Video and Media Servers: Technology and Applications [Paperback]

Karl Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0240802969 | ISBN-13: 978-0240802961

The switch in the direction of digital television broadcasting, the acceptance of compressed digital video and storage, video-on-demand, pay-per-view delivery, and multichannel satellite are all elements in this universal shift toward servers for storage and forward delivery of video media.

The book discusses both operational and technical issues related to disk-based, digital recording and the implementation of video server and media server based technologies for broadcast and non-broadcast applications. It also includes developmental and technical discussions of optical, magnetic, and silicon based disk systems.


Major sections are devoted to media and video server technologies and their evolution, while others cover the implementation into production/post- production, graphics/animation, and broadcast operations, including news. There is a section on networking theory as it applies to server implementation. Other sections include drive and system-bus architectures (SCSI< SSA, Fibre Channel).

The material presented includes both introductory and in-depth discussion aimed at the users of the technology: the electronics technician, the maintenance engineer working in a video facility, and the technical manager whose job it is to recommend and advise upper management on current as well as future technological choices in advanced television. The applications portions will also be helpful to the operations technicians or managers already working in a broadcast facility with server systems, or one that is considering integrating video and media server technologies into the plant.


Based on author's highly respected series of columns in TV Technology
Provides answers to many of the questions that surround the whys and hows o tapeless, digital disk and server based recording

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Major sections are devoted to media and video server technologies and their evolution, while others cover the implementation into production/post-production, graphics/animation, and broadcast operations, including news. There is a section on networking theory as it applies to server implementation. Other sections include drive and system-bus architectures. The material presented includes both introductory and in-depth discussion aimed at the users of the technology: the electronics technician, the maintenance engineer working in a video facility, and the technical manager whose job it is to recommend and advise upper management on current as well as future technological choices in advanced television. The applications portions will also be helpful to the operations technicians or managers already working in a broadcast facility with server systems, or one that is considering integrating video and media server technologies into the plant.

About the Author

Karl Paulsen has spent over thirty years in broadcast television engineering and management holding key positions in operations, consulting, design, and systems integration. Karl is currently a Senior Technologist/Consulting Engineer with Diversified Systems. Previously he was CTO at AZCAR Technologies, a global provider of media solutions and technology integration for the moving media industry and Director of Engineering for Synergistic Technologies, Inc., and VP of Engineering at Digital Post & Graphics. Karl has focused on video file servers, storage and IP-based video technologies, including workflow, implementation and analysis for advanced digital media systems for nearly two decades. A feature columnist for TV Technology magazine, he has contributed over 150 articles to his long running 'Media Server Technology' series. Karl authored the book "Video & Media Servers: Applications and Technology" as well as dozens of other contributions to the industry. He is a SMPTE Fellow and standards community participant, a SBE Life Member and a Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 457 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (April 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240802969
• ISBN-13: 978-0240802961
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,920,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Karl Paulsen's career has spanned over 35 years in the fields of television and radio broadcast, digital media and advanced video technologies. For the past 15 years, Karl has served in positions of senior management in the broadcast and media systems integration business.

Karl is a SMPTE Fellow, Certified Broadcast Professional Engineer, IEEE member, SBE Life Member, a member of the SMPTE Board of Editors, and is a recognized author and speaker on advanced television systems design and engineering.

Prior to engaging in the systems integration (SI) businesses, Karl's career placed him in various industry related management, engineering and consulting positions with commercial broadcasters, post-production, animation, EFX/CGI and mobile television companies. He has held key management responsibilities as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Engineer, Director of Engineering, Vice President of Engineering and General Manager; and has been involved with television and production startup companies in the 1980s and 1990s.

In June 2010, Karl joined Diversified Systems (www.divsystems.com) as Senior Consulting Engineer where he continues to work on projects related to media asset management, advanced digital video systems and associated engineering activities. Prior to Diversified Systems, he held positions as CTO, VP Engineering and Director of Engineering at AZCAR Technologies (2000-2010). From 1995 to 2000, he was Director of Engineering at Synergistic Technologies (later acquired by AZCAR). From 1989 to 1995, he served as VP Engineering and General Manager for the special effects and CGI-graphics post production company Digital Post & Graphics in Seattle (now Modern Digital). He was instrumental in the design, build and launch of Seattle television station Channel 22 (KTZZ) between 1983 and 1989. Karl operated an independent consulting and engineering support firm in the Pacific Northwest from 1978 until 1995 serving clients including Nike Sports Productions, Tektronix, Portland General Electric, and the State of Oregon.

Paulsen's experience in the systems integration field includes that of both consultant and project lead on innovative media and television systems designs for IPTV, HD and mobile broadcast, digital terrestrial broadcast systems design (including mobile handheld and mobile DTV), and digital media asset management. In his positions at AZCAR, he established the standards and practices for the design and engineering departments while participating as an advisor and consultant to client projects on conceptual design, facility planning and implementation, operations, and file-based workflow design for advanced media systems -- including business development support, solutions, and integration. Karl participates in the SMPTE standards community, the body which establishes and sets technology standards for the moving media industry.

As a feature writer and columnist for TV Technology magazine, Karl's contributed over 150 articles to his continuing monthly series 'Media Server Technology' (http://www.tvtechnology.com/section/media-server-technology) which focuses on video file servers, storage, workflow, and media management. He is the author of the book 'Video and Media Servers: Applications and Technology' (Focal Press).