BlackBelt TV using Signiant-powered Arqiva workflow
Blackbelt TV interviews Manny Pacquio
Martial arts network BlackBelt TV is among those to already be making use of a nw content ingest and delivery system established by Arqiva and based on Signiant software. The new automated playout system is said to give Arqiva a competitive edge in serving its customers – facilitating speedy remote content ingest, automated workflows and complete visibility into content delivery.
Signiant’s accelerated file movement solutions automate and manage the file-based delivery process, enabling Arqiva to streamline its operations, move content quickly 24/7 from anywhere in the world over existing networks, and reduce the steps needed to send or obtain content.
“With Signiant, we’re enhancing delivery-to-air with exceptional time-savings and control,” says Gregory Burns, workflow specialist at Arqiva. “The software, not our operators, now moves content to and between the customer’s location and our Media Centre. As we develop new services the platform will also be used to automate the movement of content and metadata between our Media Centre and other platforms such as VOD or IPTV. We are saving time that we can now be applied toward other, more important business-enhancing activities.”
“We relied on Signiant software and Arqiva to meet tight deadlines for Blackbelt TV’s Africa launch by accelerating the movement [of] hundreds of hours of programming from LA to London,” says Adrian Schmotolocha, COO at Blackbelt TV. “Using Arqiva’s intelligent hub as a single playout source lets us reach a range of different markets fast. Signiant’s software helped average out our throughput rates to get much faster transmission speeds – and reduce errors, enabling us to confidently meet our compressed operational timeframes.”
A private cloud solution for sharing media assets across the broader partner ecosystem, Signiant’s Managers+Agents software features a workflow engine that interrogates Arqiva’s automated database and queries whether or not ingested content is known to the system. If it is known, the workflow engine delivers it appropriately, either into online storage or various transcoding applications as required. If content is not known, the system will store it offline or use customer-provided metadata to publish records into the automation system – instead of requiring operators to check the system for content, note anything that’s missing, or see if content and metadata have arrived. Software agents installed on the sending and receiving ends manage and track content movement to certify delivery.
“Broadcast service providers don’t have time, staffing level or budget to keep working in the same old way,” says David Nortier, general manager, Signiant EMEA. “To stay competitive, they must find new ways to automate traditionally manual processes while ensuring the highest quality. Signiant is delighted to help organisations such as Arqiva and others to enhance efficiency to their operations and to that of their customers.”