3 February 2006
VT Communications is to add a new Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRMTM) compatible transmitter to its AM digital distribution network as it continues to demonstrate its commitment to DRM and the roll out of digital services.
The new 500 kW HF (short wave) transmitter will be manufactured and supplied by Radio Industry Zagreb (RIZ) in Croatia and is in addition to the recently purchased 100 watt transmitter which will provide local DRM coverage within the London area. These significant investments are part of VT Communications strategy to offer customers an international digital transmission capability.
The latest transmitter will be installed at VT Communications transmission facility in Shropshire, UK and will be primarily used to provide extensive HF coverage in Europe. The additional capacity that this transmitter provides on the DRM platform will allow broadcasters around the world to experience the benefits of digital AM technology and develop their digital services.
Bryan Coombes, General Manager of Broadcast at VT Communications commented: VT Communications has established itself as an active supporter of new broadcast technologies and we have been championing DRM for several years now. Last year we hosted a live, nationwide, DRM pilot service into the United Kingdom, which proved to be an unqualified success for the participating broadcasters. VT Communications ongoing investment in DRM-capable infrastructure shows a commitment and determination to make the benefits of digital broadcasting available to our customers.
3 February 2006
Harris Corporation announced that its comprehensive Leitch HD conversion portfolio has been selected by Torontos Dome Productions for a new HD truck scheduled to be completed by April 2006. The sale includes Harris Leitch X75 M-PATH multiple-path up/down/cross converter/synchronizers; a variety of modules in the Leitch NEO XHD series of modular HD up/down/cross converters; and the new Leitch 6800+ series of HD monitoring downconverters with the minimum delay option. The products will be controlled by NUCLEUS, a next-generation, user-configurable real-time control panel designed to centralize the operational control of processing, branding and routing products.
Dome decided to go exclusively with Leitch conversion products for this truck since its HD products offer the most advanced design technology on the market at a competitive price, said Curtis Skinner, manager of engineering services for Dome Productions. As well, Dome has worked with Leitch for many years on numerous projects and has always been pleased with the high quality of service and support, a key deciding factor for us since this truck will be used to cover many high-profile sporting and entertainment events.
Harris Videotek® test and measurement products will monitor signal transmission. The sale includes some of the newest products in Harris HD/SD test and measurement portfolio, including the Videotek®TVM-950HD multiformat HD/SD-SDI monitor with eye pattern, Videotek® TVM-900 multi-format HD/SD-SDI video and audio signal analyzer, and Videotek® TVM-850 multi-format SD-SDI video and audio signal analyzer.
In order to remain competitive now and in the future, mobile production companies must ensure their new trucks are equipped with the latest HD technology, and our commitment to developing versatile, scalable products that can withstand the rigors of mobile production environments is the main reason companies such as Dome Productions continue to select the Leitch-branded products from Harris, said Tim Thorsteinson, president of the Leitch Business Unit, which is part of the Broadcast Communications Division of Harris Corporation. We are pleased that Dome has selected some of the newest products in our HD portfolio for this major project.
Harris comprehensive SD/HD conversion portfolio allows broadcasters to do more with less equipment, while meeting all current and evolving conversion and synchronization requirements. The Leitch X75HD provides up/down/cross conversion, SD/HD frame sync and extensive video and audio processing capabilities all in a space-saving 1RU package. The Leitch NEO XHD series encompasses high-definition up, down and cross converter modules that perform many of the key functions of the X75HD in a compact, modular design. For the ultimate system design flexibility, the NEO XHD up/down/cross converter combines broadcast-quality up/down/cross conversion functionality, allowing the user to convert SD and HD signals with a single module. The new Leitch 6800+ HD monitoring downconverter modules can be used to repurpose HD-SDI material for use in an SD-SDI environment; and monitor and/or utilize the converted HD-SDI signal on existing SD-SDI and analog composite video monitors and other equipment. Additionally, the modules serve as a DA by distributing the HD-SDI or SD-SDI input signal.
3 February 2006
Germanys public broadcaster ARD has chosen international broadcast house MCI and broadcast manufacturer Quantel to design and equip its new production installation for ARDs main Berlin studio (‘ARD-Hauptstadtstudio’). MCI received the order from ARD-Hauptstadtstudio in December last year for the planning and installation of two sQ server systems. Six Quantel sQ Edit Plus craft editors, a Paintbox graphics system and 30 sQ View desktop browsing applications complete the package.
The sQ servers offer a total of 18 I/O ports and a storage capacity of 220 hours at 50Mbit/s. They are controlled by Quantels QRecord and QPlay ingest and playout automation. Browsing the material on the sQ server is done in low res at the sQ View stations. These are part of the general network at the ARD-Hauptstadtstudio and make browsing and shot selection an easy job, ready for refining on the sQ Edit Plus craft editors. The complete system environment is based on Quantels own database management system ISA (Integrated Server Architecture) which locks browse and broadcast material together under a single system-wide database.
According to Torsten Andresen, Project Leader at MCI, The decision to use Quantel was made easy because the technology perfectly fits our customers demands.
Installation starts at the end of February 2006. MCI plans to start the trial operation in mid May in order to have the new facility ready to go by the end of July 2006.
3 February 2006
WorldSpace Satellite Radio, one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced that it has launched two new channels on its satellite radio network. The channels, East Coast Radio and Jacaranda, are available on the company’s AfriStar(TM) satellite and are accessible to subscribers across southern Africa.
Jacaranda (channel 25), a leading South African brand, is predominately a music station that broadcasts in both English and Afrikaans and is aimed at a mature, sophisticated audience. East Coast Radio (channel 26) targets its commercial music service to a cross-cultural audience and focuses heavily on regional news and sports. Both channels are now available to a potential audience of more than 500 million listeners in a satellite footprint that covers 26 countries.
“With the addition of Jacaranda and East Coast Radio, WORLDSPACE is delivering a voice from home for South African expatriates and is providing authentic programming for the region’s entire subscriber base,” said Billy Sabatini, vice president of content, WORLDSPACE. “We are confident that the new channels will be well received by our listeners and will not only enhance existing service, but also help us attract new subscribers.”
About Jacaranda
Jacaranda focuses on soothing adult contemporary music. Listeners are mature and family-oriented, knowing where they’re going in life and how they’re going to get there. Jacaranda’s audience is also cosmopolitan, cutting across cultural divides.
About East Coast Radio
Under the management of Kagiso Media, East Coast Radio (ECR) is a dynamic multi-cultural music station, targeted at all races. ECR plays an adult Top 40/contemporary mix, featuring the best music from the 80s to today.
3 February 2006
Millions of listeners to Radio Farda in Iran and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Afghanistan and Russia will hear President George W. Bush’s State of the Union address tonight live, simultaneously translated into their languages.
Radio Farda, the 24-hour, daily Persian language service operated jointly from Washington and Prague by RFE/RL and the Voice of America, goes on the air at 9:00PM EST (5:30AM Wednesday in Tehran) with live coverage of the State of the Union speech by two moderators in RFE/RL’s Prague studios, presenting instantly translated highlights of the address.
Radio Free Afghanistan starts its program on Bush’s State of the Union speech in Dari and Pashto, the two main languages spoken in Afghanistan, at 6:30AM Wednesday Kabul time (9:00 PM EST, Tuesday).
RFE/RL’s Russian Service, heard on different broadcast frequencies nationwide in Russia, will feature live coverage of President Bush’s address to the U.S. Congress during its 6:00AM morning news magazine (10:00PM EST, Tuesday). The service devoted special segments to the forthcoming State of the Union speech during prime-time programs Tuesday across Russia’s 11 time zones.
Radio Farda, Radio Free Afghanistan, and RFE/RL’s Russian language Radio Liberty will continue programming on the State of the Union address on Wednesday with coverage of the Democratic response, interviews with RFE/RL regional experts and coverage of official and unofficial reaction in RFE/RL’s broadcast region.
RFE/RL broadcasts 1,000 hours a week in 28 languages from its broadcast center in Prague. RFE/RL services broadcasting to Central Asia and other former communist countries will carry translated excerpts of the State of the Union in their regular newscasts on Wednesday.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international communications service to Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia, funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
