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Issue: Jul. 23, 2008
Top News
IPTV providers need to drive uptake of pay-per-view and VoD
Sustaining pay-TV and VoD growth is one of the key challenges for IPTV providers, a new report from Gartner says.
Although one in four consumers have used pay-per-view (PPV) or VoD content in the last year, getting more consumers to order and then regularly view this type of content is something operators need to devote more attention to.
The Gartner survey — 5,800 consumers across 18 territories — showed that although 25 percent of consumers had some kind of pay-TV service available in their household, less than 25 percent had made use of it in the last year.
The Gartner research indicates that globally, the average consumer spends 22 hours per week viewing entertainment on the television set; of which 16 hours per week is spent watching TV and six hours watching DVDs or videotapes. In addition, 39 percent of those surveyed had downloaded some form of video content (such as moves, TV shows and video clips) in the past three months.
According to the analyst firm, tapping into this established behavior and providing alternate solutions to satisfy demand is essential in earning incremental revenue for IPTV.
"Consumers already value DVD and videotape purchases and rentals, so getting them to transfer this behavior or habit over to IPTV subscriptions is a key strategy in developing revenue," said Amanda Sabia, principle research analyst at Gartner. "Providers need to ensure that ordering and navigation processes for PPV and VoD are easy to understand and user friendly. They should also offer competitive pricing, free trials and a wide range of titles, making sure they include various unique and most-recent versions."
Providers need to be creative in new business models, such as 'pay per day' and 'pre-paid on-demand' options, alongside aggressively marketing PPV and VoD libraries, Gartner advocates.
"As competitive pressures in the consumer communications market continue to drive telephone companies to expand their suite of services to include broadcast television and video programming, telcos have to provide distinct services to convince subscribers to switch to their products," Sabia added. "Differentiated content is a major lever for new IPTV providers to win customers."
Based on its research, Gartner has forecasts that the top five global markets for PPV or VOD — based on the combined highest access and content scores — are likely to be China, United States, Canada, Germany and South Korea.
Qatar Consultancy Role for VTC
British support services company VT Communications (VTC) is providing consultancy services to the public broadcaster in Qatar.
Qatar Radio & Television Corp. (العامة القطرية للإذاعة والتلفزيون, QRTC) is looking to realign its infrastructure in response to audience requirements in the region.
The consultancy contract cover both existing analog technology and new digital systems. Under the terms of the agreement, VTC will initially conduct site surveys — scheduled for mid-2008 — and handle planning work.
QRTC currently has analog FM, VHF and UHF TV facilities in the capital, Doha, but it intends to relocate to a new central transmission facility in central Qatar. The new facility will provide transmission capabilities for analog FM radio and analog VHF and UHF television, as well as T-DAB and DVB-T networks.
Newswatch
Channel 4 awards outsourcing deal to Red Bee
UK broadcaster Channel 4 has inked an outsourcing deal with Red Bee Media. As a result, broadcast and production services currently carried out in-house and by its 124 Facilities division undertaken by Red Bee.
Red Bee Media was selected following a competitive tender process and it is expected that outsourcing these services will deliver annual savings in the region of between 10 and 15 percent. Red Bee Media will also make a significant capital investment in new state-of-the-art facilities in White City.
"Outsourcing these functions to Red Bee Media will keep us competitive as digital technology transforms broadcasting. We're certain Red Bee Media is the best partner for Channel 4, because of their specialist skills and resources and because they offer the best prospects of secure employment for the maximum number of staff, whose existing terms and conditions will transfer with them," said Channel 4's Group Finance Director, Anne Bulford.
Red Bee will be responsible for Ingest, storage and archive of material; creation of programme clips; legacy video tape format transfers; QC and editing of standard definition and high definition content at the 124 Facility in Channel 4's offices in Horseferry Road as well as technical support; and Disaster Recovery.
The agreement between the two companies affects more than 100 staff and encompasses the channel's broadcast engineering and transmission teams, as well as post production, library services and on-air graphics. Staff working in the affected areas will transfer to White City in the next 12 months, however post production and on-air graphics staff will remain at C4's Horseferry Road site, but be in Red Bee Media's employment.
Red Bee will provide playout for all six commercial regions served by Channel 4 (via analogue, satellite and Freeview), as well as: Channel 4 +1; E4; E4 +1; More4; More4 +1; Film4; Film4 +1; Channel 4's new HD service; Playout and transcoding C4 streams for 4OD; Video on demand to 4OD, Virgin Media cable platform, BT and Tiscali; and Mobile streams to Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile.
IPV Curator transitions Five to tapeless
UK channel Five, has installed in a Curator system from IPV as part of a plan to transition its London facilities to a tapeless workflow.
Curator is a complete solution that can efficiently ingest, encode or transcode, at low bitrate, proxy SDI or file-based media, which can then be used concurrently by multiple users. It runs on both PC and Mac platforms, and also supports desktop editing, media annotation, review and approve, as well as general media browsing functions.
"We chose IPV's Curator system as an integral part of our overall business strategy to move to a tapeless production workflow," said Chris Anning, Chief Technology Officer at Five. "A key driver to our approach was to ensure that our users all had the necessary tools available at their desktop. It is Curators' ability to provide a user-friendly and intuitive desktop experience, with superb media delivery - enabling our team to be up and running quickly and effortlessly - that demonstrates it is the right solution to meet our workflow requirements at Five."
Genesis Networks takes MVS to US audience
MVS Television, the Mexican pay-television operator, has inked an agreement with Genesis Networks in order to reach a large Spanish-speaking audience in the US.
The deal will see Genesis provide a turnkey service to deliver the popular 24-hour Spanish language channel, Channel 52MX (Canal 52MX), to cable providers in the US.
Channel 52MX, a 24-hour Spanish-language news and entertainment channel, joins MVS Television's Cine Latino on the Genesis Networks cable network distribution system. Genesis Networks already provides uplink facilities for MVS Television's Cine Latino on the Genesis Networks cable network distribution system along with full-time uplink of Channel 52MX to the Intelsat Galaxy 23 satellite, where it is available for downlink and distribution by US cable MSOs and DBS platforms. Round-the-clock technical support and authorization services for all cable affiliates carrying Channel 52MX, as well as database management services is also part of the Genesis offering.
"The Spanish-speaking pay-television audience in the U.S. represents a huge and rapidly growing market for our programming. A few years ago, Genesis Networks made it possible for us to carry Cine Latino to US cable providers and start tapping that market, and so it made sense to continue the relationship by repeating the same model with Channel 52MX," said Fernando Villaseñor, MVS Corporate Technical Director. "Genesis Networks has given us access to a standard satellite platform that permits easy access to U.S. cable companies, and its network and conditional access tools allow us to provide personalized attention to our customers without the need of additional investments in technical and human resources."
ERTU sticks with Ross Synergy
Egyptian Radio & Television Union (ERTU) has purchased five Synergy 2 SD switchers from Ross Video, adding to its four existing Synergy 3 HD, and three Synergy 2 SD switchers.
Two of the new Synergy 2 switchers will be installed in ERTU's news edit suites, with the remaining three used in its TV studios.
"Ross' Synergy line has proven to be an affordable and reliable product," said Chief Director of Studio Projects, ERTU. "The Synergy 2 meets all of our requirements and offers feature sets that give our viewers a positive experience."
The Synergy SD series digital production switchers are multi-purpose switchers used to work in virtually any live production environment. When used in conjunction with the Vision QMD/X range of switchers, the Synergy units offer an upgrade path to multi-definition support.
IABM Engineering Student Award winners announced
This year's IABM Engineering Student Award saw an increase in international applicants, with three of the winners coming from Russian Universities.
The winners have been invited to attend IBC08 and will get the opportunity to meet experts from the industry as well as possible future employers.
"With double the amount of applications received compared to last year, the IABM had their work cut out to determine the winners. The calibre of applications was very high and it was very gratifying to have such an international mix of students. The IABM recognise the need for students to experience the world of broadcast technology first hand, which is why the opportunity to spend time at the IBC is such a worthwhile prize," said IABM CEO Roger Stanwell.
Autoscript makes the news with TVE Spain
TVE, Spain's national public broadcaster, has invested in Autoscript prompting systems for a major upgrade to its news production studios.
TVE has taken delivery of 18 High Brightness TFT 17-inch on-camera prompter panels for its news studios in Barcelona, Madrid and 14 regional stations. The order, secured via local dealer Moncada y Lorenzo, is part of a larger contract for camera robotics systems from Autoscript's parent company Vitec Group.
In all, TVE will install 26 Vinten Osprey Elite pedestals and 13 Vinten Pro-ped Pedestals. Autoscript's on-camera prompters themselves will be integrated onto Vinten Fusion FH100 robotic heads.
"It is exciting to see how Autoscript has established a reputation as an industry leader among broadcasters in Spain," said Antonio Jesús Rodríguez, Sales Director, Moncada y Lorenzo. "This new provision of services to TVE is particularly significant to Moncada since we are able to supply TVE with a complete automated on-camera solution."
Fairlight the path to tapeless for Germany's RBB
German broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) has invested in 2 Constellation digital recording, editing and mixing systems from Fairlight for its audio post production studios.
The Constellations, both with Pyxis Track video, MFX options and Crystal Core (CC-1) engines will be deployed in RBB's Potsdam and Berlin studios, and used for news, magazine and feature production.
RBB's project manager Andreas Heese says: "We chose Constellation because our sound engineers had good experiences with our old Fairlight MFX3 systems. However our specific reason for choosing this system was Fairlight's ability to assist with our new tapeless workflow in news production."
The fully integrated file-based system will help RBB speed up workflow eliminating the need for operators to physically exchange tapes.
"RBB was particularly interested in our ability to offer the best workflow tools for their requirements. Fairlight's CC-1 platform can be seamlessly integrated into any network environment or topology. It can import/export, read/write and stream media to and from any local or shared drive that is seen by the operating system. This converged approach offers the convenience of 'drag and drop' file selection whereby wrapped audio/video essence and audio or video files are immediately available to any project. In addition file export from the Fairlight system ensures complete integrity of the tapeless workflow environment," Mario Schmitz, Fairlight's head of European Operations, said.
The installations will take place during July and August, with both systems expected to be fully operational by the end of the summer.
NorCom sets sights on expansion in the Middle East
Munich-based NorCom Information Technology has secured an order from 24-hour Turkish news channel TGRT Haber TV for its NCPower Pro media management system.
The contract with TGRT is part of a wider push into the Middle East market by the company. NorCom CEO Viggo Nordbakk sees Turkey as the gateway to the Middle East, adding that the contract is therefore of particular significance to the company.
Using NCPower Pro platform from NorCom, TGRT is able to provide its journalists with a highly modern platform allowing efficient allocation of tasks and a uniform editorial workflow. NCPower Pro operates as a planning, production, editorial and management system handling all multimedia content as well as providing archiving and research functions.
The modular nature of the system means that individual modules allow the separate steps in the workflow — such as digitization and data import, archiving, production and editing, transfer and transmission — to be sequenced seamlessly, avoiding media discontinuity.
The multimedia content generated using NCPower Pro is broadcast not only via conventional TV stations but can also be transmitted in the form of IPTV, VOD and Mobile TV.
Product News
Echolab Announces Enhancement for Overture Switcher
Echolab is debuting a new module designed to enhance the capabilities of the company's Overture series of video production switchers.
The SuperBox gives switcher users the ability to put as many as windows on screen at once for simultaneous display of remotely-stationed reporters, program participants or graphics items. The module and firmware are designed to work with SD Overture switchers and are accessible via a switcher crosspoint button.
"SuperBox extends broadcasters' ability to incorporate multiple video boxes into their productions, and it does so without compromising the switcher's DVE capabilities," said Nigel Spratling, president of Echolab. "This affordable and easy-to-use addition to our Overture production switchers integrates seamlessly into the SuperSource feature, giving users a valuable tool for delivering more sophisticated live broadcasts."
With the new tool, operators can build up to four boxes and graphics with keys, and then assign the mask created to a crosspoint button. Each box can be moved and scaled within the mask.
Snell & Wilcox Completes Integration of Kahuna, EVS XT[2] Server
Snell & Wilcox has fully integrated its Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher with the EVS XT[2] production server. The Kahuna-EVS integration enables the switcher to control all channels of the XT[2] server, giving operators access to multiple content streams.
Kahuna directly controls the XT[2] server, so operators can access video clips and apply frame-accurate key and fill animations and other effects without having to go through a separate control system. EVS said the integrated XT[2]-Kahuna system is a key link in the production workflow.
"As a complementary extension of our XT[2] server, Kahuna smoothes the way for our users to access and deliver any type of content to air for HD broadcast," said Fred Garroy, general manager of EVS Americas.
With its multiformat SD/HD capability, Kahuna can mix existing SD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots and archive footage from the XT[2] server directly into an HD broadcast without the need for outbound upconversion equipment.
More HD Inputs Added to Thomson Grass Valley Indigo
Now up to eight high-definition inputs are available on the Thomson Grass Valley Indigo AV Mixer.
"We developed the Indigo switcher to give the professional AV community unprecedented functionality and uncompromised quality at an affordable price," said Jeff Rosica, senior vice president of Thomson's Broadcast & Professional Solutions within the Systems division. "We are listening to requests from our user base and continuing to add the facilities they need."
The enhanced capability expands the number of high-definition video sources that can be mixed in real time. The new option also enables two of the device's outputs to be used as auxiliary outputs on the mixer. Outputs are available in multiple formats simultaneously for providing feeds to displays, projectors and digital recorders. The Indigo's inputs may be scaled to accommodate a variety of input resolutions.
The company announced the availability new input module option at InfoComm in Las Vegas.
Deals
Telestream Expands Desktop Product Distribution in Central Europe
German company New Media AV of Germany has been awarded a distribution deal by Telestream for its desktop digital media products in Germany and Spain. Under the terms of the agreement New Media AV will serve as a master distributor of Telestream's Flip4Mac WMV and MXF components, Pipeline network video capture hardware and Episode desktop media encoding software range.
Johannes Bauer, MD of New Media AV, believes there is scope to combine Telestream's desktop products with the hand-picked range of products already in distribution.
"Telestream meets the high demand we see among our customers for intelligent, easy-to-use, file-based workflow products," he said. "When it comes to digital media workflow solutions, there are no products better suited than Telestream's Pipeline, Flip4Mac WMV, MXF and Episode desktop products. Telestream customers will also benefit from having direct access to our local-language sales and support teams."
Under the tersm of the agreement, sales through resellers for the above desktop products in Germany and Spain will also be managed by New Media AV. Direct end-user online sales are unaffected.
"As our desktop product line continues to grow, we are now serving more and more customers in these countries," said Steve Ellis, VP of Worldwide Sales at Telestream. "The addition of New Media AV as our master distribution partner in Germany and Spain will help us build on our current success in these regions. New Media AV is a proven distribution leader in the markets we serve. They will enable us to improve both local sales and support services while strengthening our presence and position in these regions."
Boland Communications launches in Europe
US broadcast LCD monitor supplier, Boland Communications, is launching into the European market and will be showing its products at IBC this year. The company said it expects high demand for its range of advanced display products, from full High Definition 42" monitors to the smallest and most lightweight field monitors in the region.
"Launching in Europe has long been our aim,' said Mike Boland CEO of Boland Communications. "Having worked as broadcast engineers ourselves, we understand the needs of the broadcast community. We have seen an amazing reaction to our products in the US market and we believe that opportunity in Europe is equally exciting."
At IBC 2007 (Booth 8:300) visitors to the booth will be shown day-bright readable HD broadcast displays for the field production and aviation markets, colour stable all-digital 10-bit processing displays for control rooms and studios; and wide power options for field trucks, OB vans, helicopters
All the products support standard HDTV, SDTV, & PC resolutions, with HD SDI, SD SDI Digital Video Inputs (SMPTE 259/274/292/296), and analogue video inputs: composite, Y/C, YPbPr/CrCb, PC VGA (EIA, CCIR, VESA), and PC video resolution modes and EGA up to WUXGA.
FOR-A announces incorporation of FOR-A Latin America
FOR-A's Latin America operation has been officially incorporated as FOR-A Latin America, Inc. The company has also appointed Hiroaki Tanoue, who has been with FOR-A for fourteen years, to the dual role of president of FOR-A Latin America Inc. and Executive Vice President of FOR-A Corporation of America.
Because of its incorporated status, FOR-A Latin America, Inc. will have the independence to make decisions about inventory and pricing that best meets the specific needs of customers in Latin America and the Caribbean.
"There is huge potential for continued growth in the Latin American market. The incorporation of our Latin American division will offer concentrated support to our customers in the region as well and provide a unique edge," Tanoue said.
The company will operate from its recently opened Miami office located at 5200 Blue Lagoon Drive.
People News
Alain Pecot joins Harris
Alain Pecot has joined Harris as regional director of Southern Europe. Based in France, Pecot will be responsible for growing Harris Broadcast's business in the region and oversee the company's operation in France, which includes the sales teams for France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Northern Africa, after-sales support, project management and product development. Harris Sales operations based in Italy will also report into Pecot.
Pecot joins from Thomson, where he held the position of chief marketing and technology officer for the company's Networks & Integration Solutions business unit, where he was responsible for developing plans for integrating recently merged companies, defining product line road maps and managing product life cycles to reduce time to market and improve quality. Pecot has also worked for Thomson's Grass Valley division, as well as for Sony Broadcast & Professional Europe.
"The Harris presence in France is well established, and this senior appointment signifies our further commitment to investment and growth in the Western European market," said Richard Scott, vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations for Harris Broadcast Communications. "Alain brings to Harris an impressive background in international broadcast and media markets. His vast experience in product management, new market development, direct and indirect sales management will be extremely valuable as we further strengthen the Harris business in Europe."
New role For Jason Kelly at Midas and Klark Teknik
Jason Kelly has taken on the role of Technical Sales Manager at Midas and Klark Teknik. In the newly created role Kelly, will be responsible for providing the joint international distributor network with both pre- and post-sales support, product training and system design, opening up the technology to new markets. He will also assist with local Midas and Klark Teknik academies and distributor/end user training, both at the UK headquarters and internationally.
Kelly joins from Midas and Klark Teknik UK distributor, Shuttlesound, and was previously a sound engineer and system designer running his own rental and production company.
"Although our products are always easy for the operator to use, the technology underneath the bonnet is complex. A large part of my new role will be to make any learning curves as smooth as possible for the end user, giving our distributors an added advantage in their markets," Kelly said.
He will be mainly providing the Midas and Klark Teknik international distributor network with both pre- and post-sales support, product training and system design, opening up the technology to new markets. He will also assist with local Midas and Klark Teknik academies and distributor/end user training, both at the UK headquarters and internationally.
Guy Elliott the next MD of ATG
ATG Broadcast has appointed Guy Elliott as Managing Director Designate, working alongside the current Managing Director, Graham Buchanan, until 1 September when Buchanan takes on the role of Chairman.
"With the increasing focus on IT-based broadcast engineering, this is an ideal time to be progressing from hardware manufacturing into dedicated television systems integration," Elliott said. "ATG Broadcast is a highly successful performer in Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, combining an effective blend of traditional and computer-based engineering experience. My objective will be to extend ATG's presence into a wider market arena. I look forward to working with the Letchworth-based team and our colleagues within Danmon Systems Group."
Elliott joins from Harris, where he was Director of Regional Sales Europe. He has worked in the broadcast industry for 30 years during which time he co-founded broadcast radio systems company Elliott Brothers (Audio Systems) Ltd. He has alsoheld posts at Redifon SPT, Sennheiser UK, Kingston TLI and Encoda Systems before joining Leitch Europe in 2001.
New appointments at NTP Technology
NTP Technology has made two new management appointments, promoting Hans-Christian Kjærgaard-Hansen to the post of Managing Director and appointing Mikael Vest as Sales Director.
Hans-Christian Kjærgaard-Hansen, has been part of the company's management board since 2003. Mikael Vest joins from DAD — Digital Audio Denmark, where he was a partner and CEO.
Exhibitions & Events
SBES Planning Moves Apace
SBES2008, the annual Sound Broadcasting Equipment Show, will highlight the latest gear for radio and sound broadcasting this November at the NEC in Birmingham, England.
The specialist exhibition includes exhibitors from the microphone to the transmission system with information, advice, demonstrations and products for all aspects of sound broadcasting, as well as for anyone wanting to start their own radio station/studio.
A full list of exhibitors, as well as additional information about the show, is available via the SBES2008 Web site.
RadioTV Forum Confirms Interest
Organizers of the two-day RadioTV Forum 2008 reported continuing growth in interest for the Italian event.
Held 1–2 July at the Hotel Melià Roma conference center in Rome and organized by AERANTI–CORALLO, the Italian association of local, satellite and Internet broadcasters, the forum included conferences, seminars and also a technology and services exhibition.
Broadcast&Production, an Italian sister publication of Radio World and TV Technology responsible for stand sales and exhibition sponsorships at RadioTV Forum 2008, announced a 14 percent increase over the 2007 exhibition. A total of 70 firms took part in the exhibition this year.
RadioTV Forum 2009 will take place 7–8 July at the same Rome venue.
Olympics
Linear Acoustic Mixes up NBC Olympic Coverage
Linear Acoustic has won an order for more than 30 UPMAX:neo upmixers from NBC. The upmixers will be deployed during NBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics in August.
As part of its all-HD coverage of the Olympics, NBC is including prerecorded and edited programs. In the event that the editing and recording equipment used doesn't have enough channels to support 5.1 surround sound, the UPMAX:neos will provide the upmixing capability needed to maintain sound quality throughout.
"NBC is breaking new ground with its comprehensive HD coverage of the Beijing Olympics, and the network's ability to provide high-quality sound will be key to the delivery of the Games in all their glory," said Tim Carroll, president of Linear Acoustic.
The Linear Acoustic UPMAX:neo system will be in use at virtually every Olympics venue involved in live broadcasting and at the NBC Olympics broadcast centre in audio control rooms, edit rooms, and in the quality control area as a monitoring and troubleshooting tool.
It will allow audio engineers to analyze the quality of incoming stereo feeds, whether for stereo broadcasts or for upmixing to 5.1 audio. The UPMAX:neo will also downmix audio, yielding stereo sound comparable to the stereo audio originally fed into the system.
Vinten Set for Beijing
Vinten Equipment Hire U.K., a Vitec Group company and specialists in the dry hire of Vinten's renowned camera support equipment, is preparing for an upturn in demand from OB companies as they get ready for coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Vinten Equipment Hire already supplies camera support equipment to most of the U.K.'s leading OB production companies, where the Vector range is the familiar industry standard. To meet the increased demand with the Olympics Vinten Equipment Hire has ordered 25 of the latest Vector 750 pan/tilt heads.
"We are in talks with some of our key OB equipment hire customers about their requirements for Olympics coverage," said John Banham, Vinten Equipment Hire manager.
"With such a huge, global live event, it's all about careful pre-planning and total product reliability," he said. "Our customers already know that's what they get from Vinten, but with the Vector 750 they have the proven technology of the 700 series and the familiarity of the Vinten system, all in an even more robust package able to take whatever conditions are thrown at it!"
TV Bandeirantes has Olympic vision
Brazil's fourth largest broadcaster, TV Bandeirantes, has invested in two Vision 2 production switchers from Ross Video. The new switchers will be out to use during its broadcast of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
"We already have experience with Ross' Vision line, owning a Vision 3," said Rubens Fernando Ortiz, Director of Engineering. "Vision is not only affordable, but continues to offer TV Bandeirantes features to further us within the broadcast industry."
The Vision 2 will provide TV Bandeirantes with multi-definition capability, enabling it to handle standard and high-definition formats separately, or combine SD and HD clips.
Mediagroup Provides Games Sound
Audio systems from Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup are playing a behind-the-scenes role at the 2008 Olympic Games.
The company supplied two Aurus desks as a permanent installation in the central control room at the 90,000-seat Beijing Grand National Stadium.
A Nexus network will then carry audio to a sound-reinforcement system comprising 220 line arrays. The system will also deliver audio content via MADI lines to the International Broadcast Center (IBC) and an estimated 60 OB trucks.
The Aurus desks installed at the stadium are a 40-fader master console and a smaller eight-fader slave console. The Nexus audio network features eight base devices and a Nexus Star. The configuration supports a variety of formats and allows the full use of Nexus internal audio processing features.
Several Chinese public-service broadcasters, including national station CCTV and regional channel Hunan Economic TV, will carry Stagetec systems in their OB vehicles, as will Italian public broadcaster Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI).
Early March, CCTV also equipped control rooms at its new main broadcasting center in Beijing with Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup solutions, specifically three Auratus XL consoles and a Nexus network.
On-Site Surround from Lawo
:!:img01_right:!:In addition to the more than 50 mc² mixing consoles present in the European and Asian outside broadcast vans in Beijing to cover the Summer Games, Lawo is installing surround control rooms with mc² Series desks in Beijing.
Through its rental services company, Audio Broadcast Services, 17 surround controls will be constructed for coverage of the Games. ABS is also providing planning, delivery, project engineering and on-site support.
To guard against unforeseen problems, ABS plans to have on hand a pool of Lawo equipment available for hire if a broadcaster has a systems failure or discovers it needs more gear on site. Flight-cased mixing console systems will also be available.
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