Our Work

One Centralized and Remote Control System Designed to Operate Seven Venues for the D.C. Office of Cable Television

The mission of the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) includes the broadcast and OTT streaming of live and recorded video programming by way of the District’s public, educational and government cable channels. The three cable channels include DCC (District of Columbia Council Channel), DCN (District of Columbia Network), DKN (District Knowledge Network). The John A. Wilson Building is home to the D.C. Government, hosting four hearing rooms and the mayor’s press room. At any given time, there could be live hearings, and/or a press conference being held. In addition to the Wilson Building, there are two other spaces from which OCTFME will broadcast events; the D.C. State Board of Education hearing room, and HSEMA (D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency) press center.

Two System Features Include the Implementation of Ross Lightning LCS and the AWS Elemental Encoding and Streaming Systems.

Lightning Control Systems (LCS)

At OCTFME five production systems are required to provide both live and recorded coverage via two broadcast channels, DCN and DCC. These channels are streamed live and are available as VOD services. Additionally, OCTFME is responsible for coverage of the D.C. State Board of Education via its DKN channel both broadcasted on cable and streamed live as well as via VOD. HSEMA’s press events are also broadcast and streamed live and made available via VOD.

Human Circuit’s design included the Ross LCS specifically targeted for legislative production workflows. This implementation for D.C. represents the single largest deployment of Ross LCS. This system allows for a simplified technical infrastructure and improved workflow through the programming of camera pre-sets and graphics. The GUI allows production staff to operate in a more intuitive manner.  The user-friendly interface enabled staff to more easily learn how to operate the system. Human Circuit removed and replaced six production systems with a completely new infrastructure. With an elegant and consistent workflow, this build has allowed staff to learn one system and operate multiple venues.

More importantly all venues are controlled from OCTFME’s headquarter location. The operating staff does not need to coordinate travel to and from the venues. This has eliminated staff down time, decreased travel, lowered security concerns and created greater workforce efficiency.

AWS Elemental Live

Prior to the installation of an Elemental infrastructure and workflow, OCTFME hosted rudimentary video on demand (VOD) services based on Windows Media at a constant data rate. Live streaming services were contracted on a subscription bases and provided an inconsistent quality of service to the consumer.

Human Circuit’s solution includes six channels of Elemental Live, Conductor, Server, and Delta. The system also utilizes the NGINX webserver and JW Player. This solution allowed OCTFME to discontinue contracted outside hosting and streaming services and to host their own VOD and live OTT capabilities to complement their live broadcasts. Adaptive bitrate (ABR) encoding and just-in-time (JIT) packaging extends OCTFME’s reach to mobile and personal devices and improves quality and performance to the citizens of D.C.. OCTFME can now create additional webcast channels that support the John A. Wilson Building and can stream live D.C. Council meetings and press conferences on web-channels tailored specifically for D.C. government employees and constituents.