ATG Broadcast upgrading BBC News MFA

ATG Broadcast, one of Europe's leading systems integration companies, have been chosen to upgrade and relocate BBC News' Multi-Format Dubbing Area.
The expanded facility will be shared and integrated with the corporation's Photo-Imaging department. Over 40 tape transports in a wide range of 525-line and 625-line analogue and digital VT formats will be re-sited as part of the contract. These are used for ingest of new material and pre-edit processing of archived content. Six workstations will be installed for this video transfer process.
Additional facilities to be incorporated include aspect ratio conversion, transmission standards conversion and noise reduction.
Multi-level routing within the Multi-Format Dubbing Area is, and will continue to be, handled via BBC Technology's Colledia control system.
The new area created will allow closer working relations to be fostered between the MFA and Photo Imaging, which in turn will enable a more comprehensive service to be offered to their internal customers.
Additionally the digital image and DVD authoring workflow within Photo Imaging is expected to be progressively expanded into the new integrated area as the market for news-based pre-recorded documentaries grows.
Alan Pimm, ATG Broadcast Sales Director, commented: "This project is an important one given the BBC's international reputation for impartial and objective news coverage. The relocation involves a combination of new and legacy equipment including new technical and reception-area furniture from Custom Consoles.
Installation began early August with anticipated completion within three weeks. ATG Broadcast has proved its ability to operate efficiently and accurately."
(GB)