Tightrope Simplifies Live IP Contribution and Channel Branding with Cable 6.3

Tightrope Media Systems has announced version 6.3 of its comprehensive Cablecast Broadcast Automation platform, featuring two powerful new capabilities that simplify workflows, reduce equipment requirements and lower costs for community TV broadcasters.

Tightrope Media Systems' new IP input support for Cablecast Flex servers allows users to bring in live feeds from remote locations over cost-effective IP networks without requiring decoder hardware, while expanded channel branding abilities enable the keying of rich visual elements and messages over live video sources. Version 6.3’s new RTP input option enables Cablecast Flex servers to directly ingest H.264-encoded RTP streams, letting producers deliver live feeds of events such as sporting matches and council meetings from remote sites over an IP network without needing a dedicated receiver or decoder unit at the station.

The IP input option also expands the number of sources that a station can manage with a single Cablecast Flex 4 server. While each of a Cablecast Flex 4 server’s four SDI connections could already be flexibly configured as inputs or outputs (I/O’s), sources brought into Cablecast directly via IP do not consume a baseband interface, leaving all four I/O’s available for playout or SDI-based recording. All Cablecast functionality available with SDI sources can also be used with IP inputs, including live broadcasting, recording, channel branding and live streaming to online and mobile viewers.

Cablecast 6.3’s new live channel branding capabilities enable Cablecast Flex servers to key station logo bugs, text crawls and graphics over live input sources, saving broadcasters money by eliminating the need for costly external keying equipment. 

Complementing Cablecast’s existing ability to apply such branding during playout of file-based content, the new live overlay features also help customers ensure that critical emergency messages are displayed to community viewers regardless of whether the channel is showing live or pre-recorded programming. Live branding can be applied to both SDI and IP-based inputs.

The live channel branding features will be included standard with the Cablecast 6.3 upgrade, which is free for Cablecast Flex customers who are on up-to-date support agreements. IP input support will be available as a chargeable option for Cablecast 6.3 users.

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