IPTV video distribution and digital media signage brought to you by

MediaStar Evolution is being used by international legal practitioners, Allen and Overy LLP at their new Bishops Square building in London, the largest of its 25 facilities around the world. The system comprises 20 MediaStar Evolution Encoder Units, delivering 20 channels, including BBC 24, CNN, Bloomberg, a variety of sports and Freeview stations, plus internal Allen & Overy channels. Broadcasts will initially be made in the reception area of the building, and in the state-of-the-art bars, restaurants and training rooms. The system will also be used by the building's security teams to monitor news channels in case of security alerts.

Beyond analogue

Working in conjunction with consultant company Arup, specialist integrator Asysco was contracted to meet the specific requirements of Allen & Overy in fitting the Evolution system. Gareth Ash, Global Head of IT Service Delivery at Allen & Overy, said: "The initial decision was to go IPTV rather than traditional analogue. Bishops Square is a new building, so the opportunity was there to use IP technology to distribute TV around the building and avoid coax cabling costs. By delivering over the LAN, subsequent requirements to deliver television at any location can be met quickly, without having to run new cables which would incur the associated costs and disruption".

The IP alternative

Since its launch two years ago, MediaStar Evolution has grown in popularity, providing an IP alternative to traditional TV distribution across CAT-5/6 cabling.  MediaStar Evolution is part of a range of products, which include MediaStar Compact for distributing and managing TV/AV over Cat-5/UTP within a small office environment and MediaStar Pro for larger sized organisations.  The MediaStar system offers both off-LAN and IP delivery mechanisms and supports a variety of endpoints while delivering versatility and scalability in a comprehensive hardware and software solution.

Paul Reeves, Sales and Marketing Director at Cabletime, said: "A great deal of consideration, time and effort has gone into Allen & Overy's new office, reflecting the importance they place on creating a fantastic workplace, and a welcoming, efficient operation for visiting clients. We are delighted that MediaStar Evolution has a role to play in delivering instant communications throughout the building."