17 June 2004
Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division is introducing the Synchrony(tm) adapter, its second-generation DVB-T single frequency network (SFN) headend adapter, at BroadcastAsia. Synchrony is ideally suited for DVB-T operators or integrators who are looking to build a DVB-T SFN. It can be used worldwide where DVB-T is a standard for DTV transmission. The Synchrony adapter prepares the MPEG transport stream at the output of the DVB-T multiplexer to be transmitted by DVB-T transmitters in single frequency network conditions, i.e., transmission of the same content at exactly the same time on exactly the same frequency. To achieve this, the Synchrony adapter receives a 1pps time reference and a 10MHz clock reference from a GPS receiver and computes time and control information to produce the Mega-frame Initialization Packet (MIP). MIP information is inserted in the MPEG-2 transport stream and used by transmitters to synchronize the modulation process. Another new product is the Gigabit Ethernet module, a new plug-in module for Harris’ NetVX(tm) Networking System. This new module supports video over IP for rich media content distributors.
Harris also announced that two Taiwan terrestrial broadcast channels and one Taiwan cable channel have chosen Harris Corporation, Broadcast Communication Division’s ADC-100 Automation System to update and expand their facilities. Taiwan Television (TTV), one of the terrestrial television channels in Taiwan, will use Harris as it transitions its turnkey, four-channel playout system from analogue to digital. The new system has main and back-up Pinnacle servers for full server redundancy, with two program and two commercial video servers. Program content is cached from multiple VTR machines housed in a Flexicart via the Harris ADC-100 automation control. This is also the first time in Taiwan that DVB multi-lingual subtitling systems have been incorporated.
In India, leading business channel CNBC-TV18 has purchased its second ADC-100(tm) automation system from Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division for its new facility in Mumbai. This follows the successful Harris installation at its playout facility in New Delhi for CNBC-TV18’s English Business News Channel. Both installations were co-coordinated through Harris’ distributor, Ideal Broadcasting Partners. The Harris ADC-100 system will fully automate the control and playout of program material for the soon-to-be-launched Hindi Business News Channel. The transmission storage system will be comprised of Seachange servers under Harris automation control.
14 June 2004
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has appointed Henry K. Middleton as CASBAA General Manager, Singapore & Southeast Asia. This new position will encompass the Association’s relationships with government, member organisations and the multi-channel television and broadband industries as a whole, as well as building on a CASBAA decision in 2003 to formally open an office in Singapore.
“This is a big step forward for the Association. It reflects general industry growth and the ever-growing importance of Singapore as the region’s communications hub,” said Marcel Fenez, the Chairman of CASBAA.
The appointment of Mr. Middleton comes as CASBAA announces new memberships and upgraded participation in the Association by 13 companies.
14 June 2004
Leading global satellite services company GlobeCast announced on 11 June that its Washington, D.C.based Government Services Group has been awarded a multi-year contract by Arrowhead Global Solutions, Inc. to provide international space capacity on multiple satellites to support U.S. government communications abroad.
Established in 2003, GlobeCasts Government Services Group represents one of the companys fastest growing business markets, providing U.S. federal agencies, state agencies and government prime contractors with domestic and international satellite and ground segment services including teleports, satellite capacity, terrestrial services, equipment procurement, project design, engineering and integration to deliver a broad range of strategic and secure communications.
Arrowhead Global Solutions, Inc. selected GlobeCasts Government Services Group to supply multiple satellite transponders to support international enterprise services and applications across multiple world regions for the U.S. military and other federal agencies. Arrowhead is using the GlobeCast service to provide its customers with bandwidth that can be used for both fixed and mobile ground terminals.
14 June 2004
International broadcaster Radio Netherlands received a boost when results of a recent survey by Dutch market research company The Choice showed that the Dutch abroad value the service provided by Radio Netherlands. The average respondent gave the Dutch international service a rating of 7.4. Approximately one in four Dutch people listen to Radio Netherlands during their stay abroad. The existence of the international service is considered by 72% of the respondents as (very) important.
Acting Director General Jan Hoek said: “These great figures are a boost for Radio Netherlands. After a period of reorganisation, it is good to know that the Dutch people value us so highly.
The number of Dutch holidaymakers listening to Radio Netherlands has increased recently after a slight fall end at the end of the 90’s. “We can see that holidaymakers find it important to have short summaries of Dutch and international news, background and service information. Moreover many holidaymakers tune into us for coverage of sporting events”, said Jan Hoek, who added “Radio Netherlands cooperates editorially more and more with the domestic public broadcasters. The 7.4 is therefore indirectly also for our colleagues.”
14 June 2004
To complement their existing range of FDP prompters, Autocue have developed new entry level Flat Display Colour Prompters – the 12.1″ On Camera unit and the 18″ On Camera Unit.
The 12.1″ FDP comes complete with hood, glass, cabling and a universal mounting plate for fluid heads. The 12.1″ FDP has composite and VGA inputs as well as a built in 240-110AC power supply. The 12.1″ FDP is the perfect solution for studio based prompting applications and can be used with all the software packages available from Autocue.
The 18″ FDP is the perfect solution for use when the talent and position call for larger prompter displays. The 18″ FDP comes complete with hood & glass assembly and a suitable mounting maybe required for certain head or pedestals, again Autocue can supply this for you. The unit has an external power supply to reduce the overall mounting weight and also has the features of composite and VGA inputs.
14 June 2004
Representatives of nine broadcasting associations from around the world met in Geneva to assess the progress that is being made towards their goal of an international treaty to protect broadcasters’ rights to be concluded under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Speaking after the meeting Moira Burnett of the European Broadcasting Union said: “There is now a fair chance that WIPO will call a Diplomatic Conference in 2005 on the basis that further work on the protection of webcasters will be postponed until after the broadcasters’ treaty has been adopted.”
The nine broadcasting associations referred to are the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Europe (ACT), Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), European Broadcasting Union (EBU), North American National Broadcasters Association (NABA), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Union of National Radio and Television Organizations of Africa (URTNA), National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NAB-Japan), Televisa, Mexico.
