Miranda iTX reflects move to IP-based systems

Miranda Technologies continues to reflect the growing move to IP-based products and workflows in its product line with new IP Simulcast Output functionality for iTX on display at IBC2013 being the most recent move.

“Technically, we already have a significant presence with IP, whether it is in the multiviewer, playout, or monitoring products,” says Chuck Meyer, CTO of core products, Miranda. “The technology is coming, and it is unavoidable [for broadcasters].”

Broadcast facilities are transitioning to IP platforms to streamline operations, lower costs, and handle the increasing demand for data throughput. The development of the iTX IP Simulcast Output serves this growing need in several ways.

First, the IP Simulcast Output is a mezzanine-encoded IP-signal output that resides alongside the standard SDI channel output on the iTX hardware. The production of the encoded stream within iTX improves playout efficiency because this step traditionally has required an additional downstream encoder.

“The use of IP helps in a few different areas,” says Meyer. “It’s a win for those who have a large number of signals in one pipe, and it also adds flexibility.”

For example, the encoded stream can emanate directly from iTX to an emission-level encoder/transcoder for simple distribution of programming bound for multiple platforms, such as Web and OTT. One such transcoder is Elemental Live, which is being demonstrated in an integrated workflow with iTX on Miranda’s stand at IBC.

Dave Stollery, vice president, workflow and playout, Miranda, says, “Because the iTX simulcast output — either MPEG-2 or H.264 — leverages the power of an IP infrastructure that is for many already in place, the headaches of dedicated SDI cabling and distribution are sharply reduced. By removing an interim step and a potential failure point in the workflow, we create an unobstructed, straight-line route to fast and efficient playout to a multitude of devices.”