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FOX Business Network

Aug 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Michael Grotticelli

Provides major challenge in engineering and coordination

File-based challenges

Moving FOX from a tape-based model (it continues to use JVC's D-9 format VTRs) to a file-based infrastructure was no easy task. This was the challenge for NTC's engineers, who worked together with IBM to deploy IT technology that could handle 16:9 SD format files, which are up-converted for HD playback. The system will eventually migrate to either DV 100 or AVC-I file format for native HD playback. Panasonic P2 cameras are currently being deployed for field acquisition.

Multiple IBM servers were deployed to handle 16:9 SD format files, which are automatically upconverted for HD playback. IBM engineers also installed the software and robotic storage systems.

In implementing the digital newsroom system's tapeless environment and signal-processing infrastructure, FOX decided on an IT-centric infrastructure that brings together best-of-breed solutions for acquisition, playout and automation, editing, archiving and media asset management. This includes an Ardendo asset management system, Apple's FCP for editing, Omneon servers for ingest and playout, Pebble Beach for playout automation, and IBM, which integrated the software systems and provided the robotic storage and servers.

The NTC team designed a completely redundant broadcast local area network (LAN) system, broken up into four major sections: one for the core infrastructure; one for the graphics environment; one for the digital newsroom system; and another for master control and playout. Tom Michales, who headed up the NTC team at FOX, said data throughput and security necessitated that the network be divided into several VLANs.

The NTC design supports the numerous broadcast and production systems with a dedicated LAN to accommodate the large video files. Operating in parallel with the tapeless environment on the broadcast LAN, and a smaller edit system SAN for long-form content with an Omneon server and Final Cut Pro editing systems, NTC also installed a LAN for the HD graphics network. This is running all Vizrt HD graphics systems, VDS Financial Graphics software (for the automated generation of ticker graphics) and render farms. Foundry Networks Ethernet switches were used throughout the broadcast LAN to manage the heavy amount of traffic.

Flexible IT storage environment

Also deployed are several IBM storage systems, IBM servers, Fibre Channel switches, and an IBM LTO-based tape archive system for long-term storage. There's also a substantial cache system whereby inbound feeds are recorded on Omneon servers. From there, the data files are transferred to online storage. Simultaneously, proxy files are made of the full-res material to allow Mac and PC users to view content from their desktops. Files can then be transferred to playout servers and finally sent off to the tape libraries for archiving, where they can be retrieved as needed.

NTC's Michales says this is one of the largest LAN systems in the broadcast industry, boasting a 10GB/s backbone, GigE connectivity to all devices, Fibre Channel connectivity and a control LAN with more than 2000 nodes. It's been set up to ensure total system reliability and flexibility, with a high level of resiliency and fault tolerance. It doesn't get any more sophisticated than this.

The biggest challenge for Ascent, NTC, IBM and the FOX engineers on this project was dealing with different aspect ratios and having to convert them to a common format. The system that Ascent and NTC put in place handles all signals and automatically converts them, so FOX engineers never have to worry about a piece of material's signal type.

Summary

In discussing the project with everyone involved (all of whom have worked on big jobs before), they all agree that the most unusual aspect of this job was the insane timeline. That, coupled with the fact that they were working with limited physical space (under the street level of the building) and that they had to build the facility within an operating core of the 24/7 FOX News Channel without affecting what it was doing or taking it off-air.

Many people still can't believe what they accomplished. For example, toward the end of the project, the Ascent team installed $1 million worth of equipment per day for about two weeks. The experience was positive and exhausting.

The FOX Business Network had to be on the air on Oct. 15, and the project was mostly finished by Oct. 3. Looking at the file-based production environment in place and the ease at which a massive amount of HD content is created and displayed on-air every day, now the FOX News Channel wants the same thing for its staff.

Michael Grotticelli regularly reports on professional video and broadcast technology industries.

Design team

FOX News/Business

Warren Vandeveer, sr. VP of eng. and operations

Studios, control rooms, core infrastructure

Doug Butler, dir. of eng.; Mike Young, project mgr.; Greg Ahlquest, dir. of digital media production; John Collins, Mike Liebman, Steve Blot and Warren Langrock, engineers

Graphics

Peter Blangiforti, dir. of eng.; Scott Buchholz, proj. mgr.; John Fenton, eng.

IBM Global Services Team

Bill Baer, CTO; Fabio Schiattarella, proj. mgr.;
Mike Outlaw, Brad Christus and Mike Baba, engineers

Ascent Media Services

Rich Bisignano, sr. VP/gen. mgr., systems integration U.S.; Jack Dawson, sr. VP, facilities planning; Steve Vitale, Steve Sabin: sr. proj. mgrs.; Laura Gross, dir., solutions architect group; Marilyn Pierce, dir. of IT and tech. group; Ken Brueck, lead installation supervisor; John Ciulla, sr. proj. eng.; Scott Whitcomb, broadcast LAN lead eng.