Multi-Format HD/SD Production Switcher Enables Smooth Transition for Welsh Broadcaster S4C

Foundation for Boomerang+ to Provide High-Quality HD to Other Clients

"Kahuna is without peer in terms of its ease of use, versatility, and robust multi-format capabilities via FormatFusion, which meant we did not have to invest in separate conversion equipment on the input side. With the success of Kahuna for our service to S4C, we are now able to offer the best possible SD or HD output to our clients, depending on their requirements," said Craig Ryan, studio manager, Boomerang+. "There's no question that Kahuna has done much to raise the overall profile of our services."

Boomerang+ maintains a fiber optic connection with S4C that enables the production company to supply live output to the network. When S4C began putting into place an infrastructure that would enable a smooth migration to HD operations, the network requested that Boomerang+ replace its aging SD switching equipment with a solution that could provide superior-quality HD video output from multiple input formats. Installed by systems integrator Megahertz, the Kahuna switcher has enabled Boomerang+ to incorporate video in any type of format, including SD, into the HD stream without requiring additional conversion equipment on the input side. Kahuna went live in January 2010, supplying S4C with down-converted SD that was switched to an HD signal when the network moved to HD on May 1.

"Migration to HD operations continues to be an enormous technology hurdle facing broadcasters and the production companies they work with, but Kahuna offers a smooth and cost-effective path to HD that enables the broadcaster to continue leveraging content from many different sources and formats," said Neil Maycock, chief marketing officer, Snell. "Boomerang+'s choice of Kahuna is a true win-win: S4C will be able to launch its HD service without a significant investment in conversion equipment, and Boomerang+ has a world-class switcher solution that it can now provide to other clients."

About Kahuna

Kahuna from Snell is the world's first and only true multi-format SD/HD production switcher. Thanks to a Snell technology called FormatFusion, Kahuna enables simultaneous SD and HD operations in the same mainframe and on the same control panel. This vastly simplifies the HDTV transition for broadcasters by eliminating the need for external HDTV up/down/crossconverters in the live production environment, as well as the cost and the signal path delay associated with these products. Kahuna has the smallest mainframe, lowest weight, and lowest power consumption when compared with other large switchers, and it has been integrated with dozens of third-party products including routers, servers, automation systems, and controllers.

About Boomerang+

Founded in 1994, Boomerang+ produces a wide array of national and international programs including extreme sports, drama, comedy, live events, children's programs, Web content, and radio broadcasts. The company's combination of in-house talent and resources enables it to operate across the whole spectrum of creative industry activities including program production, post-production services, television facilities, and talent management. Supporting all Boomerang+ plc group companies' work are integrated studio and post production facilities that include two multi-camera studio spaces; live transmission links; 12 Avid video edit stations; two audio dubbing studios; radio production facilities and extensive location equipment, both HD and SD. For more information, visit

About Snell

Snell is a leading innovator in the digital media market. The company provides customers with a comprehensive range of solutions for the creation, management, and distribution of content, as well as the tools necessary to transition seamlessly and cost-effectively to digital, HDTV, and 3Gbp/s operations. Snell's Emmy® Award-winning image processing, live production, automation, and infrastructure technologies provide customers with the ultimate flexibility, operational efficiency, and ROI required in today's multi-screen world. Headquartered in the U.K., Snell serves more than 2,000 active customers in more than 100 countries through a worldwide team of sales and support personnel. More information is available at