SAM: Snell Advanced Media

With Integrated Morpheus Automation, ICE Provides Complete "Station-in-a-Box" Solution for Ingest, Management, and Playout of SD and HD Content in Multi-Channel Operations 

READING, U.K. — Sept. 1, 2010 - At IBC2010, Snell is launching a range of turnkey solutions based on Morpheus Integrated Content Engine (ICE), the company's cost-effective "station-in-a-box" delivery platform. The new solutions are targeted to smaller, regional stations as well as larger broadcasters that need a cost-effective, more efficient path to HD broadcasting. Powered by Morpheus automation, the ICE solutions give broadcasters everything they need to ingest, manage, and playout live feeds, supporting SD and HD content in both single- and multi-channel operations.

"Morpheus ICE is designed for broadcasters who have tried first-generation 'channel-in-a-box' graphics servers but have been frustrated with their performance and lack of integration with third-party automation systems, which often results in hidden costs and little to no opportunity for expansion," said Neil Maycock, chief marketing officer at Snell. "Since ICE is a more powerful 'station-in-a-box' built on the proven automation technology of Morpheus, the potential for expansion is almost unlimited. As our customers' requirements grow in channel complexity or across multiple sites, Morpheus can be easily scaled up as required." 

Morpheus ICE brings together a video server, graphics, switchers, channel branding, captioning, and subtitling in a convenient 3RU package, all managed by Morpheus automation. ICE offers a low-cost solution for start-up channels as well as a cost-effective building block for distributed operations supporting activities such as regional program management and remote disaster recovery. The system works seamlessly with either SD or HD source material, managing all of the processes required to prepare pictures, sound, and ancillary data for the highest-quality HD playout. For instance, ICE provides integral, real-time up-scaling of SD source material on-the-fly, which can be easily combined with HD material on the same timeline. When higher-quality, real-time up-conversion is required, ICE provides an HD/SDI insertion point for each output to enable access by an external up-conversion system such as Snell's Quasar Ph.C. Each ICE system offers up to 500 hours of storage with the ability to manage SD and HD assets with both QuickTime^® and MXF wrappers side-by-side in the same system.

"We took a broadcast-specific approach when developing ICE, combining both IT and broadcasting technologies to deliver a uniquely flexible multi-function building block for managing a wide range of programming and event types," added Maycock. "ICE dramatically reduces the costs and risks of third-party system integration, since both the automation and the HD infrastructure are supplied as a complete package by Snell."