Snell & Wilcox has wrapped up its support of media companies covering the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The U.K.-based manufacturer of video production systems supported several media companies, including U.K. and German broadcasters and a Spanish-language network, during their coverage of the 27 soccer games held in June and July.
FIFA World Cup broadcasters used 10 Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switchers, along with the Alchemist Ph.C standards converters and a variety of Snell & Wilcox distribution, processing, monitoring, and control solutions to mix HD feeds of the game with other HD and SD sources for worldwide delivery (PAL and NTSC) in HD, SD and analog formats. BBC covered the tournament from studios and facilities in both Munich and Berlin, and used Kahuna systems installed at both sites to work with both SD and HD sources in the same mainframe, integrate them into production, and supply transmission feeds simultaneously in both formats.
Spanish-language broadcaster Televisa used the Kahuna system to integrate SD and HD sources into productions without the need for external upconverters or downconverters enabling the use of existing SD equipment and newer HD technology to deliver broadcasts to viewers across Mexico on the country's first two HD channels.
"By providing exceptional levels of support during the install phase, we were able to ensure that issues did not arise during the actual tournament. Then, during the five weeks of World Cup play, we provided front-line support on the ground in Germany, as well as 24-hour phone and e-mail support, to guarantee these systems operated without a hitch," said Joe Zaller, vice president of marketing at Snell & Wilcox.
