Chellomedia Undergoes Renewal

UK systems integrator Broadcast Networks has completed the renewal of Chellomedia’s vital Network Operations Centre.
The DMC currently distributes around 80 channels including a pan-European feed of National Geographic Wild and separate local feeds of the National Geographic Channel for Central Europe, Scandinavia, Benelux, Poland and Hungary. Chellomedia has also recently teamed up with Hit Entertainment to launch, JimJam, an international pre-school children’s television channel. This, along with all other channels, will be distributed via the DMC.
The expansion in the number of channels distributed by Chellomedia required a more comprehensive Network Operations Centre (NOC), which is effectively the heart of the DMC. From here, signals are transmitted to distribution centres and satellites and carefully monitored to ensure optimum quality.
Broadcast Networks was commissioned to handle the design, build and installation of the NOC expansion and rebuild, which was carried out in two phases to ensure a streamlined transition. Phase one involved building a new NOC adjacent to the existing NOC and equipping it with new desks, monitors and a central KMV matrix. Once this was fully functional, playout and monitoring systems were switched across, the old NOC was replaced with one large control room.
The upgraded NOC consists of a number of new playout and control desks, together with a new KMV matrix (a keyboard/video/mouse matrix that allows users to remotely switch between various applications on different workstations from the new NOC area). The new and larger NOC will support Chellomedia in expanding its multichannel operation and cope with monitoring more channels on its extended monitor wall.
At the same time as the NOC rebuild, Chellomedia upgraded part of the uplink facility at its Helmond Teleport. Broadcast Networks supplied a temporary uplink container kitted out with satellite transmission equipment, which was shipped over from the UK and installed alongside the new facility to handle the switchover.
For more information on Broadcast Networks:
www.bcnet.co.uk
(DS)