Mediaproxy’s Erik Otto on diversity, team-building and “securing your future growth”

Mediaproxy’s Erik Otto on diversity, team-building and “securing your future growth”

Recruiting the finest potential talents from the greatest range of backgrounds is really a ‘no-brainer’ when it comes to building a winning team, suggests the CEO of compliance software innovator Mediaproxy

 It’s now more than 20 years since Mediaproxy was founded, and since that time we have become a global leader in software-based IP compliance solutions. But although diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) have assumed a greater industry profile in recent years, they’ve always been important priorities for us. Let me explain why.

 It’s my belief that, as a company, you should always foster DEI. For a start, there is a surfeit of evidence to show that diversity brings a wealth of benefits to any team. Just read a few business books or interviews with major company founders or CEOs. Again and again, they will provide examples of how a diverse workforce has increased the range of expertise and influx of new ideas into a business.

By contrast, it’s clear that if you have a workforce where everyone is fundamentally of the same perspective and opinion, it’s very easy to get locked onto a particular pathway and end up becoming resistant to change. As we all know, that can easily be the death-knell of a business, especially one involved in a perpetually-evolving sector like media technology, where nothing ever stays the same for too long.

I’ve always been a firm believer in diversity and inclusion personally, so it’s not been a challenge to bring that emphasis to the way that Mediaproxy is run. At the same time, though, it’s been very satisfying to witness positive changes occurring more generally in the industry and wider world. Just think about the way in which awareness of the Paralympics has developed over the last decade, and the improved profile for people with disabilities in the media. Not only is it evidently long overdue that they have access to the same range of opportunities, it’s also by this kind of inclusion that people who may harbor prejudices can come to realize that they are completely unsubstantiated.

 Moreover, in a period where divisions are being fueled again by some areas of politics and social media, the ability to access a wide range of perspectives is really important for the health of society, too.

 ‘Actively seeking diversity’

 As a company we are always on the lookout for new talent, and in fact barely a week goes by without me interviewing a potential recruit. Finding good young engineers is part of the lifeblood of our company, so you absolutely need to reach out to the widest range of backgrounds if you are going to put together the best possible team. We are always actively seeking diversity and I am very proud of what we have achieved at Mediaproxy.

 Of course, every company is a work in progress. In particular, I would like for there to be more women on our engineering team. For a long time it was very difficult to find female candidates who were interested in these roles. I am sure this is down in no small part to a failure of the educational system to present engineering as an option to females at school and college. It’s definitely been an issue in Australia, our home country, where access to media technology training as a whole is still much more limited than it needs to be.

That said, I do believe that things are slowly improving, especially on the software development side where there has definitely been a rise in female candidates in the last few years. I hope that, in the future, more prime movers in our field will reach out to schools and colleges to ensure that women perceive media technology not just as a viable career route, but a really exciting and rewarding one, too.

 One potential obstacle I see on the horizon concerns the use of AI in recruitment. I am sure many of us have read reports about some of the earlier AI models, which were not trained in a way that is representative of society. My impression is that this is now improving and training models are increasingly based around a fairly level and diverse set of parameters, which is obviously welcome, but it’s something we need to keep watching closely as AI is still developing so rapidly – and sometimes in unpredictable ways.

 Ultimately, we are an R&D-driven company. Everything we want to achieve is predicated on maintaining a commitment to innovation, keeping our customers satisfied, and working to add extra features and capabilities that will bring them value. To do that we need the most gifted people, which means reaching out to the largest potential pool of talent. Pursuing diversity and inclusion is therefore a big part of securing your future growth and the only logical pathway for a forward-looking company to take.

Imagine Communications – Bridging the skills gap: addressing the talent shortage in the media and entertainment industry

Imagine Communications – Bridging the skills gap: addressing the talent shortage in the media and entertainment industry

Dr. Glodina Connan-Lostanlen, Chief Process Officer, Imagine Communications

Recently, rapid technological advancements in the media and entertainment industry have coincided with a generational shift in the workforce. Many seasoned broadcast engineers are retiring or approaching retirement, resulting in the loss of crucial skills that support traditional broadcast systems still in use today. And while younger hires bring important IT, cloud and IP networking expertise to the table, they lack the valuable knowledge of their predecessors in television technology and are not entering the field quickly enough to replace them. This has led to a skills shortage, and in this article, we will explore what the industry is doing — and needs to do — to address it.

 Venturing outside traditional talent pools

Broadcast technology companies are increasingly focusing on cloud-based services and software-centric platforms, necessitating a more diverse set of talent requirements. The need to recruit cloud architects and software developers from the IT sector has become crucial. However, today’s competitive landscape means that attracting talent from outside the industry is challenging, particularly with a younger generation that has different expectations. Chief among these is the ability to work flexibly — whether remotely or from an office — and that is now considered one of the top criteria for selecting a job. To remain competitive, broadcast technology companies must offer this flexibility to recruits.

Another key consideration is that recruitment is a lengthy process. Even after a candidate accepts a position, they may change their mind. To avoid gaps or starting the recruitment process from scratch if a preferred candidate falls through, it is vital to build a talent pipeline that can be tapped when needed. The best time to develop this pipeline is well before it becomes necessary.

 Retaining talent

After successfully recruiting talent, the next challenge is retention, which demands a multi-faceted approach. Broadcast technology companies must adapt their communication tools to foster a more collaborative environment suitable for remote work. Additionally, they need to rethink how they measure employee performance. Instead of traditional evaluations, companies should adopt more scientific and adaptive metrics that reflect the specific roles and tasks of a diverse workforce.

For the younger generation, context and meaning are also increasingly important. They seek a sense of purpose and connection to their work, making it crucial to help them understand how their efforts contribute to the bigger picture, both within the company and beyond.

However, even with these steps, staff turnover will remain a concern. While broadcast engineers of the past tended to commit long-term to one company, the younger workforce is more inclined to seek new opportunities after a few years. As the industry progresses, it is unlikely that new recruits will remain with a company for decades.

Focusing on training

For recruits entering from outside the industry, the 24/7 broadcasting environment represents a significant shift from their previous experiences, presenting a steep learning curve. For instance, in typical IT support roles, even a critical ticket can wait a few minutes — while in television operations, a few minutes of lost airtime has a significant revenue impact. The situational urgency of managing a live system is itself a skill that needs to be learned.

Ideally, this gap would be addressed at the university level, where talent could acclimate to the broadcast environment before starting their careers. However, for those currently entering the industry, training is the best solution. Fortunately, numerous training resources are available. Organizations like the IABM and AIMS provide various opportunities for sharing and receiving knowledge. Moreover, many of today’s training courses have evolved from a purely engineering focus to accommodate the growing demands of various streaming platforms, broadcast areas, and multiple applications.

Diversity and creating entry-level pathways

Beyond recruiting younger talent, the media and entertainment industry also needs to attract more diverse talent, a necessity it has historically overlooked, especially in technical and engineering roles. Promoting diversity and inclusion not only draws on untapped potential, but also introduces fresh perspectives and voices that can drive the industry’s evolution.

To achieve this diversity, it is crucial to raise awareness of career opportunities within the industry among young people from all backgrounds as early as possible. This involves engaging with students in earlier grades and encouraging them to consider the media and entertainment industry as a viable career path. Additionally, creating entry-level pathways for those who choose this direction is essential.

One example is the T Level in Media, Broadcast, and Production, which will be available in the UK this September. This two-year program is designed for students aged 16-19 and includes a minimum of nine weeks of industry placement, ensuring students gain the experience and expertise needed for a career in the media and entertainment industry.

Networks and other companies within the industry are also joining the effort. For instance, ITV has introduced the ITV Academy, offering production apprenticeships on some of the UK’s biggest shows, work experience opportunities, paid placements, graduate training programs, and more.

Moving forward through collaboration

The skills shortage in the media and entertainment industry is no secret, but traditionally, there has been a lack of a global platform for sharing best practices and solutions to this critical issue. This will change with the World Skills Café at IBC2024. This unique event will serve as a global forum where industry stakeholders can exchange insights, best practices, and strategies to collectively address the skills shortage affecting companies worldwide.

Additionally, 2023 saw the establishment of the Global Media & Entertainment Talent Manifesto, a new membership organization dedicated to tackling the skills shortage by fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge across the industry. These initiatives demonstrate that through collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the rapidly evolving media landscape.

 

Resilience through talent: addressing shortages in the MediaTech industry

Resilience through talent: addressing shortages in the MediaTech industry

 

Ana-Claire Bernardes, Content Evangelist, IABM

In the ever-evolving landscape of MediaTech, the industry faces a significant challenge: a shortage of skilled talent. This issue is not only impeding growth but also hampering innovation , stifling creativity, and impacting the bottom line, as the scarcity of talent drives up hiring costs. To combat this, it is essential to understand the complexities of talent shortages and resilience within the industry and to actively implement strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent.

Our latest internal research, comprising a comprehensive survey and a series of interviews with MediaTech professionals, reveals five key pillars of the challenges and potential solutions to this pressing issue.

Awareness

  • Increase awareness of career opportunities in MediaTech.
  • Implement educational initiatives, forge industry partnerships, and engage in outreach programs to attract potential talent.

Working Conditions

  • Foster a positive environment that includes flexible working arrangements and ample opportunities for career development.
  • Develop and enforce policies to tackle unacceptable workplace behavior, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.

Education

  • Partner with educational establishments to ensure that courses are kept up to date and align with the technical skills needed by the industry.
  • Collaborate with governments to develop and secure investment in MediaTech education initiatives, ensuring long-term growth and development.

Training

  • Collaborate to develop training initiatives aligned with industry needs and best practices.
  • Establish mentorship networks, industry-driven internships, apprenticeship schemes, and open learning resources to provide ongoing support and development for employees.

DEI Initiatives

  • Reach out to underrepresented groups through collaborative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
  • Ensure that training, development, and support are made available to as many people as possible, promoting an inclusive and diverse workforce.

These strategies are critical, as our recent report highlights some pivotal issues:

A staggering 80% of companies in MediaTech report difficulties in finding suitable talent. This challenge is particularly pronounced in areas requiring specialized technical skills and a deep understanding of both IT and television production. The Founder/CEO of a MediaTech Supplier in North America, emphasizes the severity of this issue:

“Our biggest thing in recruiting is finding people that know how software and television mix.”

The trend towards digitalization and the convergence of MediaTech with other technology sectors means that the skills most needed in MediaTech are also in high demand by other sectors. Examples include software, systems architecture, and video engineering.

This gap underscores the need for educational institutions to better align their curricula with industry demands. However, the current education system is failing to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the MediaTech industry. An urgent curriculum overhaul is needed to bridge this gap and prepare the future workforce. Additionally, greater collaboration between the MediaTech sector and education system is necessary to enhance mentorship networks and industry-driven internships, creating clear pathways from education to employment. Jorge de la Nuez, Head of Technology & Operations, Olympic Channel, underscores this point: “Internships are available in Spain, but they are not easy to find, especially in public universities. Private universities or hybrid education centers tend to have more opportunities as they seek sponsorships. I’ve noticed a decline in these opportunities within the public education system, which is significant in Spain and likely in other European countries too.”

In conclusion, addressing talent shortages in MediaTech requires a multifaceted approach that includes raising awareness, improving working conditions, revamping educational curricula, developing targeted training programs, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. By implementing these strategies, we can build a resilient workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining growth in the MediaTech industry.

Our research underscores the need for a coordinated effort between industry leaders, educational institutions, and government bodies to ensure that the MediaTech sector continues to thrive. Through collaborative efforts, we can cultivate the talent that will shape the future of MediaTech, fostering a vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive ecosystem for all.

The full Talent Shortages in MediaTech Megatrend report is available for IABM members, from start-up level to Platinum, to download via the Vantage platform.

 

 

 

IABM Regional Members’ Councils

IABM Regional Members’ Councils

Regional Members’ Councils play a vital role in the IABM’s international ecosystem. Directly elected by all the member companies in each region, they ensure that the widest range of regional interests are represented, and make authoritative contributions to central as well as regional IABM initiatives. The Councils  also bring often-competing companies together to share ideas, challenges and solutions  – a manifestation of the way the whole MediaTech industry is moving towards a more collaborative approach.

In addition to being a strong regional voice within IABM, Members’ Councils also get involved with regional events, representing their members’ views and interests. For example, the APAC Council organizes a reception at BroadcastAsia and is involved with the conference program at MetExpo, Sydney.

The EMEA Council takes the platform during the Cabsat conference, and the DACH Council is organizing a thought-leading panel on the future direction of the Broadcast and Media industry, while the UK Council is in the process of organizing face-to-face events between members and their customers, the first of which will dive into the Capex v Opex question.

The influential IABM 2110 Group came about as a result of members of the Americas Council pooling their concerns over solving AMWA interoperability issues their customers have when employing SMPTE 2110. In all these activities, Regional Members’ Councils are also providing a valuable bridge for the customer community – a role that IABM is increasingly adopting.

In all these ways, Regional Members’ Councils play an active role in supporting members and the wider industry, speaking with authority on key matters in their region as well as contributing a wealth of knowledge and experience to IABM’s global activities. Here’s what Paul Stechly, Chair of the America’s Council and Alain Polgar, Chair of the DACH Council told us about the role they see their councils playing.

Paul Stechly:

The Americas Council is a very good cross section of companies large and small as well as representing different facets of the business. We have representation from legacy RF to cloud software. So the councils are a representative survey sample of the IABM membership as a whole, especially when you add in the regional diversity. We seek, and get, consensus on issues that affect our members as well as being able to gauge industry trends. For example, in the last Americas call, the value of large trade shows was a recurring topic but also that industry purchases this year will be “flat” and that the largest area of growth is in the corporate communications sector. This in turn helps the IABM plan events like UpStream which cater to the emerging market discussed in the Council.

Alain Polgar:

In my mind the Regional Councils are a bidirectional interface between their respective markets and the overall IABM organization. One size does not fit all. The councils aim to provide more granular views on their market dynamics and regional industry events and are more representative of local vendor or local entities of global vendors. In the other direction they are able to represent the IABM on the ground. The DACH Council is a good example: it includes representatives of regional companies and participates in the local Hamburg Open show with a panel.

Zixi – Driving sustainability through total cost of ownership reductions

Zixi – Driving sustainability through total cost of ownership reductions

John Wastcoat, SVP BD and Marketing, Zixi

In the current environment of organizational cost-cutting amid the push for global corporate profitability, media organizations must continually pursue efficient and cost-effective solutions to manage their large-scale implementations. The undeniable economic benefits of delivering broadcast-quality video over the public internet are becoming mainstream; however, as consumers become increasingly careful about the environmental impacts of media organizations, these entities are now held accountable for their carbon footprint and are expected to align with sustainability initiatives.

Zixi stands out by showcasing technology that optimizes various facets of video streaming workflows, not only reducing cost but also placing a strong focus on sustainability. With years of investment in efficiency and performance enhancements, Zixi is committed to providing solutions that require fewer compute resources, resulting in lower costs for its customers while simultaneously contributing to environmental sustainability.

While the primary focus remains on cost-effectiveness and total cost of ownership (TCO), Zixi addresses sustainability through efficiency enhancements, decreased infrastructure demands and bandwidth optimization. Acknowledging the reality that businesses are ultimately accountable to their shareholders and must have a economic benefit, Zixi’s sustainability efforts stand out by offering baseline improvements in cost-effectiveness. These advancements contribute to fostering more sustainable workflows by reducing resource consumption and operational costs.

The Zixi Software-Defined Video Platform (SDVP) with the Zixi Protocol stands out in achieving both cost-effectiveness and sustainability through several key features:

  1. Unmatched compute efficiency: The SDVP with the Zixi Protocol boast an impressive 14x more compute efficiency than alternative solutions utilizing less efficient protocols like open-source offerings. This increased efficiency plays a pivotal role in reducing the complexity and cost associated with managing large-scale implementations for modern broadcasters. By requiring just fraction of the compute requirement compared to other industry options, the SDVP delivers sustainable workflows with substantial cost savings. Notably, Zixi’s runs on ARM Processors, including AWS Graviton 2/3, providing an additional 50% cost and energy savings over Intel.
  2. Reduced infrastructure requirements: The superior efficiency of the SDVP eliminates the need for excessive virtual machines, leading to significant cost savings. Organizations can achieve this by requiring fewer virtual machines to handle the same workload, translating to substantial cost savings across various operational aspects, including compute, engineering, operations and energy consumption.
  3. Bandwidth optimization: The SDVP, powered by the Zixi Protocol, offers bandwidth efficiency through two crucial mechanisms: null packet compression and video awareness. These capabilities enable media organizations to reduce their bandwidth consumption and transport stream egress costs by an average of 50%, all while maintaining video quality and producing the pre-encode bitrate post-decode.

In essence, Zixi’s commitment to sustainability is not just a superficial overlay; it is deeply embedded in the technological fabric of its solutions. The company’s focus on efficiency enhancements, reduced infrastructure demands, and bandwidth optimization aligns with the broader industry trend of balancing cost-effectiveness with environmental responsibility.

Efficiency as the cornerstone: Zixi recognizes that efficiency is not just a buzzword; it is the cornerstone of sustainable and cost-effective video streaming workflows. By investing in technological advancements that significantly reduce compute requirements, Zixi enables its customers to achieve substantial cost savings while simultaneously lessening their environmental impact. The 14 times greater compute efficiency positions Zixi as a frontrunner in providing solutions that prioritize resource optimization without compromising on performance.

The intersection of cost-effectiveness and sustainability: In the competitive landscape of video streaming, the intersection of cost-effectiveness and sustainability is where Zixi excels. While cost reduction remains a top priority for media organizations, the demand for sustainable practices is no longer a mere trend but a fundamental expectation from consumers and stakeholders alike. The SDVP addresses both aspects seamlessly, offering a comprehensive solution that not only optimizes costs but also aligns with the broader commitment to environmental responsibility.

Balancing shareholder expectations with sustainability initiatives: Acknowledging the primary accountability to shareholders, Zixi’s approach to sustainability is pragmatic and business-oriented. The company understands that any sustainability efforts must provide baseline improvements in cost-effectiveness to gain traction, and by offering solutions that not only reduce costs but also enhance operational efficiency, Zixi ensures that its sustainability initiatives align with the fundamental interests of its stakeholders. This strategic alignment positions Zixi as a responsible and forward-thinking player in the dynamic landscape of video streaming technology.

Future outlook: sustaining success in a changing landscape: As the video streaming landscape continues to evolve, the importance of sustainability will only grow. Media organizations, driven by consumer expectations and regulatory pressures, will increasingly prioritize solutions that not only deliver cost savings but also contribute to environmental responsibility. Zixi’s sustained commitment to efficiency, reduced infrastructure demands, and bandwidth optimization positions the company for continued success in this changing landscape.

The SDVP with the Zixi Protocol stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of video streaming technology. By prioritizing efficiency and sustainability, Zixi not only addresses the immediate needs of cost-conscious media organizations but also sets a standard for responsible and environmentally conscious streaming practices. As the industry marches towards a future where sustainability is non-negotiable, Zixi’s contributions pave the way for a more efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly era in video streaming.

 

What is the Cloud? Surprisingly a question still asked today

What is the Cloud? Surprisingly a question still asked today

Damon Neale

It’s 2024 and I (wrongly) assumed that the ‘cloud’ was a well understood concept. That said, one of the top Google trends on the cloud is still surprisingly questions like “what is cloud computing?” and “the cloud”, and it shows that what I thought has long been common knowledge might still need some ‘clarification’.

In addition, I have had some ‘interesting’ conversations with some production companies and studios that also suggest that the cloud still is not well understood. Without mentioning any names, one of the funniest conversations I had recently was with a producer who informed me it was company “policy” not to use the internet or cloud, and yet the entire business was entirely dependent on cloud hosted SaaS services like Google Drive!? When I (politely) challenged this, they went on to explain how their files were on their computer, not in the ‘cloud’ (despite having shared links to these files with me via Google Drive and other cloud services). It was conversations like these that inspired me to write a course on the cloud for the IABM. Given that this is still happening, I thought it worth a super-simple summary of what the cloud is in this article.

Now I could do an entire course on each of these points (and I have), but the goal of this article is to simplify and summarize. I will super-briefly cover the cloud in general, public and private cloud, as well as IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.

For those of us that already know what the cloud is this article may not be for you.

Definition

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines ‘Cloud Computing’ as:

“ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as:

“A network of remote servers hosted on the Internet and used to store, manage, and process data in place of local servers or personal computers”

 These definitions are somewhat biased to a specific type of cloud computing – the ‘public’ cloud (which I’ll explain shortly). For a further generalization that encompasses private clouds and perhaps an (over)simplification to make that easier to understand might be “IT hardware centralized offsite for rent” or “remotely hosted technology for rent”. In the private cloud this might just be rack space (racks are large shelving units that hold servers), internet, power and air-conditioning (servers produce a lot of heat!), while in the public cloud it can be that but also servers, storage and networking too.

Public and Private Cloud

When most people speak of the cloud, they are referring to the ‘public’ cloud. Technically, the cloud can consist of multiple types such as the public and private cloud. There are also less known forms of the cloud, such as community clouds or local clouds and even the concept of a ‘hybrid’ or ‘multi’ cloud that are beyond the scope of this article.

Private Cloud

The ‘Private Cloud’ essentially refers to a remote data center including the fundamental underlying infrastructure required to centrally host your own IT hardware. More specifically, it is used to refer to a ‘managed’ private cloud, provided by a 3rd Party. You can rent the space, including the power, air-conditioning, internet etc. and buy your own servers, storage, etc. and host them (store and run) in this space for a monthly fee. Fees are typically based on the amount of space and power (electricity) needed to run your hardware. This can be great if you have limited (or expensive) office space in the middle of a city, or to centralize shared IT services across multiple offices. You also benefit from the physical security vs your office as they are very secure sites. People have requirements as does IT hardware; an office is designed for people to work together while a datacenter is designed to host IT hardware, so it is best to have dedicated spaces to best meet their needs.

Public Cloud

The public cloud has most of the same features as a managed private cloud, except it also includes the servers, storage and networking for rent. You could define the public cloud as “hosted cloud computing resources provided virtualized as a service to external customers typically over the public internet”. Some people refer to it as “computing as a service”.

Some find the use of the word ‘public’ to be misleading and raises concerns over data security but ‘public’ does not mean your data is public or that it is somehow insecure! It is perhaps better to understand the word ‘public’ to mean that anyone with a credit card can setup an account and get started but each account is private to the owner. Via a web browser user interface you can select what servers (etc.) you need and allocate them to your account and business use. The Public Cloud Service Provider has bought and hosted a lot of computers, networking and storage and made it available to rent. It is typically offered on an on-demand consumption or ‘pay-for-what-you-use’ basis, but pre-commitments can be used to guarantee resource availability and get better pricing.

The most common cloud providers are Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), Microsoft Azure (“Azure”) and Google Cloud Platform (“GCP”). There are, of course many, many others.

IaaS, PaaS and SaaS

These are common acronyms to represent the following:

  • IaaS – infrastructure as a service
  • PaaS – platform as a service
  • SaaS – software as a service

IaaS

When most people speak of the cloud, they are referring to Infrastructure-as-a-Service (‘IaaS’ for short). To put it simply, this is renting infrastructure like servers, storage and networking typically by the minute or based on consumption. While they are just the basic building blocks of an IT service they typically come with some basic needs met, like specific operating systems pre-installed for you but you are responsible for deploying everything your business needs on top of that.

PaaS

Platform-as-a-Service refers to IaaS further simplified into a more easily consumable package. For example, with IaaS you would manually setup, configure and host your software code on cloud servers and configure or write further logic to scale and distribute workload across them. With PaaS you could simply deploy your code to services like AWS’s ‘Elastic BeanStalk’ to automatically scale and distribute your service and workloads without really needing to worry about managing servers

or operating system updates, or things like scalability and availability. These services can be quicker and easier to deploy apps but may not be flexible enough to suit your needs.

SaaS

‘Software-as-a-Service’ goes one step higher to complete solutions that may have been built on top of IaaS or PaaS and typically provide ready to use tools or features without needing to install any software. You may simply just setup an account, configure solution a little to your needs (such as defining custom fields) and add your data to take advantage almost immediately without you ever needing to worry about the infrastructure or management. Some common examples might include Salesforce or QuickBooks. SaaS Solutions typically focus on a single solution or ‘vertical’ in your workflow. For example, they may just focus on the review & approve stage such as with Frame.io.

Managed Service Providers

There are also managed service providers who can provide both IaaS and SaaS entirely managed, so you don’t need to worry about deploying and managing infrastructure or even licensing software as it’s all under a single contract. They typically have ready-made and integrated solutions for all parts of your workflow and not just individual elements. These services often also include support and training for these offerings. In some cases, they can also be cheaper than going direct to the individual suppliers, especially when considering their bulk buying power. The largest example of a Cloud Managed Service Provider in the Media & Entertainment industry is Base Media Cloud.

Conclusion

Hopefully this has been a nice and simple introduction and overview to finally put these questions to bed. If you would like more in this series to explain some more of the basics of the cloud, please comment with what you’d like to know and I’ll try to write a follow up with further articles on those topics to help further.

For a much better description, you’re also more than welcome to check out my course – The Cloud: A Comprehensive Overview: https://theiabm.org/the-cloud-a-comprehensive-overview-for- technology-creative-and-business-people/

About the Author

Damon Neale, https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonneale/

Damon has 15+ years of experience leading professional services on £multi-million international technology change programmes for large organizations. He has expertise in the analysis, design and implementation of bespoke AI/ML, cloud (including hybrid and multi-cloud), streaming, video formats and media workflow solutions; also developing training courses and talking at international conferences on these topics.

Vizrt – Broadcasting excellence in the year of elections

Vizrt – Broadcasting excellence in the year of elections

In the age of 24/7 news coverage, broadcasters face the challenge of ensuring that stories are not only understood and entertaining, but wide reaching. This is no mean feat for any media organization that plans to cover this year’s elections.

According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated 2 billion people will vote this year in 50 countries around the world, and broadcasters are tasked with providing correct information as it unfolds. To ensure accuracy, data needs to come in real-time and be relayed to audiences as fast as possible; to ensure brand consistency and retain viewers, the data needs to be communicated in a visually stunning way.

This is where graphics come in. With the purpose of illustrating real-time data, graphics simplify and entertain viewers at home. In fact, research conducted by Vizrt found that 42% of people surveyed believe on-screen graphics help them understand complex stories – for Gen Z, it’s over half (51%).

To produce the best stories, broadcasters rely heavily on what can be created in the studio and what can be captured in the field.

All hands on deck for election season

Elections are incredibly important for broadcasters, and equally challenging. “Sports have major events like the Olympics, the World Cup, the Super Bowl… for news, it’s the elections,” says TVNZ’s Design Lead, Mark Fleming. “There’s not much that would compare in terms of reach or engagement.”

New Zealand’s largest broadcaster, TVNZ (Television New Zealand), knows this significance quite well. In fact, during the country’s last general election cycle in 2023, 1.4 million viewers tuned in, which reflects over 40% of registered voters.

Looking at the numbers for key commercial demographics and total audience, it was reported that TVNZ’s 1News coverage was the highest-reaching and highest-rating television program of the election night. Bringing the latest news to viewers’ screens evidently retained the attention of New Zealanders, and graphics are central to that.

Powered by Viz Engine and Unreal Engine, TVNZ used 3D and augmented reality (AR) graphics in its main studio. With a large 13-meter LED screen, augmented by a green screen setup that served as an extension, TVNZ was able to seamlessly project an expansion of its virtual set design.

Set-ups like this will likely be seen across broadcasts this year, including large AR displays and studio AR extensions, as well as extended reality (XR) studios with large video walls. With infographics, a data-driven story is easily broken down. It can illustrate the shift as votes are counted, as well as victories as they unfold for different parties – by displaying the percentage of seats in Parliament and visualizing how each demographic is voting on the day.

Making the most of your footage

Crucial to the workflow of covering an election is capturing and using appropriate footage. TVNZ encourages its News and Current Affairs (NCA) teams to rely less on their archivists and more on themselves. Knowing how to search and pull back content from the vast archive enriches the story being told, and that was an important aspect of the New Zealand election.

From 2009 to 2017, TVNZ digitized its legacy tape-based news archive with Viz One, Vizrt’s Media Asset Management system. This enabled fast search and preview of its content, associating an always available proxy video with rich assets and timeline metadata. As TVNZ upgraded to the latest version of Viz One, it provided additional capabilities to manage where video assets were held, allowing existing content stored on-premises to be replicated to cloud based storage.

More recently, TVNZ embraced a ‘cloud-first policy’, choosing Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) to securely store media content captured over the last few decades. Amazon S3 enables high accessibility and 11 nines of durability, automatically replicating content across multiple availability zones in the same AWS Region. TVNZ’s multi-petabyte archive is now held safely and securely in the cloud, easily accessible for recall as and when needed.

“The move to cloud not only enables us to protect our invaluable archive, but it also opens up additional services, such as AI facial recognition and speech-to-text for metadata logging, optimizing the search and discovery process,” says Jean-Louis “JL” Açafrão, General Manager of Technology at TVNZ.

In the weeks leading up to the country’s general election, TVNZ reporters were out every day, registering the appearances, speeches, and movements of politicians seeking victory. Hours of footage went back to base, archived through Viz One to be easily accessed by the newsroom team. And the archive team made sure the content was reached from the desktops of producers, journalists, and reporters, with little time to spare.

Relying on the right MAM system, the team was able to collaboratively deliver quality content to New Zealanders, right when it mattered the most.

Becoming future proof

In the production process, it’s essential to prepare: not just in equipping the production team with the right tech to enable easy-to-use and stunning graphics that illustrate a virtual environment, but also the right asset management solution to access and maintain the hours of footage filmed.

The best graphics can be created and the best footage captured, then used to produce a visually compelling narrative.

TVNZ is already looking to the future. With the growth of the streaming platform TVNZ+, according to Açafrão, its plans include becoming a digital-first media company. And elections provide an opportunity to set a new standard. Using Vizrt solutions, Fleming says, “we can crunch and visualize a lot of data very quickly. We use elections to set the standard of where we want our graphics, design, and augmented reality capability to be for the next one, two, or three years”.

 

Veset – Why cloud playout is fast becoming critical for live broadcasting

Veset – Why cloud playout is fast becoming critical for live broadcasting

Cloud playout is nothing new – many broadcasters and service providers have already switched to the cloud for playout of content. A few media organizations were ahead of the game and switched playout to the cloud as long ago as 2016 (Discovery for one), and many others have since followed in their footsteps. Having said that, there’s still plenty of media companies and broadcasters who still operate playout from on-premises infrastructure. And there are also those that have chosen to go with a hybrid approach using cloud playout for some content delivery such as FAST while retaining traditional playout for content such as live news and sports broadcasting.

Although cloud playout is being used with high levels of success by some broadcasters, there still seems to be a reluctance to fully commit to cloud playout for live programming. There’s a lingering fear that it doesn’t yet have the capabilities needed to handle the complex challenges of live broadcasting, and as a result, many broadcasters still rely on on-premise SDI technology and dedicated network infrastructure. It’s true that early cloud playout solutions may have lacked the necessary functionality and technical capabilities for live content, but that is no longer the case.

Given that cloud playout has the potential to bring down operational costs, deliver efficiency savings, and provide flexibility and scalability that traditional on-prem playout struggles to match, will those media companies who choose to carry on with the status quo with their live programming soon find themselves left behind? Are we heading into a period when cloud playout will become critical for all broadcasters, regardless of whether it’s pre-recorded or live content?

Live broadcasting is not without its challenges

Delivering live content presents a unique set of challenges that require advanced technical capabilities for seamless playout. From the intricate timing of live sports events to the rapid delivery of breaking news, broadcasters are under immense pressure to deliver high-quality content in real-time, and in today’s competitive landscape, there’s no room for error.

The kinds of challenges that broadcasters face when dealing with live broadcasts will depend in part on the nature of the live event, which can be fully scheduled, partially scheduled or fully manual. Channels may well be a mix of pre-recorded and live content, so broadcasters need the ability to easily manage the change from one type of input to the other.

There is a high level of unpredictability that comes with broadcasting live events, so broadcasters need to be confident that they can manage these issues as and when they happen. There could be technical issues ranging from problems with quality of the video or audio feed, to complete loss of connection. And let’s not forget that live events often do not follow the schedule; they can and do start late, and may well overrun, which adds to the unpredictability.

Ad breaks too may also need to be factored in and inserted into the live signal. The way that ad breaks are triggered will depend largely on whether they are fully scheduled, such as for a live studio programme, or unscheduled, for example during a live sports event, where a manual break may need to be inserted at an opportune moment.

To manage these challenges, broadcasters need to be able to easily manage and switch between multiple live feeds and pre-recorded content. Playout systems must also allow media operators to start and finish live events manually by overriding the scheduled timeline and enable linear programme schedules to be adjusted on the fly. Managing all the potential challenges effectively is obviously critical, otherwise the viewer experience is going to be negatively impacted.

Managing latency

Another issue that tends to attract a lot of attention when considering the ability of cloud playout for live content is latency. It’s easy to see why this is a concern for broadcasters because live means live: everyone expects to see the content as near to real time as possible.

While on-prem SDI-based workflows typically exhibit negligible or non-existent latency, a system transmitting compressed video from the studio to cloud playout is likely to experience a certain level of latency. This can however be managed and reduced to an acceptable level by using the right transport protocols, such as SRT, Zixi and RIST, and by using the right method for routing and switching to and from live signals, feeds, and ads, whether that be using SCTE-35 triggers or the use of virtual REST API web-based requests. Broadcasters can also leverage advanced cloud network technology such as AWS CDI to transport high-quality uncompressed video in the cloud with low network latency.

The case for cloud playout adoption

Just as cloud-based tools are continually improving for all parts of the content supply chain, cloud playout too is also constantly evolving, and is now able to meet the demands of live broadcasting.

Cloud playout provides broadcasters with the flexibility needed to manage the unpredictability of live events, and additionally, it provides scalability that on-premises solutions cannot match. With the added ability to quickly and easily launch (and close) new channels in response to changing circumstances, cloud playout allows broadcasters to work in a much more responsive and flexible way; even ads can easily be added using in-video ad insertion methods.

Cloud playout not only addresses the technical challenges associated with live broadcasting but also offers a level of agility and scalability that is indispensable in today’s fast moving and complex media landscape. It eliminates the need for significant upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure, and broadcasters can also leverage the cloud’s pay-as-you-go model, optimizing costs and reallocating resources as needed.

Although traditional on-premises playout systems are trusted for their reliability, they lack the flexibility needed to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, putting broadcasters at a disadvantage in today’s fast-paced media landscape. To stay competitive and future-ready, broadcasters need to make the leap and embrace cloud playout not just for pre-recorded content, but also for live programming.

 

 

Telycam – How to choose a camera for your lightweight event/production

Telycam – How to choose a camera for your lightweight event/production

Video production and live streaming have become essential methods for spreading ideas and storytelling in today’s landscape. The broadcast industry is evolving, shifting towards more accessible means of communication. Navigating a lightweight event or production journey demands striking the right balance between portability and performance.

With consumers increasingly demanding higher quality video content, cameras play a crucial role in capturing vivid live scenes. PTZ cameras, with their versatility and performance, are adept at meeting these evolving demands, catering to the dynamic needs of content creators and broadcasters.

Key specs you should care about

 The fundamental principle underlying a PTZ camera is akin to that of other digital cameras: the lens captures the image, transmitting it to the sensor where the light signal undergoes conversion into an electric signal. Subsequently, the final image is rendered by the Image Signal Processor (ISP) following intricate algorithms and processing.

The ISP serves as the ‘brain’ of a camera. Analogous to the human brain’s role in perception, the ISP plays a crucial role in processing images captured by the sensor. Its functions include demosaic, denoising, auto exposure, auto white balance, auto focus, black level correction, color correction, gamma correction, and more, ultimately presenting a refined and enhanced final image.

The sensor plays a crucial role in transforming light signals into electrical signals for further processing and storage, making it pivotal in determining image quality. Among sensor types, CMOS sensors are widely favored in both digital still cameras and PTZ cameras due to their lower power consumption, superior image quality, and cost-effectiveness; larger sensors generally yield better image quality. This is because sensor size directly influences the amount of light captured. During video capture, each pixel on the sensor records light information, with larger sensors typically offering higher dynamic range, wider ISO range, and reduced noise. Notably, larger sensors excel in capturing finer details and maintaining optimal exposure in challenging lighting conditions, while also exhibiting less noise in low-light environments. Incorporating larger CMOS sensors into PTZ cameras yields a cinematic final video effect.

The lens is responsible not only for filtering out unwanted light but also for determining a critical specification: aperture. By adjusting the aperture, we can regulate the amount of light reaching the sensor. A larger aperture offers distinct advantages, particularly in low-light conditions or night vision scenarios. The aperture also influences the depth-of-field effect. During video production, a pronounced bokeh effect both accentuates the focal point of the narrative and contributes to the creation of visually stunning scenes.

Beyond hardware, software algorithms are pivotal in determining video quality, fine-tuning color, tone, contrast, noise reduction, and more to craft the final video output. Different companies’ software algorithms produce diverse imaging effects and styles. Exceptional software algorithms are essential for optimizing videos across different application environments.

 Customized requirements for different applications

 In the realm of video production, many users and broadcasters continue to favor traditional HDMI or SDI transmission due to its proven reliability. Traditional digital transmission offers uncompressed video with high quality and minimal latency. However, drawbacks include costly cabling installation and limited transmission distance. In Telycam’s latest Explore PTZ series, we’ve incorporated an SFP+ port, allowing for enhanced scalability through the conversion of SDI signals to fiber optics. This extends transmission distances and reduces costs.

We’ve witnessed numerous successful user stories as they transition from traditional digital production workflows to AV over IP and even cloud-based production. With several protocols vying for a role in cloud-based operations, SRT stands out as an open-source video streaming protocol tailored for secure, high-quality, and low-latency point-to-point video transmission across the public internet. As technology progresses, NDI 6 is poised for release, addressing multi-point video/audio/control transmission over WAN. All Telycam NDI/IP series PTZ cameras now support the SRT protocol. As a strategic partner of NDI, Telycam will be the first vendor to implement NDI 6 into its PTZ camera line.

PTZ cameras are extensively utilized in live events across churches, studios, and theaters, where lighting conditions are often complex, and hosts or performers frequently move around the stage. These demanding scenarios necessitate cameras with superior low-light performance and rapid autofocus capabilities to capture dynamic effects seamlessly. Telycam’s Explore PTZ camera, equipped with a 1-inch sensor, delivers exceptional low-light performance, ensuring optimal image quality even under challenging stage lighting. Furthermore, its Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) technology enables lightning-fast focusing, allowing the 20x optical zoom PTZ camera to capture every moment with precision. PDAF utilizes phase differences in light rays to enhance autofocus performance, ensuring sharp and clear images in any setting.

In the realm of video production, one undeniable trend is the integration of VR/AR production into enterprise and corporate studios, no longer limited to big TV stations or high-end live shows. To embrace this evolution, Telycam has integrated the FreeD protocol into its current PTZ camera lineup, spanning from the ProAV level Vision+ series to the broadcast-level Explore series. The Explore series offers FreeD support through both NDI|HX/IP and 12G-SDI connections. With the inclusion of Genlock, the Explore series ensures seamless camera data transmission to VR/AR software. Genlock proves invaluable in multi-camera setups, particularly in green-screen studios where real-world elements are integrated into virtual scenes, preventing any discrepancies in timecode when transitioning between camera feeds.

As video production continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and trends becomes imperative for staying competitive, for both vendors and users. The future trend of the PTZ cameras market and the live production industry is likely to be shaped by several key factors, including advancements in hardware and software technology, integration of Artificial Intelligence, the increased adoption of IP-based workflows and transition to cloud production and immersive virtual production. The current PTZ camera is renowned for its portability and user-friendly design, making it accessible even to volunteers and newcomers in settings like churches. Its ease of use ensures quick mastery of basic functions, contributing to successful shows. This advantage is expected to persist even as more new technologies are integrated into PTZs.

TMT Insights – Successfully navigating your sustainability journey

TMT Insights – Successfully navigating your sustainability journey

Patty Minichiello, Global Brand Experience Manager, TMT Insights

Sustainability in the media industry is not only about reducing negative environmental impact but also about embracing innovation with responsibility. It’s about aligning a sustainability strategy with company goals, values, and operations. Yet, dealing with a large amount of vast and diverse sustainability data can indeed present challenges. Early in our sustainability program development at TMT Insights, it became clear that we can’t improve what we can’t measure and that a goal without a plan is simply a wish. As a relatively young company, we had a unique opportunity to build a sustainable foundation from the ground up and put our trust in the process, knowing that when you see it in motion, you start to see the benefits.

Right-fit partners
To make real progress in our journey and create visible change, we partnered with several organizations to guide our sustainability efforts. We were searching for insights and best practices to help us tackle and reduce our carbon emissions, as well as a system of efficient reporting that we could use to track and analyze data. We turned to Greenly, a platform that helps us measure, control, and reduce our environmental impact. With this tool, we can monitor key variables such as energy consumption, carbon emissions, and the use of natural resources in our daily business operations. It also recommends and vets educational resources to reduce and offset our carbon footprint sustainably. This tool is particularly approachable as it is without judgment and helps keep us accountable for our actions.

Going through a rigorous assessment with the DPP was also a rewarding exercise, which helped us identify opportunities for improvement and demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. It added even more depth to our sustainability goals to help us understand how to minimize our environmental impact. The DPP initiative is helping us track our progress in refining our sustainability policies and practices, and we proudly display the Committed to Sustainability mark.

Adopting more sustainable sourcing has helped us forge new relationships with sustainable suppliers and familiarize ourselves with ways to quickly assess a supplier’s sustainability practices so we can make informed decisions about our selections across our entire business.

Sustainable practices
At our core, we embrace cloud technology and have created a 100% remote or virtual workspace for our entire team. This approach reduces a great deal of inefficiencies, including unnecessary carbon emissions from transportation and office space energy use. Removing the drudgery of commuting, traffic, and exposure to low air quality certainly enhances our team’s health and work-life balance. We’ve also taken an intentional approach when we do meet as a team by combining meetings, opportunities, and celebrations into fewer events to be mindful of the negative impact of long-haul travel.

We also help our teams be environmental stewards by encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices at home, such as minimizing water usage, reducing energy consumption, and adopting sustainable transportation. Our goal is to promote an overall organizational culture of environmental responsibility.

Thoughtful strategies for tracking asset management have allowed us to monitor and manage the entire lifecycle of assets and provide us with an opportunity to repurpose them. This approach promotes reusing, recycling, and repurposing assets to minimize waste and extend their useful lives.

Transparency, education, and communication
It takes individual and collective action to follow a sustainability plan, and we’re committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and sharing knowledge and experiences. By communicating with our team about our organization’s goals and ways they can actively participate in reducing our impact on the environment, resource scarcity, and social inequality, we’ve increased awareness and understanding and promoted transparency and accountability. It also fosters a sense of ownership, which fuels new innovative ideas and empowerment and amplifies the impact of our sustainability and DEI initiatives. We know that people are at the heart of everything concerning our environmental and social governance and that it is the only way to truly build a sustainable workforce and environment.

Sustainability is no longer an option but an imperative—our responsibility. It’s not a sprint, marathon, or checkbox; it’s a mindset. It can be embedded in processes and decision-making, measured in a company culture, and incorporated into new working methods. Consistent check-ins to track metrics are crucial for maintaining accountability, promoting transparency, evaluating progress, and making informed and data-driven decisions about your sustainability initiatives. Defining and measuring sustainability is challenging and may even be daunting, but the long-range benefits are clear. If you’re interested in learning more about TMT Insights’ sustainability approach, I’m happy to share.

Leveraging her experience from MetLife and Sony, Minichiello leads strategic initiatives to enhance employee engagement and uphold brand values at TMT Insights. She collaborates across all levels of organizations to create transformative and sustainable workplace cultures and can be reached at patty.minichiello@tmtinsights.com