OmniBus Colossus v.3.5 supports wide range of video servers and BXF format

OmniBus Systems, the provider of comprehensive broadcast
automation and content management solutions, launches Colossus v.3.5, the
latest version of the Colossus multi-channel automation system.

With major recent installations at AETN, Technicolor
Netherlands, BBC
Nations, and Chellomedia, development throughout 2007, and into 2008, has
significantly extended the Colossus feature set and support for third-party
devices.

“2007 was a record year for Colossus, driven by our
development of important new features that exploit its expandable, open
architecture,” said John Cunningham, EVP development and services for
OmniBus. “Colossus has now reached an all-time record channel count,
running complex, multi-channel operations in a multi-platform environment.
Broadcasters have responded very strongly to new features that help them
construct the innovative workflows they need for continued success.”

“OmniBus will continue to enhance Colossus to support
the world’s leading broadcasters’ functional, hardware integration and
operational requirements,” continued Cunningham. “In addition,
OmniBus will continue its development investment on product and architectural
improvements, ensuring continued focus on playout service availability through
reliability and stability.”

The extra capabilities available in Colossus include support
for a wide range of new video servers from Omneon, Quantel, Harris and
Thompson/GVG; feature-rich support for an increased range of master control
systems and protocols including Probel 520, Miranda Presmaster, GVG Maestro and
Nvision; regional break-outs for multi-regional broadcasting; sophisticated
vision mixer control including complex lead/lag audio control; scheduled
multi-language playout from a single channel with track-stacking; and many
others.

In support of open standards, Colossus v.3.5 includes
support for the SMPTE BXF (Broadcast eXchange Format) interface, allowing
third-party traffic systems to integrate seamlessly with the OmniBus automation
system, using XML-based formats to create and modify schedules as well as
dynamically retrieve “As Run” information.

In addition to these core developments, Colossus also
provides extended capabilities and customization at the user interface level
enabled by the OmniBus G3 Desktop architecture. These powerful capabilities
include live record support for later repeat; sophisticated search-and-replace
functionality, allowing broadcasters to make instant global changes throughout
an entire schedule; advanced content searching through OmniBus OPUS Content
Management integration; and customizable reporting, e.g. to produce a missing
materials list or schedule grid details.

The G3 Desktop interface provides a unique, flexible and
customizable environment allowing broadcasters to group together diverse
functionality into a unified management interface. Colossus with G3, combined
with OmniBus’ workflow solutions, further enhances the system’s versatility,
enabling the construction of complex customized workflows encompassing ingest,
quality control, automated fault logging, cache management, archive and
playout.

“OmniBus continues to invest strongly in Colossus
automation, culminating in this exciting new release,” said Mike Oldham,
OmniBus CEO. “As a company we are always interested in and act upon
feedback from our customers. Colossus v.3.5 is a direct result of this
feedback, which has been crucial in shaping the Colossus 2008 roadmap. OmniBus
is fully committed to continuing its investment in Colossus and in 2007,
significantly grew its services, development and support departments in the
US, Europe and
Asia.”