The Dutch nationwide public service broadcaster NOS (Netherlands Omroep Stichting) will be using RadioScapes Professional DAB Broadcast Suite for its DAB radio service throughout The Netherlands. Nozema, the largest and most experienced broadcast infrastructure provider in The Netherlands, will be installing and running RadioScapes Broadcast Suite for NOS.
Hans Bakhuizen, senior policy adviser at NOS, said, We evaluated the RadioScape solution along with several others and selected it because it provides the flexibility and reliability that we, as a leading national broadcaster, require. RadioScapes solution is all software based so that enhancements can be easily implemented to ensure that we provide a state-of-the-art service to our listeners at all times.
The Professional DAB Broadcast Suite from RadioScape consists of a series of software modules, connected by a unique, IP-based architecture that controls and delivers audio and data from the studio together with any external service providers. It takes care of encoding and multiplexing to provide a complete baseband DAB broadcasting solution. RadioScapes easy to use scheduling software enables users to simply manage what has traditionally been a complex task. The software runs on standard industrial PCs so that hardware maintenance is straightforward. New software updates and enhancements can be easily uploaded to provide system improvements.
Nick Banks, RadioScapes DAB Infrastructure product manager, added, RadioScapes Broadcast Suite has been developed with the experience gained from many large scale deployments. In the UK, RadioScape equipment has enabled the worlds largest roll out of DAB, powering virtually all commercial broadcasts. This experience has ensured that our Broadcast Suite can scale to meet any countrys needs for both audio and data broadcasting.
Eutelsat announced today that its new W3A satellite was successfully brought into full commercial service at 7 degrees East in the nights of May 15 to 16 and May 16 to 17 with the seamless transfer of all traffic to the new satellite from W3.
In addition to assuming all services formerly delivered by W3, Eutelsat’s new satellite substantially increases the business potential at one of Eutelsat’s most longstanding orbital locations by providing more capacity and extending coverage beyond Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to almost the entire African continent. In addition to Ku-band capacity, Eutelsat has deployed Ka-band frequencies and Skyplex on-board processing on W3A that in particular opens opportunities for broadband services between Europe and Africa such as voice over IP and Internet access.
Following launch on 16 March, W3A was positioned in geostationary orbit by Eutelsat in collaboration with prime contractor EADS Astrium and Telespazio. Tests of the spacecraft bus, the first in the Eurostar E3000 series, were completed on 31 March and the payload was subsequently tested and performance thoroughly verified during April on a test location. On 3 May, the satellite was triggered to begin a slow move towards its definitive operational position at 7 degrees East. It arrived on station on 14 May and was prepared for the transfer procedures.
The switch of services followed a meticulously planned sequence of events over two nights, with corporate clients such as Reuters and Hughes Network Systems being the first to move in the night of 16 May. In the night of 17 May the European Broadcasting Union’s Eurovision network, Digiturk’s pay-TV platform, RAI, TV Poland and other video clients were transferred. The majority of the switch manoeuvres lasted fewer than 30 seconds with the longest lasting fewer than 90 seconds.
Eutelsat’s W3 satellite, which went into service exactly five years ago, will start its drift later this month to 48 degrees East where it will continue its full commercial mission for clients with requirements in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and central Asia.
Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) commissioned VT Merlin Communications to undertake a feasibility study into setting up digital broadcasts in the Hong Kong territory using the Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRMTM) system. RTHK has a number of analogue medium wave and FM radio services, but currently has no digital radio service. They were therefore keen to experience the benefits that the DRM system could bring to the region.
VT Merlin engineers conducted a pilot study during March 2004 utilising RTHK’s existing analogue transmitter on 783 kHz, which is broadcast 24/7 from its transmission facility at Golden Hill. During the test the analogue signal was suspended between 01:00 and 05:00 and the DRM signal was broadcast instead. A total of 47 RTHK sites located throughout the territory were included in the study, with measurements taken at each location. This clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the digital system. The pilot transmissions also showed the flexibility of DRM by broadcasting dual language programmes in English and Cantonese over the same channel. VT Merlin also proved the possibilities for data transmission by sending electronic images during the regular audio service.
Peter Gordon, VT Merlin’s Head of Digitalisation commented: ” The results of this study are very encouraging and show RTHK how the DRM platform could
be constructed using existing broadcast infrastructure. We look forward to
helping RTHK to develop digital services in the future.”
VT Merlin is a founder member of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcast related organisations working to bring digital AM radio to the market place.
The third annual summit of the international broadcasting industry takes
place in May 2004. The AIB Global Media Business Conference is on Wednesday
12th and Thursday 13th May in the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty.
The conference auditorium is the former Czechoslovak parliament chamber, the
Hall of the People and the building – the former Czechoslovak Parliament – is
located right at the top of Wenceslas Square in central Prague.
The agenda is far-reaching and will stimulate much discussion and debate
between the delegates attending this important annual conference. With delegates
joining from all over the world – Australia, Germany. Canada, New Zealand,
Sweden, France, the USA and many other countries – this is the premier event for
the international broadcasting industry to meet, exchange ideas and to learn.
Delegates include broadcast executives, producers, journalists, regulators, politicians, manufacturers, service providers and consultants.
The entire industry will be represented and so make this an unmissable event.
The conference agenda is available online – click on the Conference link on the navigation bar to the left.
Supported by
The AIB has negotiated a range of special rates for delegates travelling to the
AIB Global Media Business Conference in Prague. Full details will be available
to all delegates on receipt of their registration.
The AIB has appointed Destination Travel of Prague as the official travel agency. Destination has negotiated first-class hotel deals and you can only book the official conference hotel through Destination. Check out the booking form on line.
There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available to
companies and organisations that want to raise their profile in the global media marketplace. Download the sponsorship document here and
contact
Anver Anderson to discuss how the AIB Global Media Business Conference can benefit your business.
We look forward to seeing you in Prague in May 2004.
