GV STRATUS DIGITAL MEDIA PUBLISHING CAPABILITIES, part 3 - live inserts for web and mobile channels

In our third and final blog post in our GV STRATUS Digital Media Publishing series, we will focus on redeploying content from a live show to web and mobile channels, including live inserts.

As we said in previous 2 posts in this series, harnessing the power and capabilities of GV STRATUS, Grass Valley can address a number of Digital Media Workflows:

1. Newsroom Video-On-Demand publishing via preset-driven GV STRATUS watch folders (read the post)
2. Automated segmentation Video-On-Demand publishing through Ignite Konnect with GV STRATUS (read the post)
3. Live streaming with rights management content replacement and hyper-client-based targeted ad insertion via Ignite processing, being managed by GV STRATUS 
4. 24/7 web & mobile TV as-live channels with live inserts for syndication on portals, broadcaster website, and/or mobile app and mobile TV - the focus of today's post

Case 4 above provides the ability to extend the management of a channel from strictly on-air to add web and mobile devices with unique programming that addresses the online community. 

Non-traditional broadcast media outlets, such as newspapers and major online portals, have been actively focusing on implementing video on the web in local markets. Consumer demand is starting to drive media outlets to produce and deliver hyper-local channels targeting specific content categories.

Combining the production power and flexibility of GV STRATUS and Ingite, multiple online and/or mobile channels can be configured to run 24/7 with targeted content pertinent to the syndicated publication point. The playlist can be setup manually to auto-populate based on rules established within GV STRATUS. Specified story categories such as “traffic,” “weather,” and “breaking news” can be set up within the channel playlist. They can also be set up to change dynamically throughout the day, and Ignite can break into the schedule with live programming. Join-in-progress resumes after the live cut-in. For each category, the content can be automatically replaced with an advert, bumper or promo that is relevant to the specific platform that is being delivered to (website, mobile....), and according to the geographical location of the audience. 

This level of workflow automation truly allows content providers to maximize content and resources whilst increasing revenue sources.

You can learn more about how Ignite automates the process of segmenting the live stream and replacing content, from our previous GV STRATUS Digital Media Publishing blog entries: "GV STRATUS DIGITAL MEDIA PUBLISHING CAPABILITIES, part 2 - Automated Segmentation and Video-on-Demand publishing" and "GV STRATUS DIGITAL MEDIA PUBLISHING CAPABILITIES, part 1 - NEWS".

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

More improvements for reduced-scale GV STRATUS systems

Following the great success of GV STRATUS at IBC 2014, we would like to, first, thank all our customers and partners for the interest and support shown during the 5 days of the show. Our 3 GV STRATUS pods were extremely busy and visitors were impressed with all the new features and workflows we introduced: user permissions, Aspera integration and many more.

Specifically for this show we wanted to show how a relatively small, and very affordable system, could provide a huge variety of workflows and support hundreds of user requirements. For the first time in a trade show, we chose not to have a K2 SAN with GV STRATUS, but a number of K2 Standalone Summits all with a GV STRATUS Express core server (the smallest of the core servers we offer). 

Among the new features in GV STRATUS v4.0 that help keep system cost and size under control are: 

1. Our pre-existing conform and render engine now also performs porxy scavenge and encoding. This allows you to have a pool of identical engines where you can prioritise tasks as needed, without the need to purchase additional dedicated hardware.
2. This conform/render and scavenge engine can now run on the GV STRATUS Express core server. For systems that have very reduced production requirements (1-2 video servers, 1-2 user clients), this reduces even further the amount of hardware that you need to purchase for a fully-fledged GV STRATUS production and workflow management system.  
3. Such a small system can support up to 20 users with GV STRATUS clients with its full set of tools, or EDIUS XS low-res editors offering a wide range of post-production and editing tools. Users can work collaboratively sharing, editing, enhancing content simultaneously!

A fantastic solution for Sports Trucks: the power of 20 editing stations without having to carry around an SAN that is not meant to be carried around.

Contact us for further details on how GV STRATUS can serve you with affordable, portable, easy-to-use non-linear production systems.

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

IBC 2014 DAY 5: new capabilities with RMI tool...

The last day of IBC 2014 is here, and with it, most visitors and exhibitors must be feeling those tired feet.... In the spirit of closing day, we will cover a couple of simple but very powerful new features that we are introducing with GV STRATUS v4.0.

We have added some great improvements to our existing RMI tool (Removable Media Interface), which allows you to easily preview, pre-select and quickly import media from file-based cameras (e.g. XDCAM SxS, P2 cards...).

1. You can import the full set of camera metadata to GV STRATUS
During the shoot, the camera operator may have been adding different metadata information to the recorded material, or perhaps the producer added comments and markers on their way back to the station.

With our new metadata mapping tool, you can select the metadata fields from the camera format that you want to transfer to GV STRATUS and, voila! all those precious notes and comments are imported to GV STRATUS along with the video asset.

Magic!

2. RMI now works wonderfully with GV STRATUS low resolution clients
In other words, you do not have to invest on a high-spec client with high resolution connection to K2 storage in order to import your field camera content. Simply connect your camera or reader to your PC, navigate using RMI, choose your clips, and quickly import. You can even continue to do other GV STRATUS work whilst the import takes place in the background.

Easy!

And cheap! No longer you need to invest in high-resolution connected workstations. The standard newsroom / production low-res client will perform this operation, allowing many more of your users to work with their field footage before importing it to the K2 storage in high resolution.

And just in case you were wondering, we have of course implemented the new user permissions capabilities to the ability to import RMI media (or not!)....

Quick! - come and see us at booth 1.11D or visit our IBC microsite to book a demo!

It's been another exciting IBC for us, with a new version launch including great new features. We look forward to hearing your user feedback and implementing GV STRATUS v4.0 at many customer sites soon!

Keep an eye on the blog for more posts featuring more interesting features and workflows!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

IBC 2014 DAY 4: new features on Ingest Scheduler with GV STRATUS 4.0

At GV STRATUS HQ not only we work hard to introduce new functionality and features to our tool-set, but also we are continuously looking to add improvements for existing tools. And this is what we have just done with the Ingest Scheduler on our new GV STRATUS v4.0

We have listened to lots of user feedback and implemented plenty of improvements to our crash record and scheduled ingest tool:

• Scalability: the Scheduler now supports up to 160 ingest channels! We have spent considerable effort to test at peak load and are satisfied that large ingest production facilities can now deploy our solution and scale as needed. 
• Channel Grouping: we have been asked a lot to implement the ability to group ingest channels, so that specific users or departments have dedicated channel groups. For example, say that the News Ingest team always users K2 Summit Channels 1 and 2, and the Sports team always uses Channels 3 and 4... Now you can create and name Ingest Channel groups so that it's easy and convenient for everyone to use their dedicated channels. 

• New Ingest monitor: a new monitoring list actively refreshes at pre-set time periods, so you can see at a glance all of the scheduled recordings and what is in progress now.

• Expand/collapse all button: small but powerful! When you have in excess of 3-4 recording channels, it's now very easy to quickly collapse them all to maximize your screen real-state, and equally, at the push of a button, expand them all in a flash!

As you can see, we strive to always make our tool-set more user-friendly, flexible and powerful... GV STRATUS simply aims to provide you with the best non-linear production and workflow tools in the market.

Come by our IBC 2014 booth 1.D11 or visit our IBC microsite to book a demo!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

IBC 2014 DAY 3: sending finished clips in multiple formats with GV STRATUS 4.0

We are constantly listening to our users' feedback and, as well as user permissions, we are introducing a highly requested feature with GV STRATUS 4.0: the ability to send finished files to K2 destinations in different formats. 

For example, say that in your newsroom or production facility you air your content in both SD and HD. From the new release of GV STRATUS, you can now create multiple format destinations, and send your SD sequence and your HD sequence to different (or the same) K2 destination, perhaps one for the SD playout room and the other for HD purposes. 

Or maybe your facility produces news content in DVCPRO HD, but promos in AVC-I 100. Again, you can now create different format send destinations, and the producer or editor will be presented with the relevant choices and ensure the right content reaches the right playout or external location. 

Another winning feature introducing flexibility, speed and ease-of-use to your production environment with GV STRATUS 4.0!

Come by our IBC 2014 booth 1.D11 or visit our IBC microsite to book a demo!

More tomorrow, day 4!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

IBC 2014 DAY 2: fast remote transfers with GV STRATUS 4.0

Do you need to send lots of large video files from your GV STRATUS/K2 system to remote locations outside your facility? Are you a field editor who wants to quickly transfer your high-resolution final edit ready for on-air, alongside with the rushes?

Look no more - at IBC 2014 we are launching our new tight integration between GV STRATUS 4.0 and Aspera fast delivery solutions, using their secure FASP protocol. This is not just a push/pull watch folder workflow: we have added the new protocol to our toolset via our RESTFUL API, allowing GV STRATUS users to simply use a check box or folder that will automatically transfer to remote sites using the Aspera FASP protocol (read more here). 

Once all basic configuration and servers have been set up at each end, all background operations are transparent to the user: using GV STRATUS workflow rules, different "send profiles" can be set up, so that, for example, Current affairs and Sports content are delivered to different destinations. All metadata information is also sent (Closed Captions, Metadata, Thumbnails). 

You can quickly send raw material from the field directly to the ingest folders within the GV STRATUS system, ready for a producer's review and editors work. Equally, you can send from a bureau to the central production office dramatically reducing transfer speeds and time-to-air. It is even possible to set up an email alert to send to the producer when content has arrived and is ready for them to check!

With this seamless integration of the Aspera fast delivery solutions within the GV STRATUS production environment, our users can now benefit from a considerably faster and secure file exchange (even with unstable and low-bandwidth WAN connections), reducing production cycles and getting programming to air much faster.

Come and see a demo at the GV booth, 1.D11 during this IBC. 

We are co-hosting a cocktail reception on Saturday at the Aspera booth, 7.G30, come and join us for more information, networking and cool bubbly!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

IBC 2014 DAY 1: User Permissions with GV STRATUS v4.0!

Today, with the opening of IBC 2014, we are unveiling GV STRATUS v4.0!

A long list of new features, exciting workflows and tight 3rd party integrations arrives with this release, which will ship in the next few weeks.

We start with a bang! A new, long-awaited feature that we are introducing today is user permissions!

A number of specific users / groups (typically system administrators) can have the new role of "Security Manager". Using the GV STRATUS Control Panel, they can assign READ, WRITE, DELETE permissions per asset and / or per folder to specific users and / or groups.

This allows for very granular allocation of user permissions so that each user and group has access to the media assets they need, and no more. Equally, you can assign the correct level of interaction to read-only, or modify assets' properties or even delete, to specific areas of the system without everyone seeing everything. Of course, it is also possible to have certain assets or bins being accessible only by certain user(s).

We have even provided an option for system administrators to enable/disable security features as convenient. This is specially important for existing GV STRATUS customers who may want to take a gradual approach to implementing user permissions by carefully planning first and activate when ready, or when you have special events for which you need to override usual permissions and make temporary changes.

We will soon be releasing more information and updated user and configuration guides with full details.... If you'd like to learn more, do contact us on the email addresses below!

Come and see us at IBC, booth 1.11D or visit our IBC microsite to book a demo!

More tomorrow, day 2 of IBC 2014!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

New GV STRATUS features to be revealed during IBC!

If you are attending the IBC convention in Amsterdam, do make sure to drop by our booth 1.D11 to witness the wide range of new functionality, features, workflows and new third party integrations that we are launching at the show.

Visit our IBC microsite to book a demo!

For those who are not travelling this time, great news! We will be publishing a series of daily blog entries revealing a new and exciting new GV STRATUS feature each day during the show, starting this Friday.

Subscribe to our blog to receive regular updates on new posts. Trust me, we have some very exciting new functionality that you will not want to miss!


For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

Small Scale Production Workflows with GV STRATUS

More supporting documentation in advance of IBC 2014!

You already know GV STRATUS capabilities to be at the centre of large systems with mutli-production workflow requirements. At this IBC we are particularly emphasizing the capabilities of GV STRATUS for reduced-scale, reduced-production requirements, so please drop by Stand 1.D11 to see the fantastic flexibility and breadth of features offered by a GV STRATUS Express Core server working with K2 Standalone Summits.

To illustrate some of the many small-to-medium workflow requirements that GV STRATUS fulfills, we have just released this application note:

GV STRATUS for Reduced Scale Media Production Requirements

Come and see us at IBC, Stand 1.D11.
Guest registration: www.ibc.org / passcode: 16951

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

Using GV STRATUS Import Rules to ingest external files

As we ramp up to IBC 2014, we are releasing more helpful documentation to support our growing user based. Watch out for blog entries later this week to coincide with each day of the show.

Meanwhile, check out our latest application note on Import Rules and how they can facilitate multiple workflows and requirements to bring external content into your GV STRATUS / K2 system:

Using GV STRATUS Import Rules to Effectively Manage External Content Ingest

We are soon releasing more application notes... keep an eye out!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS at IBC 2014!

We can't wait to attend IBC again this year, as we have many new and exciting new GV STRATUS features to share with you!!

The new release of GV STRATUS will introduce great benefits to your workflow with new asset management features, more 3rd party integration and a whole bunch of improvements....

Come and see us at IBC, Stand 1.D11.
Guest registration: www.ibc.org / passcode: 16951


For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com