Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), owner of several Toronto professionals sports teams, TV outlets and the Air Canada Center (home to both the Raptors and Maple Leafs), has created a central media repository based on a massive file storage system from DataDirect Networks that is used to store and archive all its digital broadcast content.
MLSE implemented the xStreamScaler, which is based on the DataDirect Networks DDN S2A9900 storage platform, a high-performance, high-capacity storage solution that enables real-time workflows and long-term content archiving.
The central storage project accommodates the entire content chain, from production and ingest through editing, post production and playout. It has necessitated the digitizing of more than 11,000 hours of videotape while eliminating multiple storage islands. It helps streamline content into a single, centralized storage repository, making it easier to manage, archive and repurpose content for additional revenue-generating activities.
The project required a storage system that could support a wide variety of ingest devices, editing stations running Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid, and playout servers from Harris. The solution also needed to integrate with a digital asset management system that is being implemented during the second phase of the project. It also needed to provide full connectivity and content sharing between heterogeneous systems.
MLSE, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL team, Raptors NBA team, FC MLS team, Marlies AHL team, Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV, operates three TV channels, two in SD and the third in HD, and has a fourth going live later this year. The broadcasting workflow includes 10 editing bays running Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid, and Harris NEXIO servers for playout. The DataDirect DDN xStreamScaler serves as the central storage repository for all video and audio content.
