Danmon Systems Group Reports 'Positive And Successful 2010'

Danmon Systems Group (DSG), a leading broadcast system integrators, has reported a sustained improvement in confidence throughout the telecommunications and multimedia industry during 2010.
Broadcasters and playout service-providers are upgrading and expanding their facilities to increase operational efficiency and to meet growing public demand for digitally-delivered information and entertainment.
Henning Brønnum, DSG Managing Director, said: "Television and radio broadcasters are embracing diversification. Satellite and terrestrial digital delivery is rapidly replacing analogue transmission in many industrialised countries. The benefits of digital transmission include the ability to deliver a much larger number of programme channels plus advanced services such as 1080-line high-definition, live and near-live streaming to mobile-phone and internet-based platforms, and of course the option of introducing 3D channels. It is an exciting time, but one which demands forward-looking planning in the pre-design phase to ensure that new systems are sufficiently flexible and expandable to meet the requirements of new business opportunities."
2010 began with completion of a TV production and playout system for a major Asian broadcast network, followed by factory acceptance tests, on-site installation, commissioning and training. The scale of the project was such that, during initial construction, the DSG workshop in Aarhus resembled a television station. Main components of the system were a Harris server and editing system together with a Miranda master control mixer and multiviewer. The project also included Ikegami cameras, Grass Valley Kayak vision switcher and Yamaha audio mixer.
Four new framework agreements were signed with one of Europe's largest public-service broadcasters. The agreements are for master control playout facilities, television and music production studios, decentralised production facilities and OB facilities. All four agreements cover system integration services and broadcast equipment.
An IP-based remote-controlled camera system was designed by DSG and installed at six regional sites. Each incorporates an integrated pan/tilt/zoom camera with fixed optics, operating in SD/HD with full control of camera and pedestal. The system also includes return monitoring and 60 inch elevated background display screens.
Special attention was placed on achieving the highest possible sound quality by using very high-grade microphones, plus audio-delay processors to maintain lip sync. Particular care was also taken to ensure 'fool-proof' local operation so that systems are not rendered inoperative because of local operational errors; the only control is the earpiece volume adjustment.
Summer 2010 saw the completion and delivery of a flyaway master control room system for broadcast coverage of the World Cup football series in South Africa. The system was designed, assembled and fully tested in Denmark prior to being delivered in flight-cases to Soccer City in Johannesburg. It was operated on site by staff from TV2/DANMARK and remotely supervised by Danmon Systems Group support.
A complete containerised radio station was designed and produced for a globally active security organisation. This was an updated version of earlier versions supplied to the organisation by DSG, each consisting of three containers. The first container incorporates a studio and production control room. The second accommodates two edit suites and the third houses transmission equipment. The new design includes Studer audio mixers and was delivered at the end of June.
In Scandinavia, DSG completed the first phase of a project which will see the migration of a sports-themed broadcast television channel to HD. The project includes a new multi-format router, a new router control system and new HD infrastructure. On the audio side, the project includes implementation of a new communication system and new fibre ring infrastructure.
DSG is also currently involved in the design of a new media building for a private broadcaster in Russia. DSG will be working in partnership with a Danish engineering company which has contracted for the design of the media house. The new building is expected to be ready for operation in 2015.
(KMcA)