Megahertz Broadcast Systems Complete E.TV Contract In South Africa

Independent UK systems integrator Megahertz Broadcast Systems (MHz) has completed work on the server-based infrastructure and broadcast systems for a new 24-hour news channel at South African broadcaster e.TV.
Alongside the state-of-the-art file-based facility and workflow for the startup news channel, the project also included two new DSNG vehicles for current affairs coverage in and around Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. These were built at MHz's UK headquarters and incorporated an innovative satellite remote-control system, M2RC, developed by MHz engineers at e.TV's request.
Between March and the start of June, when the news channel was launched, the MHz team led by former South African resident Don Wilson, oversaw the design and construction of both a main and a subsidiary news production studio - the latter used for pre-recording interviews and features.
MHz supplied around two-thirds of the equipment used in the project, including a Miranda Kaleido X multi-image display processor (feeding 65-inch plasma monitors), Ikegami cameras with Canon lenses, Vinten robotic pedestals, a Ross vision mixer and a 56-channel Soundcraft B800 broadcast audio mixer.
Megahertz also designed and custom-built all of the monitor housing and control consoles in-house.
The newsroom was based around an Omneon server and a DaletPlus NewsSuite system, with six Apple Final Cut Pro systems for editing and post-production.
The rest of the equipment was drawn from e.TV's existing inventory.
MHz have undertaken studio-build projects for e.TV on several occasions throughout the station's 10-year history, including their original studios and newsroom, but e.TV wanted this to be quite different from the first - a cutting-edge project incorporating the latest in tapeless shoot-edit-transmit technology.
Greg Hoskin said: "Our latest work for e.TV is a fine showcase for MHz's abilities.
A pair of DSNGs with some innovative remote control technology, and modern server-based studio facilities designed and partly built in-house by the MHz team, then finished off on site - and everything finished on time and on budget. We look forward to helping e.TV with similar projects in the future."
Further information is available at: www.megahertz.co.uk
(KMcA)