dB Broadcast wins UK playout centre project

dB Broadcast, the Cambridgeshire-based systems integrator, has been awarded the contract for the supply, installation, integration and commissioning of a new state-of-the-art transmission facility at Turner House in London. The new centre will be operational during 2005 and will enable Turner Entertainment Networks International Ltd (TENIL) to bring the transmission of its entire range of services in-house.
TENIL, a Time Warner company, is responsible for the broadcast of multiple networks covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa. These services originate in London and include brands such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Toonami and TCM (Turner Classic Movies). They will be transferred to the new transmission facility during Autumn 2005. The new system will also enable TENIL to significantly increase the number of output channels.
The new facility, which is designed around the latest file-based technology and is believed to be the most advanced playout system in Europe, includes the integration of a digital asset management system, playlist automation software and servers with a new central ingest system. It comprises six ingest stations, five playout desks, master operational desk, presentation suite and 80 equipment racks.
Work is well underway and the ingest stations and associated storage are already fully operational. The completion of this first milestone will enable the customer to transfer the existing tape library in time for the on-air date.
(CD/SP)