ATG Broadcast Completes 13-Channel TV4 Sweden Expansion

ATG Broadcast has announced the completion of a major expansion for TV4, one of Scandinavia's largest independent broadcasters.
Completed in just eight weeks from order placement, the project equips TV4's transmission partner, Ericsson, to playout 13 Canal Plus sports channels: Sport 1 (Sweden), Sport 1 (Denmark), Sport 2, Sport 3, Sport Extra, Sport Fotboll (Sweden), Sport Fotball (Norway), Sport hockey, Sport Extra 1, Sport Extra 2, Sport Extra 3, Sport Extra 4 and Sport HD. All channels are equipped to allow live recording for instant re-run on any channel.
Pontus Wahlstedt, System Engineer & Chief Designer at TV4 Sweden's parent company, Ericsson Broadcast Services, commented: "ATG Broadcast were the logical choice for this assignment as they have worked with us on many successful projects as the network has expanded in recent years. A ket objective was to achieve the highest possible operational efficiency while maintaining flexibility for future expansion. This latest project included four additional positions in the master control room. Everything is configured in a similar operational style to existing MCR desks so that operators can move easily from one control position to another without having to learn a lot of new ergonomic procedures."
Graham Day, ATG Broadcast Managing Director, said: "We received the order mid July with an extremely tight deadline that meant commencing work almost immediately. System design was carried out by Projects Manager Dave Whitaker and submitted to Ericsson's engineering management team. With the plans approved and the equipment delivered, Senior Projects Engineer Scott Adams and Installation Engineer Kelvin Neath then commenced installation at TV4's Stockholm headquarters. The entire system was fully completed and ready to go live by August 27."
Dave Whitaker said: "The new installation follows the file-based playout structure of TV4's existing infrastructure operated under Harris automation. Key elements of the new installation include Axon glue, a 64 x 64 Harris router expansion, Crystal Vision 3G-HD-capable 8 x 3 crosspoint switcher, vsmStudio control panels, an Evertz 88 input multiviewer, Genelec active audio monitors and Custom Consoles desk pods."
ATG Broadcast are at Stand 8.B51 at IBC 2010.
(KMcA)