Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Network has awarded a US $20 million contract to Abu Dhabi based systems integrator Tek Signals to put in place a complete 3G infrastructure for five studios at its sports complex. The order, which was finalised in July, will see Tek Signals deliver two studios by mid September, two in November […]
Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Network has awarded a US $20 million contract to Abu Dhabi based systems integrator Tek Signals to put in place a complete 3G infrastructure for five studios at its sports complex. The order, which was finalised in July, will see Tek Signals deliver two studios by mid September, two in November and the last by December 2011.
Thirty four Ikegami uni-cam systems that were first launched at NAB this year will be deployed at the five studios as part of this project.
Speaking about the choice of camera, Tariq Raja, managing partner, Tek Signals said: This is the only 16-bit camera in the world. This camera is very flexible and can support different types of operational control panels, whether through LAN or cable connections. It is also fully ready to capture footage in both 720p and 1080i.
Four brand new camera studios of 25×25 sqm will be fitted with three wall boxes each so that all cameras can be accessed from any point on the studio floor.
The wiring will allow each studio, which will have approximately seven cameras, to accommodate another six more if the need arises in the future.
A fifth 40×30 sqm studio will be completely refurbished and kitted out with 3G infrastructure. This studio is scheduled for completion in December.
Key equipment chosen for this project include cameras from Ikegami; Grassvalley servers; Tektronix test and measurement systems; Snell vision mixers and Yamaha audio mixers; Trilogy Talkback systems; Sennheiser microphones; precision monitors from Ikegami and Kroma; high-end Vinten pedestals; Egripment Scanner Elite cranes; Autoscript Teleprompters with built-in on-air talent monitors; multi-viewers; Vizrt on-air graphics and TSL and Wohler audio monitoring systems.
Joseph Varghese, division manager, Broadcast & Professional Systems, Tek Signals adds that the entire fitout caters to Al Jazeeras mandate for a complete 3G infrastructure.
The entire setup is in 3G. In addition, we are also deploying the Tektronix 3G Waveform monitor and 3G rasterizer with advanced Gamut Monitoring Package to conform to 3G quality and maintain strict quality control. Our design also ensures a fully redundant workflow.
