Iraqi satellite channel Alsumaria TV chooses Miranda

Miranda Technologies has announced that Alsumaria TV, Iraq's leading satellite television channel, has taken delivery, via distributor Broadcast & Communication Systems, of an Imagestore 300 SD master control and channel branding processor and a Presmaster 2 master control panel for its Lebanon-based playout operation.
The new master control system will be used for enhanced channel branding and more efficient station playout, with control via Harris automation and content running from a Seachange server.
"With the introduction of this new branding system, we will be making dramatic changes to the presentation of Alsumaria TV, with more sophisticated program junction graphics and more engaging channel branding," said Jassem Al-Lami, Head of Operations at Alsumaria TV in Baghdad.
The satellite television channel's Imagestore 300 is fitted with the Easytext automated character generator for presenting news crawls, SMS viewer messages, and financial graphics such as stock market and exchange rate data. Easytext is a template-based character generator that minimises manual intervention without compromising creativity.
The Imagestore 300 is also equipped with a dual-channel DVE, which provides compelling picture-in-picture effects for program junctions and ‘squeeze-and-reveal’-type promotional graphics. Alsumaria TV will also use the unit's clock-insertion capability for customised timer inserts, as well as the integral A/B video mixer and 16-channel audio mixer.
The Presmaster 2 control panel, with integral colour touch screen, will act as a manual backup for the automation system and will provide full control of video and audio mixing, DVEs, and channel branding graphics.
"Miranda has a strong reputation in the Middle East broadcast industry," said Engineer Mazen Raouf at Alsumaria TV in Baghdad. "Reliability was key to the purchasing decision, and we were also impressed with the highly professional after-sales support that we received from Miranda's local distributor, Broadcast & Communication Systems."
The installation is due for completion at the end of March 2006.
(GB)