Megahertz helps Avid bring the latest in broadcast technology to customers

Local and regional broadcasters will soon be able to demo the latest Avid Media Factory system at their own premises, thanks to a new demonstration vehicle that has been designed and built by UK systems integration specialist, Megahertz Broadcast Systems.
Based on a Mercedes Sprinter, the vehicle is fully equipped with an Avid Media Factory system - a complete solution that is specifically tailored to the needs and budgets of smaller broadcast stations. The system incorporates ingest, wire feed capture, multiple editing, clients editing, true shared storage, integrated asset management and automated/assisted play out. Avid has pre-configured the system to a proven workflow that the company has distilled down over the years, using its extensive experience of broadcasters’ requirements.
Cliff Smith, Avid’s European Product Marketing Manager – Broadcast, said the thinking behind Avid Media Factory came from company research, which showed that while numerous European territories had large regional and local broadcast markets, many potential customers couldn’t take advantage of available technology because they didn’t have the time or budget to investigate and implement it.
“We launched the Avid Media Factory solution at IBC last year,” he explained. “The first systems shipped in January 2005 to Germany and the Middle East and we have now installed more systems in Italy, Russia and Scandinavia.”
Having proved the concept, Avid’s next challenge was finding a way of getting this new technology in front of potential customers, especially those in Italy and Spain.
Smith said: “For many of these smaller broadcasters, taking time out to attend trade shows and product presentations doesn’t help their business, as they generally have a small number of staff doing multiple roles. The idea of creating a demonstration vehicle for Avid Media Factory came from our local offices where staff felt we could apply the idea of the Avid Broadcast Bus to the smaller broadcast market. The prospect of a comfortable demonstration, test and training vehicle that could safely transport our kit in working order, go anywhere and work around the customer’s needs was a very appealing one.”
Megahertz project manager Steve Hope, who was in charge of the project, said: “We handled the coachbuilding and also installed a generator, air conditioning and an AC power system. Avid’s livery was added while the vehicle was at our premises in Ely, and then the truck was delivered to Avid where the Media Factory equipment was installed. The end result is a compact but incredibly versatile vehicle that has been ergonomically designed to ensure that potential Avid clients can demo the company’s equipment in a very comfortable environment.”
Now officially known as the AMF Demonstration Truck, the vehicle was completed at the end of June and immediately put into service in southern Europe, where it is presenting not only Avid Media Factory but also Avid’s entire broadcast solutions to customers who do not normally get access to this technology.
(GB/KMcA)