TV in a box

Spescom Media IT has announced that it has developed a ‘TV in a box’ solution that will allow broadcasters to quickly and cheaply set up studios in expectation for South Africa’s move to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in 2012.

According to Spescom it incorporates a selection of best of breed equipment and systems that provides full broadcasting capabilities – starting at R3 million rather than the R20 – R30 million normally required.

Says Sean du Toit, Managing Director of Spescom Media IT: “With the appearance of new regional players such as Tshwane TV and Cape TV, combined with the shrinking of the larger broadcaster’s budgets as the global economic crises makes itself felt locally, the demand for low cost studio infrastructure has increased. The introduction of DTT in 2012 is expected to intensify this demand. DTT will provide more channels and better quality picture and sound, typically requiring HD content.”

The Spescom Media IT “TV station-in-a-box” package includes three Sony XDCam EX high definition cameras, a Ross’ CrossOver HD studio mixer, Miller camera pedestals and PlayBox Technology’s playout solution.

Du Toit explains the reasoning supporting this combination of technologies: “A typical studio, such as a news studio, will require three HD cameras, video editing and audio final mix facilities, a server transmission system with automation for playout. In addition, an electronic news gathering (ENG) kit would be required for external news gathering, interviews and footage. This usually comprises a tripod, lights, camera, microphone and lapel mike.”

The package allows a TV station, depending on the physical building requirements, to be up and running within six weeksand is designed to enable operations to easily scale up and out.

“As a station’s operations expand, its needs will change,” explains Du Toit, “and we have taken this into consideration. Whether a station wants to add more editing suites or boost shared storage capacity or even add a new studio.”