Transforming its production systems from a traditional broadcast Serial Digital Interface (SDI) environment to future-proof, cloud-based open IP platforms enable faster service delivery, lower total cost of ownership, and more flexibility for NEP and its clients. For example, cloud-based production enables flexible deployment of key directing elements, such as the director's control room, audio, video and EVS operator at the studio site.
NEP’s pre-and post-production functions run in a cloud environment created by Juniper’s QFX switches, which are high-performance, high-density switching platforms with open architectures that serve as universal building blocks for automated, programmable fabric architectures. This production environment is needed to support applications that move hundreds of gigabits of uncompressed video.
NEP clients, including many of the world’s premier television broadcasters, cable networks and event producers, demand high-quality solutions for functions, such as remote and cloud production, video display, host broadcasting, post production, playout and uplink communication. By using Juniper’s scalable QFX switches, NEP can offer flexibility for all types of production services.
With an IP-based cloud production platform, NEP centralized its resources, so they can be shared more efficiently, sustainably and easily across multiple locations and productions. The centralization reduced on-location and studio costs for sports and multi-camera live shows, with reduced physical footprint on location.
NEP plans to expand its capabilities further by adding two more studios, four extra cloud production galleries, 30 playout channels and live 4K OTT (Over the Top) delivery from sports venues. It is important for NEP to run all applications over open standard technology with Juniper, so that upgrades can be easily made from HD to 4K to 8K and beyond by adding more capacity or a new compression algorithm without changing the overall network.
The overall switch network infrastructure is underpinned by Junos® OS, Juniper’s single operating system for centralized management, further streamlining and simplifying NEP’s network operations.