NAB 2018: Globecast To Launch Cloud Playout Services

Globecast is launching the first of its cloud playout services at NAB 2018. Globecast has been developing and honing its cloud playout platform over the past year and is initially announcing a range of long-term and on-demand services. They were first publicly demonstrated at CABSAT 2018.

“Cloud playout brings a whole new level of flexibility, with very fast times to launch. We are offering multiple service levels,depending on the customer/channel segment and the duration of the contract. These also take into account the specific purpose of the playout,whether it’s for primary or for business continuity/disaster recovery (DR) purposes. We’re also seeing many of our customers ask us for short term, or ‘pop-up’ services; playout channels for events (like a World Cup), and also for the aforementioned business continuity/DR. Cloud playout of course makes this possible,” Sylvain Merle, Globecast COO, says.

Globecast’s solution uses object storage, which provides schedules and content from cloud-native storage platforms, virtualized playout and graphics engine, stream handling for high availability broadcast delivery, compliance recording and origin server/CDN for globalweb/mobile consumption. With it, Globecast can launch services in a matter of minutes. All services use a combination of private and public cloud.

“New types of services now make economic sense with this technology, as it’s a service-driven model and does not entail massive CAPEX or long start-up times; in fact, the complete opposite,” Merle says.

Two, of five, main, long-term service types are being launched initially, both for thematic channels. These will be followed by the other levels later in the year and more complex channels, including live 4K as we move into 2019.