Isn't this Nuko's OEM'd to Sony?
dbsdish.com
Channel Earth is On the Air With Sony's Digital
Solutions
Company Press Release
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1997--Channel
Earth is originating its broadcasts at a digital state-of-the-art
facility in Chicago, designed by Sony Electronics' Systems
Integration Center and outfitted with Sony's digital hardware
and software including the FlexSys(TM) Transmission System.
The channel, which began broadcasting in March, with a
bureau in Washington, and crews around the world, feeds an
audience that is largely rural and scattered.
Channel Earth was conceived to provide news, weather and
feature information geared toward the specific needs of people
interested in the agriculture industry. As a result, many of the
viewers who receive Channel Earth's 13.5 hours of daily
programming exclusively via DirecTV(TM) either live or work
on farms and homesteads in every remote corner of the
country.
''Channel Earth provides an essential service for our viewers,''
said Channel Earth's director of engineering, Russ Rodriguez.
''It delivers information which can have either an immediate
or long term effect on our viewers' businesses. As a result, the
volume of programming, much of which is international, and
the technical demands on our broadcast facility are quite high.
These factors were carefully considered by Channel Earth and
Sony Electronics when we began constructing the facility.''
Designed at the channel's request to offer a single
manufacturer, turn-key approach, Sony's digital broadcast
equipment fills the station's studio, operations and
post-production rooms.
Among the digital products Channel Earth uses are Sony's
DVS-V6464B serial digital routing switcher, the DVS-M1000C
master control switcher, the DVS-7000 switcher, the DME-7000
multi-effects unit, the FlexSys transmission and commercial
insertion system, DVW-A500 Digital Betacam(R) video tape
recorders, Betacam SX(R) Hybrid Recorders and SX DNW-7
camcorders.
''The best accolade you can give any broadcast equipment is
that it keeps the on-air operation going without failure,''
Rodriguez added. ''In the case of the Sony equipment, there
was another key factor: its ease of use. After all, we believe this
is among the country's first all-digital stations from acquisition
to delivery, and for most of the technicians here, there is
nothing to compare it to.''
''On both counts, the performance has made my job easier,''
Rodriguez added.
''The switcher has great built-in features and, equally as
important, the ability to grow with the operation. It also works
very well in combination with the DME. The router has caused
zero down time, and the Betacam SX camcorders are
tremendous. Their flexibility in various lighting conditions is
terrific, and the quality of the image is remarkable, something
I would only expect in a more expensive camera.
''The quality of the digital programming is its own best sales
tool for the station; the pictures are phenomenal. Sony service
has been extremely responsive, when needed, but, generally
speaking, they have created a very reliable system.''
The FlexSys transmission system provides both program
playback and commercial insertion, which is operated by
hardware, software and modular RAID 3 storage using both
tape and disc technology. ''The FlexSys system is used to
handle 20 elements per hour, and it rarely misses a beat,''
Rodriguez said. ''Also, the learning curve has been very fast.''
Channel Earth's start-up period from conception to air was
very short, according to Rodriguez. In order to meet the
March 28 air date, the channel was housed for the first few
months in two National Mobile Television trucks, including
DX-1. The trucks were largely outfitted with the Sony digital
products now in the broadcast plant, which provided the
channel with an advance look at some of their key purchases.
''We've been pleased since we started working together,''
Rodriguez continued.
''I know there were enormous challenges to get this facility
completed on time, but I never felt that any of our needs were
compromised for the sake of speed. The Sony integrators
worked their magic to get us what we needed, not what they
thought we needed. If equipment wasn't available, they found
us replacements. From sales to design to installation, it was a
great team.''
Channel Earth is presently completing the second phase of
construction which will increase the number of post suites.
Phase three construction will include a second broadcast
studio.
Note to Editors: More information about Sony products can
be found on the World Wide Web at
sony.com, or readers may call
1-800-686-SONY. Additional press information is available at
sony.com .
The Business and Professional Group of Sony Electronics is a
leading U.S. supplier of video and audio equipment for the
broadcast, production, business, industrial, government,
medical, and education markets. Sony offers a wide array of
products and systems for image capture, production, and
display. Sony also provides specialized equipment and systems
for data recording, duplication, electronic
photography/publishing, video conferencing, high definition
video, interactive and security applications. In fiscal 1996,
Sony Electronics had record sales of more than $9.6 billion.
Contact:
Sony Electronics Inc.
Lisa Young, 408/955-5683
lisa_young@mail.sel.sony.com
or
Technology Solutions, Inc.
Jon Reiner, 212/320-2235
jreiner@tsipr.com |
