UK-based independent broadcast systems integrator and manufacturer TSL (Television Systems Ltd)is supplying a comprehensive UMD and Tally System to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera. The contract is being handled by Thomson Broadcast Systems.
Having gained recognition over recent years for its unique and comprehensive coverage of key global events, Al Jazeera is currently in the process of expanding its line-up. As part of that expansion, it is launching a second international channel and it is for this new service that the TSL equipment is being deployed.
The equipment supplied includes two System Controller versions the UMD-SC-11 and the UMD-SC-21. These are supplied with the TSL Winsoft configuration program, designed to run on a PC, though it is not necessary to have the configuring PC permanently connected to the System Controllers. All operational configurations such as the router assignments, mnemonics and tally routing/mapping are set up using Winsoft. All parameters are automatically saved in a non-volatile memory and may also be saved to disc. Mnemonic lists and tally pin patches can be set in WinSoft to provide simple drag-and-drop for the updating and mapping for all displays whether assigned as router-associated or fixed displays.
The systems will also comprise 67 UMD-D8C dynamic displays; these are eight-character tri-colour dot matrix units with integral dual tally indicators. A UMD-PSU-22 2RU power supply unit completes the order to provide additional redundancy. TSL UMD and Tally systems can also be used with all popular multiviewers alongside conventional static and dynamic displays.