AirBox Mega ICX: a new playout and streaming engine that Playbox has designed from the ground up

PlayBox Technology has launched a powerful new version of its AirBox playout and streaming software. AirBox Mega ICX delivers uncompromised playout capabilities in a feature-rich automation package and a simple user interface.

AirBox provides automated content playout for broadcasters, online streaming services, cable headends and corporate users. The new version is developed as a virtualised software application which can be run on dedicated hardware as a channel in a box, or in the public or private cloud, with an identical operational experience. It is also ideal for remote operation over any secure internet connection.

Web-based APIs allow ready interconnection with a wide range of third-party equipment such as server networks. The browser-based user interface is simple and intuitive for day-to-day operations, and through an API the AirBox Mega ICX can also run as a fully automated playout channel. Playlist interface formats include JSON and .ply.

In addition, AirBox Mega ICX incorporates graphics capabilities for channel branding and other needs. Templates can be designed in an HTML5 environment.

“This is a brand new integrated playout engine built from the ground up, but when we designed it we drew on all our 17 years’ experience at the top of the playout software market,” said Philip Neighbour, COO at PlayBox Technology UK. “We talk to broadcasters and streamers all around the world, and we have brought their thoughts and ideas to this design.

“It does exactly what is needed, without complications or risks,” he added. “And thanks to the distributive, virtualised architecture, systems can be tailored to specific needs quickly and easily.”

As well as providing outputs for broadcast, AirBox Mega ICX is ideally suited to the needs of content streaming organisations, including business and community groups as well as network media organisations. It supports native, secure and low-latency streaming via SRT and webRTC.