Pharos audio server chosen for Broadcast Centre

A newly installed Pharos Audio Server system forms the central audio storage resource for the Playout facilities at the Broadcast Centre in White City, London, home of BBC Broadcast.
Superseding traditional audiotape, cartridge-based and Mini-Disc play-in devices, the Pharos server brings major advantages both to production and playout operations. Recordings can be made to the server without having to load, label and archive individual tapes, cartridges and discs. Audio content held on the Pharos Audio Server can be accessed rapidly using its integral database, giving all the benefits of a massive library without risk of items being lost in transit from shelves of individually archived storage media. The system also provides levels of redundancy not normally associated with traditional magnetic media. Stored content is accessible from continuity and the automation-driven playout suites throughout this major new facility.
The Pharos system's primary function is to store speech clips for end-credit and other programme-junction announcements. It can also be used for other audio-based objects such as music or effects as channels evolve their outputs in the future. Each automated playout channel has access to at least one replay port from the server-cluster; the continuity booths are equipped both for record and replay.
The Pharos Audio Server is fully integrated into Omnibus automation systems chosen for playout operations and will normally play pre-scheduled clips to air without manual intervention. It can also be accessed under direct control by playout directors, retaining at all times their freedom to initiate an immediate manual audio playout for highly reactive channels such as BBC One and BBC World. A major advantage to the production workflow is the ability to populate the database directly from individual channel planning schedules.
Very little metadata requires keying as part of the authoring process. Recording productivity is thus high and expensive vocal talent costs are kept to a minimum. Designed specifically for broadcast and postproduction applications, Pharos Audio Server enables programmes to be captured and filed using an integral SQL database. Audio files can be located quickly and used in playlists or played directly to air. Applications include radio announcements, programme store and forward, automated voiceover playout and multichannel audio playout. A record screen enables announcers or voiceover artists to make their own recordings.
Various input and output configurations are available, including stereo analogue or AES/EBU digital format. Audio files required for playout can be recorded automatically from DAT or CD using the Pharos ingest screen. Multiple tracks on one tape can be recorded in a batch, speeding up the process. BWAV files can also be copied directly on to the audio server and then logged in the Pharos database. Files can be copied from server to server automatically or manually, allowing configuration for full one-to-one redundancy.
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