Public broadcaster Südwestrundfunk (SWR) has commissioned its HD upgrade to
Wellen+Nöthen. The Cologne-based systems integrator is responsible for the upgrade and redevelopment of SWR’s Baden-Baden playout centre, as well as the supply, technical integration and implementation of its new HD components.
From 1 May, SWR will broadcast its regional content for the Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate regions, both in SDTV and high resolution HDTV format by satellite. This includes the upgrade of ingest and playout technology for the umbrella programme and regional windows, as well as the HD upgrade of the transmission chain for emergency broadcasting.
Since the integration is taking place during ongoing broadcasting, the changeover will occur in several stages. Initially, all of the ingest functions will be upgraded to HD-enabled processes and operations, e.g. live ingest, file ingest, media-based ingest and quality control. This will be followed by the upgrade and conversion of the broadcast transmission chains, the inbound distribution and routers, the programme distribution and the emergency broadcasting capacity for a multi-channel HD/SD playout. Wellen+Nöthen will also convert the automation system and technical installation for measuring and monitoring to a multi- format-enabled technology. In addition to the HD upgrade, the facilities will also be upgraded for double line subtitling.
Following completion of the integration phase and implementation of the new HD components, the company has also been commissioned with the downstream technical service and ongoing software maintenance during the operating phase.
