VISUALIZATION

Silicon Graphics announced today that BBC Broadcast will use SGI(R) InfiniteStorage NAS 3000 and Shared Filesystem CXFS as the foundation of a tapeless environment for virtually all its processes. The system is expected to be in use within the next two months and includes 50 terabytes of storage with high-bandwidth capacity from SGI. The system will enable assets to be available for a large number of requirements -- ingest, archive and playout. Every piece of content that touches BBC Broadcast will ultimately go through this system. ATG Broadcast was selected to integrate hardware for the new tapeless system. Other contributors to the project include a datatape library from ADIC, a HSM from Front Porch Digital and network connectivity was supplied by Foundry Networks as part of the core building infrastructure. BBC Broadcast offers a comprehensive range of services to play-out, promote and provide media access for content across all media platforms. Key services include new channel launches, play-out and channel management, channel branding and promotion, subtitling and other media access services. The combination of the scalable SGI(R) NAS 3000 architecture and the instant sharing capabilities of SGI(R) CXFS shared filesystem will provide BBC Broadcast with the ability to: -- Store and move broadcast assets from ingest through production to playout -- Provide a resilient high-performance core for activities such as transcoding, aspect ratio conversion and file delivery to and from clients -- Supply the storage and bandwidth required by hundreds of concurrent 'desktop' browse video users -- Offer the high-bandwidth gateway to a multiple drive Datatape archive -- managed through a Front Porch Digital DIVA HSM (Hierarchical Storage Manager) -- Build a sophisticated asset management system to manage the storage layer provided by this project -- Supply cost-effective mass storage for an editing workgroup provided by Quantel BBC Broadcast works closely with its customers to understand their broadcasting needs and to determine the right combination of editorial, technical and creative skills required to deliver innovative and cost- effective solutions. The new storage system is designed to replace the previous tape-based structure, which required a large amount of duplication, effort and complex management of physical assets. Content providers now require core infrastructure to support evolving business models and consumer demands such as interactive programming, non-linear and broadband platforms. The SGI InfiniteStorage solution has the capacity to facilitate these tasks whilst providing considerable efficiency and cost savings to meet business targets. "SGI was chosen as they provided a cost-effective, high-quality solution that met our requirements. We felt they understood the issues we were likely to face and could support our evolving technology infrastructure. By employing a system that eliminates the use of tape storage we will be able to use the 'ingest once, use many' principle for all our future production and playout with great savings in physical media handling, ingest, outgest, conversion time and delivery to end user," said Ian Wimsett, Technology Manager, BBC Broadcast. "We are delighted to be working with BBC Broadcast and partners on this significant project. For a company with such vast data storage and bandwidth requirements the InfiniteStorage solution will benefit hundreds of users by the elimination of tape storage, resulting in better access and movement of data files," said Tim Butchart, UK managing director, SGI UK. Based in the Broadcast Center in the new Media Village, BBC Broadcast has more than 1,000 employees providing services for 37 public service and commercial television channels, 39 local radio stations and BBCi, the BBC's Web site. Clients include the BBC, UKTV and the Community Channel. The company also provides disaster recovery for Channel Five.