Video server

A video server is a computer based device (also called a 'host') dedicated to delivering video.

Unlike PCs or Macs, both being multi-application devices, a video server is designed for one purpose; provisioning video, often for broadcasters. A professional grade video server records, stores, and plays back multiple streams of video without any degradation in the video signal. Broadcast quality video servers often store hundreds of hours of compressed audio and video (in different codecs), play out multiple and synchronised simultaneous streams of video, and offer quality interfaces such as SDI for digital video and XLR for balanced analog audio or AES/EBU digital audio and also Time Code. A genlock input is usually provided to provide a means of synchronizing with the house reference clock, thereby avoiding the need for timebase correction and frame synchronization.

Video servers usually offer some type of control interface allowing them to be driven by more sophisticated scheduling or play-listing applications. Popular protocols include VDCP and 9-Pin Protocol.

They can optionally allow recording using the same codec that is used in various editing software packages to prevent any wasted time in transcoding.

Broadcast automation

In the TV broadcast industry, a server is a device used to store broadcast quality images and allows several users to edit stories using the images they contain simultaneously.

The video server can be used in a number of contexts, some of which include:

• News: providing short news video clips as part of a news broadcast as seen on networks like CNN and Fox News).
• Production: enhance live events with instant replays and slow motion and highlights (sport production) (see OB Vans)
• Instruction: delivering course material in video format.
• Public Access: delivering city specific information to residents over a cable system.
• Surveillance: deliver real-time video images of protected sites.
• Entertainment: deliver film trailers or music videos.

Features

Typically, a video server can do the following:

• Ingest of different sources : video cameras (multiple angles), satellite data feeds, disk drives and other video servers. This can be done in different codecs.
• Temporary or definitive storage of these video feeds.
• Maintain a clear structure of all stored media with approriate metadata to allow fast search : name, remarks, rating, date, time code, etc.
• video editing of the different clips
• Transfer those clips to other video servers or playout direclty (via IP interface or SDI)

Generally, they have several bi directional channels (record and ingest) for video and audio. A perfect synchronisation is necessary between those channels to manage the feeds.

Video Surveillance

In the surveillance context, an IP video server converts analog video signals into IP video streams. The IP video server can stream digitized video over IP networks in the same way that an IP Camera can. Because an IP Video server uses IP protocols, it can stream video over any network that IP can use, including via a modem for access over a phone or ISDN connection. With the use of a video server attached to an analog camera, the video from an existing surveillance system can be converted and networked into a new IP surveillance system.

In the video security industry a video server is a device to which one or more video sources can be attached. Video servers are used to give existing analog systems network connectivity. Video servers are essentially transmission/ telemetry / monitoring devices. Viewing is done using a web browser or in some cases supplied software. These products also allow the upload of images to the internet or direct viewing from the internet. In order to upload to the internet an account with an ISP (internet service provider) may be required. Manufacturers of video servers [1] include well known names in the global security industry such as Sony, Honeywell Security, Bosch Security, Axis Communications and Videor Technical.

See also

• Broadcast automation and playout
• Centralcasting

External links

• BLT Multichannel Broadcast Video Server for professional television production
• aPlay.tv VDCP-controlled video servers for broadcast television stations
• Compunicate HDTV video server with multi formats for broadcasting and IPTV