Synamedia recently made two significant business announcements.

The company announced that Italy’s regional public broadcaster RAS has gone live with Synamedia virtualized Digital Content Manager (DCM) as it prepares to migrate from DVB-T SD/HD to DVB-T2/HEVC HD services by June 2022. Since deploying Synamedia’s future-proof software-centric DCM solution, RAS has the flexibility to transition smoothly to the new standards within this deadline.

RAS is using Synamedia DCM for satellite input and DVB-T transmissions and virtualized DCM for encoding in a private cloud. The catalyst for the deployment was RAS’s office relocation in Q4 2019. This required all of the broadcaster’s technology systems to be moved seamlessly - without any disruption to TV and radio services or to the broadcaster’s public safety DTT emergency alert system for the Südtirol region.

German software house Dimetis integrated Synamedia’s hybrid DCM/virtualized DCM with the latest version of its BOSS BROADCAST Manager (BBM) software platform and managed the technology move to the new office. Orchestrated by BBM, the private cloud-based deployment has allowed RAS to automate workflows and streamline operations, boosting operational efficiency. BBM enables RAS end-to-end DVB and DAB+ service monitoring with a single pane of glass. Due to Dimetis BOSS STREAM Viewer optimized multiviewer direct communication to its umbrella management system, operators get realtime health status monitoring on all service levels, e.g. IP, Transport Stream, and A/V.

A long-time Synamedia customer, RAS selected virtualized DCM after a thorough review of the competitive marketplace. The solution virtualizes the entire video headend, providing encoding and statistical multiplexing capabilities in a single solution; it is also capable of handling DRM, packaging and advertising. RAS was impressed by Synamedia’s compact software-centric DCM design, which offers a proven and seamless migration path to DVB-T2. Other factors included the superior video quality achieved in the proof of concept, its graphic insertion capabilities and its rich set of APIs.

Vodafone Taps Synamedia

Synamedia also announced it has secured a multi-year contract with Vodafone Group that includes the Infinite video platform, security solutions and end-to-end integration services. The firm will help Vodafone Group deliver on its vision of a unified global cloud TV platform running on next-generation Gigabit infrastructure.

Synamedia will be integrating the recently acquired Unitymedia cable TV platform and set-top boxes with the Vodafone GigaTV flagship product in Germany, leveraging Synamedia Infinite services, security solutions and integration skills. This will allow Vodafone to offer its GigaTV product across a unified base – effectively combining the existing Vodafone households and the newly acquired Unitymedia properties.

Tanja Richter, Technology Director Consumer Product and Services Vodafone Group, said, “Synamedia was the ideal choice to help us with this uniquely complex migration project in Germany, as well as our strategic global transformation. Their technology, end-to-end integration skills and security solutions will help Vodafone effect a smooth transition to a unified Gigabit-ready cloud TV platform.”

Yves Padrines, Synamedia CEO, added, “We share Vodafone Group’s vision of a sustainable cloud TV future in which existing assets and investments are nurtured. Leveraging our Infinite services, security solutions and integration capabilities, Vodafone Group will benefit from a unified cloud TV platform that will boost operational efficiencies and provide the foundation for a best-in-class subscriber experience for years to come.”