Crystal Vision technology at BBC's new W1 center

The BBC, after a tough selection process, has finally chosen to have numerous Crystal Vision equipment ranging from synchronizers, audio embedders, fiber optic receivers, video and audio amplifiers... all integrated into a 3G routing and distribution environment.

With 80,000 square meters, known as BBC W1 (because it is located in this London district), it will house all the national and international news operations as well as the different radio services of the British public broadcaster.

For this new headquarters, the integrator Dega Broadcast Systems is installing a hundred Crystal Vision units of the Indigo 2 series in different technical areas of the infrastructure of the new BBC Broadcasting House center in London.

The BBC, after a tough selection process, has finally chosen to have numerous Crystal Vision equipment ranging from synchronizers, audio embedders, fiber optic receivers, video and audio amplifiers... all integrated into a 3G routing and distribution environment.

In the case of Synner-E 3G synchronizers they will be used, for example, for synchronization of video circuits as well as audio shufflers for the classification of any integrated audio files that may have inappropriate routing. These devices combine video synchronization, audio tracking delay, embedder, de-embedder and audio processor with optional fiber inputs/outputs. They allow up to eight AES audios to be embedded or unembedded in any combination, especially Dolyby E.

Another of the solutions that are being integrated into BBC is the FRX 3G fiber receiver that will be used to power the output lines. Using Class I lasers, this dual configuration system provides two optical inputs and two regenerated 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs per channel, doubling as a distribution amplifier.

As for the Tandem 3G embedders/de-embedders, they will be used in the routing of video and audio signals, as they provide a combined solution for four audio groups with optional fiber connectivity at the input and output.
The black and bar signals for reference will be distributed throughout the installation using the VDA110M HD analog amplified distributor. In audio, the AES reference at 110 and 75 Ohm will be distributed with the DADA208N providing up to four outputs per channel or eight outputs configured as a single input.

Timecode signals in relation to analog audio will be distributed with the help of the AADA416FM with separate quadruple amplification of audio distribution with balanced electronic input and four floating outputs.

Most equipment will be controlled through the BBC's BNCS (Broadcast Network Control System) using SNMP.