AMC Networks International CNE

Laszlo Szabados

AMC Networks International CNE is a major playout operator in the Central and Northern Europe region with an impressive lineup of over 30 TV channels. In a strategic shift, AMC Networks International CNE has transitioned from outsourcing encoding and multiplexing services to establishing its own headend and servicing customers directly via a data center. Since the deployment of DataMiner in 2015 as an OEM solution from ATEME, the company has continually upgraded and extended its capabilities.

AMC has two main goals:

• The monitoring of remote production lines
• The monitoring and controlling of headend equipment

AMC Networks International CNE is licensed for over 30 devices and currently uses 8 connectors.

USE CASE DETAILS

Remote production lines

The key focus of AMC Networks International CNE is the production of commentary for live events that are broadcast on foreign channels. The orchestration of this process relies on a network of devices, including contribution encoders (ATEME), contribution decoders (ATEME), and network switches (CISCO Catalyst).

It is of key importance to ensure the health of each device, closely monitoring for any deviations from optimal performance. This is where DataMiner is indispensable. The collection and monitoring of alarms is another key factor, with a spotlight on issues such as fan failures and network connectivity problems.

Headend

AMC also manages the encoding, transcoding, multiplexing, and stream analysis of TV channels. At the core of this operation are the following devices:

- Distribution encoders and transcoders (ATEME)
- Multiplexers (ATEME)
- Network switches (Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Nexus)
- SDI A/V router (Imagine Communications)
- Stream probes (Bridgetech, Sencore)

Again, DataMiner plays an important role in this overall process by enabling the constant health monitoring of each device and by collecting all alarms. Noteworthy is the implementation of N+1 redundancy for encoders and transcoders, ensuring uninterrupted service. In this case, top alarms include input source issues and network connectivity problems.

Headend redundancy

Ensuring uninterrupted broadcasts, AMC Networks International CNE employs an N+1 schema. Critical alarms are defined, including timeout, input loss, and output interfaces down. Using DataMiner's Automation scripts, these alarms trigger an automatic switch to a backup unit. This involves the following steps:

- The service configuration is copied from the affected main device to the backup device.
- The SDI A/V outputs are routed to the backup inputs.
- Services are initiated on the backup device.
- Services on the main device are muted if possible.
- A custom notification email is sent out to all operators.
- A configurable manual switchback option adds an extra layer of control.

Everyday usage

In AMC Networks International CNE's everyday operations, operators receive targeted email notifications through customized filters, ensuring swift attention to specific factors. Each morning kicks off with a daily report, summarizing all alarms for a quick overview. This experience is streamlined with a single user interface, catering to both Master Control Room (MCR) operators and broadcast engineers.