NAB 2006 - Pro-Bel Technology Deployed for Digital Move by Christian Broadcasting Network
Booth SU4347, NAB, Las Vegas – 24th April 2006: Pro-Bel, the premier manufacturer and supplier of routing switchers, signal processing, master control, automation, control and monitoring technologies, announced today that the Christian Broadcasting Network has specified and installed a wide range of the company’s technology to sit at the centre of its switch from analog to digital SD/HD systems.
CBN is a headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and provides programming via broadcast, cable and satellite to approximately 200 countries. Its content is received in 96 per cent of US television markets. CBN’s facilities include two studios with control rooms, nine non-linear edit suites, seven graphics production suites and two audio post suites.
CBN has installed a 256 x 256 Sirius router, Aurora router control system as well as the companys’ groundbreaking control and monitoring toolset. This allows router control from a web client with expansion capabilities to provide control over a wide range of technologies.
Kent Denton, Director of Engineering, says, “In this project we are replacing virtually every piece of broadcast equipment in the facility. The Pro-Bel routing technology provides a good, solid core switch for our SD/HD flow.”
As well as the fact that the Sirius router can operate seamlessly between SD and HD – which will assist CBN as it moves to HD – there were several other factors that led Denton to select Pro-Bel technology. He explains, “Firstly, we feel that the company manufactures strong, solid product that is well supported with a ten-year warranty. Secondly, we liked the ability to add router I/O cards in groups of eight I/Os rather than 16 or 24. This allows us to upgrade in smaller increments and reduces the cost of the spare cards that we keep on the shelf. Thirdly,
we liked the variety and functionality of the control panels. Lastly, Pro-Bel was able to supply virtual panels that can be run on either Mac or PC, which was important to us because we use both platforms.”
He continues, “We are very happy. On the first day of operations some of our users were somewhat concerned because it was new to them, but by the end of that first day, they said, ‘We love it.’”
Neil Maycock, President, Pro-Bel Americas adds, “To have so many reasons for purchasing our technology highlighted is more than gratifying. We work hard to satisfy existing needs and those of the future – our control and monitoring toolset is a prime example of that. 2006 will see a lot of developments in that regard.”
About Pro-Bel:
The Pro-Bel name is synonymous with innovative automation, media management and master control solutions as well as outstanding routing, control and signal distribution systems - all designed to be flexible and scalable, protecting the investment of the customer. With nearly 30 years of service to the international broadcast, post-production, cable & satellite communities, Pro-Bel has a unique understanding of broadcast workflow, and is an established leader in the provision of cost-effective solutions that compromise neither performance nor quality.
Contact Information:
Company contact:
Katharine Guy
Pro-Bel Ltd
Tel: +44 1189 214 294
katharine.guy@pro-bel.com
Press contact:
Jennie Evans
Manor Marketing
Tel: +44 1635 44991
jennie@manormarketing.tv
Images available at:
www.pro-bel.com/news_and_events/c/Press Information/