In 2019, JamiroBroadcast embarked on a transformative journey by introducing the innovative “MCRPack,” a Master Control Room Solution built on the virtualization concept. This groundbreaking approach, aligned with the modern cloud utility model, has redefined broadcasting as a software-driven business. As exclusive “CINEGY Gold Partners” for the Africa region, JamiroBroadcast, under the guidance of Technical Director Benson Nyaga, has spearheaded the integration of cutting-edge TV Newsroom and MCR solutions, catering to the dynamic needs of customers across the continent.

The MCRPack streamlines the traditional MCR setup, condensing complex and expensive hardware like routers, switchers, and multiviewers into a single, powerful custom-built server with zero SDI interface cards for inputs and outputs. This innovative workflow is adaptable to both new and existing channels, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution. The migration from SDI to IP-based infrastructure is executed gradually, achieving a 100% IP streams registry for MPEG-TS. At the registry server, the management of both Single Program Transport Streams (SPTS) and Multiple Program Transport Streams (MPTS) is seamlessly orchestrated, delivering streams to Multiviewers, Switchers, Routers, and Decoders at the Head-Ends.

Central to this success story is the integration of Cinegy ProCinegy Air PRO, representing the next evolution in broadcast automation and video servers. Departing from traditional monolithic black boxes, Cinegy Air PRO leverages TCP/IP network-attached real-time service appliances, providing a broadcast automation front-end and real-time video server for SD, HD, and/or Ultra HD (4K) playout within an integrated software suite. The collaborative synergy between JamiroBroadcast and CINEGY marks a significant milestone, propelling broadcasting technology forward and ensuring a dynamic, efficient, and future-ready solution for African customers

The installation was conducted at JCC Studio in Bamburi, Mombasa in February 2022 and commissioned after 2 weeks of user training marked with the features below:

1. Playout Module: CinegyAir PRO supports multi-channel playout, including simultaneous playout of several playout channels which can be controlled by a single Cinegy Air PRO control application. A client-Server architecture was deployed to allow playlist creation and control from workstations in the newsroom to the Playout Engine housed in the server room.
2. Graphics Module: Cinegy Titler is the dedicated software-based CG and branding option available for extending Cinegy Air. Cinegy Titler allows the addition of multiple layers of automation-controlled, template-based titles, logos, animated graphics, and more. From simple ticker tapes and lower thirds to multi-layer character animations, Cinegy Titler includes a whole range of advanced effects and features. This module addresses simple requirements such as logo insertion right through to complex branding with templated information and animated video plates.
3. Signal Contribution to Head-End: Cinegy Playout Engine was configured to contribute a MPEG Stream Using SRT protocol to the Head-end in Nairobi using public internet. Cinegy playout supports RTP/UDP and SRT inputs and outputs, which could be configured on unicast or multicast stream depending on the protocol chosen. The solution provides a major saving on 3rdparty encoders required in signal contribution.
4. Outside Broadcast (O.B): Jamiro Broadcast, own streaming Encoder was configured for O.B use by using SRT protocol in live signal contribution from location back to the studio on the public internet. The Encoder Supports up to 4x channels HD encoding using Multiple video resolutions including 2160p, 2160i, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 720i, 480p, and 480i on Baseband SDI using 3G/HD/SD-SDI with the following supported protocols: UDP, RTP/UDP, Multicast/Unicast, HLS, RTMP, SRT streaming, IGMPv2,

Our success story with the CINEGY brand was launched in 2019 by innovating our own “MCRPack” This is Master Control Room Solution that is built on the virtualization concept. With the modern cloud utility model, virtualization turns broadcasting into a software-driven business.

In any standard MCR, you’ll expect to find Hardware Routers, Hardware Switchers, Hardware Multiviewers, etc. All these complex, expensive and sophisticated gear can be reduced into a single box of powerful custom-built servers with zero SDI interface cards for Inputs and outputs. Our Workflow fits both new and existing channels.

We start with migration from SDI to IP-based infrastructure in a gradual, step-by-step manner until we are able to achieve a 100% IP streams registry for MPEG-TS. At the registry server, we are able to manage both SPTS and MPTS and can deliver the streams to Multiviewers, Switchers, Routers, and Decoders at the Head-Ends.

About Cinegy ProCinegy Air PRO is the logical next step in the evolution of broadcast automation and video servers. Gone are the monolithic black boxes, replaced by TCP/IP network-attached real-time service appliances. Cinegy Air PRO provides a broadcast automation front-end and a real-time video server for SD, HD, and/or Ultra HD (4K) playout, in an integrated software suite.

“JamiroBroadcast is an exclusive “CINEGY Gold Partners” for Africa region, providing our customers with cutting edge TV Newsroom and MCR solutions which we integrate to our customers in Africa.” Says Benson Nyaga –Technical Director