SAM: Snell Advanced Media

New lip sync module, and content monitoring solution among tools unveiled at NAB 2014

NAB 2014, Booth N1820 - April 6, 2014 – Snell announced today its new signal assurance and monitoring modules, including a media timing solution that helps broadcasters deliver greater operational efficiencies and ensure the highest quality media output across multiple screens. Part of Snell’s Live TV broadcast infrastructure offering, the solution can be deployed with or without existing Snell equipment, supporting the fast, flexible and open technology architecture needed by today’s broadcasters.

Snell’s signal assurance and intelligent monitoring solution answers an emerging issue for many broadcasters: how to maintain high-quality video and audio output when repeatedly processing media for delivery to multiple platforms, services and locations. This video and audio processing often puts sound and visual elements out of sync, particularly where it occurs through different workflows. As part of its signal assurance and monitoring proposition, Snell provides an innovative lip sync solution, using biometric data transmitted with the signal, that works quickly (typically detecting within two-seconds) and accurately to find and correct those disconnects even within difficult sequences containing low motion, allowing broadcasters to further automate their monitoring workflows.

Specifically, Snell signal assurance and intelligent monitoring includes:

• Lip sync module (IQSAM00) – live video/audio timing measurement to quickly detect and correct when audio is out of sync with the action on screen, delivering continuous assurance that channel timing is correct.
• A new intelligent content monitoring module (IQHIP10) – provides in depth signal analysis of the media stream to the network monitoring system, allowing more subtle video, audio and metadata errors to be captured.
• New cost-effective quad split monitor (IQQSM00) – provides a local monitoring solution for up to four signals. Providing a single HDMI output allows integration with modern flat panel displays used almost exclusively in local monitoring applications, with a second SDI output for remote monitoring applications or server storage if required.
• Monitoring by exception (RollMap) – Integrating information from all parts of the system, including the modules above, allows RollMap to display an operator friendly ‘exception-based’ view of the system so that any error alerts become instantly available. This allows rapid diagnosis and decision making, along with an in-depth history report for event tracking.
• New C&M application look and feel – The suite of RollX control and monitoring applications continues to be improved and enhanced with a choice of light or dark themes, docking panes, a more intuitive menu structure, and revised icons in line with other Snell software packages.

“Signal assurance and monitoring is a vital part of the innovative Live TV framework, which represents Snell’s ongoing commitment to help customers boost revenues and maximize profitability in a complex, multi-screen delivery environment,” noted Robert Rowe, managing director, LiveTV at Snell. “At its core, our technology is built to enable broadcasters to deliver the highest quality output. We look forward to demonstrating this capability to customers here in Las Vegas, and to bringing new Live TV solutions to our global customers in the months to come.”

Visitors to Snell’s booth, #N1820, will have access to demos of these and other product updates, as well as Snell product specialists who can explain the real business benefits of using Snell’s solutions.