I have figured out a pretty exciting means to take the output of your analog or SD-SDI studio AND any remote location drops that you have. The process is reasonably priced and easy to use. it involves an analog to MPEG2 recording device that contains a 1 TB hard drive and an external matrix switcher. The workflow will allow the user to record their analog source to MPEG2, which is the format used in ALL of the current crop of digital playback servers (Leightronics, TelVue, MaestroVision and Tightrope) and will allow the user to control their recording process from any internet-capable computer or smart-phone. This is NOT a one box solution, but one that I have developed using components already on the market.

This system is the answer for many PEG stations who currently have to two or three-step their productions before they can get them into their playback servers. The beauty of the system is that it produces DVD quality recordings that can be routed directly to your playback server via drag-and-drop from any computer, PC or MAC, on your network. The system is also NLE friendly, so, if your NLE can import and render MPEG2 files, you can move the recorded program directly to your NLE for editing, or route it to your playback server for immediate playback.

The system has advanced scheduling software that will allow immediate one-button recording if you desire, or will schedule recordings from whatever source that you choose up to one year in advance. The recorder software also allows editing stop and start times to trim early start times, and late program endings. Because the system can be remotely controlled via an internet browser, the operator can choose their start times on the fly and can also extend a programmed recording if a live program runs long, or end it early manually if so desired.

In addition to simply recording in-studio productions, the system can also easily record any location-drop production that is routed through your playback chain, so you can record public meetings, school productions, satellite feeds or any other programs that are routed through your facility. Because the user interface is an internet- accessible web page, it can be remotely controlled and scheduled by any computer or smart-phone from any location that has internet access.

If anyone is interested in learning more about this process, please let me know, and I will be happy to explain it in detail to you.

Best regards

Chip Gorra