Colombian broadcaster RCN has implemented a managed system of content contribution between its branches and headquarters in Bogotá, using file transfer technology from VSN (www.vsn.es). The VSNIPTRANSFER platform was easily integrated with the channel's current news and content production systems, creating a simple and automatic workflow that accelerates the availability of materials and avoids on-air errors.
The forecasts generated in Avid's iNews newsroom system get automatically published in the VSNIPTRANSFER server (an iNews Sync module). The 10 client nodes, installed in different cities, generate local content and publish them into the central server at speeds of up to 10 times faster than conventional FTP using state-of-the-art encoding H.264 technologies. They also utilize the transfer acceleration protocol UMP, which has been patented by VSN.
The content delivered to Bogotá is transcoded for automatic copy and registration in the RCN Bogotá's Avid Interplay-Isis system, becoming immediately available for editing. The VSNWORKFLOW MANAGER, which is part of the Spider news applications platform, is responsible for this function. The system also generates proxies in the .FLV format for all published clips.
In addition, the 10 client workstations can search the central depository server and quickly download any clip at any time with the help of VSNIPTRANSFER's FLEX client. This software makes all generated proxies available for previewing, in/out entry points selection and total/partial download of the desired clips at the same speeds.
This system greatly enhances video contribution and reduces RCN's contents exchange costs as it allows the use of any available IP link. The VSN technology's transparent and automatic integration with the existing Avid News and Production environments was a key factor in RCN's decision.
