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RaceTech Chooses Trilogy for Next-Generation HD OB Trucks

RaceTech is the leading provider of horseracing pictures for both domestic and international broadcast

Trilogy Communications, a global provider of digital intercom systems and Master Reference Generators to the broadcast industry, has received an order from Megahertz Broadcast Systems for three Commander matrix intercoms for three new High-Definition (HD) Outside Broadcast (OB) vehicles destined to provide the production facilities for Racing UK Ltd, the premier independent horseracing broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. The high-specification trucks that will be designed and built by MHz are due to be deployed in the first quarter of next year — with the 2011 Cheltenham Festival in March expected to be the first major horseracing fixture to be shown in HD by terrestrial broadcaster, Channel 4.

RaceTech is the leading provider of horseracing pictures for both domestic and international broadcast. The company received a commission from Racing UK to build and operate a fleet of three bespoke OB vehicles that would be capable of race coverage, programme coverage, feeds to the stewards and commentators and on-course closed-circuit television production. These new production vehicles will be built by MHz to replace three of the company’s existing fleet of six OB units.

“The Trilogy intercom offers us an expandable, flexible and crucially, dependable communications solution,” said Frances Jarvis, managing director of Megahertz. “Our teams are conversant in both the technical and operational issues confronting today’s broadcasters allowing them to specify the best technical solutions required to meet the exacting needs of live event applications for customers like RaceTech.”

Commander has a proven track record of hundreds of installations around the world and benefits from a comprehensive choice of operator panels including lever key, pushbutton and touch screen. One of the key elements in the selection of Commander was the Pathfinder Configuration Software. Commenting on the software, Chris Clark, Senior Engineer at RaceTech said: “The guys at Trilogy were extremely helpful throughout and having given us an opportunity to try out the software we were immediately impressed with the breadth of facilities available as well as its intuitive design”.

Commander offers audio level control, signal presence indication, comprehensive conferencing facilities and additionally, the ability to store up to four complete configurations within the matrix that can be run at any time. It also features full redundancy of power supplies and controllers to ensure operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and simple scalability allowing for system configuration from 6 to 570 users.

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About Racing UK

Racing UK is the premier independent horseracing broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. The specialist channel was set-up in 2004 and is dedicated to broadcasting more than 650 live race meetings a year with commentary, debate and tipping from 30 of the UK’s top racecourses. Racing UK services more than 45,000 commercial and residential subscribers. Racing UK is available on Sky 432 (UK, NI, ROI), Virgin 536 (UK) or UPC 411 (ROI).

About Megahertz Broadcast Systems

Established in 1982, UK-based Megahertz Broadcast Systems is one of the world’s premier independent broadcasting systems integrators. Their experience covers every aspect of systems implementation from engineering planning, project management, design, product evaluation, commissioning, training, support and IT services. MHz has completed turnkey projects for some of the world’s leading broadcasters, telecommunication and digital media companies. It has constructed sophisticated fixed HD broadcast facilities as well as providing the “best of breed” Outside Broadcast Vehicles. Megahertz is now part of KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), the leading global provider of video asset management solutions (VAMs) for multi-screen IP-based delivery.

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Megahertz Broadcast Systems

About Trilogy Communications

Trilogy has supplied audio communications equipment to customers in more than seventy countries since 1986. The company was originally formed to design and build video and audio infrastructure equipment for the television and radio broadcast market. It continues to serve this market but now also offers its products to a wide array of customers in defence, emergency management, training and simulation, oil and gas, gaming, and other industries.Trilogy counts some of the world's best known names among its customer base. These include BBC, ITV, CBS, Hearst-Argyle, Fox TV Poland, Radio France, Arqiva, Star TV, Times TV, Qatar TV, Reuters and many others.

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Trilogy Communications