OnTheAir Suite
Press Contact:
Mike Skibra sales-americas@
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Softron Media Services Announces New Additions to OnTheAir Suite
Mac Based Professional Broadcasting Solutions Provides Client/Server Architecture and Modules for Multiple I/O and Control
Brussels, Belgium – April 14, 2008– Softron Media Services® will demonstrate several new modules that make up its OnTheAir Suite® of applications at its booth (SL08928) during NAB 2009 in Las Vegas, NV, USA on April 20, 2009. Some will be available for immediate purchase online or from authorized Softron resellers on the same day. Others will ship before the end of the quarter. Softron is taking a new approach with five new applications entitled: OnTheAir Server, OnTheAir Node, OnTheAir Live, OnTheAir Server and OnTheAir Manager.
OnTheAir Node and OnTheAir Server comprise the centerpiece of Softron's new client/server architecture for the OnTheAir Suite. OnTheAir Node is installed on the computer that outputs (or inputs) the video. In addition to outputting and inputting the video, it communicates with OnTheAir Server and OnTheAir Live to establish what the available video outputs/inputs are and what media are available. OnTheAir Node uses the same video engine used by OnTheAir Video and MovieRecorder, which have been proven over the years to be extremely reliable. OnTheAir Node provides the capability to control these engines via Ethernet, or any TCP/IP connection, meaning you can even control your play out while on the road.
OnTheAir Live communicates directly with OnTheAir Node. It can be installed on the same computer that has OnTheAir Node or it can be installed on a laptop, iMac or other less powerful computer making it useful in a control room while OnTheAir Node is typically installed on an Xserve or MacPro in the server room.
OnTheAir Live lacks a scheduling feature and a database, so it is used primarily when outputting simple 24/7 broadcasting. As its name implies, it is aimed at live production but adds some specific features such as A/B Roll playlists, Cue Mode and GPI control. OnTheAir Live is bundled with OnTheAir Node and you can control as many nodes as you want from one OnTheAir Live application.
OnTheAir Server and OnTheAir Manager, which is the client for the server, are bundled together. These applications work together with OnTheAir Node to add advanced scheduling and channel management features. OnTheAir Server and OnTheAir Node can be installed on the same computer. OnTheAir Manager can be started from the same computer or connected via TCP/IP to OnTheAir Server.
OnTheAir Server is a centralized database that communicates directly with all nodes available on the network. OnTheAir Server checks the media available for each of them and links that information with its database. It also holds all the lists of media, playlists, schedules and reports for all the nodes. OnTheAir Server can broadcast a similar schedule to a failover node and propagate any last minute change to both of them. It is the centerpiece for 24/7 operations. OnTheAir Manager is the client application that connects to OnTheAir Server in order to prepare the schedules, preview clips, check what clips are ready to air, take control of multiple nodes, change the failover nodes, etc. OnTheAir Server and OnTheAir Node are applications that are typically used by technical administrators and will most likely never be seen by any of the users in a broadcast environment. OnTheAir Manager is the client application used that will allow the typical user to take control of the whole workflow.
“We have devoted a lot of resources on these new products and we are confident that they exceed the expectation level that our customers have come to expect from Softron Media Services,” says Daniel Tapie, CEO of Softron Media Services. “These are exciting new solutions and fill out our product line up while adhering to our central philosophy that our solutions need to be powerful, easy to use and priced right.”
Prices for OnTheAir Node start at €2495 (US$3295.) An OnTheAir Server license supporting unlimited Nodes is €9,995 ($12,995.) Upgrades and support are provided at no charge for the first twelve months and for a moderate fee after that period. OnTheAir Server will be released in the third quarter of 2009.
Softron Media Services will offer special upgrade pricing for existing users of OnTheAir Video wishing to migrate to OnTheAir Node and OnTheAir Server.
About Softron Media Services
Softron Media Services, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, has been providing Macintosh based video and audio solutions for 25 years. Softron Media Services provides applications for small, midsize and larger broadcasters for playout and scheduling, news management, character generation, acquisition and device control. What distinguishes Softron Media Services is the company’s long dedication to providing the highest professional quality video support for Apple’s Macintosh platform. Softron Media Services’ applications offer intelligent and easy to use interfaces. Softron Media Services software applications are available online and by Apple ProVideo specialists throughout the world. Resellers are listed on the Softron Media Services’ website (http://www.softronmedia.com.) Softron Media Services can be contacted at: 470, avenue Moliere, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium, Phone: +32 2 771 7371. For marketing and sales information about Softron Media Services products, please contact Mike Skibra, Softron Media Services Business Development Manager at +1 702 275 6353 or sales-americas@
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
