Scandinavian broadcaster TV4 has selected ATG Broadcast to design and install a playout management and presentation facility for the network’s new standard-definition channel, Guld Norge (Norway Gold), and a sports events channel capable of operating in 3D high-definition.
The new facility is to be located at TV4’s Stockholm headquarters. Based on the TV4 Guld model already well-established in Sweden, Guld Norge will provide Norwegian viewers with a wide range of programmes, including classic television drama.
“ATG Broadcast partnered with us on many occasions during the early establishment and subsequent expansion of TV4,” commented Pontus Wahlstedt, system engineer & chief designer at the network’s parent company, Ericsson Broadcast Services. “The ATG team has a good understanding of our technical and operational requirements, working reliably, flexibly and on time. The Guld Norge playout facility will be integrated into our existing master control room for easy operation by our presentation staff.”
“We have worked with TV4 on many projects over the years,” added ATG Broadcast managing director Graham Day. “TV4’s choice of ATG Broadcast for the Guld Norge project is proof that competent engineering combined with prompt completion is an effective way to encourage return business.”
Explaining some of the specific technical details of the new installation, ATG Broadcast projects manager Dave Whitaker revealed that “playout and presentation for TV4 Guld Norge will be incorporated into an existing ATG-installed system with an additional Snell Sirius 610 64 x 64 routing matrix populated to handle 40 x 40 crosspoints in HD or SD. We will also be installing an Omneon Spectrum HD/SD MPEG output port together with predominantly Axon infrastructure.”
The sport events channel is already on air, with the new Guld Norge channel scheduled to go on air during the second quarter of 2011.
The new TV4 project follows the recent completion by ATG Broadcast of a large playout facility handling no fewer than 13 Canal Plus sports channels.
www.atgbroadcast.com
www.tv4gruppen.se