SGL has unveiled the installation of a fully integrated digital archive encompassing over 4000 hours of programming at ATN, part of the Arab Media Group (AMG).
SGL’s FlashNet, which manages the archive under the control of Snell’s Morpheus automation, interfaces with a Quantum Scalar tape library equipped with LT0 tape drives – allowing for a total library capacity of over 4000 hours of programming.
ATN has four studios that are connected through Omneon’s MediaDeck for ingest of DV25 and DVCPRO50 (Panasonic’s P2 HD is used for outdoor shoots). 80% of ATN’s content is downloaded via ftp from MTV UK using a Signiant server. All the incoming files are transcoded to DV25 QuickTime for post and transmission playout. SGL immediately archives material sent to Omneon’s MediaGrid, which acts as a central repository for content preparation. ATN’s entire media management of storage (in and out) is based on watermarking with parameters set to automatically delete material on the central repository after 20 days.
ATN also archives its rushes. Mariam Al Falasi, general manager of ATN explained: “This is an unusual step to take in today’s file-based workflow. We did some research and discovered it’s more cost-effective to archive production rushes than to re-ingest, minimising time, maintenance and library costs.”
Bernie Walsh, SGL’s worldwide sales & joint managing director, said: “We are delighted to announce this installation at ATN. More and more broadcasters are realising the enormous cost saving benefits that a digital archive provides. Valuable content can be repurposed and re-used, floor space is reduced and, as Mariam points out, the money saved on maintenance and library costs significantly increases ROI. These figures are rarely taken into account.”
