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Radio World
Engineering Extra
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Issue: Oct. 07, 2008
Business Digest
Central Radio Taps Radiomonitor for Streaming, Logging
Radiomonitor, which provides technological solutions to more than 100 U.K. radio stations, was chosen by 106.5fm Central Radio to supply streaming and logging facilities.
The streaming services will ensure that Central Radio can be heard on the Internet 24 hours a day, thus supporting the station's analog FM listening.
Radiomonitor's logging equipment will meet Ofcom requirements for recording station output, as well as allowing management, sales, sponsorship and programming departments to access the Web-based interface to retrieve historic content.
UTV-owned Central Radio serves Preston and Chorley, England, as well as the towns and villages around Leyland. The station said it will bring a variety of music to the airwaves, presented in a mature, entertaining fashion, with a local feel.
EBU Chooses WorldNet Oslo for Network Upgrade
:!:img01_right:!:The Euroradio section of the European Broadcasting Union has selected APT's WorldNet Oslo as the standard codec platform in an overhaul of its continent-wide audio network.
The WorldNet Oslo will be deployed by the main broadcasters of each EBU member country so more than 3,500 concerts each year can be shared in both stereo and surround sound. The platform will also facilitate the migration of the entire network to IP-based delivery in 2009.
A key requirement of the new system was to reduce the audio bandwidth for satellite delivery. "We needed to find a more efficient compression scheme that would reduce the bandwidth required but yet maintain the near-lossless quality that J.57 offered," said Pierre-Yves Tribolet, head of Euroradio Classics.
Following the planned switch to an IP network in spring 2009, the Euroradio division will run Enhanced apt-X coding with a new stereo bit rate of 576 kbps.
Broadcast Bionics Announces New Distributors for PhoneBOX
At IBC2008, Broadcast Bionics said it will further distribute its PhoneBOX range of products to worldwide channels.
"I'm delighted to welcome our new distributors to the Bionic's family and I'm encouraged by their enthusiasm for our product range — in particular Solo, our SIP enabled solution" said Dan McQuillin, Broadcast Bionics director.
Some new distributors include J+C Intersonic in Switzerland, Tranzicom in Sweden, Jolly ProAudio in Hong Kong and Broadcast Design in Israel.
ABC News Radio Adds to Wheatstone Network
Wheatstone said ABC News Radio in Washington is expanding its existing network. It consists of G4 and G3 control surfaces and Bridge Satellite frames, and will include a larger central Bridge router.
This adds a 48×48 input/output matrix in ABC's Technical Center; it also provides redundant CPUs for the entire system, the company said.
Audemat Finds Interest in Relio Control System
In separate orders, Wyoming Public Radio, Southern California Public Radio and KUT have recently purchased Audemat Relio transmitter remote control systems with ScriptEasy software.
The manufacturer said the system was developed in conjunction with the Clear Channel engineering staff, which also is deploying 400 of the systems around the country.
The design allows users to drag and drop I/O data and logic functions to generate monitoring and control scripts. The software is capable of interfacing with networked equipment via ping and SNMP and can run advanced software to connect to remote equipment over a serial cable.
Technology
'JazzSet' to Air in Neural-THX Surround Sound
Beginning in February of next year, 26 weeks of the National Public Radio series "JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater" will be produced for air in Neural-THX Surround Sound.
Listeners equipped with home and auto radio receivers will be able to hear instrumentalists and vocalists in 5.1 surround sound.
"JazzSet" is produced by WBGO(FM) in Newark, New Jersey, and airs on 105 NPR member stations weekly.
Duke Markos, the show's technical director and recording engineer, stated: "We strive to put our audience in the best seat in the house every week. It's a quantum leap from stereo to surround sound. Neural technology will allow our listeners to get even closer to the live performance on 'JazzSet.'"
Product News
SHOUTcast Technology Embedded in Zenon-Media
Zenon-Media has developed an ASIO driver able to connect directly to a SHOUTcast or Icecast2 server.
So any Zenon-Media software application is able to see virtual soundcards to play directly to the SHOUTcast/Icecast server. No external piece of software, such as Oddcast or Winamp, is requested.
The driver handles the SHOUTcast format encoding on the fly. Because it does not depend on the original file format, the stream can be re-encoded in any stream format and at any bitrate.
The SHOUTcast channel will be listed in the device list like any ASIO driver. So in the software application, users just select the SHOUTcast driver to address the audio output to the SHOUTcast server.
HHB Ships 10,000th FlashMic
:!:img01_right:!:HHB recently shipped its 10,000th FlashMic.
First launched at IBC2005, the FlashMic is popular in the radio arena because of its simple drag and drop file transfer and seamless integration into playout systems. Radio users include ABC Radio, Capital Radio, Classic FM, Danmarks Radio and Radio France, among others.
The 10,000th FlashMic went to German public-service broadcaster NDR, which has used FlashMics since the product’s launch in 2005. NDR increased its inventory of FlashMics in 2008 for coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games.
"The FlashMic enables our journalists to concentrate on the story, not their equipment," said Ernst Bostelmann, director of outside radio production, NDR Broadcasting Centre Hannover.
Next Step for RCS NexGen
NexGen Digital, the studio automation software platform from RCS, has a new upgrade release available, version 2.8.4.
A highlight of the upgrade is the increased integration with RCS's GSelector music scheduler. According to RCS, production and log synchronization will be seamless between the applications. Additional NexGen-GSelector improvements include a music load template.
Other upgrades to NexGen Digital upgrading performance — increasing the number of TCP/IP connections for export to 64 and expanding the ability to configure play device per computer.
On a physical front the upgrade adds support for keyboards made by Tipro and PrehKeyTec.
Stantron Demonstrates New E-Racks
:!:img01_right:!:Stantron is displaying its range of equipment racks and accessories for broadcast, cable and satellite facilities at SATCON in New York City, 15–16 October.
The company's range of racks, cabling, and power accessories provide systems integrators and engineers with customizable solutions for studios and operations centers of all sizes.
New from Stantron is its Broadcast E-Rack family series of customizable racks that come in a variety of sizes. The Broadcast E-Rack includes an open-frame design for straight cable runs from top to bottom without kinks or bends.
Cables are also managed through a series of horizontal mounting bars, vertical lacing rails, and optional T-Hook lacing panels that eliminate tedious threading of tie straps through small lacing holes.
Programming News
Radio Active 89FM Looks for Listener Videos
The deadline for New Zealand music station Radio Active 89FM's "Handle the Jandal" contest is next Monday, 13 October. The nationwide contest invites DIY filmmakers to shoot a music video for a local band; prizes are awarded in seven categories.
The 10th iteration of the contest comes after a one-year hiatus. In 2006, the contest garnered 93 entries. Videos submitted for the contest must be self-funded, made during 2008 and feature only New Zealand music. Winners will be announced at Westpac St. James Theatre in Wellington on 27 November 2008.
A panel of judges will decide Best Editing, Best Use of Exploitative Tactics to Promote a Band, Best Cinematography, Best Concept, Best Animation and Rising Star. An audience vote at the awards will determine the Favourite Handle the Jandal Video.
All videos will be promoted and rebroadcast on television, mobile phone networks and social networking Web sites.
People News
StreamTheWorld Appoints Shea to Board
StreamTheWorld, a media streaming company that provides video and audio content solutions, has appointed Kevin Shea to its board of directors. He will also serve as chairman of the board for the company, which was founded in 2005.
Shea brings more than 30 years experience in the entertainment, broadcasting, cable, culture and telecommunications industries to StreamTheWorld. Currently, he owns SheaChez Inc., a consulting firm whose clients include the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., TELUS and Cookie Jar Entertainment.
As former president and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio and YTV Canada, he led each company through the CRTC licensing and startup process.
"Kevin Shea is an experienced business leader, well-known and respected in the communications and broadcasting industries. With his outstanding track record he will be a great asset to StreamTheWorld, and we are pleased to welcome him to the board," said Yves Eric Laliberté, president and CEO of StreamTheWorld.
Telex Hires Jackson as Sales Engineer
Deborah Jackson has been appointed sales and system engineer for critical communication systems and advanced communication technology products at Telex. Based in England, Jackson will complete the support team covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
In her role, she will integrate products into existing systems as well as develop and install new ones. She will also provide pre- and post-sales support to local customers, especially in critical communications situations.
In her previous role as audio systems engineer at TSL, Jackson was responsible for systems integration. She has various projects under her belt, including one for ProTV in Romania and TV Markíza in the Slovak Republic.
BroadView Adds Bunk to the Team
BroadView, a developer of broadcast management information software, has added radio veteran Bunk Robinson to its developing radio team. Robinson will be the company's radio sales director.
Michael Atkin, a founding partner and current president, said, "While BroadView may be a new name to radio, Bunk Robinson is a familiar one. He is well known and respected for his understanding of the challenges radio managers face and his personal commitment to deliver technology that addresses those issues."
Robinson has had stints with WideOrbit and Wicks Broadcast Solutions. He has also served as general manager at KUER(FM) and KLUB(AM)/KISN(FM) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dielectric Taps Cote for Sales Role
Dielectric Communications hired Roger Cote as vice president of sales and marketing.
President Garrett VanAtta made the announcement. The company is based in Maine.
Cote is former vice president of operations at a telco antenna system manufacturer, where he had oversight of purchasing, planning, quality assurance, manufacturing, engineering, facilities management and human resources operations.
"In this role, he significantly increased revenue and profitability, and implemented new practices that improved on-time delivery rates by 25 percent," Dielectric said.
He has also been a director of engineering and plant manager and worked in other disciplines.
Arbitron Strengthens Engineering With Stavropoulos
Media and marketing research firm Arbitron appointed John Stavropoulos as vice president of engineering for the Technology and Research & Development group.
His main occupation will be development of Arbitron's Personal People Meter, and all hardware and technology. An additional duty will include developing a technology team at Arbitron's facility in Kochi, India.
Stavropoulos will report to Dr. Taymoor Arshi, chief technology officer for Arbitron.
"John brings a wealth of product development experience, leadership, management skills and quality to the Arbitron technology team. His experience will be instrumental for our next generation encoders, the PPM, as well as our Internet measurement technology," Arshi said.
Stavropoulos had previously been with Dialogic Corp.
Exhibition Update
International Audio Summit to Draw AV Pros
In an effort to draw AV pros, the International Audio Summit is now covering trends in AV production with lectures and workshops.
The summit is being held in Santa Monica, California, 17–19 November, and is organized by the Sennheiser Sound Academy.
Speakers from industry, science, and trade associations will lecture on topics such as new formats for production and broadcast, audience involvement via innovative audio applications and new wireless communication systems in broadcast centers.
A variety of workshops will examine important issues surrounding new production and broadcasting formats, next generation technologies, and audio for sports productions.
"The aim of the Audio Summit is to provide professional users with an independent international platform where they can share information about key current and future issues facing the industry," stated Susanne Seidel, president of global marketing for Sennheiser.
"We also feel that this conference plays an important role in giving participants the opportunity to make valuable contacts and to create useful links between research and industry," she added.
Upcoming Events
8–10 October 2008: Informatika i Svyaz', Kyiv, Ukraine
8–11 October 2008: Public Broadcasters International, Arles, France
10–11 October 2008: National Radio Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
12 October 2008: Amateurfunk-, Rundfunk- und Elektronikbörse Dresden (ARED) , Dresden, Germany
15–17 October 2008: Streaming Media Europe, London, England
15–19 October 2008: Broadcast India 2008 Symposium & Exhibition, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India
20–23 October 2008: SIEL&SATIS, Le RADIO, Paris, France
21–23 October 2008: Africast, Abuja, Nigeria
21–24 October 2008: TechnicAcústica / Acústica / ExpoAcústica, Coimbra, Portugal
26–28 October 2008: NAB European Conference, London, England
28–30 October 2008: IBIS 2008 Expo & Forum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
29–30 October 2008: Digital Radio Show, London, England
29–31 October 2008: CAPER, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2–4 November 2008: CAB 2008 Convention, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
5–8 November 2008: BIRTV 2008, Beijing, China
5–9 November 2008: Broadcast & Multimedia Show, Jakarta, Indonesia
7–8 November 2008: SBES, Birmingham, England
8 November 2008: Offshore Radio Day 2008, Amsterdam, Netherlands
9–12 November 2008: 2nd International Conference on Religion and Media, Tehran & Qom, Iran
13–16 November 2008: Tonmeistertagung, Leipzig, Germany
18–21 November 2008: NAT Expo, Moscow, Russia
19–21 November 2008: Inter BEE, Tokyo, Japan
19–25 November 2008: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Annual General Assembly, Bali, Indonesia
20–21 November 2008: News Xchange, Valencia, Spain
20–23 November 2008: Broadcast, Cable & Satellite Eurasia, İstanbul, Turkey
26–28 November 2008: INFOCOM, Skopje, Macedonia
30 November–2 December 2008: WABE Convention, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
8–10 December 2008: IBE 2008, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India
3–5 December 2008: Audio-Video & Broadcast, Tel Aviv, Israel
8–11 January 2009: CES, Las Vegas, Nevada
9–11 January 2009: 28th ASBU General Assembly, Saudi Arabia
17–18 January 2009: MidemNet Forum, Cannes, France
18–21 January 2009: Midem, Cannes, France
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