Article Overview

NBC Connecticut HD uses Miranda’s Infrastructure and Monitoring Equipment for its new 3Gbps-Capable Facility

NBC's green field facility

Miranda Technologies today announced that NBC Connecticut HD’s new file-based, 3Gbps-capable facility is relying on Miranda signal management and monitoring systems.

The green field facility, based in Hartford, was designed and installed by KMH AV Integration Inc. It incorporates Densité signal processing and NVISION router systems, as well as Kaleido-X multi-viewers and iControl facility monitoring.

'Miranda’s highly integrated solution is invaluable to operations like these,’ says Kevin Henneman, president of KMH. ‘Efficiency and maintenance is vastly improved, and the reliability of Miranda’s equipment is excellent - you plug it in, turn it on, and it works!’

The routing and distribution core uses two routers: an NVISION 8500 series Enterprise Class digital video/audio router, and an NVISION 5128 mid-size router, which handles analogue video with stereo audio. Together, they act as one large router system, with multiple levels to manage all the signals using fiber and coax. The system receives multiple incoming feeds, including NBC-leased common carriers, satellite feeds from the NBC Networks, and microwave feeds from OB units.

The monitoring system across the building is based on three Kaleido-X multi-viewers, with the XEdit multi-room layout editor managing the source sharing and layout presentation. At NBC Connecticut HD, a total of 128 signals are displayed across four 50” screens in the Production Control room, two 50” screens in the Station Operation Centre, and a similar sized screen in the Audio Control room.

advertisment

More than 60 Densité frames house hundreds of signal processor modules, which perform a wide range of functions, including up/down/cross conversion and Dolby E/AC-3 processing. Miranda’s iControl system provides effective monitoring of all the Densité modules, and allows the facility to be controlled by just three operators.

‘With iControl, the operators can instantly see what’s going on with the facility’s signals. If there’s an error, they can identify it very quickly, and troubleshoot from a single point to make a rapid repair’, says Kevin Henneman.

‘I would say that the system has led to, at least, a 30% improvement in the time it takes to report and resolve a problem - and in all likelihood it’s much more than that.’

About Miranda

Miranda Technologies Inc. (TSX: MT) develops, manufactures and markets high performance hardware and software for the television broadcast industry. Its solutions are purchased by content creators, broadcasters, specialty channels and television service providers to enable and enhance the transition to a complex multi-channel digital and HD broadcast environment. This equipment allows customers to generate additional revenue while reducing costs through more efficient distribution and management of content as well as the automation of previously manual processes. Miranda employs approximately 560 people at its Montreal headquarters and in its facilities located in Wallingford (UK), Grass Valley (California, USA), Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), Zaltbommel (Netherlands), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Beijing (China) and Hong Kong. Miranda is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit

advertisment

Miranda