NCN-Guyana begins a new “digital” stage with AEQ Crossnet intercom systems

OM Solutions of Miami has integrated the intercom system AEQ Crossnet one NCN-Guyana, public broadcasting company of the South American country.

N.C, which broadcasts in English and 10 other languages ​​to a total audience of 750,000, has recently undertaken a complete renovation of its main production centre. An important part of the update involves digitizing and transforming television by adopting scalable IP production systems.

OM Solutions of Miami, a company led by Juan Carlos Ortolan, was the company selected as the successful bidder for the materialization of the project, mainly due to the simplicity of the approach and the guarantee of homogeneous quality in all phases of the work flow. IP-based equipment AEQ They play a leading role in integration.

AEQ Crossnet systems

NCN needed to modernize and digitize its television production center in Georgetown. While functional, its old production system required fully entering the digital era to simplify workflows and production, so the concept of modernization was clearly emphasized in the instructions to bidders.

To address the communications issue, OM Solutions opted for intercom AEQ Crossnet, based on a 72-port array using Dante AoIP connectivity. The station's TOC and mobile unit have been equipped with user panels TP 8116, while for news, production and main control the desktop user panels have been deployed TP 8416. A simple base station user panel is used BS3004 for communications with the broadcast tower through VoIP communication with low bit rate.

Likewise, for viewing operators, panels were installed TP8116 for communications and monitors Extra by AEQ Series LM8018. These monitors have SFP modules with fiber link for SMPTE 2022 IP video. Finally, for the NCN studios, very simple 4W interfaces were implemented, connected to the AoIP wall plates Dante of Atterotech, so they are part of the AoIP network and allow, through the Crossnet intercom, both communications and IFBs for plant managers and presenters.

Keys to renewal

The renovation undertaken by NCN-Guayana includes the reconstruction of two studios (news and continuous production) and the digital enablement of the broadcast center. The conversion from IP to analog was also essential, since due to the existing national signal distribution system, the transmitter is still analog. To maintain coherence in the production network, it was necessary to reinstall a mobile unit with IP technology.

Among the equipment involved in the renovation we find the NK Series router and openGear solutions from Ross, as well as products of AJA y Cobalt. He master control was built around Ross y Hardata, betting on cameras Ikegami HDK-73. On the other hand, signals are handled through NewTek TC2 Elite Switcher, NDI interfaces are used BirdDog, the graphs are based on NewBlue, the subtitling is ENCO and, finally, the system has a recorder or “logger” of 3Way Solutions.