To convert programme deliveries from external partners into an unified in-house MXF format, ZDF had used a video ingest server to decode those files to an uncompressed audio/video format and afterwards re-encode them into said internal MXF format. This process ensured the files had the unified in-house format and possible malicious code could not pass this ’security barrier’. Downsides of this procedure are high effort, loss of metadata and quality deterioration.

As a result of an expression of interest process starting in 2013, ZDF is working with Cube-Tec on an automated method that can replace this procedure and which functions as a ‘security gateway’ and standardisation device.

In different workshops, including a cooperation with RBT (Rundfunkbetriebstechnik) in the area of data security, the target system was specified. In April 2016, Cube-Tec was tasked with implementing the gateway functionality.

In February 2017, a high-availability MXF Legalizer system, working in a Master-Slave configuration, was delivered and integrated in two different locations in the ZDF broadcast centre in Mainz, Germany.

Each of the two parts of the system has a master server, which controls the high-performance HP servers, dedicated to be MXF Legalizer slaves. During initial setup, each of the systems has two of those slaves. Should one of the masters fail, the other takes over control seamlessly. In case of a slave fail, the load will be divided between the remaining slaves.

Each of the four slaves is able to process eight MXF data streams in parallel. During the format correction process, audio and video data is not changed, so no visual control of the result is required. As additional security step, the resulting MXF files are checked again for standard conformity in a fully automatic process performed by the integrated IRT MXF Analyser.
This external supervision by an automatic third-party process conducted by IRT increases the trustworthiness of the entire gateway. Finally, the processed files are transferred into the ZDF internal production network.

Technical acceptance, free from defects, was achieved in June 2017.

In a complex broadcast environment, security of file-based material exchange is essential. Especially important is file-based ingest from external partners. With their MXF Legalizer system, ZDF is equipped to process the growing demand without problems.
- Jörg Houpert, Technical Director of Cube-Tec

Visit Cube-Tec International at IBC 2017 Stand # 5.C41