TV5 MONDE modernises playout with Harris servers, storage

The newly upgraded playout entre operated by global French language broadcaster TV5MONDE includes two large Harris Broadcast NEXIO server domains to provide highly secure broadcasting, ingest and local functionality, including low-resolution browse servers.

Since 2006, TV5MONDE has entrusted Ericsson with operation of its existing broadcast platform for production, playout and post-production. The new contract with Ericsson, signed in 2012, includes integration per functional blocks and operations of TV5MONDE’s new production, playout and post-production facilities until February 2018. The Harris Broadcast NEXIO server domains were installed after the new contract was made valid.

The first of the two server domains is dedicated to content ingest and acts as a backup to the playout SAN to add another layer of redundancy. This network includes 64TB of content storage, protected by the RAID-601 technology of NEXIO servers. The compact NEXIO Volt server, occupying only 1RU of rack space, provides the front end of the ingest system, with 42 baseband I/O ports on 11 NEXIO Volt servers.

Timecode-accurate, low-resolution H.264 proxies are generated automatically from content on the NEXIO SAN. The proxies are interoperable with external automation and asset management systems. Fiber connectivity between the Harris Broadcast NEXIO Farad online storage system, the NEXIO Volt servers and the proxy systems provides 12 Gb/s of system bandwidth.

The primary playout server has 24TB of storage, again with a NEXIO Farad RAID-601 SAN for security. The system includes 9 Gb/s fiber connectivity, which supports 32 baseband I/O ports and 3 Gb/s of FTP bandwidth through the system.

Mathias Eckert, vice-president sales and services, Europe & Africa for Harris Broadcast, comments: “Ericsson and TV5MONDE were impressed with our ability to deliver a fully integrated solution. This is a proven solution we have delivered to other major broadcasters around the world, and which fits the needs of Ericsson and TV5MONDE.”