VICE Media, Owner of VICELAND TV Network, Purchased Pixit Media PixStor SDS System

VICE Media, LLC, which owns and operates the expanding VICELAND television network, has purchased Pixit Media’s PixStor software-defined storage system from UK-based IT infrastructure and technical solution specialists ERA Ltd for the new VICELAND channel in Benelux.

The PixStor system will be installed and implemented on-site by ERA, specialists in image-centric IT solutions for the creative industries. The installation is particularly aimed at enhancing VICELAND’s 4K capabilities.

“We need a robust, central solution that will provide workflow storage to include transcoding, QC, MAM connectivity, editing and other applications that will run off the system,” said Tim Bertioli, VP, international operations, VICE. “Based on ERA’s deep understanding of our workflow requirements, and the recent success of the implementation of a similar PixStor system at VICELAND UK, it quickly became apparent that ERA could deliver precisely what we needed.“

ERA uses commodity components that reduce CAPEX expenditures, not only in terms of initial capital outlay but ongoing maintenance costs. Performance and heterogeneous connectivity are critical to the needs of file-based content producers.

“PixStor is well known for providing exceptionally high reliability, performance, and ease of integration with existing infrastructures,” said Sean Baker, commercial director, ERA. “VICELAND’s client base typically work across all popular IT OSs platforms, and by coupling our expertise with PixStor’s proven operational track record, we can deliver a storage system that will provide exactly what is required today with a straight-line map for future expansion.“

The VICELAND storage system in the UK started with approximately 350TB on installation and is expanding with several hundred more. Similar capacity is expected to be required for VICELAND in The Netherlands when it is installed and commissioned in Q1 of this year.