The Channel | 2003 | September

46 / 48

Technology brief
GlobeCast catches Boomerang
AIB member GlobeCast has won a contract to provide
network backhaul and satellite distribution of Boomerang ,
Turner Broadcasting’s classic cartoon channel, to viewers
in France via the company’s digital HOT BIRD direct-to-home
satellite platform.
The new French-language Boomerang is the sister channel
of Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network, which already
broadcasts in French-speaking territories. Broadcast on
GlobeCast capacity on HOT BIRD, the channel is packaged
as part of the TPS digital DTH bouquet and is included in
the TPS EPG on channel 53.
Transmission for the classic cartoon channel originates in
London at GlobeCast’s digital media centre at Gray’s Inn Road
which delivers the signal via the company’s ATM fibre network
to Paris. In Paris, GlobeCast provides digital encoding,
monitoring and uplink to proprietary capacity on HOT BIRD.
Delivery of the children’s channel on the Eutelsat HOT BIRD
platform extends GlobeCast and Turner Broadcasting’s long-
term partnership. GlobeCast already provides channel
distribution services for other major Turner Broadcasting
channels including CNN and Cartoon Network Poland.
package designed for journalists in the field including DV
input card and the ability to deliver completed packages
over data networks.
Alongside these products, OmniBus will also announce a
number of partnerships with broadcast manufacturers that
are keen to adopt G3 technology.
“We have received extremely encouraging feedback from
the manufacturers and broadcasters who have seen what
we’re doing with G3,” adds Fletcher. “Broadcasters tell us
they find it extraordinarily user friendly; they are delighted
that it delivers simple and responsive tools to operators that
can also be quickly and reliably configured to their precise
needs. These two elements have been mutually exclusive
in broadcast solutions for too long.”
Omnibus is a member of the AIB.
Doordarshan and RTL choose Drake
Drake Electronics will deliver nine comprehensive intercom
systems using the 4000 Series II Pico solution and the
Refresh range of LCD user panels to India’s national TV
network, Doordarshan. The digital intercom systems will be
installed in Doordarshan premier production facilities located
in state capitals and cities across India including New Delhi,
Srinagar, Jaipur, and Bangalore.
The first instalment consists of 32 port standalone Pico
Matrices configured for utilising 24 ports including a 5 camera
setup. The second will be designed for larger Doordarshan
studio setups, consisting of two Pico matrixes networked
together and configured to share common production areas.
The PiCo system has been designed with small studios,
OB’s and production facilities in mind. Features include 22
kHz of audio bandwidth and an incredible 32 ports packed
into 1RU of rack space. PiCo features an integral LCD user
interface with six user definable system maps.
Rapid configuration changes can be made quickly and easily
from the front of the frame without connecting a PC. An
additional four audio ports are available for general purpose
audio applications such as 2-wire belt packs, giving a
combined total of 36 ports in 1RU - the highest density
digital intercom available on the market.
Drake has also won an order for a 4000 series II Master
Matrix intercom system for the French Radio Group – RTL.
The system includes a variety of Drake User Panels, some
connected with a VeNiX RNIS interface. The 4000 Master
Matrix will form the central hub of all the production
communications inside RTL’s premises for the 3 different
radios of the group: RTL (7 studios), FUN RADIO (2 studios)
and RTL2 (2 studios) and also outside communications.
The largest and most expandable system frame, the Master
Matrix provides up to 256 ports in a single 9RU frame and
is capable of networking potentially up to 3,000 users. The
Matrix is ideal for all broadcast applications. Using a range
of “hot-pluggable” interface cards, the Master Matrix
supports direct connection to the frame without the need
for expensive additional patch panels and can incorporate
the latest mobile, wireless intercom technology
‘FreeSpeak®’ with the additional of a cell controller card.
New Link for wireless cameras
Link Research is launching its latest digital wireless camera
system, the LinkXP2 with reverse camera control, to the
European market at IBC as well as its digital Triax solution
to carry the digital signals from the LinkXP systems back to
the OB vehicle.
The LinkXP wireless camera systems deliver clear, reliable
pictures for live broadcast with almost no signal delay - just
40ms, equal to one frame. Link offers professional broadcast-
quality DVB4:2:2 video with standard MPEG encoding and
diversity antennas that give a robust signal as the cameraman
moves around. If the signal should drop, it has instant recovery.
The power requirement for the system is below 20 watts.
The LinkXP2 system is supplied as a complete camera back
with a Sony BVV-5 interface which makes it compatible with
all broadcast cameras. Link has added an LCD control panel
to configure the system for different manufacturers’ cameras
and new, improved down-converters to reduce interference
from other RF signals in close situations. There are now
optional power amplifiers which can extend the range of
the systems.
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