Wegener Corporation (Nasdaq: WGNR), a leading provider of equipment for television, audio, and data distribution networks worldwide, today announced it will introduce a number of innovative solutions to customize media distribution at the 2009 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nev., April 18-23 (NAB Booth #SU7913).
Highlights include: the next generation of the WEGENER® Compel® network control and media players for smaller IP-based video networks; ShowShifting™ and Microcasting ™ features for localizing radio network operations; and unique applications of digital signage technology to customize national video feeds.
“Throughout WEGENER’s exhibit space you will find a range of media distribution solutions to help organizations customize their network while controlling costs,” said Ned L. Mountain, President and COO of WEGENER. “We are focused on helping small and large networks better manage bandwidth, increase advertising opportunities, and support multiple applications.”
Scalable Network Control
WEGENER introduces CompelConnect.com at NAB 2009 for small to mid-sized video networks. It is a new software-as-a-service (SaaS) that provides management tools for content distribution, scheduling, playout control, and monitoring of media players via the Internet. The full-featured remote network control system helps WEGENER clients manage their network remotely, while controlling costs. CompelConnect.com works hand-in-hand with WEGENER’s new iPump® 525 IP media player to create a robust, scalable architecture for a variety of video applications.
CompelConnect.com is based on WEGENER’s new generation of Compel network control. The Compel platform continues to build functionality for a variety of file-based workflow applications such as localized ad insertions, low-cost disaster recovery, virtual channel creation, and time shifting. Its open architecture system provides simplified operations for dynamic media distribution via satellite or terrestrial paths for content providers, private network operators, and TV and radio broadcasters.
Internet Delivery Solutions
WEGENER’s new iPump 525 IP media player and CompelConnect.com are part of a cost-effective solution for IP-based video services that require customization on a site-by-site or regional basis, such as: digital signage, corporate communications, and subscription-based services. The iPump 525 supports file-based standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) video, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 (H.264) video and text overlays.
Tools to Localize Radio Broadcasts
ShowShifting is an optional feature of WEGENER’s file-based distribution solution for radio networks. Created for central-casting network operations, it allows either affiliates or the network operator to specify when specific programs will play out of networked iPump 6420 audio media servers. The flexible feature allows playback at multiple times and on different days.
MicroCasting is a new programming solution for national radio programmers that provides remote affiliate stations with highly customized content while retaining all of the normal network features including: local ad insertion, local liners, downstream equipment cueing, and Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) data. New options include the ability to tailor the audio to the station’s needs as well as the new ability to integrate local talent with the network content – freed from the restriction of hard timing the local elements. The MicroCasting feature is also implemented as an optional software upgrade.
Customizing Digital Signage
Also included in WEGENER’s NAB showcase, is a review of WEGENER’s digital signage technology for local on-screen insertion. Network-based digital signage systems continue to gain popularity in retail outlets and transportation hubs, as they dynamically deliver advertising and other information to consumers. WEGENER has tailored its file-based broadcasting digital signage solution so users can easily add localized information to national broadcast signals.
WEGENER’s iPump 525 IP media player and iPump 562 enterprise media player offer an overlay feature that allows video playout to be augmented with graphics and text. This makes it simple to immediately update hundreds of displays in private video networks with time sensitive information – such as regional news, local advertiser contacts, or horse racing odds – with a choice of static, scroll, or crawl formats.
Using WEGENER’s COMPEL network control functionality to centralize data management and target delivery of live and file-based content, broadcasters can insert the playout of local content, such as traffic alerts, sports scores, local advertisements, weather, and community bulletin board information to networked iPump media servers.
Editor’s Note:
The NAB Show is the world’s largest electronic media show that covers the development, management, and delivery of content across all mediums. Beyond an extensive exhibit hall, it features numerous conferences and educational sessions on a variety of topics. WEGENER’s Vice President System Architect, Gary Pelkey, will present “Microcasting – Applying Automation with Customization to Radio Station Affiliates” during the Radio Engineering Conference on April 20. WEGENER’s Vice President of Marketing, Kamy Merithew, will be part of the “How the Global Video Content Cloud Will Transform Your Business” panel during the Content Distribution Forum on April 21.
About WEGENER
WEGENER® (Wegener Communications, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wegener Corporation (Nasdaq: WGNR), is an international provider of digital video and audio solutions for broadcast television, radio, telco, private and cable networks. With over 30 years experience in optimizing point-to-multipoint multimedia distribution over satellite, fiber, and IP networks, WEGENER offers a comprehensive product line that handles the scheduling, management and delivery of media rich content to multiple devices, including video screens, computers and audio devices. WEGENER focuses on long- and short-term strategies for bandwidth savings, dynamic advertising, live events and affiliate management.
Source: WEGENER
