BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 28, 2011 — Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world's largest religious network, has launched a new video-on-demand (VOD) online portal that gives congregants unprecedented access to content 24/7 across TV, the Internet and portable devices. The comprehensive "iTBN" Web-based platform was designed and deployed with the help of Key Code Media, a system design and integration firm, specializing in converting audio/video assets to multi-format digital formats.
For the iTBN project, Key Code Media system engineers have designed and implemented a VOD platform that emulates mainstream online video services that make standard- and high-definition (SD/HD) content readily available in a number of ways. This file-based, shared storage infrastructure is now deployed at TBN's Tustin, Calif. headquarters and has streamlined the handling of content for the entire production staff.
"The team at Key Code Media understands file-based workflows and how to design an infrastructure that gets the right content to the right location in a timely manner," said Bob Fopma, Vice President of Production at TBN, adding that the project is part of the church's larger mission to engage congregants with a viewing experience they have become accustomed to on commercial television. "The days of linear, scheduled content viewing are quickly passing. People want to search for specific subjects, in a nonlinear fashion, and get results quickly. With the iTBN portal, they can now do that and a whole lot more."
Leveraging Key Code Media's design, all assets – from live productions, pre-taped shows to historic content – are ingested and archived on an hourly basis, in many cases as editors begin their work process. This enables content to become available online quickly, sometimes within two hours of a live event occurring.
As the media-viewing habits of younger generations have radically shifted, Key Code Media's focus is to develop workflows leveraging clients' existing infrastructure while introducing automated media workflows supporting multiple online distribution platforms. Both the Internet and mobile video platforms are now critical engines of growth for Key Code Media's clients.
"Trinity Broadcast Network is a pioneering television giant and this project is another example of its exceptional achievements. iTBN allows users to search for and gain access to specific content in ways they never could before," said Mike Cavanagh, President, Key Code Media. "At Key Code Media, we've carefully helped TBN design and deploy a digital asset management system that gives its audience easily searchable content that is available on-demand, anytime, anywhere."
The iTBN environment combines a number of disparate workflows at TBN's production facility into a consistent content creation chain that can be accessed by anyone on the staff, no matter where they are located. New programs are ingested simultaneously for TBN's Master Control (television) and iTBN.
The first phase of the project involved ingesting all existing TBN content and capturing all of the high-profile live shows as they happen, and logging them into the iTBN system via 10 logging stations. The loggers catalogue content and add appropriate metadata to help with search and retrieval for online users. Logging can happen as soon as the program is ingested, and some programs will be available on the site before they actually air.
Fopma, of TBN, said the iTBN project, nearly two years in the making, could not have been completed as quickly and efficiently as it was without Key Code Media's help. The goal was to spread the religious message as far as they can and to bring it to where people are in their daily lives.
The iTBN service has become an opportunity for TBN to make its vast archive of content on videotape (some in the 2-inch format) available and find new uses for it. Interestingly, unlike many commercial broadcasters, TBN was not interested in monetizing its archives, just giving them new life. Fopma said during the digitization process, they are finding content from the 1970s that has relevance today.
Photos:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-Trinity-Staff.jpg
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-Trinity-Ben-Weber.jpg
Key Code Media, a West Coast system design and integration leader, specializes in converting audio and video assets to multi-format digital formats. Just celebrating its 10th anniversary, Key Code Media was founded in 2001 and consults, supports and sells digital media communication systems with the highest levels of integrity, customer support and service. Key Code Media is an industry leader for end-to-end turn-key systems and installations equally at home in entertainment, broadcast, corporate, educational and government production facilities. Offices are in Burbank, Santa Monica, Irvine, San Francisco, California, and in Seattle, Washington.
For more information, visit http://www.keycodemedia.com
Media Contact: Julie Battaglia at (818) 679-7972
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