Modernizing Medi1 TV’s Playout Control Room

Medi1 TV has modernized its playout control room by upgrading to version 4 of MBT’s Phoenix automation system. Building on a collaboration that began in 2011, this upgrade supports a multichannel environment combining playout, live recording and media management.

The project followed a phased approach, using the test and backup output to prepare the migration and provide backup coverage during changeovers. The new configuration enables the team to monitor and control all four outputs from three multichannel workstations, compared with seven workstations previously.

The Project

Objectives

• Upgrade the playout automation system to Phoenix v4.

• Streamline operator workstations through multichannel monitoring and control.

• Migrate the on-air outputs while maintaining a backup solution during each changeover.

• Preserve integration with the existing scheduling system, media asset management system and broadcast equipment.

Key Constraints

Medi1 TV’s environment comprises four outputs: Maghreb, Africa, Arabic, and a dedicated test and backup output. Each output has a main and a backup automation system.

The migration had to proceed one automation path and one output at a time, taking on-air requirements into account. It also had to preserve integration with the Louise scheduling system, Dalet MAM and Harmonic video servers.

MBT Solutions Implemented

Deployed Products and Key Features

• Phoenix Playout Automation v4: Control of the main and backup playout paths for each output.

• Phoenix Monitor Multichannel: Simultaneous monitoring and control of all four outputs from each of the three client workstations.

Key Elements

Unified multichannel monitoring and control

With Phoenix v4, each monitoring workstation provides access to all four outputs and their main and backup automation systems. This configuration reduces the number of automation client workstations from seven to three.

Integration with the existing environment

The automation system remains integrated with the control room’s workflows, including Louise playlist imports, media availability checks, media retrieval requests sent to Dalet, and as-run log generation.

Control of the Harmonic servers covers programme playback, channel branding and the source switching required for live broadcasts. The existing Video Manager and Broadcast Manager applications were retained without being upgraded as part of this project.

Operational checks for the team

The interfaces display alerts for missing media, timecode inconsistencies and live event end modes. These checks support playlist preparation and on-air operations within the multichannel environment.

Project Rollout and Key Milestones

Preparation and Testing at MBT

An initial setup and testing phase was carried out at MBT to prepare for deployment at Medi1 TV’s premises.

Deployment on the Test and Backup Output

Version 4 was first installed on Output 4. This stage allowed adjustments to be made in the customer’s environment before migrating the on-air outputs.

Phased Migration of the On-Air Outputs

Deployment and configuration cleanup then proceeded one automation path and one output at a time, in the following order:

1. Africa.

2. Arabic.

3. Maghreb.

During the changeovers, Output 4 provided backup playout coverage. This approach allowed the team to work in stages while retaining an alternative playout path during interventions on each output.

Results and Benefits

• Phoenix v4 deployed across all four outputs.

• Automation client workstations reduced from seven to three through multichannel monitoring and control.

• Simultaneous management of all four outputs from each Phoenix Monitor Multichannel workstation.

• A phased migration, prepared at MBT and adjusted on Output 4 before wider deployment.

• Output 4 used for backup playout coverage during changeovers.

• Configurations reviewed and cleaned up during deployment on the on-air outputs.

Outlook

The upgrade to Phoenix v4 extends the collaboration between Medi1 TV and MBT as the broadcaster develops its playout environment. Multichannel monitoring and control streamline the workstation setup while preserving integration with the tools and equipment used by the operations team.

The project demonstrates MBT’s ability to prepare and deploy an automation upgrade in an operational broadcast environment, adapting the migration sequence to on-air requirements and the available backup resources.