UK systems integrator Dega Broadcast Systems has purchased 317 Crystal Vision interface boards for the HD upgrade of the two largest studios at The London Studios.
Located on the South Bank in London, and owned by ITV, over 2,350 hours of entertainment, sport and factual programming is produced from their studios each year for the ITV network, the BBC, Channel 4 and other broadcasters.
The Crystal Vision equipment is located in a new Central HD STAR (Studio Technical Apparatus Room) which serves both the 775sqm Studio 1 and the 676sqm Studio 2, and additionally in a new media management and Graphics area around the HD STAR.
A total of 79 of the short-delay Q-Downs are being used for down converting the signals, with 12 Up-and-down-A up/down/cross converters with embedded audio handling wrapped around the matrices for adhoc use. For distributing the various HD, SDI and analog signals around the area The London Studios is using 96 HDDA105N and HDDA111N, eight DDA108 and 20 VDA110M HD.
30 FTX HD fiber optic transmitters and 30 FRX HD fiber optic receivers are being used to carry HD signals over long cable routes by fibre, with the location of the HD STAR and the Studio gallery two floors and over 100 meters apart. Eight CoCo HD color correctors have been purchased and are available for any applications requiring picture color matching on in-vision monitors. Nine SYN HD are being used to synchronize various adhoc sources, with a few used as line syncs. Also purchased were 22 ALLDAC encoders, two ADDEC-210 decoders and an LKEY HD linear keyer.
The Statesman PC control software is being used to set up the various boards, which are housed in 42 2RU frames.
Explained Harry Watts at Dega: “The London Studios have used Crystal Vision products for a long time. They are very happy with the products and were quite happy to stick with the same supplier.”
Studio 2 went on air on September 13th 2009, with Studio 1 due to complete in January 2010.
Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK, Crystal Vision provides digital keyers, picture storage modules and a full range of digital and analogue interface equipment including converters, synchronizers, distribution amplifiers and audio embedders to the professional broadcasting industry worldwide.
