HRT selects SysMedia’s Plasma teletext system

HRT (Hrvatska Radiotelevizija), Croatia’s largest national broadcaster, has selected SysMedia’s Plasma teletext content production and management system to enhance its current analogue teletext service and to provide an integrated upgrade path for future digital TV text services.
At the same time the broadcaster also purchased WinCAPS software for subtitling of live programmes including news. The deal has been overseen by SysMedia’s Croatian partner, CS Computer Systems.
HRT, which operates two national terrestrial channels and an international Croatian language satellite channel, wanted to replace its ageing teletext technology with an up-to-date system that clearly delivers workflow and productivity benefits. SysMedia’s Plasma teletext system was selected as best meeting these criteria.
The Plasma system is being used to create a wide range of content including: news, weather, TV and radio schedules, betting information, traffic and much more. Currently it’s the same across the three channels but differentiation will follow. Plasma’s highly advanced data feed and automation functions were among the key reasons that Plasma was chosen. This allows a reduction in operator involvement and therefore cost. It also increases both the speed and accuracy of output.
Goran Kanceljak, Project Leader with CS Computers, said: “Plasma allows for far easier teletext content creation, both for internal teletext editors and for those accessing the system externally. System monitoring was also a key consideration and Plasma has helped relieve stress and save time and cost in that regard.”
The WinCAPS subtitling system is being used by HRT initially for the live subtitling of news coverage; this will be extended across other content. Key to the purchasing decision was WinCAPS’ integration with Avid’s iNews as this is used by HRT in its newsroom operations.
“The operational power, flexibility and most of all the automation and workflow benefits of our Plasma technology have once again been fully recognised. We have delivered practical solutions that integrate with third party technology as we know that is crucial in the modern broadcasting information chain,” concluded Andrew Lambourne, SysMedia’s CEO.
(GB)