An Architecture for Cloud-Based IP Video Production Tools

Abstract

Increasing use of Internet Protocol networks in video production environments opens up many new possibilities. One of the benefits is that it allows us to apply architectural patterns from enterprise information technology (IT) to the domain of broadcast and media production. This paper introduces a software system architecture that is being used by British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) Research and Development for development of its cloud-based media production tools. This Architecture proposes a set of core functionality and separates the concerns of user interfaces for manipulating media and the actual processes that transform media. This is achieved through the definition of application programmer interfaces and protocols for this functionality, independent of the underlying implementation of the core and tools, building on broadcast industry open standards. It also explores how the in-development system was integrated with the BBC’s IT estate and explains how authentication, authorization, and security have been addressed.