Imagine Communications returns to the Middle East’s largest broadcast show with a focus on personal contacts and results-oriented presentations of practical solutions and migration strategies.
CABSAT will see the regional debut of Imagine Aviator, the company’s new approach to channel management and monetisation designed to help media companies extract maximum revenue potential from their assets. First shown at the 2022 NAB Show, Aviator is reportedly the first cloud-native platform that enables broadcasters, cable and satellite and digital-first providers to plan, make and monetise premium-quality linear and OTT content from a single, unified system.
Aviator claims to raise the bar for monetisation of content across all screens, enabling media companies to optimise ad delivery, significantly improve the revenue of otherwise under-monetised OTT content and generate greater profitability from their media assets. Architected for the future, Aviator offers flexible subscription and SaaS purchase options that suit new business models and an agile, cloud-based design that allows media companies to continue to deliver and monetise content irrespective of how consumer viewing habits change.
Commenting on the launch of Aviation at CABSAT, Anas Hantash, Head of Middle East, South Asia and North Africa at Imagine Communications stated: “As well as introducing the latest technological innovation that Imagine is known for, we also wanted to use this year’s CABSAT as an opportunity to celebrate the very strong relationships we have in the region. Even during the pandemic, we have enjoyed tremendous success in MENA, with double-digit growth for the third year in a row. That comes off the back of the strong support from our regional partners and of the trust that our customers put in the local Imagine team to deliver innovative, responsive and effective solutions that support them on their migration journey to IP and the cloud.”
Recent regional projects delivered by Imagine Communications include a new master control and playout architecture for a top broadcasting group based in Dubai, with a fully redundant 45+45 channel playout center plus disaster recovery for 17 channels. In addition, a key state broadcaster in the region chose Imagine to deliver a 12+12 redundant playout system, along with a disaster recovery solution using five remote business continuity sites — each capable of supporting five channels.
Other recent implementations include core networking infrastructure and playout installations at the largest broadcasting group in Egypt, as well as two large end-to-end, fully 2110 IP infrastructure projects, alongside Versio playout with ADC automation, which are currently being installed in Qatar.
Also making its regional debut at this year’s CABSAT is Imagine’s SureFire broadcast-quality video ad server, which provides the linear-like control and brand protection needed to directly sell inventory on OTT platforms — enabling media companies to sell and fulfil campaigns across their entire audience. Combined with Imagine’s unified monetisation solution, SureFire consolidates cross-platform workflows, and is aimed at helping media companies increase revenue, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and deliver a consistent, quality experience for streaming OTT and VOD.
For evolving live production requirements, visitors can experience the latest hybrid and IP networking offering from Imagine’s acclaimed Selenio Network Processor (SNP) and Magellan Control System. Hosting a broad range of processing functions, the powerful 1RU SNP will handle conversions between ST 2110 and SDI, as well as between HD/UHD and SDR/HDR formats, and also offers an HDR-capable production multiviewer personality. The latest SNP release incorporates JPEG XS compression capabilities to provide production-quality, low-latency interconnection that enables remote production workflows. Offering a unique architecture that is easily reconfigured with any of these personalities, the SNP can be field-upgraded to support new functionality as new software modules are developed.
“The SNP is a concrete example of Imagine’s firm commitment to open standards and strong industry partnerships,” Hantash adds. “Others talk about openness, yet still develop proprietary systems and controls. Our open architecture solutions set us apart, but most importantly, they enable us to deliver enhanced solutions to our customers.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand at CABSAT to talk about the possibilities that open, virtualized, software-based technology can bring to premium content production, delivery and monetisation.”
Visitors to the Imagine stand will also have access to company experts on hand to offer problem-solving insight gained from real-world deployments, along with tailored demonstrations of software-based playout, networking and advertising technologies that help media companies create seamless viewing experiences on every screen, maximise revenue potential with the least effort and complexity and make a practical, cost-effective move to IP and the cloud.
During CABSAT, Imagine Product Marketing Manager Ignacio Revuelto Rosello will present a business-driving session, “Leveraging the cloud to address the challenges of origination and monetisation of Converged TV,” at the Arab HDTV & Beyond Group’s meeting on May 18, 10:45 a.m. GST, at the Novotel World Trade Centre Hotel, Dubai.
