ION Media Networks’ new
HD-ready facility supports the
transmission of 12 digital feeds
In entering the digital age, ION Media
Networks replaced its legacy analog infrastructure
with an HD-ready plant.
While remaining on air, ION Media rebuilt
its Network Operations Center (NOC)
to support the transmission of 12 digital feeds,
comprising main programming feeds as well
as backhaul channels, delivered via satellite to
60 stations across the country.
The network’s team essentially built a new
facility right next to its existing facility. Testing
and training on the new system took place
while the traditional playout operations went
on normally. After transmission went live on
the new system, the analog infrastructure was
kept as a backup before being disassembled.
Today, the entire digital facility is contained
within five rooms.
At the heart of the NOC sit two Omneon
Spectrum media servers, each configured
with 10 inputs and 20 outputs, providing both
main and backup systems for a fully mirrored
operation at all times. Each system currently
has a capacity of 1800 hours of playout at
10Mb/s. In addition to handling feeds delivered
to the group’s stations, the server outputs
are used for quality control and monitoring.
Running under the control of Harris ADC
automation, the servers allow operators to
take advantage of automation control, with a
new level of functionality in accessing, navigating
and playing out media clips. The servers
occupy 2RU and can be upgraded to HD.
The automation system also manages
Masstech asset management software and a
StorageTek L700 tape library with a capacity
of 27,000 hours, 4000 of which are already in
use. Harmonic provided encoding, and Snell
& Wilox provided the facility’s new distribution,
conversion and processing gear, which
supports HD and SD signals. On-air material
is switched via Videotek switchers, and
the main in-house router is a Utah Scientific
Utah-400. A Barco processor monitors all return
feeds and sends images to both Barco
DLP projection and LCD fl at screens.
Engineers turned an old storage room into
an equipment room with requisite power and
air-conditioning. Other existing technical areas
were also revamped, adding the necessary
cable infrastructure, patch bays and routers to
support digital and HD operations. The entire
facility power grid was reworked to provide
separate A and B power to every rack, with
each source protected by its own 80KVA UPS
and 350KVA generator. All of the operational
elements of the facility are situated together,
rather than separated by racks of equipment.
ION Media experienced a smooth and successful
transition from analog operations to
an HD-ready facility. Its 12 fully automated
network channels can run with minimal intervention.
Despite space limitations, the new
facility has plenty of room to grow. | 
