Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), a global Catholic network, is using seven Teranex 2D Processors at its Irondale, Alabama headquarters for up conversion, aspect ratio conversion, frame syncs and PAL to NTSC standards conversion. EWTN operates nine SD television channels broadcast in English, Spanish, French and German throughout the US, as well as one feed in Canada. The organisation also has HD English and Spanish channels and AM and FM radio stations with more than 200 affiliates in the US, as well as an online presence that consists of nine channels of 24/7 live streaming and video on demand. EWTN initially purchased two Teranex 2D Processors to launch its US Spanish Channel in HD, up converting SD signal before sending it out as an MPEG4 satellite stream. “With one easy to use piece of equipment, we had our HD Spanish channel up and running,” said David Brantley (pictured), senior director of Engineering, EWTN. “We quickly realised that the Teranex 2D Processors had a lot more functionality to them, and they seamlessly transitioned to additional uses.” EWTN found the Teranex 2D Processors especially useful when receiving video from around the globe, including an around the clock fibre feed from Rome and another from a Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, for which EWTN uses two Teranex 2D Processors for PAL to NTSC standards conversion, frame sync and aspect ratio conversion at its downlink stations. Three additional Teranex 2D Processors are used as 4:3 to 16:9 aspect ratio converters for EWTN’s two control room outputs prior to satellite uplink. When a 4:3 signal comes in, it is automatically routed through the Teranex 2D Processors, while 16:9 signals bypass the step, saving EWTN time and effort on patching and routing. “Before, we took the feed from the downlink receiver, routed it through a standards converter for PAL to NTSC conversion and patched it through a frame sync. Then, if it was a 4:3 feed, we would have to go through an aspect ratio adjustment to get it to 16:9, and if we wanted to send that signal to one of our HD satellite uplinks, we would have to up convert it,” explained Brantley. “All these separate processes needed separate pieces of equipment. We simplified that process by being able to do everything via Teranex. www.blackmagicdesign.comwww.ewtn.com
