Innovation in the
Multi-Screen World
The Power of Morpheus
Morpheus delivers the most
powerful, flexible and scalable
broadcast automation solution
on the market today and can
seamlessly evolve from a single
channel to a multi-channel, multicustomer playout solution, as
business requirements change.
Morpheus ICE
The Integrated Content Engine
ICE, the latest addition to the
Morpheus family provides a
cost-effective channel delivery
platform, extending Morpheus’
reach to an even wider variety of
applications.
ICE has been developed specifically as
an integral part of the Morpheus suite of
solutions, and brings together video server,
graphics, switchers, channel branding,
captioning and subtitling, in a convenient
package, all managed by Morpheus
Automation.
For startup channels, Morpheus
automation and ICE offers a low cost entry
level solution, and the inherent flexibility
and scalability to grow and develop
systems in line with the business.
Capable of HD and SD support ICE can
accommodate up to 4 video channels in a
3U form factor.
Increasingly ICE is being used as a cost
effective building block for distributed
operations supporting such activities
as regional program management and
remote disaster recovery.
ICE supports a wide range of file formats,
delivering the benefit of integration with
existing workflow processes without the
need to transcode media.
And, as new business challenges present
themselves, it’s reassuring to know that
Morpheus automation and ICE can adapt
and grow to meet them.
Simple to set up and configure, ICE can be
used as a complete stand-alone channel
or a component of a more sophisticated
system.
Where cost effective expansion for multichannel Morpheus systems is required,
ICE has a key role to play in many areas
including: bringing new HD channels to
air quickly and cheaply, providing back up
channels for peace of mind, regional opt
outs to brand and play out local content,
and the seamless introduction of flexible
plus 1 channels to generate additional
revenue.
Morpheus ICE - a
cost-effective channel
delivery platform
with the excellence of
Morpheus automation
Innovation in the
Multi-Screen World
Morpheus Automation & Media
Management Control Suite
The Flexibility of ICE
Each ICE unit can be supplied with up
to 4 inputs and 4 outputs which can
be assigned to a multitude of fuctions
for extreme flexibility.
Internally ICE has assignable mixers
which simplify the management of
DSKs and audio overs.
Morpheus ICE Channel Delivery Platform
Live Studio
Multiple audio and video inputs to
the DSKs and audio overs, enable the
automation to schedule 3D animated
logos, graphics, text straps and voice
overs.
Abc123
Graphics
Logo insertion
DVE
ICE has 4 internal video decoders.
All storage and decoder ports are
file format independent ensuring
that content can be exchanged with
servers from 3rd party manufacturers.
HD Player
X
Switcher
Internally, ICE has up to 4 mixers
allowing the automation to control
up to 4 different TV channels from
a single unit for greater channel
density.
Automatic linear upscaling of non-HD
material ensures that SD content can
be integrated seamlessly.
Resilient storage - ICE has internal
RAID 10 storage available in 1.8 and
3.6TB options.
HD Player
Logoinsertion
insertion
Logo
Push or Pull Transfers
with WAN intelligence
Morpheus ICE system showing a main channel with regional opt-out
ICE Applications
Cost effective expansion for multichannel Morpheus systems
ICE can be used as both a standalone
playout subsystem and alongside
conventional transmission chains to
provide a wider range of SD and HD
configurations. Being fully integrated
with Morpheus automation, means the
associated costs of scheduling and content
preparation can be minimized. Device
integration, monitoring and control are also
streamlined.
HD channels
ICE reduces the cost and complexity for
HD channels allowing them to benefit
from the very latest technology to create
a full HD or hybrid SD / HD playout
channel. Including the play out of multiformat SD and HD material back-to-back
in a single playlist.
Content preparation using ICE QC and
preview
As channels become more complex it’s
important to be able to QC content
throughout the workflow often with
graphics and channel branding in-place.
ICE provides a flexible QC viewing port
which can replicate channel look and feel.
Back up channels
ICE enables cost effective n+1 type back
up, and as it is directly integrated with
Morpheus the setting up additional
drivers, content transfers and alarms
for the back up air chains are greatly
simplified.
A single ICE unit can protect up to 4 SD
or 2 HD channels.
Flexible Plus 1 Channels
Plus 1 channels are being added
increasingly to core services as a means
of generating additional revenue in later
time slots. Frequently the customer needs
more than just a time delay, often a
whole new schedule is required. The
combination of Morpheus automation
and ICE provides integrated channel
branding and commercial insertion
necessary to maximize revenue from the
offset timeslot.
A Cost Effective Building Block for
Distributed Operations
Using Morpheus at the center or “hub” site
and Morpheus & ICE at the remote or
“spoke” sites it’s possible to configure the
system’s architecture for maximum
resilience.
Transmission
Abc123
Main channel
Region
Preview Channels
ICE can be used to play out previews on
one or more channels and frees up the
regular, more costly channels to deliver
premium content.
Regional Opt Outs
ICE offers a cost effective option for
regional opt outs, for example when the
master channel reaches a commercial
break, ICE can be utilised to brand and
playout local commercial material for
multiple regions.
Future Proofing Start-up Channels
Morpheus automation and ICE can be
configured to provide a low cost solution
with all of the necessary functionality
needed for a simple stand alone channel.
And as the channel grows and develops in
complexity, the system can be scaled to
match those requirements, ensuring that
the client only has to pay for what they
need, when they need it.
Distributed architectures such as this offer
flexible points for monitoring, ingest,
content management and distribution
as well as support applications such as
regional program management and remote
disaster recovery.
This model can also give centrally located
operators the ability to manage multiple
live content streams and variations in play
out schedules for multiple time zones.
Regional Program Management
In addition to the ability to opt in and
out of national feeds, ICE can simplify
regional program management by
supporting the management, branding,
ingest and play out of regional material.
Remote Disaster Recovery
ICE can provide low cost remote disaster
recovery by storing a cached or protected
copy of the relevant content and run
playlists at the remote location.
This protects content by creating another
copy closer to the point of distribution
enabling more flexible operations.
MediaBallTM
The unique and powerful MediaBallTM
technology allows a collection of subevents to be grouped together and
managed as a single entity. Graphics,
subtitles, DVEs and voiceovers can all
be linked, and there is no limit to the
number and type of sub-event that can
be included in a MediaBallTM.
A MediaBallTM can be scheduled as if it
were a single timed program event.
Innovation in the
Multi-Screen World
Support
Snell provides a host of world
class customer services that take
our clients from the inception of
a project, through all of the key
stages to air, and throughout the
system’s working life.
Services include:
Workflow Analysis
Systems Architecture
Implementation
Operational Training
On-going Support
For more information, please
contact us at snellgroup.com
ICE Advanced Features
File Format Support
ICE supports a wide range of SD & HD file
formats delivering the benefit of seamless
integration with existing workflow
processes without the need to transcode
media.
ICE supports different file formats back to
back in the same schedule.
HD Support
ICE supports both 720p and 1080i formats.
File Transfer Integration
ICE is fully integrated with Morpheus Media
Management for the automated transfer of
files from other system wide storage devices
such as video servers, archive devices, etc.
Subtitling
Multi-lingual World Standard Teletext
subtitles are supported and can be inserted
into the VBI of the program output.
Closed Captions
ICE can accept the main industry-standard
closed caption formats.
Track Tagging
When used in conjunction with Morpheus’
track tagging function, the automation
is able to schedule which audio essence
should be played on which audio output
track, subject to the file format being
used. If the same file is being played
simultaneously on all 4 ports, they can
all be played out with a different audio
configuration e.g. with a different language.
Multiple Graphics Format Support
Static or animated logos are supported in a
wide variety of formats.
Ordering Information
Please contact Snell sales or your
local Snell agent for order codes.
File Formats Supported by ICE
Encoding formats
Ingest
DV25
DVCPRO-25
DVCPRO-50
DVCPRO-100
MPEG-2 IMX D10 30/40/50 Mb
XDCAM HD 4:2:2 50MB
MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:0
MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:2
Decoding formats- back to back
File import and playout
DV25
DVCPRO-25
DVCPRO-50
DVCPRO-100
MPEG-2 IMX D10 30/40/50 MB
XDCAM HD 4:2:2 50MB
MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:0
MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:2
MPEG-2 I Frame 4:2:0
MPEG-2 I Frame 4:2:2
Company policy is one of continuous product
improvement. Specifications are therefore provisional
and subject to change without notice. All other
trademarks mentioned herein are duly acknowledged.
snellgroup.com
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