Oxford-based Solid State Logic, justly known for both its analogue and digital consoles, has announced a major expansion into the realm of broadcast video production based on its new MediaWAN technology platform. The expansion is the result of merging the operations of MediaWAN developer Broadcast Devices LLC (BDL) – founded by one of SSL’s principals, Dave Engelke – with those of SSL.
“It’s our intention to make Solid State Logic a major player in the integration of video and audio within production environments,” said SSL’s managing director, Antony David. “The MediaWAN platform is the springboard for a range of new products that will leverage our expertise in both areas. This move is a further example of SSL’s invigorated entrepreneurial spirit since its acquisition by Peter Gabriel and David Engelke.”
First new product is MediaWAN Gravity, which the company refers to as a complete, scalable broadcast production system. The software provides encoders to import video from a variety of sources including HD, a preview and job allocation interface for production co-ordinators, editing software for journalists and management tools for news producers. An asset management database and user interface also provide for seamless information lifecycle management in the video domain.
The technology has also been developed to provide a cost-effective backhaul service, dubbed MediaWAN Backhaul. This allows media networks to install encoders at remote locations and automatically ingest video and audio content to central servers where it is immediately available for use. The system operates over a private MPLS network that provides “a very high QoS” and efficient use of bandwidth enabling broadcast-resolution video to be delivered at a fraction of the cost of traditional satellite transmission. SSL also says that the system operates at very low latency, significantly improving the performance of the circuit for remote interviews.
