Strategy & Technology Integrates VDS Automation Technology with TSBroadcaster 2

Strategy & Technology--a UK-based company that specializes in solutions for standards-based interactive TV (its products include the TSBroadcaster and TSPlayer systems, which are used for the creation and transmission of MHP, MHEG, tru2way and ETV applications; and the widely licensed RedKey MHEG engines)--said Tuesday that it will unveil a module for integrating automation components from Video Design Software (VDS) with its TSBroadcaster 2 object carousel system at the IBC show in Amsterdam later this week.

S&T bills TSBroadcaster 2 as a data and object carousel playout server that delivers MHEG-5, MHP, ETV/EBIF and tru2way interactive TV applications, and that also supports the migration of analog cable services to digital via Digital Transport Adapter (DTA) devices. VDS, meanwhile, offers data-driven news graphics systems, ranging from simple, automated financial bugs and tickers to full-fledged multichannel systems for automated promo generation. When VDS components are deployed with broadcast automation systems, S&T says, TSBroadcaster 2 now enables broadcasters to play out interactive applications without embarking on a time-consuming manual scheduling process. "Interactive applications can add a lot of value to linear content, providing extra content to viewers, the ability to vote, or to request information from advertisers that interest them," Ian Harris, S&T's general manager of interactive systems and applications, said in a prepared statement. "However, accurately scheduling these applications alongside linear content has always been complex and labor-intensive. Now with the new TSBroadcaster 2 automation interface, a broadcaster can configure the link between linear content and the interactive application once, and the system will automatically play out the application when triggered by the automation system." Added VDS president, Larry Mincer: "VDS has a long history of linking on-screen broadcast graphics with complex automation systems, so ensuring that broadcasters have top-quality graphics on screen at the right time. We're very pleased to be able to work with S&T to enable broadcasters to achieve the same dependable results with interactive applications."

According to S&T, the new automation module is being offered as an "affordable upgrade" to TSBroadcaster 2. The company plans to demo it in its IBC booth (1.A21).