The Philippines’ Cignal TV Boosts Playout Capabilities with Imagine Communications’ Versio Platform

Cignal TV, a leading satellite broadcaster in the Philippines, has expanded its playout capacity using the fully integrated Versio modular playout solution from Imagine Communications. Cignal TV broadcasts premium content on both television and radio to more than two million subscribers across the country and continually adds content and channels. The new playout system gives the broadcaster increased scalability and speed to market with a future-proofed, software-based solution.

Imagine Communications Versio Playout Solution

“Our growth in both television and radio meant that we needed to add playout channels as quickly as possible,” says Benedict V Galang, First Vice President Network Engineering & Operation, Cignal TV. “It was vital that the additional capacity slotted seamlessly into our existing operations to minimize disruption. Imagine Communications demonstrated it could provide a solution quickly, fitting precisely into our workflow and, through the redundancy, ensuring the reliability and security we required. With the new installation we can make a positive step towards the IP transition when the time comes.”

Imagine Communications worked with systems integrator Composite Technology Inc. on the geo-dispersed Versio solution, which expands the system to 4+1 channels, providing redundancy on every channel. The channels have the capability of live broadcasting, switching via Cignal’s existing Platinum VX router. Imagine’s market-proven ADC automation system ensures reliable, flexible and efficient operations across the entire workflow.

Content is stored on an Imagine Versio IOX SAN high-performance online storage system, connected to the Versio array over 10 gigabit fiber ethernet. The Versio software also provides the broadcast graphics, and a Nexio Motion workflow engine provides content management. Imagine and Composite Technology delivered the project as a turnkey supply, with strong continuing support from Imagine’s local and regional engineering teams.

“An MCR is the mission-critical hub for broadcast operations — any downtime means lost revenues,” says Mathias Eckert, SVP & GM, EMEA & APAC, Imagine Communications. “It needs to be a highly reliable and efficient workplace that is automated as far as possible and easy to operate, monitor and maintain. Our software-defined solutions allow us to precisely tailor systems to provide a path to IP as and when Cignal TV wishes to make this transition.”