AIMS' Debut Industry Appearance At NAB

The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) is preparing a full schedule of events and activities for its debut industry appearance at the upcoming NAB show.

During its first full trade show event, AIMS will be promoting the open standards and interoperability based transition to media production over IP.

AIMS kicks off its NAB activities with a Monday morning press conference in conference room N242. The alliance's booth (SL9406) will be the central location for information and advice about AIMS' objectives, activities, and roadmap for the transition to IP based on open standards and interoperability.

Interoperability demonstrations will feature on a variety of members' booths throughout the LVCC, with the AIMS booth providing information on all AIMS related technology demonstrations and presentations by member companies on their booths and in the sessions and conference program.

The booth will be manned throughout the duration of the show by member company representatives; member companies now number 22 and include leading manufacturers, consultants, service providers, media content producers and distributors. Exhibitors and visitors alike are invited to meet with AIMS representatives on the booth to discuss all matters relating to the adoption of IP technologies and workflows in media, and to learn of the opportunities and support afforded by AIMS membership.

The morning press conference – 09:00 Monday 18 April, LVCC conference room N242 – will showcase the AIMS roadmap for the adoption and standardization of open protocols in the transition to a fully IP based workflow, as well as the alliance's alignment with the multiple associations and standards bodies, whose work and proposals the AIMS Roadmap endorses.

AIMS' efforts are focused on promoting the adoption, standardization, development and refinement of open protocols for media over IP, with an initial emphasis on VSF TR-03 and TR-04, SMPTE 2022-6 and AES67. Broadcasters and other media companies are seeking to leverage IP to increase the flexibility of their networks, help streamline workflows and improve agility to better compete in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Open standards are the key to protecting current investments and ensuring long-term interoperability.

Open standards work for the IP transition is already underway by the 77-member Video Services Forum (VSF), with the support of organizations such as SMPTE and the EBU. AIMS endorses the work of the VSF and will continue to lend support in the development of a standard approach to IP; more than 30 broadcast equipment suppliers and broadcasters were involved in the development of VSF TR-03 and companies are actively testing and validating it today.

AIMS provides specific guidance in its bylaws to its members and to the media industry via the AIMS Roadmap. The organization endorses an IP transition plan that includes support for SMPTE 2022-6, AES67 and VSF recommendations TR-03 and TR-04.

A number of solutions are already on the market to help media companies begin the transition by introducing IP components to an SDI workflow. The transition represents a significant investment and will not happen overnight. An open standards approach allows media companies to implement the technology over time and transition at the pace that makes sense for their businesses.

Membership in AIMS is available to all individuals and companies that support open standards and share a commitment to the group's founding principles.

aimsalliance.org

(MH/LM)