Abit Launches Control System

Playout automation specialist, Abit, has announced it has introduced a new facility to control the electronic delivery of content and material as an enhancement to its automation system installed at multi-channel broadcaster, MTV.
"As workflow in the organisation changes it is imperative that the automation system be supported and easily configurable to follow the evolution," confirmed Richard Thomas, Software Development Director at Abit.
"To this end when MTV introduced electronic delivery of material into the transmission suite at its Camden site it was necessary for the automation system to check for the arrival of material and update its internal database records from information in both the schedule and transmission server."
In addition, the Abit automation system maintains the responsibility for copying the clips onto a second server, in addition to housekeeping on both servers ensuring that the file structure in each is identical to play-out identical clips frame accurately with automatic switch over to the backup device should the primary device fail.
The change to workflow also incorporates the provision of information about material duration and availability in comparison to the schedule information up to the point of playout.
Abit itself is a privately owned, leading provider of tailor-made automation hardware and software solutions for broadcasters of all sizes.
Clients include major broadcasters such as: MTV, NRK, WDR, RTL and CBC.
"As a leading multi-channel broadcaster, MTV relies on its automation system to provide a flexible, reliable solution control to accommodate changes in departmental interaction and workflow," confirmed Thomas, "At Abit, we are pleased to continue to meet this challenge while maintaining the key elements of broadcast automation such as frame accuracy, minimisation of operational activity and quality playout."