The underlying storage architecture of a MediaStream provides no single point of failure with full redundancy of all critical components.
KQED, in San Francisco, Calif., has purchased a Pinnacle Systems MediaStream Networked Storage video server system for its move to digital operation. The public broadcaster will use the MediaStream servers to record, store and playout digital programs and commercials. MediaStream servers are now in use at 20 PBS stations throughout the U.S. to handle standard definition (SD) and HD playout of its digital video material.
Larry Reid, Sr. Dir/Chief Broadcast Technology Officer, KQED said they selected the MediaStream server for its feature set that includes internal upconversion of SD promos for HD playout, support of four AES pairs embedded with each video channel, and the ability to mix SD, HD, and ASI in a single storage disc system.
"MediaStream's flexible architecture allowed us to make a two-SAN system with discrete I/Os, ingest and playout storage with effective design for high reliability," said Reid. "Pinnacle's support of SNMP [Simple Network Management Protocol] and ease of expansion will continue to be additional benefits."
Reid said the server easily integrated within its facility that includes software technology from ADIC, Harris Automation Systems and Avalon.
At KQED, two MediaStream servers will be networked together and to an external archive through Gigabit Ethernet. Three Pinnacle Connect Plus 1000 gateways will provide high-speed connections between the two systems for inter-system content transfers as well as connectivity to the station's archive system. Either server system will be able to keep KQED fully on air if the other is taken offline for maintenance or upgrade.
Pinnacle representatives said that one MediaStream server would be used for HD and SD ingest, as well as quality assurance and playout protection. This ingest/protect server will provide 19 outputs (16 SD and 3 HD); enough to cover all of the stations' on air, monitoring and master control needs. This ingest/protect server will also contain 10 inputs to handle both SD and HD digital feeds.
The second system will be used as the main on air playout system for delivering content to viewers. The playout server system contains two SDI inputs to backup the ingest server and 13 outputs including six SDI and one HD that are the station's primary outputs, as well as six additional SDI outputs for squeeze back and other master control functions. In all, KQED will send one HD and six SD signals to its TV audiences on a daily basis.
The MediaStream Networked Storage video server supports more than 100 channels and virtually unlimited storage capacity. MediaStream Networked Storage servers combine the operational simplicity and scalability of Pinnacle's Palladium shared storage architecture with the reliability broadcasters require for multi-channel on-air ingest and playout operations.
MediaStream Networked Storage servers provide instant access to any media file or feed located anywhere on the network. The underlying storage architecture provides no single point of failure with full redundancy of all critical components. If part of the system should fail, the Palladium architecture ensure stations stay on air while the system is repaired.
For more information visit www.pinnaclesys.com.
