Intuitive GUI and Ease of Customization Tilt the Scales in Favor of Actus for DPG Media with Support from Diginet

 BOSTON, MA — August 22, 2023 — DPG Media, leading media group in Belgium, Netherlands’ largest media company with a significant presence in Denmark, has transitioned to the AI-based Intelligent Monitoring Platform from Actus Digital for regulatory compliance recording/monitoring  after nearly a decade with a competitive system.

In addition to compliance recording/monitoring and SCTE-based dynamic ad insertion and verification, DPG Media’s new Actus system includes EPG (Electronic Program Guide) integration, browser-based multiviewer, and loudness monitoring. The sale and implementation were closely supervised by Belgian A/V dealer DigiNet.

When the engineering staff at DPG Media went looking for a new monitoring and compliance system at IBC 2022, UI ease of use and global offices with 24/7 support were top-of-mind considerations. “We did an exhaustive search,” says Stijn Mertens, Team Lead Broadcast Playout, DPG Media. “Many of the monitoring systems were full of features but complicated, which is fine for the engineering team, but not for other employees working with the platform every day. We wanted a system that would not only meet our requirements but provide the best results. With the Actus platform, the user interface is extremely intuitive. We were confident the transition for our staff would be smooth. And even though it’s easy to use, the platform is feature rich. Given Actus’ continuous development on the product, our capabilities will only expand.”

Actus has a dual server set up for redundancy. The two servers represent a significant reduction in hardware for DPG. The software development required and Actus’ willingness to provide necessary updates was another huge factor in the company’s favor.

Actus developed customized SCTE integration for DPG. For their application, DPG needed to search within SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 tables. Actus developed a customized, advanced filtering option on SCTE-104 and SCTE-35 messages for monitoring reporting and analysis. “After talking to Actus about our need for SCTE reporting, they quickly agreed to add our requirements to their system,” says Martens. “We can now search more precisely and filter the data of the SCTE report.”

Previously, DPG had a single sign on (SSO) authentication process based on LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). Actus implemented SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) authentication which interfaces with DPG’s companywide SSO system. The new system also provides an MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) step, making the current integration much more secure than the previous LDAP-based integration. The DPG team are still able to manage users in the company’s active directory.

“Implementing the SAML authentication was a first for Actus,” explains Karl Imbrechts, Product Manager at Diginet working with Actus as reseller. “And they knocked it out of the park the first time. The support of the Actus development team provided exactly what DPG asked for, with 24/7 support and constant communication throughout the process. It was all very reassuring to the DPG folks.”

“Now, we have highly secure connections, and it doesn’t matter where the person is or what device they’re using,” adds Mertens. “They can immediately be verified as an official DPG user. Adding new users or disabling employees who leave the company is a simple addition to or removal from our Active Directory. The Directory update automatically rolls into the compliance system to either block or add access to the user.”

With the flexibility of the Actus Intelligent Monitoring Platform, each customer can select only the options they need, while still benefiting from the centralization of monitoring from an all-in-one platform. DPG Media is looking into utilizing the system’s OTT logging and monitoring, browser-based multiviewer, and audio/video loss alarms in the future. Introduced as part of the Intelligent Monitoring Platform’s new Version 9.0, OTT StreamWatch is the first product that makes it economically feasible to monitor FAST, IPTV, and OTT streaming channels throughout the entire workflow. In addition to 24/7 quality assurance, it provides compliance logging, OTT stream monitoring, and aircheck recording of native HLS and other OTT ABR streams. Also included within the new Version 9.0 of the Actus compliance logging and Intelligent Monitoring Platform are more AI-enabled options, such as speech-to-text and translation to any language. This is particularly beneficial for news monitoring, allowing searches for specific keywords and quick and accurate audio and video analysis.

The Mosaic multiviewer enables users to view all channels from one large screen, so it’s easy to identify any issues and errors on content in real time. It can be controlled remotely via a network, allowing the user to dynamically manage, adjust and monitor feeds from any location. The multiviewer supports any mix of broadcast and internet input, in any format, at any resolution (including mixture of OTT and broadcast signals). The layout of the feeds on the output display can be customized and saved for future use. 

The Loudness module lets operators maintain continuous measurements, which identify program loudness, loudness range, and average audio level. The loudness measurements, combined with broadcast compliance logging, allow users to quickly review the status and provide continuous, exportable measurements as proof of compliance and coverage against loudness complaints.

“DPG Media is a truly innovative media company that we’re thrilled to support,” says Sima Levy, CEO of Actus Digital. “Their selection of our platform and appreciation of our feature rich platform and yet, ease of use, combined with our ability to provide the customizations DPG has asked for and great support, all makes us proud each time. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with DPG as we continue to expand our capabilities in a way that best meets their needs and benefits our overall customer base.”

To meet with Actus in person during IBC 2023 (Hall 7, booth B44) or to schedule an online demonstration, visit https://actusdigital.com/events/tradeshows/. 

Actus’ Intelligent Monitoring Platform Supports Numerous Broadcast Use Cases, Including Compliance Recording, Technical and OTT Monitoring, and Advanced Clips Creation

BOSTON — Dec. 15, 2022 — Actus Digital, the premiere solutions provider for broadcast compliance logging, quality monitoring, alerting, advanced editing, content repurposing, and AI-based workflows, announced today that Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based regional television channel Al Aan TV is utilizing the company’s intelligent monitoring platform. The Actus platform provides Al Aan TV with a highly adaptable and future-proof solution for compliance recording, content monitoring, advanced clips creation and export, and more, helping the broadcaster to increase viewer engagement and assure a high quality of service (QoS) for one of the leading Arabic channels in the Middle East.

“Our legacy broadcast monitoring system had reached its end of life, and we needed to find a replacement that was robust, reliable, and flexible to support our evolving requirements and provide solutions that not only support the requirements of the technical department but also those of other departments such as the digital media and OTT,” said Cesar Eid, deputy head of technical operations at Al Aan TV. “Actus Digital’s platform provides us with a feature-rich solution that supports countless capabilities beyond compliance and technical monitoring. The Actus platform enables us to rapidly turn around new content and increases our workflow efficiencies while also being intuitive and easy to use. Based on our success, we are looking to expand the solution in the near future as we add more channels and functionalities.”

Actus’ compliance and monitoring software is hardware-agnostic, enabling Al Aan TV to deploy the platform on existing, on-premises servers. The implementation was achieved in record time, thanks to Actus Digital’s comprehensive deployment expertise, training, and 24/7 support.

The Actus platform offers a wider range of features compared with traditional broadcast monitoring systems, including a multiviewer functionality that allows Al Aan TV to review a mix of over-the-air and OTT sources on a single large screen. The browser-based multiviewer provides Al Aan TV a bird’s eye view of QoS issues, speeding up error resolution, while offering remote access with super-low latency and simple layout customizations. Al Aan TV is also using the Actus Clip Factory PRO to quickly repurpose content for online distribution. The Actus platform provides Al Aan TV with advanced editing and exporting options, allowing fast content publishing to boost viewer engagement.

“Over the last decade, Al Aan TV has grown and evolved in order to meet viewers’ demands for exceptional-quality news and entertainment content,” said Sima Levy, CEO at Actus Digital. “We’re excited to help Al Aan TV expand with an all-in-one, best-of-breed solution that addresses all of their compliance recording, content monitoring, clips creation requirements, and so much more, in a single platform.”

Feature-Rich Platform Goes Beyond Traditional Compliance Logging to Simplify Advanced Media Clipping

BOSTON — August 05, 2022 — Actus Digital, the premiere broadcast compliance logging, quality monitoring and alerting, advanced editing and content repurposing, and AI-based workflow solutions company, announced today that RTV Slovenija, Slovenia’s national public broadcaster, has deployed the company’s intelligent monitoring platform for tasks beyond traditional compliance. RTV Slovenija is using the Actus platform to simplify the creation, editing, and publishing of media clips (Clip Factory PRO) and Speeds Up Content Clipping. The Actus platform eliminates the need for professional video editors or old legacy editing systems, reducing costs and complexity for RTV Slovenija.

Actus Clip Factory PRO enables RTV Slovenija to quickly repurpose content for its VOD platform and news website. The Actus platform provides RTV Slovenija with advanced editing and exporting options, allowing fast content publishing to boost viewer engagement. In addition, the Actus platform allows the broadcaster to include and exclude segments for clips, add metadata and graphics pre- and post-roll, and select relevant profiles to speed up the clipping process. Utilizing the Actus platform, RTV Slovenija records its national and regional channels in full HD, maintaining high video quality. The system includes a mix of both SDI and IP video.

“Actus Clip Factory PRO offers an easy-to-use workflow for editing, clipping, and content repurposing,” said Ancimer Anze, head of digital media at RTV Slovenija. “We have been using Actus Clip Factory PRO for several years and recently upgraded to the latest HTML5-based platform. Both platforms are reliable and user-friendly, allowing us to publish our content both online and on our VOD platform, quickly and efficiently.”

Furthermore, the Actus platform allows RTV Slovenija to select a program from the electronic program guide (EPG), identify and automatically remove all commercials, and then publish the concatenated program using the same branding and transcoding settings from the saved profiles. Clips are created in multiple renditions based on the EPG, with extra metadata.

“We are thrilled that RTV Slovenija has renewed its trust in the next-gen Actus platform,” said Sima Levy, CEO at Actus Digital. “RTV Slovenija is an excellent example of how our intelligent monitoring platform goes beyond compliance logging, providing broadcasters with a one-stop-shop solution for content repurposing and creating digital media clips.”

Actus Digital will demonstrate its intelligent monitoring platform at IBC2022, Sept. 9-12 in Amsterdam, at stand 7.B40. More information about Actus Digital’s platform is available at www.actusdigital.com.

Actus Platform Offers Rich Features, Including Compliance and Logging, Content Monetization, Competitive Analysis, Technical Monitoring, Alerts, and Ad Detection

BOSTON — April 12, 2022 — Actus Digital, the premiere quality monitoring and alerting, compliance logging, content repurposing workflow solution company, announced today that MediaHub Australia is deploying its intelligent monitoring platform as part of a new mux-based DTT broadcast headend. Using the Actus platform, MediaHub can record and store multiple proxy channels, as well as perform transcoding on native transport streams. Magna Systems and Engineering, a distributor and systems integrator serving the APAC region, is providing MediaHub Australia with deployment expertise, local technology, and technical support.

“Our monitoring and compliance requirements are constantly evolving, and we needed a solution that is reliable and packed with functionality,” said Simon Scott, executive head of technology at MediaHub Australia. “We chose the Actus platform for its feature-rich toolset and the company’s history of successful deployments by leading broadcasters around the world. The Actus platform meets all of our post-broadcast requirements today, while offering us room to grow in the future.”

MediaHub provides hundreds of broadcast and live streaming services to television audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. With the Actus best-of-breed platform, the broadcaster can perform a wide range of tasks including compliance logging, content monetization, competitive analysis, technical monitoring, alerts, AI integration, and ad detection. Initially, MediaHub will use the Actus platform to record and store 18 proxy channels for 132 services, leveraging the Actus transcoding feature and three native TS totaling 650 GB. In addition, MediaHub will use production solution metrics provided by Actus.

Magna will serve as an invaluable on-the-ground resource in deploying the new Actus platform. As the Actus system is further integrated into the new broadcast headend, Magna will provide MediaHub with local and front-line support comprehensively backed by Actus’ 24/7 global support operation.

“We’re excited to partner with MediaHub Australia, a technology-driven company that is at the forefront of the broadcast industry,” said Sima Levy, CEO of Actus Digital. “At the heart of MediaHub’s new headend, the Actus platform will drive workflow efficiency and enable increased monetization. As MediaHub Australia’s needs change, the Actus platform will support all use cases.”

Actus will demonstrate version 8 of its intelligent monitoring platform at NAB, April 23-27, in booth C2331. More information about Actus Digital’s broadcast monitoring platform is available at www.actusdigital.com.

Comprehensive Broadcast Monitoring Platform Supports a Wide Range of Important Tasks, Speeding Up Media Workflows

BOSTON — Feb. 10, 2021 — Actus Digital, a leading provider of broadcast compliance and monitoring solutions, today announced that The Weather Channel television network is using Actus Digital’s broadcast monitoring platform to perform a wide range of mission-critical tasks. Replacing an existing system, the enterprise version of Actus Digital’s platform ensures superior video and audio quality for The Weather Channel while complying with mandatory industry requirements for its linear and OTT channels.

“A thorough analysis of the different broadcast monitoring offerings available in the market today led us to Actus Digital as the solution best suited to our needs,” said Michael Smereski, Vice President of Broadcast Engineering at The Weather Channel. “Performing tasks beyond mere compliance, the Actus Digital platform serves our broadcast monitoring needs now and will support us in the future with enhanced new workflows for content repurposing and AI integration.”

Actus Digital’s platform goes beyond the capabilities of traditional broadcast monitoring systems. It supports mandatory compliance features such as SCTE-104/35, loudness, closed captions, and NAVE while providing The Weather Channel with real-time alerts on a host of A/V impairments. Using multiple load-balancing servers, the platform ensures uninterrupted, redundant, and timely response for users. The platform is also fully integrated with The Weather Channel’s automation system, expanding content search and navigation and allowing the broadcaster to accurately track the loudness of each asset. To enhance system security and user authentication, the platform is fully integrated with OKTA sign-on.

The Actus Digital system allows The Weather Channel to record content at high bitrates and resolutions, enabling the network to edit and export high-quality clips to a variety of destinations.

“The Weather Channel is the most trusted news source in the U.S., and we are thrilled to add them to our roster of customers,” said Gary Learner, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Actus Digital. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration on future enhancements to address their evolving compliance, monitoring, and content repurposing requirements, as well as adding new use cases to the deployed platform.”

Actus Digital is a global company based in the United States, with offices in Europe and Asia. The company is committed to providing 24/7 local sales support, world-class customer service, and a roadmap for future platform enhancements.

Datos Media Technologies has been in charge of integrating a legal copy recording and monitoring system with cloud availability based on Actus Digital technology at Televisión Española.

Sima Levy, CEO of Actus, highlights that “we have seen that customers started migrating to cloud-based solutions before the pandemic which has accelerated the process, as people had to work remotely most of the time. We are pleased that RTVE is happy with the services that the Actus platform is delivering.”

The Actus system works in any environment: on-premises, VM, cloud or hybrid. This is completely transparent to end users who are accessing the system from anywhere, anytime and from any workstation. The solution is a fully redundant system with the highest standards, assuring no loss of media.

In this case, the Actus Digital platform is configured to record DTT and satellite channels simultaneously. The availability of the video is more than 6 months, with the possibility to access the system through the cloud for monitoring, creating clips, export, and comply with all the regulatory requirements.

Actus cloud implementation allows the users to access the system from anywhere and from any workstation.

The system also includes different options to monitor each of the recording signals and generate alerts in case of signal absence, black screen, image freezing, no audio, missing metadata and more. It also includes Loudness reports with export options.

Rafael Zapadiel, Sales of Datos Media, points out that “given the needs of accessibility, storage time and security, we have decided to opt for Actus Digital’s technology. It is the best option for recording channels simultaneously and without interruptions. TVE has more than 50 users that access the system at the same time. The acceptance by the end users has been very good, highlighting the excellent quality of the video and audio, the system reliability, the UI richness and the intuitive interface.

Replacing End-of-Life Volicon System, Comprehensive Software-Based Platform Supports Compliance, Logging, Recording, Monitoring, Archiving, Clips Creation, and Audience Measurement Analysis

BOSTON — Oct. 7, 2020 — Actus Digital, a leading provider of broadcast compliance and monitoring solutions, today announced that Colombian television network Caracol has deployed the company’s broadcast monitoring platform for compliance, logging, and a wide range of other mission-critical tasks. Using Actus Digital’s monitoring platform, Caracol can ensure superior video and audio quality while complying with industry requirements — including loudness regulations — to go beyond the capabilities of traditional systems.

“The broadcast industry is evolving at a rapid pace, and we need to work faster and more efficiently,” said Jorge Pinilla, director of broadcast at Caracol. “Actus Digital’s monitoring platform provides us with extensive functionalities for compliance and beyond — from HD clips editing and exporting to advanced rating analysis. We particularly appreciate the simple and intuitive user interface that enables anyone in our facility, not just our professional video editors, to turn around clips from any workstation.”

Using Actus Digital’s broadcast monitoring platform, Caracol can record and monitor any number of audio and video streams from any input, ensuring compliance with closed caption, teletext, subtitle, audio track, and loudness requirements. Actus Digital’s monitoring system records video from various inputs in full HD, allowing Caracol to rapidly export high-resolution clips. The solution also includes Actus Clip Factory, a simple and intuitive workflow for creating, editing, and exporting clips to social media, OTT platforms, the web, FTP, or any other destination.

In addition, Caracol is using Actus Digital’s platform to optimize audience measurement analysis. Through Actus Digital Rating Analyzer, Caracol receives an interactive graphical presentation of rating data, ensuring accurate recommendations, better program planning, and superior ad placement.

“When Caracol’s previous Volicon system reached end of life, it needed a monitoring platform that would improve the efficiency of its workflow,” said Raphael Renous, chief technology officer of Actus Digital. “With Actus Digital’s solution, Caracol can now enjoy compliance, recording, monitoring, archiving, and clips creation from a single platform, drastically improving its workflow efficiencies while reducing costs and gaining long-term reliability.”

More information about Actus Digital’s broadcast monitoring platform is available here

About Actus Digital

Actus Digital is the global leading provider of compliance and intelligent media monitoring solutions addressing a multitude of media enterprise compliance and monitoring requirements. Since 2005, over 500 customers worldwide have chosen Actus Digital systems to comply with their regulation requirements. With 24/7 content recording from a variety of inputs, including TS/IP, SMPTE ST 2110, SDI, ASI, HLS, MPEG-DASH, RTMP, and DVB, Actus Digital addresses both linear and OTT broadcasting needs. Must-have compliance features such as closed captions, loudness, SCTE 35/104, NAVE, DVB subtitles, teletext, OPI 47, multiple audio tracks, multiviewer, alerts and TS analysis, are also part of the Actus Digital platform. Other cross-organizational options include ratings analysis, advanced clips creation for content repurposing to social media, and AI-enabled content detection and speech to text. Actus Digital has offices in the USA, Europe, and Asia, ensuring 24/7 support to any customer in any time zone.

Actus has announced that TrueVisions, Thailand’s leading cable and satellite television operator, has expanded its Actus digital video recording and compliance solution in its direct-to-home (DTH) platform.

“The first Actus systems we have installed were for capturing our SDI feeds for compliance purposes, for being able to monitor the feeds from any date and time and for easily create and export clips. We have expanded the system and now it also records our Transport Streams and we can monitor all the video feeds from one unified user’s interface” said Roengrit Sereejumroenrojn, Director of Engineering at True Visions. “Actus system is scalable and we added the additional TS recording fast and easy”.

“We use our compliance system not only to fulfill the regulatory requirements but also to provide TrueVisions users an intuitive Web Based UI to search, retrieve and export clips. Actus Alert Center is used as a verification tool for our quality of service as it sends real time alert on any audio or video issue in the aired content via mail or SNMP traps. ,” said Raphael Renous, Actus CTO. “As Actus platform includes a variant of modules, it allows TureVision to use a mandatory system for additional requirements, increasing the justification and cost saving of Actus solution.”

About TrueVision

True Vision is a biggest cable CATV and satellite television DSTV operator in Thailand to a provide subscription pay-television service with the new HD set-top box launched since October 2011. True Vision restored the Premier League content through beIN Sports, the Qatar base sports network, aired 6 beIN sport channels in 2016, and also coffered customers with premium subscription three HD channels and PVR set-top box both CATV and DSTV subscribers over fifty-six HD channels, and also True Film HD channel movies in a Side-By-Side 3 D format , 4K UHD channels 2018 FIFA Work Cup live matches, and TrueID TV services offers its customers more viewing options on any mobile device.

About Actus Digital

Actus Digital is a leading provider of enterprise media intelligence platform, for broadcast monitoring, compliance and for clips creation for social and OTT. Actus solutions are designed for broadcasters, networks, cable and IPTV operators, and governments. Actus compliance platform is a cost-effective solution for regulators requirements, including closed caption and loudness. Actus clip factory solution includes editing and distribution of clips to Web, social media, VOD, OTT and Catchup TV.

Brussels, August, 2018. Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) is an audiovisual public service company belonging to the SSR (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) media group, which offers programs on four -radio channels, two TV channels and numerous digital platforms. RTS live content is also published to the web portal.

As part of a modernization process, RTS wished to establish a more innovative, efficient and friendly content management system. One of its goals was to improve the clips creation workflow for publishing RTS content to the web portal and social media.

Actus Digital was selected as the platform that records RTS channels and provides a web-based interface for monitoring the content as well as for editing clips, add metadata and export the clips. The solution is Actus Clip Factory: it can be used from any workstation, from anywhere, by anyone.

“The Actus system ingests video plan guides and metadata, receives RTS live streams, records, stores temporary the video and allows the viewers to segment and document the content, both live and from the archive. The Actus Clip Factory editing tool allows the users to monitor and edit the videos, add metadata, create and publish quickly the clips to the new media platforms” said Jean-Paul Persiali, Product Owner, RTS. “The editing work is performed on standard PCs or MAC without requiring any installation, using Actus’ web-based HTML5 platform. With Actus system we do not need professional editors to create the clips as the workflow is very intuitive and simple. We have significantly improved our turnaround from live to the content publication. Actus Clip Factory is now part of our Service-Orientated Architecture (SOA) by RTS. Therefore, other RTS services can also benefit of this product.”

“We are happy that RTS has chosen Actus Clip Factory and appreciated Actus capabilities of integration and customizations (needed for RTS) according to its needs, said Raphael Renous, Actus CTO. “In order for RTS to have one integrated solution, we integrated our Clip Factory with several automation systems as well as with transcoding farms. All the live clipping of sport, news, weather, talk shows, is done in full HD quality and in multiple locations. Additionally, Actus metadata automation and as Run log files integration gives RTS easy segmentation of the content and faster uploading to their web site.”

About RTS

Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) (www.rts.ch), an audiovisual company belonging to the SSR SRG group, develops its public service programmes on four radio channels, two TV channels and several interactive platforms. Headquartered in Geneva and Lausanne, RTS has an office in each French-speaking canton as well as correspondents in Bern, Zurich, Lugano and the main capitals abroad. RTS programmes are aimed at the Swiss francophone public, mainly located in the so-called ‘Suisse Romande’ with its 2 millions inhabitants. Many TV shows from the RTS, starting with the daily news, are broadcast worldwide via TV5 World. The same applies to all radio broadcasts produced by the RTS, freely accessible from its websites in all territories. With an annual budget of 380 million francs and nearly 2,000 staff, RTS is a leading audiovisual company in its market, both in radio and television. It offers a wide range of programmes that are accessible to all, while respecting its public service mandate.

About Actus Digital

Actus Digital is a leading provider of enterprise media intelligence platform, for broadcast monitoring, compliance and for clips creation for social and OTT. Actus solutions are designed for broadcasters, networks, cable and IPTV operators, and governments. Actus compliance platform is a cost-effective solution for regulators requirements, including closed caption and loudness. Actus clip factory solution includes editing and distribution of clips to Web, social media, VOD, OTT and Catchup TV.

La cadena suiza Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) eligió la solución Actus Digital de Actus para grabar sus canales y proveer una interfaz basada en web que monitoree el contenido y facilite la edición de clips con metadata y capacidad de exportación.