Brazilian public broadcaster Rede Minas, serving the state of Minas Gerais, has significantly upgraded its playout infrastructure with a complete software-defined solution from Pebble. The upgrade replaces a life-expired system, providing enhanced functionality, increased capacity, and improved capabilities across its terrestrial, satellite, and streaming distribution network.
The solution includes Pebble's Automation software and Integrated Channel devices, replacing legacy hardware. This cost-effective approach also significantly reduces rack space and power consumption. Rede Minas leveraged this efficiency to expand its output, adding three new education channels and enabling tailored services for its various distribution platforms.
The dual independent outputs of the Integrated Channel devices allow Rede Minas to implement regional opt-outs, catering to local interests and regulations. The Pebble Automation layer ensures seamless content loading and rigorous quality checks before transmission.
“We needed to make the move to a modern playout environment, but we knew it would be a significant undertaking for us,” said Caroline Santos, Director of Technology at Rede Minas. “Pebble and their local distributor Videodata were able to show us, through a proof of concept demonstration, how its software systems could deliver all we needed and more. “What was really important, though, was that they were able to manage the entire project,” Santos continued. “That included transferring all the data from our current asset management and integrating seamlessly with our planning workflows. It meant that the switchover was accomplished quickly, cleanly and without problems.”
Rosalvo Carvalho, General Director at Videodata, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project: “We have a long and successful relationship with Rede Minas. The modernization of playout was a very important project for them, and while as a government body the procurement was by public tender, we introduced them to Pebble as a globally-renowned automation specialist. “Ultimately we all collaborated on a comprehensive proof of concept exercise which answered all of their concerns,” he added. “The result is transformational for Rede Minas, through a project which respected the need to minimize disruption to existing operations. We are all very proud of how well the implementation and subsequent operation went.”