ORF Emergency Broadcasts Rely On GENESIX VideoServers

​Austrian Broadcast Corporation (ORF) is using Stryme GENESIX V9 VideoServers for disaster recovery.

Stryme equipped each of the 2U GENESIX V9 VideoServers with 4 reconfigurable channels (SDI SD/HD/4K ready) and upgraded the storage capacity to 28TB. The kit includes the GENESIX Ingest/Playout/MAM and Master Control Playout package as well as the GENESIX LTC/VITC Support for linear and vertical timecodes. If an emergency event incapacitates the ORF Centre in Vienna, the GENESIX have been programmed to automatically activate and pick up operation. Similarly, they will automatically upload ORF1 and ORF2 programs and delete them after a certain period of time.

On site at the remote location, ORF installed the compact plug and play solution by connecting the GENESIX with the digital broadband internet, its incoming and outgoing production lines, two mobile viewpoint sources, the HD satellite uplink and downlink signal.

ORF rounded off the setup with remote access to its intranet, use of an identical replicated version of its programming schedule, and the possibility for live broadcasts via satellite to enable minimized emergency operations. If needed, ORF could even merge its two main program channels ORF1 and ORF2 into one. The national radio channel Ö3 can also be accessed remotely. In this case, the satellite signal will be converted for terrestrial transmission.

Provided that the internet remains functional, ORF viewers can continue using the ORF-TVthek which stores more than 200 ORF TV programs as livestreams and Videos-on-Demand.

If disaster strikes, ORF can initiate emergency broadcasts in no time. Relevant persons have received an emergency USB stick, granting them immediate access and use of all required resources.

Josef Semler, Senior Project Manager at ORF, “When we asked Stryme to help us realize this new project, they quickly came up with an excellent plug and play solution in form of two powerful GENESIX VideoServers. We built our emergency system around this solid foundation, knowing the video servers would warrant simplified broadcast operations in the event of a disaster.”

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