10 March 2005
Leading satellite services company GlobeCast and leading satellite operator Arabsat have announced that they will launch a new broadcast platform on Arabsats fourth-generation satellite Arabsat 4A in late 2005. This digital distribution platform in Ku-band will offer the first European gateway to an Arabsat satellite and will allow broadcasters from around the world direct access to the Middle Eastern and North African markets via GlobeCasts worldwide satellite and fibre distribution network.
GlobeCast President and CEO Christian Pinon stated, The new platform on Arabsat 4A will continue the spirit of partnership that GlobeCast and Arabsat share. GlobeCast works with all of the worlds major satellite operators, so launching a broadcast platform with Arabsat is a natural step and reinforces GlobeCasts status as the leading global satellite services company.
Arabsat CEO Eng. Khalid A. Balkheyour said, Arabsat is enormously proud of the success of the service to global broadcasters and the strong partnership we have developed with GlobeCast. The European Gateway on Arabsat 4A is another example of Arabsats commitment to quality, reliability and service to its customers, Balkheyour added.
10 March 2005
New generation Quantel technology has been adopted by all five of Frances free terrestrial channels as a key component in their transition to multi-format, multi-resolution and High Definition production and broadcasting. These systems were chosen after elaborate tests of competitors products and, in all cases, performance, reliability and users input tipped the scales in favour of Quantel.
The first French broadcaster to adopt Quantels new equipment was the public-service network France 3, which acquired an HD/multi-resolution Paintbox gQ for use in news production and close-to-air applications.
The next broadcaster to choose Quantel new generation equipment was Arte, the Franco-German cultural channel, which also opted for the multi-resolution Paintbox gQ last summer. Arte is a very arts-oriented channel, comparable to Channel 4 in the UK or PBS in the US, and the quality of its graphics allows it to enhance its image, well beyond its budgetary means. The Paintbox is used a great deal for what are known as Artes Thema evenings, an omnibus string of programmes (features, documentaries, chat shows, etc.) on a specific theme, all shown on a given day. Graphics created on the Paintbox, often the work of several artists, can be harmonised to link the various programmes and genres and thus generate audience loyalty.
M6, Frances youth-oriented generalist terrestrial broadcaster, was next to purchase new Quantel technology, opting for an eQ for their on-air promotions and station identification department, and to develop their transition to HD. M6, known for its snappy graphics and rapid-fire editing style, has always been an early adopter of Quantel equipment and the eQ was chosen for its versatility and ability to integrate multiple image sources. The openness of the system was the key factor in the selection process and the eQ is now the creative hub for station ID, integrating material generated on all types of graphics software, such as After Effects, Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc.
Private channel TF1, Frances (and Europes) leading free terrestrial broadcaster, ordered a series of new systems in November 2004, including two Paintbox gQs and three QPaintbox software packages for off-line work. TF1 will use its Paintbox systems as the core of its graphics creation department for its news operations. They will enable TF1 and its sister channel LCI, a 24/7 cable news broadcaster, to share material and increase synergy. Quantel kit was chosen for its close-to-air reliability and its workflow enhancement properties, as well as for its creative graphics tools.
To close off the year and make the Grand Slam, France 2, Frances leading public broadcaster ordered a Paintbox in December for use in its news programmes and other close-to-air applications.
What makes these wins particularly gratifying for us, comments Michel Lepretre, Quantel France Country Manager, is that we were chosen after very rigorous technical tests and trial runs. Broadcasters are particularly demanding, especially when it comes to live or close-to-air programmes. Quantels legendary reliability, speed and intuitive ergonomics really made the difference.
The other thing were really happy about is the incredible support we got from the graphic artists involved in the selection process, adds Jean-Luc Wolff, Quantel France Major Account Manager. Being on the front line every day, they know what our performance standards mean. They were really the key people in convincing the broadcast executives to go for Quantel. As several of them pointed out, Quantel is the only manufacturer to have 15 or 20-year old kit, such as Hals, first-generation Paintboxes and Editboxes, still working efficiently in their production and editing suites. They argued passionately for our systems as the best way to move forward without upsetting existing workflow and practices. We believe that this first round of victories is the beginning of a winning streak, as French broadcasters make the transition to HD.
9 March 2005
Radio Canada International has signed a new agreement with Radio Nacional Argentina (RNA), Argentinas national public radio broadcaster. Under the agreement, RNA will broadcast the weekly Spanish-language program La semana canadiense, produced by RCIs Latin-American section.
RCI already has over 30 partner stations in Argentina, which regularly rebroadcast program segments and reports. These are among the nearly 350 partner stations in 75 countries that air RCI programs for millions of listeners. RCI produces programming in English, French, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian. It is available worldwide via the Internet, analog and digital shortwave, and satellite. RCI is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
9 March 2005
Sony Corporation has chosen RadioScapes RS350A DAB module design as the basis for its upcoming automotive DAB radios. The RS350A module is designed for the challenging environment of automotive applications and provides DAB functionality for existing radio designs.
We are delighted that one of the worlds leading consumer electronics companies has selected RadioScapes module for its entry into the DAB automotive market, said Dave Hawkins, RadioScapes Vice President for Receivers. Our unique, Software Defined Digital Radio solution provides the flexibility for customers to customise the module to create products that meet their specific requirements. This is not only cost effective but also ensures our solutions are continually at the forefront of innovation and technological leadership.
The entry of Sony into the automotive DAB market is a positive endorsement of the excellent growth potential in this market segment, added Anika Nyberg, President of WorldDAB. It takes several years for new products such as DAB to be designed into cars as standard. The opportunity that Sony and others are addressing is the aftermarket demand to have DAB radios fitted to their cars. The explosive growth of DAB receivers in the UK, and increasingly in other countries in the world, has mainly been in the home and now people, hooked on the exciting unique content only available on DAB, want to be able to continue their listening experience during the drive to work. We believe that automotive is one of the next important growth sectors for DAB and are delighted that RadioScape is committed to empowering it.
RadioScape RS350A
The module has several features specifically for automotive use. It can process up to three DAB channels on a multiplex simultaneously to provide any combination of audio channels and data channels of news or travel information. Service Linking enables the radio to automatically move to associated stations when the first goes out of range using linking information provided by the broadcaster. Lastly, the module provides phantom power up the antenna cable to power an amplifier at the base of the antenna. This is the preferred design for many cars as it removes the necessity of having expensive coaxial cable to screen the signal cable, instead it boosts the signal from the antenna immediately for its journey to the receiver so that it stands out from any background interference.
Specifications and price
The RS350A is powered from an externally regulated DC supply of 5V and 3.3V. Control is provided via a serial interface for example I2C. It measures 62mm by 37mm by 10mm to allow vertical fitment in a standard automotive receiver DIN enclosure and is fully screened to meet all electromagnetic requirements for automotive type approval. It can receive DAB Band III and L-band enabling it to be used world-wide wherever there are Eureka 147 DAB transmissions. This fully integrated module requires only the minimum of external components. The module is available from RadioScape at around $40 depending on volume and optional features.
Local representation in Japan
RadioScape has recently appointed Triangle Technologies as its representative in Japan, who assisted with this design win. It provides local support to the Japanese consumer electronics companies, who are now entering the DAB market in a big way.
7 March 2005
Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle has become the first European TV broadcaster to present news in the Arabic language, launching the service in Kuwait on 28 February.
The three-hour programme is based on two daily news shows, each 26 minutes long. The shows are transmitted via the Nilesat satellite to about 10 million viewers in more than 20 countries from Morocco to Saudi Arabia. Anchorwoman is Dima Tarhini, a Lebanese presenter who previously worked at Al Jazeera.
DW Director-General Erik Bettermann said: “The Arabic-language news further expands the presence of Deutsche Welle in an important market and intensifies our dialogue with the Arab world.” This service is supplemented by magazines with Arabic subtitles and dubbed documentaries. The programme window is supported with special funds from the German Foreign Office.
On 12 January DW had launched its new interactive Arabic web site (www.dw-world.de/arabic). The Arabic language online journalists focus on reporting current events about Germany, Europe and the Middle East. In addition to politics, the arts and business, there is plenty of sports and news from science and technology. Roughly 15 million people in the Arabic-speaking world presently use the Internet, and there is growing demand from Morocco to Saudi Arabia, above all reaching younger people and opinion leaders.
DW-WORLD.DE is DWs multilingual web service information in 30 languages, in words and pictures, audio and video offering news and background reports from Germany, Europe and the world, supplemented by information on the programmes of DW-TV and DW-RADIO.
7 March 2005
Broadcasters from across Asia are meeting in Tokyo to review their coverage of the tsunami and discuss their role in the event of future disasters.
The three-day workshop on Natural Disasters and the Broadcasters Role is being staged by Japans public broadcaster, NHK, and the ABU.
Senior representatives of the national broadcasters in the four worst-hit countries Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand are among about 40 participants.
On the first day, participants recognised the key role of broadcasters in educating people about the true nature of natural disasters. A number of speakers noted that, before 26 December, most people knew little about a tsunami and the devastation it can cause.
Participants also agreed that that it took too long for some broadcasters to receive official confirmation of the early information they received about the tsunami. Ways of speeding up this process needed to be found, they said.
Speakers also noted that the tsunami aftermath had clearly demonstrated the importance of radio in a time of natural disaster.
Participants will visit Japans Meteorological Agency and a disaster prevention centre in Shizuoka prefecture, southwest of Tokyo.
