e.tv moves with Megahertz
Published: MEA
SOUTH AFRICA: South African broadcaster, e.tv, is in the process of moving 5km across Cape Town to a purpose-built facility whilst also simultaneously migrating to HD. The broadcaster opted to call in Megahertz to assist with the move.
e.tv currently broadcasts eight channels and its core facilities also include programme ingest, editing and graphics, a busy newsroom and three production studios. The challenge for Megahertz was to move the complete operation without impacting day-to-day operations.
‘We have been working with e.tv on the move right from the start – advising on civil engineering issues like studio floor construction and soundproofing,’ recalled Don Wilson, Megahertz project manager. ‘We have also catalogued all the existing equipment, advising what could be upgraded to HD and moved, and where we need to plan for new hardware.’
The Megahertz team developed the new system design, and provided advice on what new core equipment would be required. This included two Grass Valley Miranda 8000 routers: one for lines traffic and a larger router for all the transmission traffic. Much of the modular infrastructure comes from Axon, including synchronisers, converters, multi-viewers and transmission switchers. The new facility features a central control and monitoring system, also from Axon. e.tv was an established user of playout automation from Pebble Beach, and the project also involves updated Marina, Neptune and Anchor systems from the company to meet the extended profile.
‘Any project which involves picking up eight busy channels and moving them across town is always going to be a challenge on a knife-edge,’ said Dave Stewart, group head of technology for e.tv. ‘Even while the planning and moving is happening, we still have a station to run and channels to put out. So we needed a partner we could trust to come in and take responsibility for the move.
‘Megahertz has always been grounded in solid, practical broadcast engineering skills,’ he continued. ‘We have worked closely together, of course, but I have been able to let them get on with the job safe in the knowledge that they had anticipated all the problems and pinch points. I’m sure the move will be seamless.’