The Channel | 2002 | September

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26 | the channel
Broadcast Technology
DRM endorses; continues tests
The on-air system Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) has been endorsed by the
International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC). DRM is the world’s only non-
proprietary, digital AM system for short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave with the
ability to use existing frequencies and bandwidth across the globe. The IEC approval,
together with DRM’s existing certifications by the International Telecommunications
Union and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute puts DRM a step
closer to its 2003 launch.
DRM’s long-term test transmissions - designed to prove the reliability of the DRM
system to various target areas over a complete short-wave broadcast season -
continue throughout this year. In Europe this year, DRM prototype receivers are
automatically receiving and analyzing DRM signals from the UK, Portugal, Germany,
Canada and the Netherlands Antilles. DRM members conducting these tests include
Radio Netherlands, the BBC, VT Merlin Communications, Deutsche Welle, Radio
Canada International/CBC, T-Systems MediaBroadcast and Fraunhofer IIS-A. The
DRM test equipment was manufactured by DRM members Thales Broadcast &
Multimedia and TELEFUNKEN SenderSysteme Berlin AG, in cooperation with
Fraunhofer IIS-A.
Extensive simulcast laboratory tests have been carried out in France by DRMmember
TéléDiffusion de France (France Telecom) to demonstrate compatibility with existing
AM systems. Additionally, DRM simulcast field tests are scheduled this year in France
on medium-wave and on short-wave from Bonaire. Single Frequency Network tests
are being carried out in Germany and the U.K. on both medium-wave and short-
wave. Additionally, 24/7 transmissions on low-power medium-wave are being
undertaken in Germany. Earlier in the year, long distance tests were executed in
Australia and New Zealand on short-wave at distances between 15,000 and 22,000
kilometers.
Pinnacle contracts
BBC Training & Development has chosen Liquid Field lap-tops from Pinnacle
Systems for a new training course developed for the BBC’s own staff. Liquid Field is
Liquid Purple NLE software installed on a laptop.
The corporation has purchased four
systems which will go to the central London
training centre where they will be used to
give the trainees familiarity with the
technology and techniques involved in an edit. The BBC chose the laptops because
of their ease of operation.
South Africa-based regional broadcaster M-NET has completed the first stage of its
move to Pinnacle Systems’ CGs. The station has taken delivery of eight FXDeko ll
and two PostDeko CGs together with the ClipDeko and new Deko Objex options.
They have been installed in four studios, three edit suites and one graphics area. Next
year M-NET plans to acquire more FX Deko ll systems for their OB Trucks. They will
continue to replace more of the existing legacy stock with new Deko systems as
necessary.
Africa No. 1 chooses Stellat
The recently-launched Stellat 5 satellite has been chosen by AFRICA No. 1 for
broadcasting and distributing its television and radio bouquet over Africa.
”Stellat was definitely the right choice for our bouquet,” declared Louis Barthelemy
Mapongou, Chairman and CEO of AFRICA No. 1. “This brand new satellite features
state-of-the-art technology, high power and reliability and a C-band coverage area
allowing our services to expand in favourable conditions.”
AFRICA No. 1 is the first general international radio on the African continent,
broadcasting from Libreville, Gabon. The station broadcasts 24/24 African news and
entertainment and is the only French-speaking pan-African radio channel, reaching
over 30 million listeners.
Ecuador HF site to relocate
HCJB, the religious broadcaster based in Quito, Ecudaor, has announced that it will
relocate its short wave facility from near the country’s capital to a coastal site. This
follows a government decision to construct a new airport near the existing site. The
new 500-acre facility will be at Santa Elena and will include 11 short wave transmitters
and 17 antennas.
You/Com at IBC
AIB member You/Com will show four
new products at IBC:
XTS-DVB Audio Adapter – the world’s
first stand alone audio adapter for DVB
networks. An MPEG audio stream is
directly converted into a DVB transport
stream with an ASI interface for direct
feed into DVB muxes.
SET2 is the successor to the
r e n o w n e d
Repor terSet. The
SET2 is a well-
designed battery-
powered ISDN-
mixer/codec for live
reports.
Screening and info system
for talk radio shows. This is an important
extension of the StudioSet Line
Handling system. Dial-list, Calling Line
Identification and Conferencing are
special features of this system.
A comfortable GSM Reporter Interface
suitable for most makes of mobile phones.
The GSM interface allows a microphone
and headphones to be connected to the
mobile phone easing the work situation
of the reporter and the feed sounds louder
and clearer.
WRN doubles DVB
WRN has doubled the channel capacity
on its DVB service that uplinks multiple
radio channels to the HOTBIRD 5 satellite
giving coverage of Europe, North Africa
and the Middle East.
Launched at NAB 2000, WRN’s
HOTBIRD 5 uplink service allows radio
broadcasters operating in the European
market to migrate channel distribution
from analogue satellite to digital.
Broadcasters currently contracting with
WRN for permanent channels on the
HOTBIRD 5 satellite include Radio
Canada International, Radio Sweden,
Ireland’s RTE, Somalia’s STN Radio and
Radio Voyager, the WorldSpace rock
channel. HOTBIRD 5 is also the main
distribution satellite for WRN’s four
European radio networks - WRN English,
WRN Français, WRN Deutsch and WRN
Russkij.
MTV offers interactive
bingo
Swiss-based interactive solutions
company MinickAG has joined forces with
MTV in the UK and Ireland to provide
interactive Blingo.
Viewers interact by using SMS, sending
a request to the music channel and
receiving in return a playing card of six
numbers. On the screen, the Blingo
programme plays six music videos, each
allocated a number. Viewers match the
video numbers to their electronic Blingo
card to win prizes.