stand-alone channel-in- box solutions, it is optimised for integration into any existing or new systems and workflow environment.
Helm allows customers to pick best-of-breed systems – be that branding devices, routers, video servers, VTRs, multi-image display processors and modular gear, or any combination - from a range of different manufactures and provides a single, integrated, user-defined, PC-based control/monitoring surface for operators. This allows users to control channels, or pods of channels, from a single screen using bespoke, pre-defined buttons for complex workflows.
Helm has already assisted many broadcasters around the world in a huge variety of ways, from relatively simple PC-based third-party device control to handling complex, multi-faceted workflows via a simple, user-defined interface. Helm is now integrated with products from: Miranda, Harris, Pixel Power, Snell, Ross Video, Nevion, Lynx Technik, Axon, Evertz, Harmonic and many other manufacturers that provide industry-standard protocols such as VDCP and SNMP.
www.rascular.com