14 May 2015
Riedel Communications today announced that Australian broadcast network ABC has installed the Riedel Artist Trunk Navigator system to support a VoIP-based communications network connecting producers, journalists, and presenters working at ABC bureaus across Australia. By simplifying the networking of geographically diverse Artist digital matrix intercom systems over 80 VoIP trunk lines, the Artist Trunk Navigator facilitates simpler, more efficient, and more reliable communications between sites during production and broadcast.
Riedel’s Artist Trunk Navigator software enables each of ABC’s existing Artist intercom systems to be connected to a central trunk master via a WAN connection. The Riedel solution dynamically allocates either analog or digital (AES3) audio trunks between up to 32 Artist intercom systems on VoIP lines.
For example, operators can now make direct calls from an executive producer’s panel in Perth to an executive producer’s panel in Melbourne. Presenters on the studio floor are equipped with a Riedel Artist RCP-1112 control panel that enables them to create their own IFB submixes and make direct calls to production staff at busy times. Autocue operators are now able to create their own presenter mixes. Edit suite operators have the audio output of their editing stations interfaced into the Riedel Artist system, so they can listen back to the assets they are editing and be on communications during a news broadcast. ABC also uses local panel GPIs to interface camera tallies out in the field.
In Canberra, ABC has linked its Parliament House and Northbourne site with a 15-kilometer redundant fiber link that allows technical staff to administer the entire system from either site. ABC has also installed multiple nodes at its Ultimo site in Sydney to form an Artist network. Rather than install new CAT5 cabling from a central point, ABC linked multiple Artist nodes via fiber within the site and used existing cabling from the distributed Artist nodes to the Artist key panels.
ABC’s VoIP network has been configured as a mesh network with each site connected to many other sites. Thus, in the case of a power failure at a site or when a trunking path is busy, the Artist Trunk Navigator simply finds an alternate path though other ABC site routes. A redundant design enables the Artist Trunk Navigator software to run on two computers simultaneously and to switch seamlessly from one computer to the other in the case of failure.
14 May 2015
Amid violence, civil unrest and a crackdown on independent media in Burundi, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is surging media operations to Bujumbura and surrounding cities.
“Keeping the airwaves open for our audience to get reliable news and information is our top priority in Burundi. We have confirmed reports that all five major independent news broadcasters are off the air in Burundi, and during this time of crisis we know that through its 24/7 FM station VOA is playing a pivotal role,” said BBG Interim CEO and Director André Mendes.
The BBG remains on air 24/7 in Burundi, via its own FM station in Bujumbura carrying Voice of America programming. VOA affiliate stations Renaissance TV and RPA and Rema Radio were attacked and burned Wednesday night by unknown attackers, and at the time of this release all other major news channels are offline.
VOA Kirundi/Kinyarwanda remains the only broadcaster engaging Burundians in Kirundi several hours a day about events unfolding in their own country. This week, VOA added a daily live call-in program in Kirundi, as well as additional news in Kirundi, Swahili, and French. VOA plans to launch additional live programming in the next several days. VOA East Africa Bureau Chief Gabe Joselow is on the ground reporting from Burundi, as well as several local stringers. More information on VOA’s reporting can be found here.
“Amid the crisis, people are starving for information on what is happening in their country and their neighborhoods. As people look for access to independent and up-to-date information, VOA plays a key role in helping people know what is happening,” said Mike Jobbins, senior program manager for Africa for Search for Common Ground, a conflict prevention and conflict resolution NGO. (Source: BBG press release)
13 May 2015
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum awards Sheikh Waleed al-Ibrahim for his achievements over last 25 years
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today awarded MBC Group chairman Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim the award of ‘Media Personality of the Year’.
The honour was part of the Arab Journalism Awards, held at the culmination of the 14th Arab Media Forum in Dubai.
It marks Sheikh Waleed’s quarter-century of achievements in the media industry, which is considered one of most dynamic and creative sectors, as well as his leading position as trustee over the biggest private Arab media group.
In a brief statement at the awards ceremony, Sheikh Waleed paid tribute to the significance of the award. “It’s a major part of a professional leading platform – the Arab Media Forum in Dubai,” he said.
Sheikh Waleed said Dubai was a “majestic, modern and leading emirate led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and which is in the heart of the United Arab Emirates, known for its spirit of leadership, teamwork and sharp vision.”
“The award’s importance also comes from the fact that we are on the cusp of a phase of rearranging priorities so that media outlets and different means of communication keep pace with events, and seek to deliver the complete picture to the audience and thus contribute to the formation of public opinion,” he said.
Sheikh Waleed added: “The challenge before us lies in the extent of our capability to benefit from the technology and information revolution, in order to continue enhancing the media, cultural and renaissance march of our nation, economies and societies.”
He concluded: “I offer this Media Personality of the Year award – which I proudly and honorably receive from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum – to all employees in the Arab media sector in general, and to all MBC Group employees in particular and who, each from their own platform over 25 years, contributed to upgrading the Arab media to world-class status.” (Source: MBC press release)
7 May 2015
Arab Satellite Communications Organization “Arabsat” is partnering with Arab States Broadcasting Union “ASBU” in organizing and sponsoring the 16th edition of the Arab Festival for Radio and Television from 11- 16 May in Hammamet, Tunisia. The event is attended by more than 600 media figures from all over the Arab world.
Eng/Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour, President & CEO of Arabsat, said: “Arabsat has enjoyed a strong and historical relationship with ASBU for more than 30 years. We are commercially involved with them in many projects, such as the global Arabic bouquet which is considered one of the most successful joint Arab projects in the field of radio and television, for its technical, economical and practical benefits. “MENOS” is widely known as the fastest and the largest network for exchanging multimedia content over satellites. It is intended primarily for the professional TV broadcasters, allowing them to share video and audio material throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. We are also working closely together with ASBU in many relevant committees to coordinate between satellite TV channels, and to combat deliberate jamming and piracy of satellite broadcasting, and the infringement on ownership rights in relation to production.
Balkheyour added that “The Arab Festival for Radio and Television is a remarkable media gathering in the Arab world where we can meet our customers and get acquainted with their needs, aspirations and their future expectations, which is vital for us in order to provide the best satellite services to them.” (Source: Arabsat press release)
6 May 2015
SES partners with I DO IT Co., LTD., to showcase the SelfSat>IP antenna at SES Industry Days
SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) is showcasing the first commercially manufactured Ku-band flat antenna with integrated IP-LNB at its annual Industry Days. The antenna is produced by Korean manufacturer I DO IT Co., LTD., and will soon be available in major European markets.
Its small size of 566x300mm means that this new antenna can be discreetly installed where standard parabolic antenna may not be suitable, such as apartment blocks in cities. Versions with an integrated WiFi router are also available for the camping market.
The SELFSAT>IP antenna is compliant with the SAT>IP communications protocol and incorporates eight satellite tuners. It enables the distribution of live HD and UHD satellite broadcasting through an in-home WiFi network and can serve up to eight different displays (smartphone, TV, table PC, laptop computer, etc.) simultaneously. With two legacy coaxial outputs in addition to its IP output, the antenna can also be connected to existing satellite receivers.
“For several years I DO IT has pioneered the development and mass production of high performance consumer Ku-band flat antennas for worldwide markets,” said Seung Joon IM, CEO at I DO IT. “Thanks to the collaboration with SES, we are now able to integrate the SAT>IP technology into our antennas. This enables live satellite television distribution via WiFi to tablets and smartphones, an important product feature especially for the camping market.”
“Today over 40 manufacturers are developing products that are compatible with the SAT>IP standard and we are very pleased to support I DO IT in their endeavours,” said Thomas Wrede, Vice President, Reception Systems at SES. “These developments were strongly driven and supported by the annual SES Industry Days and would not have been possible without joint industry efforts. We continue to leverage the advantages that satellite communications offer, shaping our industry and creating a high performance, sustainable ecosystem.”
