One of the newest additions to the Middle East’s burgeoning broadcasting scene is Al-Watan TV, a Kuwaiti-based satellite channel that broadcasts news and family entertainment to local citizens and Arab expatriate viewers.
Launched in 2007, the channel is the first in the region to build a studio that is completely HD equipped and Mac compatible. Committed to becoming the leading innovative local TV station of Kuwait, Al-Watan TV offers high quality content that includes internally produced programmes, acquired programmes, commissioned programmes and news feeds. These are broadcast on a free to air basis through the ARAB SAT 26, NILE SAT 7 WEST and Atlantic Bird 8 West satellites.
In order to balance the audio levels from this diversity of incoming programme material, Al-Watan TV has invested in a Jünger Audio LEVEL MAGIC automated audio loudness control system, which was supplied by Adnan Al Woish, of Jünger Audio’s Kuwaiti partner PSC. The equipment is now helping maintain audio consistency, thus giving Al-Watan audiences a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
Issam Abaza, Al-Watan’s Audio and Studio Supervisor, says: “Thanks to Jünger Audio's LEVEL MAGIC, we are able to smoothly maintain the audio level during play out of various programmes from different sources and feeds.
“We have been fortunate in acquiring a wealth of black and white video archives. With the help of LEVEL MAGIC, we have been able to capture these into our servers and eliminate severe fluctuations in their audio levels so that they maintain consistency with our newer, high quality programme material. The LEVEL MAGIC system provided the perfect solution because I didn't want to distort the historical warmth and nostalgic feeling of this old material by applying severe dynamic processing to the sound.”
Jünger Audio’s LEVEL MAGIC is a sophisticated adaptive level control algorithm that is designed to adjust the level from any source at any time, with no pumping, breathing or distortion. It is based on a simultaneous combination of an AGC, a Transient Processor for fast changes and a “look ahead” Peak Limiter for continuous unattended control of any programme material, regardless of its original source.
Capable of using any kind of I/O (Analog and Digital) sources, as well as SDI, HD/SDI, Dolby 5.1 and all its related metadata, LEVEL MAGIC is available in a variety of configurations to suit different applications.
Al-Watan TV has installed a C8932 double-sided system with a Dual Power Supply. This is fitted with a variety of cards including 3 x C8086 8 channel LEVEL MAGIC cards, 3 x C8403 HD/SD SDI dual mode cards, a C8702 frame controller card and a C8830 Sync Card.
“There were a number of features in the LEVEL MAGIC system that appealed to us – not least its ability to automatically control audio levels,” Issam Abaza says. “We were also impressed by its HD/SDI compatibility, its power fail bypass and its Surround Sound and Dolby E reliability and support. Since installing the system we have found it to be one of our most reliable and faithful assistants when it comes to handling our high quality HD broadcasted material. I am so delighted with its performance that I would strongly advise any broadcast facility to implement LEVEL MAGIC.”
Abaza adds that the support he has received from Jünger Audio’s R&D department and sales team has been remarkable.
“They are always willing to offer advice and I really appreciate the great contribution and dedication to high quality broadcast audio that the company has made.”
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