KMBC-TV/KCWE-TV, a Hearst-Argyle station in Kansas City, MO, has moved into a new fully digital 51,000sq-ft facility and is distributing HD signals with a UTAH-400 routing switcher from Utah Scientific. The station is the first to deliver HD news in its market.
The new switcher replaces an existing, 17-year-old AVS-1 router from Utah.
KMBC is an ABC affiliate, and KCWE is part of the CW network. The two broadcast four channels, including three hours of KMBC’s locally produced news in HD each day as well as quick-casts for the Web site. They plan to launch a 24-hour weather channel this year.
In addition to the all-HD 288-frame UTAH-400 router with Utah Scientific’s SC-4 control system, the new facility has also deployed three Utah MCP-400 master control panels. The control panels are customized to enable an operator to bypass master control automation with a single button push to accommodate breaking news, traffic, or weather updates.
The UTAH-400 digital routing switcher family includes HD and SD digital video switchers and AES/EBU digital audio switchers in all matrix sizes.
The new facility, designed by architects Rees Associates of Oklahoma City and system integrator Beck Associates of Littleton, CO, features the production studio and newsroom in a single space, with the second floor forming a mezzanine that overlooks them.
For more information, visit www.utahscientific.com.
