Pebble Beach Systems, has secured a contract to supply its Marina automation solution to major Asia-Pacific satellite operator and service provider, Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS).

ABS is one of the fastest growing satellite operators globally, and currently hosts over 200 channels, making it one of the largest service providers in the Asia Pacific region. Its client for this new project is one of the leading pay-TV operators across the region and worldwide. The decision to install Marina to control the playout of 7 of its channels was taken following a detailed evaluation by both parties.

The system is due to go live in the second half of 2013, and features the Marina system controlling Harmonic's ChannelPort devices using its new enhanced functionality which was released at NAB earlier this year. Tom Gittins, Pebble Beach Systems Sales Director, explains:

"We continue to add to Marina's capabilities, and in this instance the tight integration between Marina and the Harmonic ChannelPort was vital to providing the level of functionality required, including support for DVE and Audio Mixing. The openness of Marina through its web services API allowed the system to provide a workflow linking in to the broadcasters existing upstream media preparation systems."

Key priorities in this case were that all control within the system should be carried out over purely IP using specific device APIs and to build a system that occupies a very small physical footprint, both of which we were able to deliver. As a next generation, 64 bit automation solution, Marina continues to evolve, providing the functionality which keeps pace with end user's requirements, whilst giving them a technology platform which can cope with future reconfigurations and expansion."

"ABS is delighted to work with Pebble Beach Systems to support its tier one video customer. It was important for us to select a solution that met with our video customer requirements offering flexibility, reliability, and performance satisfaction," commented Tom Choi, CEO of ABS. "The investment made in adopting this advanced technology of Pebble Beach Systems is a crucial factor of ABS' expansion plan to develop its Subic Bay facility into a major broadcasting hub to support video customers both locally and regionally. We look forward to working closely with them on this exciting platform."