ATG order sQ system for turnkey SSVC digital contract

Leading systems integrator ATG Broadcast has ordered a multi-server sQ Production and Transmission system from Quantel to form the backbone of the turnkey digital production and transmission facility it is designing and installing for the Services Sound & Vision Corporation (SSVC).
SSVC produces BFBS radio and television services for the British armed forces around the world, with BFBS Television providing two channels of selected programmes from the major UK broadcast television channels as well as specially produced programmes and its own news service.
UK broadcast programmes are ingested under IBIS automation control into two Quantel sQ servers which boast a total of over 500 hours of parallel 30Mbit broadcast and 1.5Mbit browse MPEG storage. IBIS Vistapoint is used to mark channel branding etc, and IBIS Landscape automatically calls up templates to replace these on playout. Meanwhile, promotions, trailers etc are put together on four Quantel QCut workstations, and finished on three QEdit Pro systems.
Finished material is then transferred to two mirrored Quantel sQ servers (each with 8 ports and 90 hours of 30Mbit MPEG storage) ready for playout. Programmes go out to the British armed forces worldwide on two channels – BFBS1 and BFBS2.
ATG is also installing a DaletPlus newsroom system to support the production of the twice weekly “BFBS Reports” news magazine programme. News has its own 6 port sQ server, supporting three QCut desktop journalist editors.
Simon Shute, SSVC Director of Technology, said, “ATG’s choice of Quantel equipment gave their bid a crucial edge in the selection process for this vital project. sQ gives us the functionality we need to handle our complex workflow in the efficient way that we require.”
Alan Pimm, ATG Broadcast Sales Director, said, “This is a true end-to-end digital system. Quantel’s Frame Magic technology enables files to be streamed at very high speed between servers using IBIS intelligent workflow methodologies – a key element to the success of our bid.”
Brian Paisley, Quantel Broadcast Sales Director, said: “ATG’s in-depth understanding of our technology gained over a number of joint installations has been instrumental in the success with this contract. SSVC will have a production system the equal of anything in the world to keep our armed forces in touch with home wherever they are. We’re particularly pleased to be part of such a worthwhile project.”
Quantel is dedicated to creating new tools for the new digital age, covering everything from terrestrial and satellite television to broadband internet, DVD and d-cinema. Quantel systems combine industry-leading performance with total scalability in both hardware and software across post production, graphics, digital intermediate, news and sports production for multiple resolution, team-working environments.
Quantel, www.quantel.com
(SP)