The Starz Encore technical plant can be conceptualized as two separate but interacting facilities: Production Operations and Air Operations. Production Operations include eighteen digital edit suites, ten graphic suites, and three audio post suites. Air Operations are responsible for the continuous real time origination of thirty separate program streams (fifteen “channels” each with independent East and West coast branding and timing). These feeds are continuously monitored in a large, two tiered master control room. In order that the feeds are overseen without technical compromise, major use has been made of automated stream monitoring systems. The system is designed to monitor and alarm on failure of video, audio (multi-language, Dolby E, and AC-3), closed captioning and transmission path failure. Error messages are displayed immediately and dynamically on the multichannel multiplexed display screens. Only two operators and one supervisor are typically required to oversee daily master control operations.
Contact:
Ray Milius
VP for Technology
