Station Overview

How will the ContentDepot^® deliver programs to my station?
The ContentDepot is being designed to handle both live programs (feeds) and pre-recorded programs. This is a significant change from today's PRSS system. From a station's perspective, today's system treats both live and pre-recorded programs the same, and all programs are transmitted over the satellite as a live stream regardless of the source. In the ContentDepot, only live programs will be streamed in this manner. Programs that are recorded ahead of time (stored) will be uploaded into the ContentDepot and subsequently downloaded into a station's satellite receiver.

Uploading stored programs will reduce the number of live satellite channels. The current ContentDepot satellite IP architecture provides for multiple live program streams that can be transmitted simultaneously. Stations will be equipped to receive a minimum of four live streams at a time. The architecture will support more streams should a station's needs require them.

How is this different than today's system?
The ContentDepot uses a different operational philosophy from today's SOSS system. Station SOSS computers provide real-time automation and scheduling, but no storage. The ContentDepot station platform will provide storage and help station automation systems handle real-time automation and processing. Under the ContentDepot, files will be delivered to satellite receivers, so station automation systems can extract the files and deliver them to air.

Since the ContentDepot will be a wideband IP service, multiple receivers for multiple audio programs are not necessary. Live programs will be available for routing or storage by station-provided systems. However, stored programs will be delivered as files and stored on hard drives inside of the satellite receivers at stations. These receivers will be attached to a new or existing station Local Area Network (LAN), and local automation systems will be able to retrieve the files and transfer them so they may be played back by the automation system.

Our research with stations indicated that this method is the preferred approach to program processing, and discussions with the leading automation vendors at NAB 2003 confirmed this direction. This allows NPR Distribution to focus ContentDepot development funds on automation system interfaces instead of replicating the functions that existing automation systems already deliver well.

What equipment will my station need for the ContentDepot?
As currently envisioned, we will provide each interconnected station with the following equipment:

Two satellite receivers: one for storage and streaming (live programs) and one for redundancy
Software modules to provide command and control for station broadcast automation systems
Audio decoders for live programs
LAN interface equipment (router or a switch)

The ContentDepot will require an automation system at your station. If your station already has a high quality, commercial broadcast automation system, NPR Distribution will provide an interface to extract files from the satellite receivers. If your station does not have an automation system or if your automation system cannot be interfaced to the ContentDepot, NPR Distribution will provide a basic automation system that will support scheduled playback of satellite delivered programs. The project-provided automation system will only provide the functionality necessary for interface with satellite receivers—it will not be a substitute for a fully functional broadcast automation system.

The combination of satellite receivers for storage and streaming and station automation systems will replace all of the functions of SOSS.

What are the benefits of this new station configuration?

Unlike SOSS, which was a one-size-fits-all system that could be unnecessarily complicated for some stations' requirements, the ContentDepot will be scaled and sized to the needs of each station's operation.
The ContentDepot will provide seamless integration between satellite receivers and station automation.
The ContentDepot is being designed to be as simple as possible. There will be clear and well-defined interfaces between different systems, so that stations can replace their own automation systems without affecting ContentDepot operations.
Only two receivers will be required. Each receiver (storage and streaming) will capture all the programs to which a station is subscribed. This will save considerable rack space compared to today's system, which requires a dedicated receiver per program stream.

How can my station prepare for the ContentDepot?

If your station is planning to buy a broadcast automation system, make sure you purchase one that has the capability of extracting files from a LAN-attached server. Most commercial automation systems can already do this.
If your station has not participated in NPR Distribution's Earth Terminal Refurbishment Project (ETRP) and been converted to L-band, it must do so. More information about ETRP is available at prss.org.
From an operational perspective, stations should begin to think about the workflow for audio files that integrate into local programming. The ContentDepot will facilitate expanded delivery of program elements such as news actualities and modules. Stations will need operational mechanisms to move news actualities off the satellite receivers and insert them into on-air programs.

How will the ContentDepot be rolled out to stations?

1. Information about each station's equipment complement and broadcast automation system was obtained through an on-line survey. A station's readiness to implement the ContentDepot at its facility, including its infrastructure, skills, and personnel, is being assessed so an installation strategy can be developed to meet your needs. Another round of station interviews is planned.

2. Selected stations with unique RF configurations have been helping us test the new satellite receivers.

3. From winter 2004 through spring 2005, we plan to deliver to all interconnected stations both stored and streaming receivers and the necessary command and control systems for integration to automation.

If you have additional questions about the ContentDepot, please contact Marty Bloss, director of Technology, at 202.513.2676 or via email at prssplanning@npr.org.