This comprehensive receiver system is available as an integrated rack mount server designed for inte-gration into a newsroom with professional SDI & HD-SDI interfaces as well as legacy composite and analogue audio presentation. Exchange offers full backward compatibility with previous Livewire Dig-ital video solutions.

High Definition Support
M-Link Exchange has an option for High Definition support, allowing an M-Link Newscaster client to file HD material from the field. The outstanding performance of the M-Link H.264/AVC codec makes the delivery of very high quality 1080i foot-age possible over narrow bandwidth connections.

Universal Content
MM-Link Exchange can be enabled to support "Uni-versal Content" meaning it can accept adhoc video feeds from the public, including mobile and 3G phones. Newsrooms can receive news from profes-sional reporters as well as the general public, elim-inating the need for multiple servers, complicated format conversion and the ?headaches? of manag-ing a public facing system.The ?Universal content? option allows the newsroom to quickly accredit members of the general public to deliver ad-hoc content for a defined period of time. By using a simple to administer access con-trol, i.e. a Web interface or via FTP, contributors can be authenticated and their video feeds tracked.

Connectivity and Playout
M-Link Exchange receivers are installed with a wide range of news and media organisations, and will accept M-Link Newscaster feeds from around the world via any IP network – including contributions made via Inmarsat 3G, BGAN, DVB-RCS, VSAT, ADSL, SDSL, Wi-Fi Internet, or an Intranet connection.

Communications
Where communications links are intermittent or unreliable, M-Link?s automatic appending will guarantee that the story gets through. The proto-cols used by the M-Link product range o.er the most e.ective use of the available bandwidth, re-ducing both costs and transmission times.To provide e.cient communications for M-Link and 3rd party video reporting solutions the M-Link Exchange Server supports FTP (passive/active mode), the HTTP (generic and optimised) and Web upload transmission methods. These protocols are implemented as ?plug-ins? providing flexibility to include other e.cient protocols in the future.

• Backward compatibility with previous Livewire Digital video solutions.
• Automatic appending in the event of a connection failure
• Large, worldwide deployment by mainstream broadcasters
• Playout of partially received files
• Optimised use of available bandwidth saving costs and transmission times
• Can accept ?adhoc? feeds from the public
• Will accept feeds via any IP network
• Comprehensive support and upgrade policy

Optional

• High Definition support - progressive and interlaced broadcast quality HD
• Central management plans for large rollouts, reduces management & maintenance overheads

Technical Specification

Video Playback: M-Link originated files, file play-able in QuickTime for Windows and any DirectShow playable file.
Network Protocols: Live - UDP & TCP, S&F - TCPVideo Outputs: SDI/HDSDI with embedded audio, Composite, Component
Video Inputs: Firewire
Audio Inputs: Balanced Audio on 1/4 Inch Jacks or FirewireAudio Outputs: SDI/HDSDI Embedded Audio, XLR audio outputs
Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Pro-fessional and Windows Server 2003

The Complete Solution

M-Link Newscaster in combination with the M-Link Exchange server, provides news organi-sations, government and military services, with a comprehensive end-to-end video delivery service optimised for mobile and IP communications.M-Link Newscaster has a comprehensive, ongoing support and upgrade strategy, incorporating hardware, software and customer service.