DualFlow™ Gives vtm's DSNG Vans New Versatility in Tour de France Coverage

For the post-race show located near the finish line of each stage, vtm's crew creates a three-camera set. Each camera is separately connected via an encoder to the ASI input of the Newtec Azimuth modulators for transmission over satellite to the production centre, where the incoming streams are demodulated, edited and mixed for playout.

The DSNG crew uses the Azimuth modulator provision of an "always on" IP connection over satellite for information exchange including text translations, correct spelling of names, biographical notes and comments. The journalists keep track of unfolding events over the Internet, via e-mails, web-browsing, and social media. Through the vtm text-based newsroom system, vtm's crews can also directly plan, create, publish and archive news broadcasts remotely from the DSNG vans over the satellite IP link.

"This is a big advance in the productivity and versatility of our DNSG operation," says Frank Mathys, CTO of VMMa. "Before we had this IP link over satellite, our crews were using mobile phones and 3G connections to communicate with the studio, and this was both expensive, time consuming and prone to error. Now, our DSNG crews can achieve much more through direct exchange of information with the studio."

DualFlow also facilitates new DSNG workflows, with multi-camera operation, transmission of metadata to the studio and local editing on content downloaded from archives at the production centre.

"The DSNG van is now a far more flexible and powerful tool for broadcasters," says Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec. "The DualFlow technology — in addition to providing a whole range of new functionalities — also reduces CAPEX by making modem equipment for data transmission unnecessary, and removing the need for multiple transmission modulators."

Newtec Azimuth modulators are used for all satellite transmissions from each SNG truck. Newtec's Azimuth DVB-S2 broadcast modulators are available in both IF and L band versions, operate between 50 kbauds and 63 Mbauds at rates of up to 155 Mbps, providing unique features such as combined GbE and ASI inputs (DualFlow™), linear and non-linear predistortion and embedded IP encapsulation.

About vtm

vtm (Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij) is the main commercial television station in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium. Since its launch in 1989 it quickly became established as the Flemish market leader in commercial broadcasting. Vlaamse Media Maatschappij (VMMa), its parent company, also operates the TV channels 2BE, JIM (youth channel) and vtmKzoom (childrens channel). The broadcaster also owns two radio stations: Q-music and JOEfm.

About Newtec

Newtec is a global industry leader, shaping the future of satellite communications. Offering state-of-the-art products and scalable, integrated solutions for broadcast, broadband access, and backbone and trunking applications, Newtec helps customers achieve greater efficiency, increase performance and expand market reach. With its passionate commitment to R&D, Newtec remains at the forefront of technological development, continuing the pioneering contributions that have led to industry standards including DVB, DVB-S2, DVB RCS and iSatTV Cenelec pr EN50478.Newtec's worldwide customer base includes the industry's most prestigious broadcasters, satellite operators, telcos, systems houses and broadcasting unions. Established in 1985 and headquartered in Belgium, Newtec has regional offices as well as additional R&D centres located in Stamford, Conn. (U.S.), Singapore (Singapore), Beijing (China), Dubai (UAE), São Paulo (Brazil), Berlin (Germany) and France.