Public Television Service’s Roadmap for the Future
Public Television Service, Taiwan.
- To implement an IP-based production workflow
- To build an on-site 4K tapeless back-up and asset management solution
- Acquire a comprehensive range of products that support IP Live and HD/4K content
- Invest in Sony’s Optical Disc Archive
- Seamless integration and improved operational flexibility from production to archiving
- Reduced on-site staff deployment and increased efficiency
Innovations like 4K, HDR and High Frame Rates can place enormous demands on existing coaxial infrastructures. We are very excited to make IP an operational reality in live productions.
York Kuan
Deputy Director of Production Department, Public Television Service
The First Taiwanese TV Station to Broadcast HD Programmes
In Taiwan, many TV stations are owned by political parties or politically-affiliated organisations. The need for an impartial public service broadcaster brought about the creation of Public Television Service (PTS).
Starting off as a terrestrial television channel in 1988, PTS’ key objectives were to improve the standards of local broadcasting and to help define Taiwanese culture. PTS has a proud tradition of producing high-quality original content for its programmes which include news, documentaries, sports, children’s shows and drama mini-series. Many of its productions have gone on to win accolades in local and international broadcast award shows.
In 2006, as part of the government’s mandate to bring High Definition to Taiwan viewers, PTS became the first Taiwanese TV station to broadcast HD programmes. To reach a wider and younger audience, PTS also embraced digital media and launched several mobile apps to provide live streaming of its programmes.
A Full IP Live Studio and OB Ecosystem
Says York Kuan, Deputy Director of Production Department at Public Television Service: “To keep pace with our viewers and the broadcast industry, we recently revamped our production workflow. Innovations like 4K, HDR and High Frame Rates can place enormous demands on existing coaxial infrastructures. We are very excited to make IP an operational reality in live productions.”
To help make the transition to IP Live, PTS tapped on Sony’s expertise to help build a full IP Live Studio and OB ecosystem that includes HD/4K system cameras, multi-format switchers, HDR converters and IP live system manager stations.
With IP Live Studio complemented with a well-equipped OB van, PTS has the ability to carry all its content through a single network connection, reducing cabling complexity and enabling smart workflow options.
Adds Kuan: “A key advantage of IP Live Studio is that it is completely scalable and fits nicely with our current workflow.
Our IP Live Studio and OB van gives PTS an opportunity to move from HD to 4K progressively. In fact, our popular quiz show called 100calls is already on 4K, the feedback from viewers and crew has been very positive.”
Sony's ODA Fits Seamlessly with the Roadmap for the Future
PTS extended the benefits of 4K to its archiving format by investing in Sony’s revolutionary on-site backup and asset management solution – Optical Disc Archive (ODA). It has acquired a combination of stand-alone drives and PetaSite scalable libraries to build its first offline ODA library for 4K content.
Says Kuan: “A major part of our transition to IP is to move towards tapeless storage. We carefully evaluated the various solutions in the market and opted for Sony’s ODA as it fits seamlessly with our roadmap for the future.”
Quicker than tape and more reliable than hard drives, ODA offers PTS super-fast random access to its content whenever it is needed. And with 100-year rated media life and no special storage requirements, PTS’ data is always secure.
Concludes Kuan: “Sony impressed us with their after-sales service, technical support and even provided training to get our team ready for an IP environment and of course, an exciting journey ahead.”