SHAMAS Selects Pebble Beach Systems' Automation Solution

Saudi Media City Co. (SHAMAS) has selected an automation system from Pebble Beach Systems as part of an installation at its new headquarters in Riyadh. Featuring a fully-equipped broadcasting centre, SHAMAS acts as a service provider for commercial channels broadcasting to the region.

As the broadcasting and playout facilities are designed to be used by multiple organisations, SHAMAS required an automation system that would be able to handle a large number of channels and securely isolate content for each user to prevent access by any unauthorised operator.

The Pebble automation system was supplied with the capability to play out 30 channels.

The installation was managed by Systems Design, Pebble's Egyptian systems integrator, in cooperation with Technology KAR & Media Speed. Already, 15 channels have been taken to air.

The Pebble automation system controls video servers, routers, a branding processor from Grass Valley, and TitleOne graphics system from Imagine Communications. Both VTR and file-based ingest are supported, and the system offers an automated QC workflow as well as content management. Customers log into the system using their own credentials, and despite sharing common storage, they can only see the devices and media which they have the privileges to access.

Ramy Gamal, General Manager at Systems Design, said: "Pebble's technology enables SHAMAS to provide a secure and easy to use service. Training was very straightforward and the Pebble team has been highly responsive throughout the process. We look forward to continuing to work with them as this system expands and on future projects."

Samir Isbaih, Regional Manager for the Middle East and India at Pebble Beach Systems, added: "The significant contract at Saudi Media City Co. was part of a very busy 12 months in the Middle East region for Pebble. In addition to a number of system expansions and upgrades, we secured 10 new clients during that period – providing systems which range in size from single channel-in-a-box installs to multi-channel systems."

Image: (L–R) Mohammed Shehata, Support Manager – Systems Design, Ramy Gamal, General Manager – Systems Design, Samir Isbaih, Regional Manager – Middle East and South Asia, Pebble Beach Systems, and Khaled Raouf, Chairman – Technology K.A.R. Inc.

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(JP/MH)