Broadcast Solutions and Euro Media Group (EMG) have joined the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), respectively becoming the first International systems integrator and first technical service provider to become part of the alliance.

Broadcast Solutions is Europe’s largest OB van manufacturer and system integrator for broadcast facilities, DSNGs, fixed uplink and downlink stations, and satcom-on-the-move solutions. The company’s services encompass all fields of broadcasting technology including video, audio, IP, control systems, digital signage, IPTV, satellite communications and coachbuilding.

‘The development and acceptance of open standards in the IP realm is paramount to us, since it ensures the easy interoperability of different equipment in broadcast environments,’ says Broadcast Solutions CEO, Stefan Breder. ‘To integrate all different kinds of equipment in projects is our daily business and we are pleased to contribute to the aim of AIMS.’

EMG is Europe’s leading provider of broadcast facilities and services, active in seven countries across the continent. With innovation at the heart of its strategy, EMG offers its customers unrivalled services to enrich and manage high value-added broadcast and internet content. ‘Having an open standard is crucial to enable our industry to make the right and necessary investments and, via AIMS, we are able to have a strong voice in the future of the standards,’ says EMG CTO, Ronald Meyvisch.

‘EMG is excited about the new possibilities and workflows we will be able to offer to our customers thanks to an IP based virtualised infrastructure. To achieve this, broadcasters, manufacturers and service providers need to work together towards open standards and guaranteed interoperability between all vendors.’

Commenting for AIMS, Chairman Michael Cronk adds: ‘As the first International systems integrator and technical service provider, respectively, to join AIMS, Broadcast Solutions and EMG bring new insight and experience to our membership as we seek to foster the adoption of true standards in the migration to IP. We are thrilled that these esteemed European broadcast industry companies have joined the alliance.’

AIMS’ efforts are focused on promoting the adoption, standardisation, development and refinement of open protocols for media over IP, with an initial emphasis on VSF TR-03 and TR-04, SMPTE 2022-6 and AES67. Broadcasters and other media companies looking to IP to increase the flexibility of their networks, help streamline workflows and improve agility to better compete in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Open standards are the key to protecting current investments and ensuring long-term interoperability.

Open standards work for the IP transition is already underway by the 77-member Video Services Forum (VSF), with the support of organisations such as SMPTE and the EBU. AIMS endorses the work of the VSF and will continue to lend support in the development of a standard approach to IP; more than 30 broadcast equipment suppliers and broadcasters were involved in the development of VSF TR-03, and companies are actively testing and validating it.

AIMS provides specific guidance in its bylaws to its members and to the media industry via the AIMS Roadmap. The organisation endorses an IP transition plan that includes support for SMPTE 2022-6, AES67 and VSF recommendations TR-03 and TR-04. An open standards approach allows media companies to implement the technology over time and transition at the pace that makes sense for their businesses.

Membership in AIMS is available to all individuals and companies that support open standards and share a commitment to the group’s founding principles. More information on open standards and interoperability in the broadcast and media industry is available from the alliance website in the Alliance for IP Media Solutions’ white paper, An Argument for Open IP Standards in the Media Industry.

More: www.aimsalliance.org