Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has provided an end-to-end, broadcast channel playout solution to the Rotana television network for the upgrade of its central master control room. The Harris solution — which includes automation, servers, master control switchers, branding systems, routers, multiviewers and processing equipment — supports the expansion of Rotana TV in the Middle East. Local systems integrator and Harris dealer Systems Design was contracted to handle the complete setup of the master control room at the headquarters of Egyptian telecommunications company Nilesat in Cairo, Egypt.

Core to the upgraded infrastructure is a Harris® ADC™ automation system. It consists of three device controllers, two redundant database servers, five air clients and four media clients. The automation system manages playout — with six Harris NEXIO® servers and two legacy servers, four IconMaster™ master control switchers and 13 Inscriber® RTX™ systems for on-air graphics. The install also includes a 128x128 Platinum™ router with an integrated CENTRIO™ multiviewer and four X75™ all-in-one processors to handle incoming feeds. The upgraded MCR enables Rotana to support 14 TV channels — with the ability to upgrade to HD transmission chains in the future. The system is integrated with Rotana's channel management system, as well as with the Rotana media central archive library system, which is located 20 kilometers from the master control room.