In broadcasting digital television there are of course the sound and the images. But there is also a third component, called metadata. Often overlooked, metadata makes sure that the set top box or digital TV can unravel a television channel from the digital stream it receives. It allows a viewer to select a program from the electronic program guide or search a VOD catalogue. It allows workflows in the VOD head-end to be automated.

But metadata is increasingly more than that. In fact, you might say that metadata is what really makes the difference between analogue and digital television.

Metadata enables a truly interactive television experience: finding your favourite programs and watching them when, where and on whatever device suits you, replaying them, pausing, skipping.

As a broadcaster or network operator it allows you to promote your content and create revenue through new services like targeted advertising, time-shift TV and offer a one-stop-content-shop for your customers.

At eventIS we have dedicated ourselves to metadata, or rather software solutions to manage metadata in the broadcast chain and automate VOD workflows. You will find our products, like SI and VOD solutions, mostly in the head-end: where all the channels are weaved together and all the VOD assets are prepared to be sent away over cable, via satellite, terrestrial transmission towers, IP or any other type of network.