TANDBERG Television to Provide Digital Network Distribution Solution to NBC
TANDBERG evolution 5000 digital encoding and IP data systems to replace
current analog system for distribution of programming to network affiliates
TANDBERG Television, a leading supplier of open solutions for digital
broadcasting, today announced that NBC will migrate from its current analog
distribution system to multiple TANDBERG Television digital encoding systems
to be installed in both its New York City and Burbank studios. This migration
from NBCs current distribution system, which broadcasts to approximately 180
of the networks 217 affiliates via satellite, will enable NBC to embrace the
benefits of digital transmission.
In all, five redundant multichannel sytems will be installed at NBCs New
York and Burbank facilities. The five systems will consist of TANDBERG
Televisions E5611 encoders, evolution 5000 multiplexers, 8PSK-compliant
modulators and a total of three Director network management and receiver
control systems. In addition, 975 Alteia plusâ receivers will be supplied
to
affiliates across the country.
TANDBERG Television's E5611 encoders, coupled with its statistical
multiplexing capabilities, are the central part of the companys evolution
5000 product range of open solutions for encoding, multiplexing, modulation,
statistical multiplexing and control software. The E5611 encoder produces
high-quality pictures at highly efficient bit rates and allows the use of
ReflexTM statistical multiplexing for even greater bit rate flexibility. The
Alteia plus professional receiver and decoder sets the standard for high
quality reception and monitoring and is an ideal solution for high-end
contribution and distribution applications, providing unmatched
functionality, control and diagnostic capability.
The Directory network management and receiver control system provides the
ideal system to transmit contribution material over satellite to television
studios, while ensuring against unauthorized access to the broadcast
material.
NBC has also selected a TANDBERG Television Platinum support contract to
cover the systems first five years of operation, with a renewal option for
another five years. The Platinum support contract includes standard warranty
repair services, on-site spare units, and continual firmware and software
upgrades. In addition, a dedicated TANDBERG Television engineer will be
available to NBC, as will Web-based product updates and repair follow-ups.
Preventive maintenance and on-going service reviews are also part of this
high-level support service.
TANDBERG Television is pleased to continue its relationship with NBC as it
expands its digital services through our provision of a digital distribution
network, said Eric Cooney, VP and General Manager, Americas, for TANDBERG
Television Inc. Through our effective utilization of 8PSK and the newer
opportunistic data capabilities, TANDBERG Television remains at the forefront
of digital technology developments. And we look forward to further developing
our relationship with NBC in the future.
About TANDBERG Television
TANDBERG Television (Oslo, Norway, Stock Exchange: TAT) is the market leader
in the provision of open solutions for the digital broadcasting of audio,
data and video across various networks including cable, satellite,
terrestrial, IP and telecom. The company is an innovator in digital
broadcasting and its broad offering includes professional receivers, MPEG
encoders, modulators, multiplexers, a range of solutions for transport stream
processing, easy to use control and monitoring solutions, as well as market
leading digital Satellite News Gathering and digital ENG.
TANDBERG Television has proven systems integration and global support
capabilities. Committed to open systems, the companys solutions are based on
international standards and it plays a major part in developing standards
such as MPEG-2, DVB, ATSC, SMPTE and DTTV. Headquartered in Norway, TANDBERG
Television has sales and 24-hour support and monitoring operations in Asia,
Australia, Europe and the US. TANDBERG Televisions customers include major
broadcasters, network operators and convergence players around the world
including Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC), BBC, BSkyB, FOX Sports, NTL,
Televisa, Tribune Broadcasting and Warner Brothers. For more information
visit: www.tandbergtv.com