Al Jazeera Sports adds to Trilogy range with Gemini intercom
Published: MEA
QATAR: Al Jazeera Sport has added to its range of equipment from Trilogy Communications by installing the manufacturer’s Gemini distributed matrix intercom as part of its ongoing expansion and development of the sports studios in Doha from HD to 3D. According to the manufacturer, Al Jazeera Sports is the first broadcaster in the Gulf region to select the system.
Supplied by systems integrator TEK Signals, this installation supports Al Jazeera’s expansion of four new sports studios and the revamp of one existing studio to meet its rapidly growing production needs.
The project, which consists of nine Gemini matrices forming a distributed network between the five primary studios, will reportedly enable Al Jazeera to develop and expand the ongoing production of sports programmes including coverage and commentary on the British and European football leagues through to the recently acquired rights to screen Champions League football.
‘They’d used our previous matrix system, the Commander, and were very happy with that and we introduced them to our new Gemini system,’ said Barry Spencer, GM of Broadcast at Trilogy Communications. ‘We explained what it could do, because it is a networked system rather than one big central matrix,’ he continued. ‘What that enabled them to do was to have individual systems, but interconnect them all into a single database, and have a single high-speed, multi-channel digital audio bus running through all systems with a backup over IP, and then an IP connection into our earlier Commander systems,’ he explained.
The unified communications are now monitored by one administrator giving greater overall control to the broadcaster’s operators. ‘We enabled all of them to be individually looked after but integrated as a common communications platform,’ noted Mr Spencer.
Al Jazeera also ordered 100 lever key panels of varying types to create the best fit solution for their operators.
‘Selecting the Gemini digital matrix Intercom from Trilogy was an easy decision to make. No other Intercom available was able to provide the ease of installation, flexibility and resilience required by Al Jazeera for this project,’ said Joseph Varghese, division manager at Tek Signals. ‘Having worked together previously, Al Jazeera, Trilogy Communications and TekSignals have forged a strong working relationship that has enabled us all to develop and tailor the design and implementation of this installation to the customer’s exact needs. Using our combined knowledge and skills we have been able to seamlessly integrate the system and provide the support and advice needed to meet the tight timescales on this project,’ he continues.
‘Moreover, Trilogy has established a strong presence within this market and we have been continually impressed by Trilogy’s commitment to innovation within the Intercom market and their dedication to customer support and look forward to working with them on future, exciting products in the region.’