Sky UK eyes content UHD workflow boost with Iris integration

Sky UK has unveiled an upgrade to its ultra-high definition (UHD) content workflows in an aim to boost efficiency.

Sky has integrated GrayMeta’s Iris Media Platform into its UHD, HDR and IMF content workflows, meaning its QC operators will be able to monitor technical metadata and quickly produce audio loudness analysis.

The platform, which is an enterprise media playback and QC solution, uses open APIs to collaborated and deliver content through the entire life cycle. It delivers true reference playback of complex IMF packages and other computationally heavy files in both SDR and HDR formats.

“GrayMeta has helped us handle the complexities of IMF with ease and validate important HDR metadata. The reference player is used to drive quality control through our supply chain and provides us the confidence that our viewers are getting the best experience when they watch our UHD content,” says Ashley Ross, technical operations manager at Sky.

For GrayMeta, which is an AI-powered metadata company that aims to help broadcasters monetize their assets, the opportunity to work with Sky was key. According to the firm, Iris can also improve collaboration across QC teams, removing inefficiencies and costs while reducing time to QC.

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Matt Eaton, managing director of GrayMeta, said: “It’s been great working with Sky to understand how our Iris Media Platform could integrate into their supply chain using our API’s which now helps their QC teams ensure UHD and IMF content is being delivered at optimum quality. Iris has helped automate some of the manual QC operations allowing the team more time to address other elements of their role.”

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