Ideal Systems, a leading provider of broadcasting solutions, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) during the pre-show conference at BroadcastAsia Show 2023. The event took place in Singapore and drew significant attention from industry professionals and broadcasters worldwide.
During the conference, Fintan McKiernan, the CEO of Ideal Systems, shed light on the collaboration between Ideal Systems and CTS. McKiernan highlighted the integration of CTS’s video artificial intelligence (AI) technology into Ideal Systems’ existing sports systems and content censorship processes. The partnership aims to revolutionize the broadcasting industry by leveraging advanced AI capabilities to streamline operations and enhance viewer experiences.
One of the key applications of CTS’s video AI technology is in the creation of pre-edits and highlight packages. Sky, a part of the Comcast group, has successfully implemented video AI for these purposes. By extending the technology to non-Comcast companies, CTS allows broadcasters to benefit from their IP and in-house developments.
Content censorship was another area of focus discussed during the conference. McKiernan emphasized the global significance of this topic, particularly in Southeast Asia. The implementation of video AI enables broadcasters to automate the removal of undesirable content from video-on-demand (VOD) assets and live channels. Profanities and inappropriate scenes can now be efficiently filtered out, significantly reducing the need for manual labor-intensive processes.
McKiernan addressed the issue of time delay, explaining that although a slight delay exists, it is comparable to the delay present in the current system. He emphasized that video AI from CTS empowers broadcasters to operate 24/7 with minimal human resources. Previously, numerous individuals were required to monitor multiple channels and audio tracks, but now the process can be streamlined and automated.
The BroadcastAsia Show 2023 officially kicked off on the first day, attracting a multitude of industry leaders. McKiernan showcased the presence of 20 companies at the event, each featuring a product utilizing Network Device Interface (NDI) technology. Ideal Systems has increasingly integrated NDI into their systems, driven by the growing demand from end-users.
McKiernan contrasted the past approach of introducing new technologies to the market with the current trend of end-users driving adoption. He emphasized the appeal of NDI technology, which solves problems for broadcasters more effectively and affordably. The breadth of applications covered by NDI, ranging from ingest and play editing to live sports production and audio management, surprised many industry professionals. The once-perceived ancillary technology is now becoming mainstream, as evidenced by major news organizations such as CNN and CNBC adopting NDI for their news studios.