PlayBox Technology introduced its Neo software suite and CloudAir cloud-based playout solution to the APAC market at BroadcastAsia in Singapore, May 31 through June 3.

“With nearly 17,000 trade attendees from 126 countries, BroadcastAsia this year came well up to expectations,” said Don Ash, president of PlayBox Technology. “We fielded a ten-strong team of specialists from our sales and support offices within the APAC region and from our global headquarters. Visitor levels to our stand, both in number and in terms of the purchasing power they represented, were very high.

“BroadcastAsia provided a useful opportunity to share our development roadmap with key customers as channel managers consider their options for the coming transition to higher display resolutions and wider dynamic range. The latest-generation Neo version of our highly successful PlayBox broadcast playout system gives broadcasters total freedom to prepare and deliver content in standard definition, 2K high definition and 4K ultra-high definition. 

“In the APAC region as well as other countries, sports broadcasters are spearheading the adoption of 4K. We can accommodate 4K UHD right now. More importantly for the majority of channels around the world, playout in all three resolutions can be performed from a single PlayBox installation.”

At the heart of PlayBox Neo is the AirBox Neo playout server. Designed for 24/7 unattended operation, it can also be operated manually--including the ability to handle live-to-air throughput. AirBox Neo supports UHD, HD and SD in single server. Optional software modules available for AirBox Neo include CaptureBox Neo, SafeBox Neo and TitleBox Neo.

CaptureBox Neo allows HD or SD content to be captured from up to four video sources simultaneously. These can be monitored on a single screen and controlled via a streamlined user interface with enhanced multichannel control and operability.

SafeBox Neo replicates remote content to local playout server folders for safe transmission. It implements a new graphic interface plus significantly faster processing for moving primary or copied content to the playout and central storage servers. A new workflow routine protects content against unauthorised deletion.

TitleBox Neo provides a wide range of interactive on-air graphics and titling capabilities which can be manipulated live. It includes substantial improvements for dealing with UHD projects as well as supporting HD and SD operation.

“APAC broadcasters also recognize the inherent versatility and the accountant-friendly strength of our new CloudAir offering,” added PlayBox Technology CEO Pavlin Rahnev. “CloudAir allows new channels to be added to an existing broadcast operation on an extremely flexible basis. Once CloudAir is installed, it makes no demands in terms of onsite hardware as it can be securely controlled from an IP-connected desktop computer regardless of distance. CloudAir is also an ideal platform for playout service providers looking to expand their business offerings on an easily scalable basis. We also demonstrated to BroadcastAsia visitors the speed, ease and efficiency of CloudAir as the framework for a disaster-recovery facility.”

CloudAir allows a new television channel to be set up in matter of seconds. It is designed for anyone who wants to broadcast TV content, be it on a real-time round-the-clock basis, a catch-up facility, the red button element of a reality show or a short-running series such as a sports event. CloudAir can empower new or existing programme streams wherever and whenever they are needed, in SD, HD or UHD. Available on a software-as-a-service basis, CloudAir offers established broadcasters or new-start entrepreneurs unsurpassed freedom in the style and scale of their operation and in the way they fund their business. It is able to provide true playout with graphics on any enterprise-class blade, rack or tower server.