Seven Network Australia Relies on Harris End-to-End Playout Center

Harris Corp. has provided Seven Network Australia (Seven) with an end-to-end, file-based SD/HD playout center at its Melbourne facility.  The project is part of a master purchase agreement that is intended to cover projects and activities for the facility build-out.

The facility incorporates a Harris ONE integrated broadcast workflow solution, which went on the air in June.  The launch of the Seven Network’s Channel 7TWO SD service was the first project completed under this agreement, with seven new channels to be added to the network’s lineup.

At the heart of the new facility is the Harris D-Series playout automation system, which provides ingest, content workflow management, and playout, with the ability to support from 5 to 1000 channels with “take it for granted,” high-availability redundancy technology.  On-SAN (storage area network), high-resolution editing is enabled via Velocity ESX editors, and NEXIO servers provide file interchange support for existing Quantel Clipbox media.  The system also supports live program segmentation and automatic turnaround — critical for regional channel transmission.  The Platinum router and CENTRIO multiviewer technologies are also key components of this end-to-end system.

“This was the smoothest implementation we’ve ever experienced,” saiys Andrew Anderson, GM of Broadcast Services at the Seven Network.  “The Harris ONE solution will allow us to update our existing broadcast systems and to further streamline the preparation and playout of content for our existing channels. We will also have unparalleled agility to implement new channel opportunities.  Harris has an established team of broadcast and IT specialists in Australia, so we benefited greatly from accessible and reliable local support.”

Seven is one of the largest commercial free-to-air television networks in Australia. The broadcaster operates primary HD and SD channels for the capital cities across Australia — including Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and Brisbane — reaching 95 percent of the population.

“Our solutions-based ONE approach provides a complete, file-based content delivery platform that will enable Seven Network to streamline its workflows and increase operational efficiency, while lower operating expenses and driving new revenue streams,” says Joe Khodeir, VP of sales, Harris Broadcast Communications.  “The proven reliability of the D-Series automation will enable Seven Network to expand its playout facilities to incorporate new channels when needed.”