This document provides an overview of the Sonaps networked production system, including its file-based workflow, remote connectivity capabilities, and support services. The system allows for planning, acquisition, editing, playout and archiving in a collaborative environment. It has been implemented in over 300 facilities worldwide, supporting news, sports and live production. Remote sites can access centralized content and contribute material efficiently using the system's distributed workflow and network infrastructure. Comprehensive support is also provided through remote monitoring, automatic fault reporting, and rapid on-site response capabilities.

1. Sonaps Networked Production

2. Network production since 1999 US/Canada
ABC T.S.
Europe Tribune Gp (5)
Japan
Reuters, LNN (UK) Belo Gp (3)
Shizuoka Hoso
Parliament TV (Northern Europe) Cox Gp (1)
FujiTV
RAI, VideoTime, E-Biscom (Italy)
VideoTime, E- Emmis Gp (5)
NHK
Canal+, TF1(2), LCI, F3 Rennes, F3 Reims (France) Turner Sports
FBS
VRT (Belgium) TXN
TV2 EastJutland (Denmark) WDIV
Telemadrid (Spain) MSG
Plaza Media, NDR (Germany) CHUM-TV (Canada)
CHUM-
SIC (Portugal)
Asia/Oceania
SF DRS (Switzerland)
Latin America
TV2 Lorry (Denmark) 9 Network (Australia)
China
Skai (Greece) Cable TV (HongKong)
(HongKong) TV Globo (Brasil)
(Brasil)
Sports channel (Qatar) Televisa (Mexico)
>200 Systems
ENTV (Algeria) TV Naccional (Chile)
Over 300 large systems world-wide

3. Recent systems in Europe
ON AIR
TV2 Lorry – Denmark ON AIR
Skai – Greece ON AIR
ON AIR
Canal+ – France ON AIR
ON AIR
RAI - Italy In Rehearsal
ON AIR

4. In Partnership with Sobey Digital
Sonaps references in China
CCTV-5 (Sports) Remote Production & Transmission
ON AIR
ON AIR
CCTV News Sharing Solution
ON AIR
ON AIR
ON AIR
Beijing TV Total Solution Design, Consultation
ON AIR
ON AIR
ON AIR
Shanghai TV Large Scale Media Asset Management
ON AIR
ON AIR
Chongqing TV Content Management platform
ON AIR
ON AIR
Shenzhen TV Expanded Total Network System
ON AIR
ON AIR
Chengdu TV Total MAM and Information System
ON AIR
ON AIR
Shenyang TV Networked Production System

6. Skai case study
SKAI news is the largest independent provider of television news
in Greece.
The Athens-based television news channel was re-launched in
April 2006 with the objective of offering the fastest, most
comprehensive quality news service available to Greek viewers

7. Skai case study – Key ideas
Workflow key to fast production workflow
HD migration key to better quality pictures
Ready for future technology
Confidence in ROI

8. System overview
Sonaps V2.4
SD 16:9 operation
ENPS News Room Computer I/F to V5.0
Blue Order XDCAM shelf-based archive
4 x Craft edit stations
55 Journalists edit stations
350 Hours central storage @ IMX30
10 Simultaneous SDI ingest + 4 x XDCAM network ingest

9. Key features
Market-leading workflow from planning to archive
Seamless integration with ENPS and Blue Order
Streamlined metadata handling through entire system
Intelligent searching across all available content
Full support and integration for XDCAM acquisition
Significant reduction in production time
Increased output from existing resources
Fully tapeless production

10. System in operation
Newsroom Gallery

11. Sonaps Overview
The technology behind the scenes

12. System overview

13. File-based Workflow Support
• Interoperability with XDCAM HD
• Supports XDCAM HD compatible MXF as native

14. Material server
IT Industry Servers
DataDirect Networks S2A series will be used
Highest bandwidth for video applications.
Max Capacity : Up to 440TB ( 500GB FC HDD)
• 16700 Hours / 50Mbps High Resolution Video and Audio
Reliability
• Redundant Controller/Fan/Power Supplier.
• Active/Active Mode
Successful stories
• CCTV, BTV, GDTV, CQTV, SZMG, CDTV,
SMG, HK Cable TB

15. Playout server
Scalable up to 50 ports, 10 studios
Capacity can be gradually increased
High Bandwidth
Reliable
Hot Swap with Optional Redundancy

16. Redundancy
Network Dual Connections/FC Links
Clustered DB server
Clustered Metadata Server
Mirrored Material Server - Option
Mirrored Playout Server - Option

17. External Interfaces
MOS Gateway for communication with NRC-systems
Common Gateway for exchange with 3rd party Applications such
as:
• Archive
• File Exchange
• News Agency feeds
• NLE systems

18. Standards
MOS V2.8.2/3
MXF OP1a and OP-atom
XML for metadata exchange

19. Integration with 3rd-Party archive
Partners
• Blue Order
Features
• Integrated NRCS
• Federated search of materials on the journalist workstation of NRCS

20. Other Archive Options
Shelf-based Archive for XDCAM Media
File transfer between Sonaps and Archive application

21. Workflow overview
File-based workflows in Sonaps

22. System overview

23. New assignment on NRC
Assignment is entered on NRC newsgathering grid

24. New Assignment on NRC
NRC notifies Sonaps
Sonaps creates Material List folder and item in Planning List
NRC Newsgathering grid
Story folder created
This links the NRC story to a
specific Sonaps folder
Sonaps planning list

25. New Assignment on NRC
Sonaps returns unique MOS ID to NRC
Sonaps material list
NRC Newsgathering grid
Story folder created
MOS ID notified
NRC shows list of
Sonaps material
This links the NRC story to a
specific Sonaps folder
Sonaps planning list

26. Sonaps Planning
Planning List metadata and Material List Folder location is written
to the XDCAM disc metadata area
Sonaps planning list
Metadata
This links the media to the NRC
story and to the Sonaps folder

27. Planning/Acquisition
Shooting in the field adds AV content and enhances metadata
Sonaps planning list
Hi res
Proxy
Metadata
Rec start
Metadata Good shot
Metadata+
EDL

28. Ingest
When disc returns, Sonaps reads metadata and sends A/V and
metadata to correct Sonaps folder for the story
Sonaps planning list
Hi res
Proxy
Metadata+
Rec start
Metadata Good shot
EDL
This links the media and AV content to the NRC story and the Sonaps folder

29. File Based Import
Disc returns to station,
metadata and proxy is loaded to Sonaps first (~x30 - x40)
Proxy is available to all journalists in a few seconds
Sonaps server
Proxy
Metadata

30. File Based Import
Proxy viewing and editing can begin immediately by everyone
Multiple discs can be assigned to one story
XpriNS
Sonaps server
Proxy Proxy
GBEthernet
Metadata Metadata Metadata Metadata

31. File Based Import
Hi res material is then ingested during Lo res browsing/editing
Sonaps links proxy EDL to Hi res material
XpriNS
Sonaps server
Proxy GBEthernet Proxy
Metadata Metadata Metadata Metadata
Hi res

32. SDI Ingest
Multiple SDI simultaneous ingest capability
Sonaps router control Recording control & metadata input
Sonaps material list
Sonaps
Hi res server
Simultaneous
SDI inputs
Multiple
sources Router Proxy
SDI
Metadata

33. Network File Import
Common Gateway is watched by Sonaps
Sonaps material list
Sonaps
Hi res server
Proxy
Metadata
Common gateway
MXF file
Other applications

34. Common Gateway Import
FTP Transfer
MXF Decode
Sonaps material list
Sonaps
MXF
MXF Hi res server
file
file
Proxy
Remote contribution from
hotel/home/region/bureau or
agency Metadata
Common gateway
MXF file
FTP server

35. Common Gateway Import
MPG->MXF->Sonaps
Sonaps material list
Reuters agency
Sonaps
.MPG
server
.XML
Hi res
.ENC
WNE server
Metadata
.MPG
Common gateway
.MXF
.XML
Flip Factory

36. Network File Export
Remote distribution to
MXF->FTP
Region/bureau or other site
Sonaps material list
MXF MXF
file file
Hi res
MXF file
FTP server
Common gateway
Metadata
Sonaps server

37. Sonaps site to site connection
Shared Network
User Rights control access
Sonaps in Regions/bureau
Sonaps in Regions/bureau
Sonaps
Partial Hi res server Sonaps material list
Sonaps
material list
Proxy
Metadata
Remote site gateway
Sonaps in Regions/bureau

38. Journalist editing
Search for materials using NRC application
NRC

39. Journalist editing
NRC searches Sonaps and the Archive system
NRC
Archive Sonaps server

40. Journalist editing
Librarian is notified to retrieve disc for shelf archive material or
Sonaps automatically retrieves required archive materials
NRC
Archive Sonaps server

41. Journalist editing
Results are displayed in NRC and XpriNS is activated when the
result is selected
NRC XpriNS for journalist
Archive Sonaps server

42. Journalist editing
Proxy from Sonaps and archive can be edited on timeline
Complete edit in Craft Editor or send directly to Playlist
NRC XpriNS for journalist
Craft suite
EDL
Playlist
Package
Archive Sonaps server

43. Journalist editing
XpriNS Proxy package can be dropped directly to playlist
XpriNS for journalist
Package
Playlist

44. Craft editing
XpriNS EDL can be picked up by craft suite
for finishing
XpriNS for journalist
Craft suite
EDL
XpriNS for craft editor
Hi res
Hi res
Metadata
Metadata
Archive
Sonaps server

45. Craft editing
Story package is dropped to playlist
Story is made in Hi res and put to on air server
New proxy generated for on air material
On air server
XpriNS for journalist Hi res
Craft suite
A
EDL B
Pool
Metadata Dist
Playlist
Hi res
Hi res
Metadata
Metadata
Archive
Sonaps server

46. Journalist and Craft Editing
Easy to move from Proxy to Craft Editor
Colour-coded tracks
XpriNS with simple storyboard
Switchable source/master
viewer
XpriNS with advanced craft editing functions

47. EDL Executor Operation
Background Rendering Engine for XpriNS
XpriNS for journalist
EDL executors

48. EDL executor operation
Quick proxy editing with XpriNS
Releases journalist to next job without waiting
XpriNS for journalist
EDL executors
EDLs
Proxy
Metadata
Sonaps server

49. EDL executor operation
Access Sonaps Hi res material automatically
XpriNS for journalist
EDL executors
EDL
Proxy Hi
res
Metadata
Metadata
Sonaps server

50. EDL executor operation
Output completed Hi res file based on EDL and send to on air
server
XpriNS for journalist On air server
Hi res
EDL executors A
B
EDL
Pool
Metadata Dist
Proxy Hi
res
Metadata
Metadata
Sonaps server

51. EDL executor operation
EDL manager can receive and manage multiple EDLs
XpriNS for journalist On air server
Hi res
EDL executors A
EDLs
EDL manager B
EDL
Pool
Metadata Dist
Proxy Hi
res
Metadata
Metadata
Sonaps server

52. Playout
Playlist is downloaded from NRC to Sonaps
NRC Sonaps Playlist
MOS gateway

53. Playout
Available material is transferred to Playout Server
NRC Sonaps Playlist
MOS gateway
A
Hi
res B
Pool
Dist
Metadata

54. Playout
Playlist changes can be made during TX
NRC Sonaps Playlist
MOS gateway
A
Hi
res B
Pool
Dist
Metadata

55. Playout
GUI displays live windows of “now” and “next” for each channel
Sonaps playout GUI
Now ‘A’
Next ‘A’

56. Playout
Channel and status is passed back to NRC
Sonaps playout GUI

57. Archiving
All material is available to be archived
Sonaps material list

58. Archiving – Sonaps near-line
Drag and drop to archive list
Sonaps material list

59. Archiving – Sonaps near-line
Material is sent to archive directly or as part of a schedule
Archive
Sonaps server Proxy
Metadata
Hi res
On air server

60. Archiving – 3rd Party archive
Material with proxies/metadata can be exported to 3rd party
archive
Sonaps material list
Sonaps server Hi res
Proxy
Metadata
Metadata
Hi res
Proxy
Metadata
On air server Archive proxy server

61. Sonaps to Archive Example Metadata flow
Planning Acquisition Field Edit Ingest Newsroom Craft Edit Playout
Hi res, Proxy Clip titles, Clip descriptions Custom comments Program
XpriNS Edit suite
Record start mark Key frames, Essence marks Custom descriptions Channel
Editor Editor
Good shot mark Essence mark notes Added Key frames Playlist
Clip detail Clip detail
Date, Time, Location Storyboard, Sub clips, EDL Added Essence marks Duration
Duration Sub clip detail
UMID Detailed Essence mark SOM, EOM
Program Duration
Disc ID
Content descriptions Date, Time
Last edit date Program
Disc title
Program definition EDL: executor Last edit date
Description
Creator
Rights
Place
Date
Time
Photographer
Reporter
Country
People
Sonaps material server
Location
Event
Archive
Genre

62. Remote site connection

63. Remote connection workflow HQ
Efficient Distribution and Contribution
Remote real-time searching/ Browsing
real-
/Trimming of materials
Selectable material transfer
Field Editing
Network
Network
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Station A
Station D
Station C
Station B
Materials access and exchange
among main and affiliate stations

64. Remote Connection Example (Doha to Beijing)
Doha Beijing
Up-load from Material Data
Data
XDCAM Archive Searching
Searching
Acquisition
Ingestion
Field
Editor
Archive
WMS Server
WMS Server
Live Ingest DS3
Lines
Transfer Server Transfer Server
Material Material
(LR & HR) (LR & HR)
Server Server
Proxy
Proxy Editing
Editing
Voice Over
Voice Over
Craft
Craft
Editing
Editing
Play Out from Beijing
Play Out from Doha

65. System in operation

66. System remote connection benefits
Reduced travel costs operational staff
Immediate access to content
Operational redundancy and security

67. Support

68. Support
SNMP support for Remote monitoring
Automatic email/pager for fault reporting
Local 1st line rapid response with Remote dial-in diagnostics and
maintenance
Ongoing upgrade and enhancements, On-site spares
Access to central spares holding with advanced shipment
Tailored plan to meet specific requirements
Local telephone help for operational support