Astro Gets on the Road with KIT digital System Integration

Malaysian broadcaster takes delivery of first high-definition outside broadcast trailer

KIT digital, Inc. announced that its Broadcast System Integration business (formerly Megahertz Broadcast Systems) has delivered the first high-definition outside broadcast (OB) production trailer to Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad, Malaysia’s and Southeast Asia’s leading media entertainment group. The trailer has been designed to cover live sport and entertainment production throughout Malaysia.

Astro, with its significant presence in Direct-To-Home (DTH) TV services, commercial radio and TV programming engaged KIT digital BSI to build this 13.5 meter trailer as part of the company’s first steps to migrate its mobile operations to HD.

Technically this single-sided expandable trailer is equipped with 20 cameras, ideal for the coverage of live sporting events. The trailer includes facilities to house four EVS XT SD/HD video servers, up to six VTRs, a Final Cut Pro editor as well as two Yamaha DM2000 audio mixers. It is expected that this capsule list of equipment will be standardised across all future Astro OB vehicles to ensure familiarity and ease of use for the operational teams in the field.

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Before being acquired by KIT digital, Megahertz had worked with Astro to provide two smaller HD Production trucks for the broadcaster in 2010 at the start of the company’s HD roll out plans. This latest trailer offers a combination of flexibility and reliability essential for any mission-critical live production application.

“We worked with KIT digital and Megahertz to help facilitate the transition of our business to HD. Using an internationally-based organisation allowed us to drive best practices borne out of the latest developments in the global live production markets,” said Dennis Dovale, Operations Manager, Astro Productions Sdn. Bhd. “Using a company like KIT digital has allowed us to incorporate the latest in design from an operational and technical perspective, commissioning the latest state-of-the-art solutions to maximise our requirements for live sports production and to support the migration of our business to HD.”

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“Over the years KIT digital and Megahertz have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the team at Astro, and we were delighted to be able to support them with the implementation of their first HD trailer which forms part of their transition to HD,” said Steve Burgess, Technical Director at KIT digital Broadcast Systems Integration. “Our ability to understand our client’s business while drawing on our in-house expertise from 3D CAD design, engineering and coach building to custom furniture design and integral wiring, allows us to deliver turnkey solutions to meet the most demanding client requirements on schedule.”

The second Astro HD production OB vehicle – expected to come off the KIT digital production line at the end of August – will showcase on the KIT digital stand at IBC2012 (stand no. 11.F20).

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Astro has a state-of the-art digital broadcast facilities at the All Asia Broadcast Centre and at the Cyberjaya Broadcast Centre are capable of handling digital TV, radio and data services on satellite and terrestrial broadcast networks, wireless telephony and the Internet.

About Astro Malaysia Holdings
Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd is Malaysia’s leading integrated media group with operations in 4 key businesses: Pay TV, Radio, Content and Digital. Launched in 1996, Astro today has a 50% penetration of TV homes in Malaysia or 3.1 million customers, making it a key pay TV operator in Southeast Asia. Astro broadcasts 156 channels, of which 22 are in HD, is a leading edge innovator with its introduction of HD, 3D and PVR – a first in Malaysia, and also Video-On-Demand, Over-the-top content and IPTV service. It is the leading aggregator, creator and distributor of original multi-language content of various genres across multi-channels. Its radio network both terrestrial and digital covers all key languages cumulatively reaching 13 million listeners a week and ranked among the top 10 stations in the country. Its digital arm involved in digital publishing, applications and platforms as well as publication of entertainment and lifestyle magazines locally.

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About KIT digital, Inc.
KIT digital (NASDAQ: KITD) is a leading video management software and services company. Cosmos and Cloud, the company's video asset management systems, enable leading broadband media companies to produce, manage and deliver multiscreen socially-enabled video experiences to audiences wherever they are. KIT digital services nearly 2,500 clients in 50+ countries including some of the world's biggest brands, such as Airbus, The Associated Press, AT&T, BBC, BSkyB, Disney-ABC, Google, HP, Mediaset, MTV, News Corp, RCS Media Group, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, Telecom Argentina, Telecom Italia, Telefonica O2, Universal Studios, Verizon, Vodafone and Volkswagen. KIT digital maintains headquarters in New York City and offices in more than a dozen countries around the world.