The guide to Channel in a Box & Integrated Playout solutions in 2022
Integrated playout, frequently referred to as Channel in a Box solutions, provide broadcasters of every shape and size with a more efficient way to deliver content and television to their audiences. The modern integrated playout package reflects a more ambitious, flexible and conceptually advanced architecture for enhancing broadcast workflows and processes.
It’s absolutely critical that you choose the best Channel in a Box software solutions to enable your success. This article compares a number of Integrated Playout options to help you make the right decision for your broadcasting needs. Looking for cloud playout solutions? Head over to my other article, linked here.
Why are broadcasters using Integrated Playout and Channel in a Box solutions?
Integrated linear playout software systems function as solutions that provide video, audio, graphics processing and common auxiliary events in one operation or ‘box’. In the past, Channel in a Box vendors and suppliers were driven by their systems’ innovative efficiency and overall low cost of ownership. Original playout solutions combined single purpose devices with multiple layers of automation, such as character generators, servers, logo insertion and display and audio mixers.
Integrated playout provides broadcasters a way to establish and perfect a TV brand with an inexpensive, efficient perspective to television workflows- more robust and much more flexible. Low cost of ownership might not be your primary objective from the beginning, but you will certainly benefit from it!
Now, with the ever-changing nature of the broadcast industry, start-up broadcasters and organisations might look more carefully at the cost efficiency of Channel in a Box solutions. Larger contracts tend to be based on features, considering functionality and reliability over cost.
Important criteria to consider when choosing the best Channel in a Box solution for your business
- Features and specifications of the software
- Price, performance and overall value of the solution
- If the solution fits seamlessly into your daily operations
- Reliability, robustness and predictability of deployment
- How well the software performs under a variety of loads
- Known errors, bugs and issues
- System diagnostics
- Availability and expertise of the accompanying support team
- Access to installation support, software updates and bug fixes
- Quality and availability of accompanying hardware
- Availability of hardware engineers and on-site training
The Top 10 Channel in a Box solutions
To narrow down the selection of integrated playout solutions on offer, we carried out extensive research and analysis — gathering data from review websites, providers, market research reports and a variety of other credible online sources. We went on to interview industry stakeholders about their experiences with playout systems they evaluated to understand the needs of the market and bring a comprehensive list to you.
The list below compares some of the best solutions available on the market today:
PlayBox Technology
PlayBox Technology is a broadcast solutions company serving the broadcast and corporate sectors and a long-time Channel in a Box vendor. The company is a global systems integration specialist of broadcast, multimedia and production hardware and software solutions, and offers bespoke services targeted to customers’ specific requirements.
Its turnkey playout solution (TV Channel in a Box) is a resource for broadcasting a single TV channel, including Airbox and TitleBox. Channel in a Box series provides automated content streaming and broadcast playout for any kind of TV channel. The Cosmos series provides a fast and trusted cloud-based playout solution enabling broadcasters and service providers to spin up both OTT and traditional TV channels in minutes. Cosmos solutions can playout both file based and live services and support a variety of standards including; AES67, SMPTE ST 2110, 2022–2 2022–6, 2022–7, 35 and 104.
Grass Valley
The ‘ICE’ range of Integrated playout systems combined with Morpheus playout automation makes for a solid range of Channel in a Box solutions. ICE represents an IT-based, integrated system that delivers on the technical, operational, regulatory and commercial functionality and capabilities required for modern broadcasting playout activities.
The ICE range covers ICE SDI CiaB, the IP-enabled ICE IP and fully virtualized playout with Software-Defined Channels (ICE SDC). It utilises a development path approach that allows the broadcaster to control the speed that they move to a full IP and virtualized playout environment.
Pebble Beach
Stingray is Pebble Beach’s Channel in a Box offering. Stingray bases itself upon proven 64-bit architecture, and features the flexibility of the Marina enterprise automation solution coupled with the power of the Dolphin integrated channel device solution.
Stingray is suitable for simple clip-based channels, and is also capable of handling more complex, reactive channels which might experience regular late-breaking changes. An intuitive user interface, coupled with powerful graphics and DVE functionality, delivers a premium, user-friendly Integrated Playout solution.
Versio from Imagine Communications
Versio is a powerful integrated playout solution used worldwide by start-up single channel operators to multichannel master control rooms. 100% software-based and fully IP-enabled, it enables smooth transition for traditional on-premises deployments (SDI I/O), hybrid deployments (IP/SDI) and virtualized cloud deployments (IP I/O). In data centers, Versio runs well on off-the-shelf hardware or virtual infrastructure (see VMWare).
For IP deployments, Versio transmits and receives SMPTE ST 2022–6 and MPEG-2 transport streams for low latency applications. Also, at the heart of Versio’s technology is the Zenium platform — maximising open architecture to enable seamless integration and customisable solutions.
Ultimately, Versio is an easily integratable solution for software centric integrated playout automation.
BroadStream Solutions
OASYS Integrated Playout delivers easy, feature-rich integrated playout from a single server, and it builds upon the capabilities of the traditional Channel in a Box to provide a unique scalable solution. It combines graphics, playout, scheduling and more within a unique software architecture that runs on COTS, or off-the-shelf hardware. This ultimately reduces your hardware footprint and eliminates unnecessary costs.
Broadstream also offer a wide range of additional modules and add-ons that can be implemented within your workflows.
Cinegy
Cinegy Air PRO delivers playout automation as part of an integrated software suite. Cinegy Air PRO is suited to single channel and multi-channel set ups, and elements of playout and scheduling can be controlled by multiple remote and local users. Ease your worries about formats — Cinegy Air PRO supports mixed formats and resolutions straight-to-air. Dolby Digital encoding, Nielsen watermarks and Cinegy Titler branding and graphics are included within the solution.
Ultimately, Cinegy Air PRO represents a flexible and scalable all-in-one solution for your integrated playout needs.
PixelPower
StreamMaster DELIVER is a software-centric integrated playout engine designed to ease the transition to IP playout for broadcasters worldwide. StreamMaster DELIVER is effective in both single and multi-channel set ups, remaining flexible in its approach to playout automation.
You can be confident that StreamMaster DELIVER will function effectively as part of a dedicated server, using COTS/off-the-shelf hardware or as part of a private/public cloud environment. Software licenses are flexible and can transition across deployment environments.
Vector 3
Looking for cost effective playout? There are three versions of VectorBox — XL, LT and 264. Each version enables simultaneous ingest and playout with graphics from a single chassis, with LT being the entry level offering and 264 being the cloud alternative. Looking for a much larger, enterprise-level solution? VectorBox offer Drillarium for larger scale playout operations.
You’ll find all of the necessary facilities and features that you need for professional playout and branding activities in VectorBox. VectorBox is being utilised in well over 1000 deployments across the world, and is accompanied by consistent support.
vMix
vMix is quickly solidifying itself as a major player in the world of streaming solutions. Expensive, bulky hardware set ups won’t be necessary — vMix solutions are purely software based. vMix live production and streaming software handles both the inputs and outputs of your content in a user-friendly interface.
vMix can be utilised in intensive multi-camera environments, as well as simple one-person webcam streams.
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is an open source alternative to paid video recording and live streaming software. Backed by sponsors like Twitch and Facebook, the platform is designed to make it easier than ever before to get a live stream up and running.
Whilst it won’t match up to a fully integrated playout solution, it’s a great first step. You can configure hotkeys, enable transitions and make use of community plugins for additional functionality.
