Imagine Communications is introducing a new approach to content access, management and multiplatform delivery, with the launch of Nexio NewsCraft.
Described as a “high-value, remote-friendly, all-in-one news production solution”, it is designed to enable organisations to work smarter and more efficiently, ensuring every news story gets to air quickly no matter where operators are located.
Nexio NewsCraft provides a feature-rich and intuitive toolkit in a single, highly automated environment that streamlines news production from ingest and preparation to playout and delivery over multiple platforms.
It operates in hybrid SDI/IP architectures, interfaces with newsroom computer systems (NRCS) via a fully implemented MOS interface and allows access to systems on-prem, in the field or from home.
“In talking to news broadcasters around the world, the message was absolutely clear,” explained Steve Reynolds, president at Imagine Communications.
“The overwhelming desire is to be first with an accurate telling of the story – and our new solution will meet that mission-critical requirement hands down.
“Whether for commercial news channels, for government broadcasters, or for public service, the ability to quickly get news to their viewers is of paramount importance and adds real value to their operations.
“We designed Nexio NewsCraft as a seamlessly integrated, software-defined ecosystem that makes implementation simple and the production process more efficient.
“Journalists can tell the best story and producers can get it on air and online quickly. Equally important, we’re able to deliver a full-featured, elegant workflow solution at a competitive price point.”
Nexio NewsCraft incorporates best-of-breed components in highly integrated, virtualised software for implementation on premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid architecture.
“The solution combines MOS-enabled Nexio production servers and IOX shared storage with the easy-to-use GUI and media management capabilities of the EditShare Flow family.
Multiple software tools can be layered on the server architecture, giving wide and fast access to content and empowering journalists by removing technical and operational constraints wherever they access the functionality.
As needed, artificial intelligence tools such as automated metadata extraction can be added to facilitate increased productivity and monetisation of assets.
As a system purpose-built for speed, Nexio NewsCraft enables crash recording to be started with a single button on the control screen; scheduling a recording is as simple as dropping an event in a calendar.
No matter how the content is ingested, material can be played out or edited within seconds of recording starting. Smart, flexible UIs simplify operators’ tasks in-facility or in remote collaborations.
Simple browse controls in the journalist’s workstation allow basic newsroom tasks like topping and tailing and shotlisting and logging, all through intuitive web user interfaces.
Where more sophisticated editing is required, Nexio NewsCraft is fully integrated with third-party tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.
For broadcasters already using Imagine’s Nexio servers, the newsroom functionality can be layered on top.