Cloud Playout Platform for Broadcasters

Cloud Playout Architecture

SkyLark Cloud Playout is built on SL NEO Server Modules running in a virtualized environment. Compared with traditional on-premises deployments, cloud-based playout introduces several architectural requirements:

• All Server Software Components (decoders, recorders, players, encoders, DB and others) must support network interaction with each other, working together in a VM environment. The Software Modules of the SL NEO Media Platform fully meet this condition.
• The term «Cloud» (in relation to the broadcasting subject) means that the server components of the playout system are located in one or several data centers, and the broadcasting and content control & management is performed via Internet. In this case, the use of standard client applications is impossible because of the large network delays and unpredictable connection speed. For such cases we developed a web-management server, which works on the provider’s side and allows remote clients to manage the processes via a web-browser. All the key functions of the SL NEO platform client applications are preserved: downloading, editing and managing the progress of the recording and playback sheets, file import, search, view, markup, view and export the fragments of the broadcast control record.
• Changing the monitoring scheme for input and output streams. In the case of the cloud, all required I/O streams on the provider’s side are combined into multiscreen compositions and broadcast to one or multiple workstations with minimal delay.

SkyLark Cloud Playout Architecture Diagram

Operations and Processes in the Cloud

Capture, Live & File Ingest

• Capture and decode incoming SDI/HDMI signals and ASI/IP streams, with recording performed according to predefined schedules.
• Analyze executable playlists and automatically transfer required media to operational storage from archive and NLE sources according to priority. During ingest, files can be transcoded, including codec and container conversion, up/down/cross conversion, and audio level and loudness normalization.
• Prepare media for playout by reviewing content, setting IN/OUT points, and performing proxy-based quick edits without copying source files to the operator workstation or rendering. Playlists can be imported from traffic systems, with automatic loading of playlists and individual blocks and creation or editing of on-air schedules in the built-in editor with database and proxy access.

Automated Playout with Live Events

• Automatically play scheduled content according to playlists. The SL NEO Program Player module executes the playlist and generates the complete program output for each channel.
• Integrate live signals from external sources directly into the playlist. Operators can make real-time schedule adjustments, including changing OUT points, performing emergency jumps to other events, holding live events, and making other on-air corrections without stopping playback.
• Combine SDI, ASI, and IP inputs with SD, HD, and UHD video formats at different frame rates. Input ports use buffering, frame synchronization, and up/down/cross conversion, allowing files and live sources with different resolutions and frame rates to be switched, mixed, and played within the same channel. Multiscreen monitoring can likewise display signals in different formats, including NTSC, PAL, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 2160p at frame rates from 25 to 60 fps.

Channel Branding

• The Program Player also handles channel branding and graphics playback. It can automatically or manually play layered graphics compositions and templates containing titles, animated backgrounds, alpha-channel video clips, live video, picture-in-picture (PiP), 2D graphics, and chroma key effects. Graphics compositions are organized into independent virtual players, or layers.
• Each program channel supports eight virtual graphics players plus a dedicated logo layer. Graphics compositions can be started and stopped automatically by events in the main playlist, triggered according to the current time, or controlled manually by an operator.

Closed Captions

• Closed captions can be inserted and played out as part of the channel workflow. The system supports caption data associated with scheduled content and can synchronize subtitle output with program playback, including live and file-based sources.

Redundancy and Fault Tolerance

• Main and backup playout channels operate in parallel and remain synchronized during normal operation. Backup Program Player modules continuously follow the state and timing of the corresponding primary channels, allowing the system to maintain consistent playback across redundant paths.
• If a failure is detected on the primary channel, the backup channel can take over playout with minimal disruption. Redundancy can cover both software modules and underlying server resources, helping maintain continuous on-air operation in the event of hardware, software, or signal-path failures.

Monitoring & Logging

• The monitoring subsystem provides centralized supervision of signals and key system processes. Status information can be displayed simultaneously at multiple operator workstations, while event logging provides accurate records and reports of broadcast operations and event timing.
• Multiscreen monitoring combines multiple video and audio sources into a single configurable display. One MultiScreen module can receive up to 24 input signals and streams in different formats and display them in individual windows with audio or loudness level indicators. The system can generate alarms for freeze frames, black frames, and audio level deviations.

• Monitoring layouts can also display operational information from other SL NEO modules. Integration with File Recorder and Program Player makes it possible to visualize recording and playout schedule data together with live signals. In cloud environments, the resulting multiscreen output can be delivered over IP to operator workstations for centralized monitoring of input and output streams.

Multiscreen Software Module Function Block Diagram

Streaming with Processing

Stream Player modules generate output signals and streams for distribution across broadcast and IP environments. Each output can be configured with the required resolution, frame rate, protocol, and bitrate.

In playout configurations, the Stream Player receives uncompressed audio, video, and ancillary data from the Program Player and can generate:

• compressed IP or ASI streams for delivery through network or ASI interfaces;
• uncompressed SDI or HDMI outputs for broadcast output hardware;
• uncompressed SMPTE ST 2110 streams for IP-based production and broadcast infrastructures.

Each Stream Player can also perform real-time audio, video, and ancillary-data processing, including:

• • up/down/cross conversion with frame-rate conversion;
  • audio loudness normalization in accordance with EBU R128, audio level normalization, and dynamic range compression;
  • DTMF tone generation;
  • insertion and multiplexing of Closed Captions, SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 signaling, EPG data, AFD, and VITC.