IBC2014, Booth 8.B70: Amsterdam, September 12, 2014 – Snell announced today the introduction of new web-based interfaces and apps for the industry-leading Morpheus automation, ICE channel in a box, and Momentum media asset management systems. Providing browser-based and mobile access to Snell products via a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, the new solutions enable control and monitoring from anywhere while reducing broadcasters’ cost of ownership and operational complexity.
   

For Morpheus, two new web-based interfaces allow broadcasters with even the most complex operating environments to monitor and manipulate playlists using just an Internet-connected browser. These include:

• HydraHud, a playlist monitoring interface, lets users across the operation – including those located offsite or in remote locations – to access the playlist, lowering the cost of ownership related to playlist monitoring by reducing the need for software and hardware installations across the organization
• HydraActive, a control panel interface, allows browser-based control, even for complicated channels such as live events and sports. Replicating the same functionality as a hardware control panel, HydraActive allows source selection, Take Next, Hold, and many other master control functions through the ease and simplicity of a browser-based interface, from any location

In addition to the new web interfaces, the latest innovations for Morpheus include:

• More rapid N+1 redundancy to significantly reduce time to as little as one second in the activation of emergency backup chains, helping broadcasters avoid outage penalties
• Automatic population/update of Now/Next/Later graphics with on-air times and program titles, eliminating the need for manual inputs when schedules change and reducing the incidence of human errors in fast-paced broadcast environments. This capability also supports an increased operator-to-channel ratio by adding automation, enabling operators to manage more channels.

These new features apply to both Morpheus and ICE, Snell’s channel in a box solution, which uses Morpheus automation software. In addition, Snell is an official member of the DPP Compliance Programme.

For Momentum, Snell is introducing an entirely new iOS app to enable operators to review and browse all media assets from a tablet. By providing another way to access media, the app lets librarians and other staff quickly access new content wherever they are, as well as enabling users to immediately see whether the asset has subtitles/closed captioning. This supports both faster workflows and compliance with multiple language and hearing impaired broadcast requirements.

“With more and more services moving to the cloud and operations becoming more distributed, mobile and web-based access to mission critical parts of the broadcast workflow will soon be the norm, not the exception,” noted Paul Martin, managing director, TV Everywhere Business Unit at Snell. “These new interfaces, our new app, and the latest automation capabilities for Morpheus are all part of our commitment to give customers the tools they need to quickly produce high quality content today, while future-proofing their technology infrastructure to meet the demands of tomorrow.”