IBC Show Previews N – O

NAGRA – Stand 1.C81

NAGRA, a Kudelski Group company and one of the world’s leading independent providers of content protection and media and entertainment solutions, has unveiled its showcase set to help service providers, content owners and broadcasters realize their vision and navigate market disruption through their consumer offers, at IBC 2024.

“We invite industry leaders to step into a new dimension. The time to experience what is possible in today’s connected and immersive world is now. The convergence of streaming security, consumer engagement, cybersecurity, and advanced AI-driven solutions has created a window of opportunity that will not stay open forever. Those who can take advantage of it will position themselves for long-term success,” said Nancy Goldberg, EVP and CMO at NAGRA. “Time and time again, we have proven that NAGRA has the expertise, innovation and commitment to enable our industry to adapt and grow, and we are pleased to be sharing our visionary strategy for the new digital economy at IBC 2024.”

The NAGRA showcase will comprise three interrelated zones, each offering an immersive experience into the future of streaming security, consumer engagement and consumer cybersecurity.

The Future of Streaming Security

The acceleration of video piracy continues to threaten streaming services and their revenues. End-to-end streaming security, supported by AI-based intelligence, provides the most effective answer and is showcased in this zone.

• Device Security: Innovations that support a “swap the box” strategy while retaining set-top-box grade device security.

• Platform Security: AI-driven monitoring and analytics to assess piracy’s financial cost and impact on operators.

• Production & Postproduction Security: Safeguarding valuable content as it progresses through remote and distributed content production workflows.

• Anti-Piracy: Strategies, solutions and services, including live sports monitoring, server blocking, and advanced intelligence and investigation techniques to stay ahead of pirates.

The Future of Consumer Engagement

Consumers are turning to multiple streaming subscriptions to access their favorite content. To respond, operators are leveraging advanced behavior economics to better understand the range of infinite services and realize their service bundling and upselling strategies. This showcase will highlight:

• Streaming Platforms: As operators shift from bundling traditional broadcast channels to integrating apps, channels and services, the latest streaming solutions offer customized experiences, including gamification and AI-powered recommendations tailored to subscriber preferences.

• Redefined Consumer Engagement: A new engagement model from NAGRA exists at the intersection of content, banking, loyalty and connectivity, presenting operators with infinite service proposition opportunities.

• Always-On Support: The complexity of broader service offerings drives up contact center traffic at a time when downward cost pressure is needed. NAGRA’s autonomous generative AI solutions integrate game-changing digital twin models that allow consumers to negotiate the package they want while reducing contact center costs and optimizing operations.

• Live Sports Streaming: With lower barriers to entry, sports leagues and federations can now offer new levels of engagement with their fans. From grass-roots development to international tournaments, NAGRA is helping to realize the latest sports and fan-engagement opportunities.

The Future of Consumer Cybersecurity

As smart devices and digital threats increase, the NAGRA Scout Solution Suite delivers comprehensive cybersecurity with AI-driven service resolution for seamless issue management. It also provides telcos valuable data insights for optimizing networks, reducing costs and driving revenue growth through targeted advertising and upselling. This showcase will highlight:

• Foundational Cybersecurity: Provides essential protection against common cyber threats, ensuring continuous security for all connected devices through an intuitive app. Simplifies digital protection for subscribers, enhancing peace of mind and driving long-term loyalty.

• Comprehensive Cybersecurity: Delivers advanced protection for digital environments and sensitive data through an intuitive app. Features real-time threat detection and proactive mitigation for all connected devices. Includes 24/7 access to AI-based troubleshooting advice, enabling independent issue resolution and minimizing downtime.

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Nixer Pro Audio – Stand 8.9F3

Nixer Pro Audio is introducing a host of new customer-led AoIP solutions and enhancements at IBC 2024 designed to streamline broadcast operations in various scenarios.

As part of its roadmap to launch ‘Pro’ variants to the RP, RS and RLC products, Nixer is showcasing the new RP64 Pro, a 64-channel digital patch panel with enhanced features. Its simple and Intuitive operation enables rapid re-routing of critical signals from a dedicated operator/engineering position in the event of equipment failure, providing near-instant patching reconnection without reliance on cumbersome software patching via a laptop.

Its new ultra compact RLC64 CV1 Dante AoIP monitoring solution also makes its debut at IBC. Ideal for use in control rooms, galleries and edit suites, the 1RU 19” unit features dual high quality headphone outputs.

Furthermore, IBC visitors can see Nixer’s new PD Ravenna in action; a small portable audio monitoring unit, designed for broadcast control rooms and outside broadcast (OB) production vehicles, that monitors up to 64 Ravenna/AES67/ST2110 channels.

New features for the company’s WL64-4 and version two of its RD Dante will also be shown for the first time in Amsterdam.

Following successful deployment in the field and in response to customer feedback, the WL64-4 now features a new menu that provides audio engineers with a clear overview of the basic WL64-4 status. Signal metering is easily gauged for each of the four independent WL64-4 output mixes generated by each iPad, along with status of the SSID of the wireless adapter. The control port IP address is now auto assigned on bootup.

“We take feedback from our customers seriously and we’re incredibly proud of how quickly our R&D team can flex,” says Nixer Pro Audio’s founder & CEO, Nick Fletcher. “At IBC we’re demonstrating just how quickly and effectively we respond to market demands with several new products and enhancements.”

Additional USB-C connectivity is the basis for the RD Dante v2, making for easy firmware upgrades, plus an extra rear balanced line input on XLR that complements the AES I/O. This premium engineering tool assists engineers with commissioning, testing and setting up Dante networks.

IBC will also see the preview of Nixer’s new PD Milan portable monitoring unit and Evie64m OEM card. The compact PD Milan allows easy monitoring of up to 64 audio channels. Milan™ is a standards-based deterministic network protocol for real-time media.

The Nixer Pro Audio range delivers confidence checking, listening, test and diagnostics for all network audio applications, including solutions for quick, simple network audio routing and patching, change-over switches for back-up source selection and resource sharing, as well as wireless streaming for audio monitoring in live production applications.

Nixer’s compact PD Dante and RL series, along with its RS32 and RLC64 will also be on display. The handheld PD Dante monitor, analyser and test signal generator allows up to 64 channels of audio to be monitored both audibly on internal speakers or headphones, and visually on metres. The device is operated and controlled via a large 5.0” colour LCD and capacitive touch panel.

For Network Audio installations with high channel counts, the RL Series offers four base models with up to 256 channels of audio monitoring plus configurations that allow confidence checking of both Dante and Ravenna/AES67/SMPTE2110 networks from the same operator position.

Nixer’s RLC64 AoIP is a monitoring and mixing engine for up to 64 channels of Dante or Ravenna.  This compact 1RU 19” confidence monitor is fully AES67 and ST 2110 compliant, and features a clear intuitive display that is ideal for rapid source selection during fast moving and demanding live events.

The RS32 offers a 32-way rapid manual AoIP change-over switch – ideal for back-up in live events and theatre productions or for the sharing of equipment resources.

“Our network audio IP solutions are designed to simplify the transition to IP as well as make it more cost-effective,” adds Fletcher. “Plus, their plug and play operation with super-intuitive UI ticks all the boxes for high pressure environments.”

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NPAW – Booth 5.G76

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nxtedition – Stand 7.A02

At IBC, visitors will have the opportunity to don a VR headset and virtually operate a fully automated XR mixed reality studio gallery located anywhere in the world. This immersive experience allows attendees to experience first-hand the advanced integration of XR mixed reality into live production workflows, navigating the studio interface with ease. This has been developed in conjunction with the IBC Accelerator for the “Evolution of the Control Room – Leveraging XR, Voice, AI & HTML-Based Graphics Solutions” in which nxtedition is a participant.
Continuing the nxtedition ethos of adopting open source AI for both security and cost savings, this year’s IBC will see the deep integration of Meta’s open source Llama 3 large language model (LLM), running directly on the nxtedition platform. This simplifies search functionality, allowing users to query content using natural language. The system’s ability to understand semantic requests and find relevant information removes the need for precise keyword searches, making content discovery more efficient, user-friendly and cost-free.

In addition to semantic advancements, Llama 3 integrates with OpenAI’s Whisper for voice-to-text transcription, automating content title and description generation for social media posts based on the Whisper transcription of the content. Scripts can be augmented by using Llama 3 to create new story angles for a journalist based upon the current script. This multi AI capability runs within nxtedition, meaning no additional subscription, cloud, or third party service costs are incurred by the user.

nxtedition features its own NLE, built to do simple rough cuts and voiceovers which can be exported to industry-standard craft editing software. AI-assisted text editing has now been added to nxt|edit, along with additional graphics tracks and multiple audio tracks with audio metering. Version 22 of nxtedition also includes seamless integration with DaVinci Resolve, automated thumbnail previews for fast video preview directly in the rundown, and a new map view displaying the GPS location for any asset in the platform.

nxtedition is a participant in one of eight new projects selected for the 2024 IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme. The project, Evolution of the Control Room, explores how live production workflows are leveraging XR, voice, AI and HTML-based graphic technologies. It aims to optimise workflows using XR and AI solutions, enabling production teams to realise their creative vision without advanced technical expertise.

Through its agile microservices approach, nxtedition consolidates a wide range of functionalities typically spread across multiple disparate legacy systems including scriptwriting, content acquisition, media management, live on-air automation, channel playout and publishing, to various platforms like VOD, web and social media. Users can collaborate on any scripts, media or rundowns if they have permission.

“We’re proud to offer media professionals intuitive tools that enhance agility and productivity, while providing a predictable cost of ownership through our fully deployable on-premise, hybrid, or cloud-agnostic solution,” shared Adam Leah, Creative Director at nxtedition. “IBC provides a perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate how these innovations consolidate diverse functionalities into seamless workflows, empowering teams to achieve their creative visions efficiently and effectively.”

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OOONA – Stand 3.C69

OOONA will demonstrate the latest additions and refinements to its award-winning media localization management and production platform on stand 3.C69 at IBC 2024.

Making their first IBC appearance will be the QA Manager, the OOONA Testing Platform (a test facility which companies can use to set up any type of processing routine they need for their resources), as well as an expanded EDU educational platform hosting a large variety of courses, webinars and seminars related to the media sector. OOONA’s range of online services is complemented by a marketplace for media localization talent (The POOOL) where content owners and language service providers can easily find specialized resources for media localization projects.

“We are continuously refining our platform with functionality that provides automation and efficiency in localization workflows, such as split tasks that allow for multiple resources to work in tandem on the same file,” says Wayne Garb, OOONA founder and CEO. “We also offer API integrations to the latest speech recognition, machine translation and speech synthesis engines, so users can access them as system resources. Whether your professional role is in company management, content creation, post-production or training, we have solutions catering to everyone’s needs. We invite everyone to join the OOONAverse and be part of the driving forces that are reshaping our market.”

NEW: OOONA QA Manager

QA Manager is a management platform designed to streamline the quality control of any type of asset, be it audio, video, timed text file or other, enabling users to automate and scale traditional, labor-intensive workflows. The platform is designed with accuracy, speed and user experience in mind, and includes intuitive controls that facilitate collaboration among team members who need to work on an issue until an asset is greenlit. Content to undergo QA can be entered manually or imported. Customizable fields are used to capture the type, source and description of all issues logged. Additional customization includes mandatory content and ticket fields, naming conventions, escalation rules, automated actions and notifications. QA Manager was originally developed to serve the needs of a large broadcaster but it is quickly becoming popular with other content owners and language service-providers who can now easily track the QA progress of their assets through the platform’s live dashboards and enjoy a bird’s eye view of their entire operation.

NEW: OOONA Testing Platform

The OOONA Testing Platform allows media companies to check the accuracy and skill of their resources in aspects such as adherence to procedures and security or in relation to any media localization task. The platform supports the integration of multiple sections and tasks within a single test incorporating videos, images or text as needed. Users can design and create test routines tailored to their specific requirements. Access to the platform can be customized, while the look and feel of each test can be personalized with the client’s choice of color palette and logo. The OOONA Testing Platform integrates OOONA’s popular toolkit for timed text creation, translation and editing. An integral certification module can be used for the creation and validation of user certificates ensuring that assessments are conducted in an optimal and relevant manner.

EXPANDED: OOONA EDU

OOONA EDU is an online hub specifically designed for training in any type of audiovisual localization task. The platform hosts a variety of self-paced courses, webinars and seminars addressing professionals in the media sector. Aside from specialized courses in subtitling, accessibility, template creation, audio description and the like, created and delivered by industry experts and academics like GoSub and AVT Masterclass, the platform addresses other training needs in the media sector such as security and the ethical use of data. Courses are available in English while an increasing number of other languages is envisaged so students can enjoy learning in their mother tongue.

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Open Broadcast Systems – Stand 1.A40c

Open Broadcast Systems, a leading provider of cutting-edge broadcast technology solutions, and Webbing, a global wireless connectivity provider for IoT and Enterprise Mobility, have partnered to revolutionize the way media companies manage and deliver content across the globe. Webbing’s state-of-the-art global connectivity solutions have been integrated with Open Broadcast Systems’ innovative broadcasting platforms. The companies will be showcasing their combined capabilities at IBC 2024 in Amsterdam from September 13-16.

As the broadcast industry evolves, the demand for reliable, real-time connectivity is critical. This partnership aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of live broadcasting by combining Open Broadcast Systems’ cutting-edge broadcast technology with Webbing’s extensive global cellular network.

A key component of this collaboration is the implementation of Webbing’s global connectivity into Open Broadcast Systems’ advanced encoder/decoder solutions and recently launched 5G Flyaway Solution. These technologies are designed to provide broadcasters with unparalleled flexibility and performance, enabling the rapid deployment of live broadcasting capabilities in any environment.

Open Broadcast Systems is known for its innovative approach to delivering high-quality broadcast solutions. By incorporating Webbing’s global connectivity services, the company can now offer broadcasters seamless, low-latency connections across 190 countries and over 600 carriers worldwide. This collaboration ensures that broadcasters can deliver uninterrupted live content, regardless of their location, and manage their operations more effectively.

“Partnering with Webbing enables us to provide our customers with unparalleled connectivity solutions for live broadcasting,” said Kieran Kunhya, Founder and CEO at Open Broadcast Systems. “With Webbing’s global network, our 5G Flyaway Solution and encoder/decoder systems are now even more robust, offering a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that ensures reliable video streaming and real-time data accessibility—critical components in today’s fast-paced broadcast environment. Webbing has already provided critical 5G connectivity for dozens of live sporting events around the world, including a week of live coverage of Squash from Germany, an event that would not have been possible without the flexibility of Webbing’s platform.”

Webbing’s expertise in eSIM technology and global IoT connectivity complements Open Broadcast Systems’ broadcast platforms, ensuring rapid deployment and continuous access to live video feeds and data from anywhere in the world. Webbing’s secure, enterprise-grade network enhances the reliability, coverage, and performance of Open Broadcast Systems’ solutions, empowering broadcasters to deliver content with confidence.

“We are thrilled to partner with Open Broadcast Systems to bring enhanced connectivity to the media and entertainment industry,” said Nir Elron, Vice President of IoT Growth Vertical at Webbing. “This partnership aligns with our commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. By combining our global connectivity solution with Open Broadcast Systems’ expertise in broadcast technology, we’re enabling broadcasting companies to deliver content with unprecedented speed and reliability.”

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing the broadcast industry by delivering forward-thinking solutions that enhance connectivity, streamline operations, and improve the overall quality of live broadcasts. Together, Open Broadcast Systems and Webbing are poised to lead the future of broadcast technology, providing broadcasters with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly connected world.

IBC attendees will have the opportunity to experience live demonstrations of Open Broadcast Systems’ solution powered by Webbing’s cellular connectivity solutions.

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