WDR Plots Path to the Future With Newtec DualFlow™ Technology
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WDR's FÜ5 is primarily used for sports news gathering and the popular early morning "Morgenmagazin" program on ARD and Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF). With Newtec's DualFlow and Newtec's Azimuth Broadcast Satellite Modulators installed, the capabilities of FÜ5 increase from dual DVB-S transport streams to dual DVB-S2 streams. FÜ5 will maintain compatibility with existing ASI infrastructure while providing support for IP-based operations, guaranteeing 100 percent tapeless workflow support including VoIP links to the studio and broadband web-surfing while on the road.
"Whether it is the traditional ASI or an IP infrastructure, for both scenarios we require high-quality pictures at high bit rates," says Eric Sollbach, Head of SNG and Satellite Technology, WDR. "By installing the Newtec modulator with the future-proof DualFlow option, we greatly increase the quality, reliability and redundancy of our mobile broadcast operations."
Newtec's DualFlow technology enables a progressive migration from a traditional ASI video satellite transmission network to an IP infrastructure, allowing WDR to migrate from DVB-S to DVB-S2 in the future without changing the infrastructure and equipment configuration. Newtec Azimuth equipment enabled with DualFlow technology delivers a compact and highly versatile solution for broadcasters seeking lower operational costs through highly efficient bandwidth use, together with backward compatibility and a future-proof design combining video and IP technologies.
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The Azimuth Broadcast Satellite Modulator (AZ110) with DualFlow is capable of transmitting two transport streams simultaneously in DVB-S2 Multistream mode, and it can interface with equipment or networks that carry transport streams over IP with the RTP or UDP protocols. DualFlow also provides the ability to transmit IP services (e.g. file transfers, VoIP, TCP services) and transport streams simultaneously, making mobile broadcast trucks and vans much more versatile and productive as online production units.
"By embracing Newtec DualFlow technology on top of the existing Newtec modulators, WDR has chosen the most cost-effective and versatile path to IP-based operation," says Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec. "Broadcasters with DualFlow are able to have the best of both worlds — ASI and IP — for as long as they want, and they can choose the time to switch to full IP operation whenever it suits, without further expenditure."
About WDR
Westdeutscher Rundfunk (West German Broadcasting) is a German public-broadcasting institution based in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia with its main office in Cologne. WDR is a constituent member of the consortium of German public-broadcasting institutions, ARD. As well as contributing to the output of national television channel "Das Erste" ("The First"), WDR produces the regional television service WDR Fernsehen (formerly known as WDF and West3) and six regional radio networks.
WDR was created in 1955, when Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk was split into Norddeutscher Rundfunk — covering Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg — and Westdeutscher Rundfunk, responsible for North Rhine-Westphalia. WDR began its regional television service, Westdeutsches Fernsehen (WDF), on Dec. 17, 1965. In 1988 the channel was renamed West3 and since 1994, it has been known as WDR Fernsehen.
ARD: Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland / Consortium of public-law broadcasting institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany. Since 1994 also known as "Das Erste", "The First".
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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 and its strong relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA), Newtec remains in 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.