TF1 chooses Axon's Cerebrum software to control its new distributed array

The French broadcaster was looking for a system that offered maximum flexibility and ease of use to operators, including non-technical staff.

When the French broadcaster TF1 A few months ago, he started looking for a control system to manage his new distributed matrix, finally opting for control software Cerebrum Master of Axon Digital Design.

This customizable monitoring and control system offered the advanced functionality and wide range of features that TF1 needed to manage its audio/video processing, multiviewer and tally/UMD management.

Cyril Bernard, Support & System Manager de TF1, asegura que “cuando planeamos sustituir nuestra matriz central tradicional por un nuevo router de audio/vídeo distribuido de Riedel, nos dimos cuenta de que necesitábamos un sistema de control versátil que pudiera gestionar las entradas y los retornos de audio para nuestras salas de control. Estudiamos varios sistemas en el mercado, pero elegimos Cerebrum porque cumplía con todos nuestros criterios y era tan fácil de usar que incluso el personal no técnico, como los periodistas, podía entenderlo”.

Acting as the nerve center for all routing, Cerebrum simplifies monitoring and control of multiple devices in an easy to use interface. Supports a wide range of devices from different manufacturers – including routers, production switches, servers, set-top boxes, multi-displays and waveform monitors – using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or third-party protocols.

TF1 operates five television channels in France, as well as several special interest pay television channels and their digital subsidiaries. Belonging to the TF1 Group, the channel has an average market share of 20.3%, making it the most popular national channel in France and its channels the most viewed in Europe.

Richard Couzon, Axon's business development director for France and French-speaking countries, notes that "intuition and responsiveness were key to the success of this project. TF1's setup requires complex switching to be carried out in a very short period of time, so they needed a system that could be customized to meet their exact needs. Although router control was the main requirement, TF1 also wanted a system that could be extended to other devices such as multi-viewers, intercom systems and accountants. Cerebrum met all these criteria and was also very profitable.”