BROADCAST automation

These are products for organizing TV broadcasts in analog and digital formats. They can be integrated into systems where various channels of TV signal distribution are involved (terrestrial, satellite, cable, mobile TV, over Ethernet networks). The input-output signal types available are: analog, SDI, MPEG TS over IP or ASI, NDI, HDMI, VGA. They offer reliable, uninterrupted operation 24/7/365.

The products are used at TV stations of the central and regional level to complete a wide range of tasks: creating a TV channel; retransmitting a signal from the head-end station with insertion of additional programs, with a time shift, with overlaid graphics; retransmitting a signal with added advertising blocks. They are also suitable for managing advertising and informational material broadcasting in shopping centers, entertainment complexes, etc.

These products can work as part of a cloud set-up or an on-premises video server. Depending on the type of the signal processed, they will be software or hardware-software systems. If it is necessary to send/receive an analog, SDI, or ASI signal, the product system will include a corresponding I/O board of our own, SoftLab-NSK, production. They install onto a PC with a Windows operating system. One video server can broadcast several TV channels at the same time.

PLAYOUT AND STREAMING

FORWARD TA

Broadcast management
TV signal: live video and video files with title overlay.

TITLE OVERLAY

FORWARD TT

Managing title overlays on a passing TV signal. Contains tools for creating title projects.

TIME SHIFT

FORWARD TP

Managing the rebroadcast of a TV signal with a time shift.

Forward TP – with the ability to reschedule and insert your own programs. Forward TM – only time shift available.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

PLUGINS

Expansion of basic functionality of main products.

removing ADVERTISments

SLADSREMOVER

Server for replacing ads. Removes advertisements in the relayed signal and replaces them with other content. Useful for removing advertisements on foreign channels.

live sPORTs BROADCASTing

Forward Goalkeeper and Forward Sports Titles are used for live broadcasts of sports events. As of 2023, more than 40 SoftLab-NSK systems for sports broadcasts are already operating in television companies and sports organizations in Russia and abroad.

All of the components of the Forward Goalkeeper complex – the video signal input-output boards and the software – are developed and manufactured by one company – SoftLab-NSK. The software and hardware systems are installed onto a Windows system.

SLOW MOTION REPLAys

FORWARD GOALKEEPER

Forward Goalkeeper is used for live multi-channel recording and playback of slow motion replays. Supports up to 24 recording channels. Input/output signal types available: SD/HD/3G/12G SDI, HDMI, NDI, analog. Mixed mode SDI + NDI. Supports Super Slow Motion cameras. Minimum delay between the actual event and the start of the replay. Instantaneous switching between cameras.

SPORTS GRAPHICS

FORWARD SPORTS TITLES

Graphical overlay of live sports broadcasts. Overlay graphics onto a passing signal using the server or, using the Fill + Key mode, on an external mixer.
Up-to-date graphical templates (made according to the requirements of the corresponding leagues), an interface for working with a database and for managing the output of titles, game board integration.
Sports available: hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, handball, MMA, boxing, and more.

VIDEO JUDGING

The Forward Referee system, also known as the SoftLab-NSK Video Goal system, is a software and hardware system designed to assist in the judging of sports competitions by referees at their workplace. The Forward Referee system provides multi-channel recording of the competition and allows judges to record and review contested events in real time as well as prepare video reports on those contested events.

The system is delivered in the form of a complete server within a professional case. Simply connect your camcorders to get started. The system is modified according to the customer’s requirements: from four to 25 input channels; SD/HD/Ultra HD; 3G/6G/12G-SDI, HDMI, NDI or analog signal. External consoles can be used to control video replays. The Forward Referee system reads the game time from the stadium refereeing system.

All of the components of the Forward Referee complex – the video signal input-output boards and the video refereeing software – are developed and manufactured by one company – SoftLab-NSK.

As of March 2023, more than 50 sports arenas in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic and China have installed video refereeing systems based on Forward Referee. The system meets the current requirements of the KHL, VHL, and MHL hockey leagues. Note that the functionality of the Forward Referee is not limited to hockey – it is successfully used for refereeing competitions in other sports.

FORWARD REFEREE

MPTS / SPTS

Splicing products are developed for the digital insertion of regional content (local advertisements and broadcasts) into a television broadcast in a MPEG-2 transport stream. They allow for a seamless insertion without transcoding based on SCTE 30, SCTE 35, SCTE 118 standards.

Products for organizing TV signal transcoding solutions. SoftLab-NSK encoders can receive and convert any standard television signal (analog, SD/HD/3G/UHD-SDI,HDMI, programs in a MPEG TS via ASI or IP) into an MPEG TS stream output via ASI or IP. Decoders can receive a transport stream and then convert and output it in any of the required standard TV formats.

ENCODERS / DECODERS

ENCODERS / DECODERS

The encoder and decoder functionality is also built into the corresponding SoftLab-NSK products for broadcast automation (Broadcasting/Playout and Streaming category). If the signal only needs to be encoded or decoded, however, the specialized product Encoders/Decoders can be used. The most effective use is provided by complexes consisting of multichannel SoftLab-NSK encoders and decoders.

Splicing

HARDWARE SPLICER

Insertion of local content into a 10 program multiplex broadcast via ASI.

The SoftLab-NSK hardware splicer is a rack-mounted device, which includes from one to four (1U case) or 12 (3U case) splicing boards. The boards are designed and manufactured by SoftLab-NSK, the PROFNEXT case is the development of the Profitt company. One board provides the fully automatic insertion of local content into one multiplex of up to 10 programs. The receival and transmission of the transport stream is done via ASI signal. The splicer is controlled and monitored via a Web interface and the SNMPv2 protocol.

splicing

SOFTWARE SPLICER

Insertion of local content into a 10 program multiplex broadcast via IP.

The software splicer #1 is a software package, that is installed onto a PC running Linux. Can be used in cloud systems. It provides the fully automatic insertion of local content into one multiplex of up to 10 programs. The receival and transmission of the transport stream is done via IP signal. The splicer is controlled and monitored via a Web interface and the SNMPv2 protocol.

MEDIA managing

Work with base of video materials and creation of broadcast schedule – the Forward Office product is designed for these purposes. The product allows user to automate receiving and supporting video clips with advertisement, to insert advertisement into TV broadcast schedule for a TV channel, to simplify and to increase efficiency between jointly organized work of the advertising and program departments of a TV company.

The Forward Office software provides with a set of tools for receiving, cataloging and storing video materials and other related to it metadata in a common database. The tools also ensures creating broadcast schedule for a TV channel, preparing daily schedules, receiving reports on broadcast video files, etc.

FORWARD OFFICE

multichannel recording

Multi-camera recording of game shows, concerts, TV shows. Allows for up to 12 input sources without strict requirements for the synchronization and unification of the signal type (analog, SDI, IP, NDI-SD/ HD/3G are allowed in one complex). The recorded content is frame-perfectly synchronized, which makes post-editing as easy as can be.

Forward ingest

LIVE TV

Live studio multi-camera production, recording and live broadcasting. These products are for organizing the filming of news programs and TV programs using virtual scenery, multi-camera recording of game shows and TV shows.

SOFTWARE TV STUDIOS

ALL¹MIX

More than just a software mixer – a TV studio straight out of the box.

FORWARD4SKYPE

Forward4Skype

Converting up to four Skype video conferences into professional HD-SDI format.