Asserting that the future of broadcasting surrounds IP protocols and software defined environments, Imagine Communications CEO Charlie Vogt predicted during his Thursday keynote that “the move to IP will happen faster than most people think. Over the next two years we’ll see more live over IP TV.”
Underscoring its message, Imagine revealed a partnership with Microsoft through which it has developed a new software defined workflow management platform available on Microsoft Azure. Additionally, the company announced that Sky Italia is deploying its new Magellan SDN Orchestrator as it transitions to an IP infrastructure.
The new Zenium platform, which will be available on Microsoft Azure Media Services, enables customers to design and launch cloud-based media processing applications, workflows and services.
Vogt asserted that this approach “provides broadcasters, MVPDs and enterprises with the most scalable, agile, and robust development environment. Microsoft Azure offers customers scale, value economics, global networking and virtualised storage.
Together, Imagine Communications and Microsoft will transform the cloud media services landscape.”
Also supporting its IBC message, Imagine Communications reported that Sky Italia will adopt its Magellan SDN Orchestrator to create a redundant distribution system for both ASI and IP transport streams across broadcast routers and commercial IP switches. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
“We have been seeking a managed transition to an all-IP infrastructure that minimises disruption and preserves our workflow processes,” said Massimo Bertolotti, head of innovation and multimedia distribution at Sky Italia. “Magellan SDN Orchestrator allows us to work simultaneously in both IP and ASI realms by providing the ability to switch transport streams with complete operational transparency, facilitating our path forward to IP.”
