France 3, a network of regional stations under the umbrella of national public broadcaster France T_l_visions, is installing Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switchers at France 3 regional facilities in Grenoble and Rennes. The installations, which will support production of daily news, regional TV programmes, and special events, are part of an upgrade of both facilities to digital operations. The Kahuna already is installed at France 3 regional centers in Montpellier, Toulouse, Reims, and Nantes.
“The Kahuna offers an intuitive user interface and robust production tools, such as integrated still and clip stores and a powerful 3D DVE option, that enable us to enhance the quality of our current broadcasts,” said Jean-Luc Hachon, project manager for France 3. “By handling both SD and HD content without the need for external up- or downconversion, the Kahuna production switcher will enable our network to make a smooth transition into HD broadcasting. We know from our previous experience with the Kahuna and the Snell & Wilcox team that we can expect reliable product performance, backed by excellent responsiveness and technical support.”
France 3 was one of the first broadcasters to invest in the Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher from Snell & Wilcox, and the network’s newest Kahuna systems will be taken live early in 2007. France 3’s Grenoble facility is installing a 2-M/E (mix/effects bank) Kahuna system equipped with twin channels of the IMPAKT 3D DVE option and configured, for the time being, for SD-only operation. The Grenoble installation also includes 13 RU of IQ Modular gear for signal processing tasks within the new digital infrastructure.
