Island TV integrates AirBox Neo servers from PlayBox Neo

Several PlayBox Neo solutions, including AirBox Neo servers and the TitleBox Neo graphics generator, are at the center of the latest major upgrade of the Caribbean television channel Island TV.

Island TV, which broadcasts 24/7 in three different languages in Florida and 13 Caribbean islands, has reaffirmed on the occasion of its 25th anniversary its intention to become “the largest media platform in the Caribbean”. In pursuit of that goal, the broadcaster decided to upgrade its playout to PlayBox Neo technology.

Specifically, Island TV opted for two AirBox Neo single-channel servers, which run the latest Neo-20 and are configured for content ingest, main playout and backup. The solution is accompanied by the TitleBox Neo graphics generator (providing a “fully interactive” 4K UHD/HD/SD channel branding) and the ListBox Neo offline scheduling editor. Using both AirBox Neo -20 and TitleBox Neo-20, Island TV can perform file-based video playback and live streaming with graphic overlays.

A successful change

Frantz Parisot, chief engineer at Island TV, is completely satisfied with the completion of the transition to PlayBox Neo: “We couldn’t be happier with our switch to PlayBox Neo. They trained us and got the whole team knowledgeable about the system. Their support has been truly above and beyond. But what I’m most impressed with is the software. It’s been so easy to use, integrates within our existing workflow, and its reliability means we’re free to focus on other things without worrying about playout. It’s so flexible, we can insert additional files or switch to a fully live broadcast on any channel at any time. We incorporated the two servers within our network, including our NAS (Network Attached Storage) and our FTP server. It’s a very powerful system.”

Island TV, a channel that broadcasts both on cable and through its web portal, benefits from the new features brought by the latest Neo-20 software update. Among these features are the ability to mix different media formats, frame rates and resolutions in a single playlist; a Web-based multiviewer; and the ability to deliver low-latency, high-quality broadcasts over the public Internet.

“We were confident we could solve the playout issues they were having,” said Van Duke, Director of U.S. Operations, PlayBox Neo, “and I’m thrilled we were able to support them as they continue in their mission to create the premiere online Caribbean cultural hub. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Island TV.”

Airbox Neo-20, backbone of the installation

The AirBox Neo-20 tool has a leading role in Island TV’s new playout system. The tool is capable of providing automated content streaming and broadcast playout for a wide variety of TV channel types: cloud-based, satellite, cable headends, over-the-air broadcasters, corporate TV or Internet-based TV.

Leveraging its multi-format parallel output playout/streaming engine, AirBox Neo-20 can mix a variety of media files into a playlist and provide multiple SDI/IP UHD/HD/SD streaming outputs simultaneously. Similarly, the system allows the insertion and execution of multiple live events or streams in the playlist.

To support automated playout/streaming, AirBox Neo-20 allows the playlist to be scheduled weeks in advance. Gaps and time overlaps are automatically resolved for continuous operation, even when there are conflicting scheduled events.