Italy’s Mediaset has made a complete migration to IP connectivity in only 18 months, working with Evertz to design, deploy and launch the new channel origination and playout upgrade.
Major broadcaster Mediaset S.p.A, serving Italy and Spain, has made a complete migration to IP connected systems over the course of only 18 months. According to the company’s engineers, the new infrastructure has helped the company to simplify their operations and facilities, and meanwhile resulted in a more effective control plane for operations.
With greater flexibility to adapt to the media landscape as it evolves, Mediaset regards the upgrade as an important step in its journey towards a more agile broadcast infrastructure capable of meeting future demands. Mediset has collaborated with Evertz to design, deploy and launch Mediaset’s channel origination and playout upgrade.
Integrated Low-latency Design
The solution is of a comprehensive, low latency design based entirely on SMPTE ST-2110 standards. Aiming to increase efficiency across Mediaset’s broadcast operations, it uses Evertz Mediator automation/MAM platform integrated with Overture-RT-LIVE playout servers, MAGNUM-OS orchestration and VUE control interfaces.
“We are pleased with the flexibility, agility and scalability of the Evertz solution,” said Maurizio Raffaeli, Director of Broadcast TV Technology at Mediaset. “This was a fast-moving project requiring collaboration across multiple teams at Evertz and Mediaset. In just 18 months, we have completely transitioned to IP, simplified our facilities and gained better control over operations.”
Distributed Architecture
Mediator handles system automation as well as MAM functions to reduce complexity and automate content ingest, quality control and scheduling workflows for the diverse content types and signal sources Mediaset has to manage. With Mediator’s ability to support on-premise, cloud and hybrid architectures, Mediaset will be able to take advantage of the underlying technology stack to transform its operations as its business evolves over time.
The system design delivers resilience by adopting a distributed architecture within and across several different sites while maintaining full synchronization. Supporting over 26 channels, the Evertz system delivers features and functions handling Mediaset’s very dynamic live Sports/News channels, as well as their thematic channels.
Overture is a software-based playout platform. When integrated with Mediator-X, Overture supports object storage, on-premises or in the cloud. Its ability to record, transcode and playout on the same platform as the MAM increases content compatibility and system reliability through the complete broadcast chain. Available functionality includes play-while-record, playlist record, dynamic AFD (aspect ratio) and XDS (station ID, timing) data insertion, multi-language subtitle insertion and component-based playout.
Control and Orchestration
The control layer Maurizio Raffaeli refers to above is Magnum-OS, operating as a set of software modules for control, orchestration, monitoring and analysis of the major supply chain components, whether all-SDI, all-IP or hybrid, under one point of control. This achieves the key broadcast goal of simpler facility workflows, more efficient operations and lower costs.
Mario Ailano, Head of Broadcast Operations at Mediaset, also commented, “The integration of Evertz's technology has enhanced our team’s ability to deliver content with greater precision and reliability, ensuring that our viewers continue to enjoy high quality experiences across all platforms." evertz.com
