PlayBox Neo, the global leader in media management and playout solutions, announces that Casablanca Online has chosen AirBox Neo-20 broadcast media management and playout servers and software for integration into its São Paulo teleport. An internationally active provider of broadcast production and distribution services, Casablanca Online required the system to control scheduling, dynamic ad insertion and automated playout of a new HD television channel offering linear programming to viewers across Brazil.
“PlayBox Neo was the logical choice of project partner given the proven high signal quality, reliability and ease of operation of its products,” comments Alex Pimentel, Casablanca Online CEO. “A great advantage of PlayBox Neo’s modular approach is the freedom it gives us to refine or expand our workflow at any time to integrate extra features or handle newly emerging file formats. The dynamic content insertion facility in particular allows us to offer our customers an excellent cost-benefit agreement. We also have the ability to expand the system at any future time to accommodate extra customers.”
“This new system comprises two servers, each incorporating AdBox Neo modules which allow us to link with closed caption encoders and live-triggered SCTE-104 dynamic content insertion markers,” details Manoel Rocha, Production Coordinator at Casablanca Online. “Program rights holders gain the ability to segment advertisements or specific program content to match predetermined viewer regions or classifications. SCTE markers also allow us to provide more automation at our production center. In addition, we have the confidence of knowing that PlayBox Neo’s support team is accessible to help us if or when needed during the long working lifetime of their products.”
“The LATAM broadcast media market continues to be in buoyant shape, especially in Brazil,” adds Sonya Chakarova, PlayBox Neo Business Development Manager. “Casablanca Online is an established PlayBox Neo customer which recognizes the advantages of our solutions in terms of operational versatility, scalability and connectivity.”
PlayBox Neo’s AirBox Neo-20 is a scalable playout/streaming engine available in single-channel 1U and four-channel 3U versions. AirBox Neo-20 allows media files of various kinds to be combined into a single transmission playlist. Playlists can be scheduled weeks in advance for automated delivery. Files can be trimmed, edited or repositioned at any time before being aired without losing the freedom to transmit live. Gaps and time overlaps are automatically corrected to ensure continuous operation even when events with conflicting times are present. Special protection is provided to ensure uninterrupted operation where content files or even entire schedules are missing or misplaced. Recently added features include extended live input capabilities and a browser-based multi-viewer with lost-signal and frozen-signal alarms.
Casablanca Online, a Casablanca Group company, commenced its satellite distribution activities in 1996 and pioneered the service in South America. The company also operates the largest fleet of mobile outside broadcast satcom units in Latin America. Casablanca Online today offers broadcast-quality production, capture, management and distribution services via satellite, IP or fiber. It also has a teleport with a 24-hour technical center and a highly qualified team of technicians and engineers. Events covered by Casablanca Online have included World Cups in Japan and South Korea (2002), South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014); Olympics in Sydney (2000), London (2012) and Brazil (2016); X Games; CCXP; Formula 1; Liberators Cup; Copa Libertadores; Copa América; Brazilian Championship; Mountain Bike; Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland and all UFC events in Latin America.