SALT LAKE CITY -- Sept. 17, 2007 -- Embarking on a fiscally responsible transition to digital operation, Kansas State University's Educational Communications Center (ECC) has installed two Utah Scientific UTAH-400 routing switchers for video and audio, along with the SC-4 control system, at the heart of the center's production and broadcast facility.
"Like a lot of facilities, we are transitioning as our budget allows, and every dollar is important," said Robert Nelson, director of engineering at the ECC. "The router is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a facility. To us, a reliable, functional, and easy-to-use router is the key to our future plans, including the eventual upgrade to HD."
Located in Manhattan, Kan., Kansas-State University (K-State) is a land-grant institution with an educational communications center whose full production facilities include four studios, an uplink truck and a production truck. Round-the-clock programming includes lectures, music, arts and K-State football and basketball video-board productions. The center also contracts some commercial work such as outdoor events for Cabela's and video-board productions for a local music festival called "The Country Stampede." Besides production, the ECC frequently provides backhaul services for CNN, PBS, and other networks.
Installed in one day and on the air since March, K-State's new routers are upgradeable to HD by means of a simple card exchange, making them ideal for facilities in transition. The Utah Scientific equipment is easy to use, so novices can readily be trained to work on it. While the K-State facility is not run by an academic department and is not primarily for teaching, a number of students work there.
"We design all our routers to be backward compatible with legacy analog and digital equipment," said Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. "This is important for facilities like K-State, which are trying to upgrade on a limited budget."
Also important to K-State's decision was Utah Scientific's support, its 10-year 24-hour free warranty, and inclusion of a laptop that configures the router but is not required for ongoing operation.
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About Kansas State University's Educational Communications Center
K-State's ECC production facilities include four studios, an uplink truck, and a production truck. Round-the-clock programming includes lectures, music, arts and Kansas State football and basketball, as well as student-produced programming. The center also produces some commercial work for state agencies, non-profits, and other clients and provides backhaul for national networks.
About Utah Scientific, Inc.
Utah Scientific, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of analog, digital, and HDTV routing switchers, master control switchers, and related products including a full range of software for controlling and managing switching systems. The company has been serving the broadcast industry for 30 years with industry-leading products and best-in-class service and support as recognized by Frost & Sullivan with its 2005 Customer Service Leadership Award and demonstrated by the industry's first 10-year warranty. Additional information about the company can be found at www.utahscientific.com.
