The industry is mourning the loss of Vincent Jachetta, a dedicated engineer and founder of MultiDyne, who died on Sept. 2, 2008, of complications from pneumonia. He also suffered from Lyme Disease.
Jachetta made numerous contributions to the broadcast industry, including developing a long-haul equalizing video distribution amplifier (that helped launch CNN in 1982) and putting together the first digital handheld video/audio test signal generator in 1990.
Jachetta started the Locust Valley, NY-based MultiDyne in 1977 with the development of the first portable test signal and ID generator. He provided leadership and direction to the company for more than 30 years, while designing and developing many of MultiDyne’s products and systems. He holds several technology patents and was working on circuit boards right up until his death.
He started his career in the broadcast television industry as the chief engineer with the production company Lewron. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Lewron owned and operated a mobile production truck that produced the early days of professional wrestling and “The Bill Moyers Show.”
Jachetta held other positions at several of the major networks, although the majority of his career was spent working for NBC in the GE building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. He was part of the team that produced the Christmas show from the Florida everglades, the Miss America Pageant, the Game of the Week in Major League Baseball and the NFL, and presidential elections and conventions.
Among the many amazing stories about his career, one notable one occurred on Nov. 18, 1978.
Jachetta was scheduled to go to Guyana to cover the breaking story of Jim Jones and his mass suicide. Another NBC technician with higher seniority took his spot at the last minute. The entire crew except for one was killed by gunman (along with California Congressman Leo Ryan).
Vincent Jachetta is survived by his wife Joan and two sons, Jim and Frank who are all executives with MultiDyne.
Condolences and remembrances can be sent to vincentj@multidyne.com.
