For three weeks prior to the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, customer service personnel from PESA, a US-based custom design and build manufacturing company for professional audio and video signal distribution, were onsite at the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in London to support the setup and configuration of its routing switcher system, as well as provide training for technical operators. PESA’s Cheetah fibre optic router plays a significant behind-the-scenes role in the distribution of live and pre-recorded video feeds for local distribution, as well as satellite feeds to the US for re-broadcast. The router is based on an 864×864 frame – which was instrumental in high definition broadcast signals in previous years – populated with 816×800 coax and 48×64 fibre. The system includes PESA’s UCI-2000 controller card that allows it to be controlled via a Sony control interface. In addition, the Korean Broadcast System installed a complete PESA system, also connected to the main IBC routing system, to support its coverage. The KBS system includes a Cheetah 288×576 video router coupled with a DRS audio router. “PESA has been providing equipment and service support to broadcast Summer and Winter Games since 1988,” said Chuck Tillett, president and COO of PESA. “We look forward to supporting our clients at future competitions.” www.pesa.com
