Televisual & Broadcast Company ‘Ukraine’ Moves to High-Definition with Grass Valley Cameras and Switchers

Three studios, including the news production center at the broadcaster’s headquarters in Kiev, are being upgraded to HD. The studios will share 13 Grass Valley LDK 3000 HD cameras and an additional LDK 4000 HD camera fitted with Grass Valley's HD wireless transmission system. The LDK 3000 camera uses three 2.4 million pixel Xensium images which allow switching between the 1080i and 720p HD formats. The LDK 3000 also uses a full bandwidth HD triax transmission system to allow cable runs up to 1,200 meters.

The order also includes two Kayak™ 4 M/E video production switchers. When systems integrator ComTel Broadcasting Solutions completes the project, it will allow “Ukraine” to be the first broadcaster in the country to offer HD news to its viewers.

“We've always had good experiences with Grass Valley products, starting with our LDK 23 cameras,” said Przemyslaw Kula, Chief Technical Officer of TV Channel “Ukraine”. “This was a major project and we considered all of the major manufacturers, but Grass Valley gave us confidence in the quality of their products and their commitment to continued support.”

“This is a great win for us and we are delighted to be working with “Ukraine,” said Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President of Grass Valley. “We spent considerable time with their team from Kiev at NAB this year, showing them the capabilities of the products in detail and talking about our plans for the future. Now we look forward to seeing the new HD studios on air.”

The contract for Grass Valley equipment was signed in late June 2010. Delivery and installation commenced in August, with an on-air date in September.

About Grass Valley

With a rich history serving the broadcast and professional video industries, the Grass Valley name is synonymous with innovation, leadership, and performance. With a full range of products and services supporting many of the world's most high-profile television events, Grass Valley offers the most comprehensive portfolio of flexible and cost-effective digital technologies and systems available. Customers deploying Grass Valley solutions include most of the world's leading broadcast and teleproduction facilities, independent video professionals, as well as emerging content creators and distributors providing broadband, telecommunications, and transmission services. When you’re watching news, sports, or entertainment programming, whether on a TV, the Web, or a mobile phone, you’re watching Grass Valley at work.