Archive of the Switchers Category

Grass Valley Aurora Production Suite

Grass Valleyâ„¢ is supplying a broad range of products, including a complete newsroom system, production and master control switchers, and infrastructure equipment for the first high-definition television service in Bangladesh. Maasranga Television, part of the SQUARE Group began broadcasting test transmissions from its new center in Dhaka on October 10, 2010.

This significant order for Grass Valley equipment is being installed by Maasranga Television and its system integrator with plans to be on air by the end of the year.

At the heart of the Maasranga Television’s channel is a complete digital news production system based on the Aurora™ production suite, with Grass Valley K2 media servers for content storage and exchange, and EDIUS® editing workstations. Each of the two studios is equipped with a Grass Valley Kayak™ video production switcher.

Maasranga Television’s central infrastructure also relies upon Grass Valley technologies, including Maestro™ master control switching, Trinix™ NXT routers and a comprehensive range of GeckoFlex™ modular products.

“Maasranga Television is the first high definition broadcaster in our country, and it sets the benchmark for the HD channels which will no doubt follow,� said Syed Fahim Munaim, CEO of Maasranga Television. “That’s why it was important for us to install world-class technology. As well as providing technologically advanced equipment, Grass Valley was able to supply all our production and infrastructure needs, giving us the ability of dealing with just one company.�

“This is a great example of a trend we are seeing worldwide, of businesses seeking to establish television channels and wanting to move quickly to be first to market and gain a competitive edge,� said Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President for Grass Valley. “Our negotiations with Maasranga Television were short and very professional, with the order being placed in September, demonstrating that Grass Valley has the global reach and the professional agility to meet the real market need for rapid response.�

Maasranga Television intends to be fully operational by the end of 2010.

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Grass Valley Kayenne Video Production Center

Three high-profile production facilities in France – the studios of France Televisions and Canal+, and the outside broadcast trucks of Euromedia, have completed their migration to the Grass Valleyâ„¢ Kayenneâ„¢ XL production switcher panels. These three major orders reaffirm Grass Valley’s position as leading supplier of high-end production switchers in France. The Kayenne XL switcher panel works with previously installed Kayakâ„¢ switcher electronics, significantly increasing the switcher’s capabilities.

Canal+ has installed a 4.5 M/E Kayenne XL switcher panel in its studio 2 in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris. The switcher is equipped with the full range of options, including six keyers on each M/E bank and the extended DVE option giving a total of 20 channels of digital effects which can be used in any part of the program flow. The order also included a Grass Valley Trinix™ NXT router, which is tightly integrated with the Kayenne panel, allowing the switcher to access to source ID’s names managed from a single location.

“We have used Grass Valley switchers before, and that helps us with the transition to the Kayenne,� explained Ralf Atlan, Deputy Technical Director of Canal+. “Our operators can start using the new switcher with the Kayak panel already installed, and then move over to the more capable Kayenne panel when they are ready.�

France Televisions has installed two Kayenne XL switcher panels, again with the full range of functionality: 4.5 M/E, 96 inputs, 48 outputs, six keyers, 20 DVE channels, and an integral RAM clip recorder. One panel was installed in studio 3 in France Televisions’ current headquarters; the other was installed in a new building, to be called Valin. Again, a deciding factor was the natural extension of the existing Grass Valley Kayak switcher architecture – giving France Televisions the same operational philosophy, but with greatly enhanced capabilities.

“It is the Kayenne XL switcher panel that makes it a dream,� said Mokhtar Ait Naceur of France Televisions. “We first saw the new panel at IBC2008 which started the whole project for us. We have had DD35, XtenDD, and Kayak HD switchers from Grass Valley, and we are very much looking forward to putting all this extra power into action.�

Euromedia is one of the leading outside broadcast contractors in Europe and, to support its work at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it re-equipped three of its largest trucks with Kayenne XL switcher panels. It was a tremendous indication of the confidence Euromedia places in Grass Valley products that the new panels should first be used when the eyes of the world were on the output of the trucks.

“We have a long and successful relationship with Grass Valley,� said Julien Schneider, CTO of Euromedia. “We use Grass Valley HD cameras exclusively, including the LDK 8000 and LDK 8300 1x/2x/3x Super SloMo cameras, and we have also used previous Grass Valley switchers. What the Kayenne panel gives us is a natural evolution from previous switchers but greater power, efficiency, and capacity.�

“These are three tremendous orders for the Kayenne XL switcher panel, coming at a time when the panel and the Kayenne Video Production Center switcher is achieving remarkable success around the world,â€? said Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President for Grass Valley. “These orders underline a critical design decision we made when developing the Kayenne switcher, to create a switcher with unprecedented power and flexibility, which could do things that no other switcher can, but with the ability to use the Kayenne control panel with our Kayak switcher electronics to extend the Kayak’s capabilities.

“Perhaps the most telling comment is that our sales staff finds it challenging to sell training to new Kayenne XL panel customers,� Rosica added. “Time and again they are told that operators already know 90% of how to use the new panel because it is a Grass Valley switcher panel.�

The Kayenne XL switcher panels went into service in the Euromedia trucks in time for the World Cup in June; the Canal+ studio went on air at the beginning of September in time for the French national football competition; and the first of the France Televisions studios will be on air later in the year.

* Disclaimer: Grass Valley is not an official sponsor of the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa, nor is it affiliated in any way with FIFA. Information supplied in this media alert does not imply endorsement from FIFA. FIFA World Cup, World Cup Soccer, and World Cup South Africa are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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FSR’S FLEX-LT RECEIVES WFX NEW PRODUCTS AWARD

CONTROL SYSTEM ACKNOWLEDGED FOR INNOVATIVE GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Atlanta, GA (November 15, 2010) — FSR’s new Flex-LT self-contained control system has received a WFX New Product Award as the Innovative Green Product in the “Best Building System/Materialâ€? category. A panel of industry experts judged the contestants, and winners were announced at Worship Facilities Conference & Expo (WFX) 2010 in Atlanta, GA on November 3, 2010 by Church Production Magazine and Worship Facilities magazine. The awards, designed to recognize the newest and most innovative building, management, and technology products geared toward Churches, identified Flex-LT’s numerous energy and cost-saving features as advantageous to Worship facilities of all sizes.

Flex-LT provides fingertip room control at an attractive price point. A built-in scheduler automatically shuts off displays that are not in use – making more

San Jose Mine, Chile (11 November 2010) – As the world watched, Thomson Reuters brought the plight and rescue of 33-trapped Chilean miners to audiences around the globe with the help of Brick House Video’s Callisto-RC Production Switcher. Thomson Reuters, the world’s largest international news agency, relied on Callisto’s mixed transmission ability every day from its arrival on October 2nd until October 13th as the last miner was lifted to safety from 2050 feet (625 metres) underground.

“Callisto survived my two-day journey comprised of multiple flights and ground transportation over rugged, unpaved roads,� said George Johnson, Technical Coordinator for Reuters. “It switched on perfectly when I arrived at the mine, and performed flawlessly on a generator as temperatures ranged from below zero to approximately 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).�

Callisto, a broadcast specification (SMPTE-259M) 270 more

Woodland Park, NJ (November 4, 2010) — FSR’s distribution amplifiers (DAs) have been selected for signal dissemination at the award-winning Culinary Arts School, part of the Oaks at Lanier Charter Career Center located in Gainesville, GA. The new facility, opened on September 15, offers unique classes and career pathways featuring hands-on training for students studying Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, and Interactive Marketing.

dB Audio & Video, a Georgia-based provider of audio, video, digital signage, control and acoustic design services, designed and built the technical infrastructure and integrated technologies for the complex. “The Lanier Charter Career Academy’s Culinary Arts School is an amazing facility and a huge step in public education unlike anything we’ve seen in our 20 years of business,� Neil Philpott, db Audio & Video’s sales/audio/video specialist commented. “It has not only received numerous accolades from the more

Digital connectivity solutions provider Gefen today announced the availability of its 10×4 DVI DL Matrix, a new addition to the recently introduced GefenPRO product line. GefenPRO offers integrators and end users professional products with advanced 24/7 technical support for broadcast, rental/staging and post-production environments.

With the 10×4 DVI DL Matrix, any ten computers can be switched to any four professional monitors with full cross-point routing. Users have the flexibility to create one or two extended desktops or send sources to individual displays.

High resolutions are supported up to 3840×2400, accommodating both single and dual link DVI formats. Built-in EDID management ensures the stability of pre-settings throughout switching. RS-232 serial control and front panel buttons offer easy access and control.

An internal power supply further strengthens performance, eliminating potential disconnects. The black metallic enclosure is rack mountable and rugged enough to withstand high performance environments.

NewTek, worldwide leader in video and 3D animation products, today announced that TriCasterâ„¢ portable live production system will be used to produce and stream through live to tape delay, the 2010 ThanksUSA benefit concert being held on October 12 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC. USVets.TV, a channel on the TV Worldwide network dedicated to United States veterans of all services and their families will be producing the event. more

Lesson Two, “Crew Assignments and Operation,” reinforces the importance of teamwork in producing a live broadcast. Students gain an understanding of a production crew and the responsibilities of each crew member.

For the kick-off of their 12-city, 5,500 mile TriCasts America: Varsity Tour, NewTek, a worldwide leader in video and 3D animation products, today announced the availability of its TriCaster Curriculum. Designed to introduce the basic concepts of creating a live production, the Curriculum divides the learning process into two parts: Journalism Basics and Production Basics. Each section contains in-depth lesson plans that enable the students to achieve network-style results, while working with TriCaster. more

Manufacturer’s Participation in United Way’s “Backpacks for Kids� Program Helps Local Children Prepare for a Successful School Experience

Woodland Park, NJ (September 8, 2010) — FSR, a Passaic County-based manufacturer, has demonstrated its commitment to the community by participating in United Way of Passaic County’s “Backpacks for Kidsâ€?, a program that collects supplies for children in Passaic County whose families cannot afford to purchase them. The objective of “Backpacks for Kidsâ€? is to send students back to school with the tools they need to succeed. FSR donated 60 backpacks, several dozen composition pads, crayon boxes and erasers. more

SALT LAKE CITY — Sept. 10, 2010 — Utah Scientific today announced it has been awarded a U.S. patent on its revolutionary UTAH-400 iP router, which gives broadcasters real-time, on-the-fly control of port priority, port speed, and security groups on Ethernet networks. A 24-port managed-gigabit Ethernet workgroup router, the award-winning UTAH-400 iP improves efficiency any time that high-bit rate streaming video or large video files move over Ethernet. more