SALT LAKE CITY — March 23, 2009 — Utah Scientific today announced that WIAT-TV in Birmingham, Ala., has deployed a new UTAH-400 HD router and two MC-2020 master controls to enable the launch of two new digital channels and institute HD broadcast of its flagship channel, CBS 42. The new channels, both broadcasting in SD, are WIAT 42-2, which launched in February and is devoted to locally produced sports and weather programming, and WIAT 42-3, which is scheduled to launch in April and will feature round-the-clock weather radar.
WIAT, which is owned by New Vision Television LLC, selected the UTAH-400 88x88 router because it is easily expandable and, unlike competing devices, it accommodates both SD and HD sources. As designed, the system makes it possible for a single master control operator to run all three channels. WIAT's master control also incorporates Utah Scientific's EAS crawl feature (EAS-2020) for cost-effective, seamless, and easy-to-use input of the emergency alert system signal into multiple channels.
"We are growing by leaps and bounds," said Scott Sarkisian, WIAT-TV chief engineer. "When I got here five years ago, this was an all analog facility. Now it's all digital, and the plant is going all HD. With the UTAH-400 router, we can grow master control and the router just by plugging in new cards. The equipment's versatility and flexibility has enabled us to implement a simple, streamlined, and cost-effective system and will enable us to maintain it long-term."
"New Vision saw an opportunity to better serve the Birmingham community by launching more locally produced programming like weather and high school sports," said Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. "Utah Scientific leverages innovative technology to make multichannel routing and master control cost effective to implement, maintain, expand, and use. In this way, we enable broadcasters like WIAT to jump on opportunities and reap advantages that might otherwise pass them by."
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About New Vision Television, LLC
With corporate offices in Atlanta and Los Angeles, New Vision and its predecessor companies will have owned or operated more than 30 television stations across the country since the inception of New Vision Television in 1993. New Vision Television is a broadcast management company of excellence, maintaining a broadcast group of large and medium market television stations. New Vision applies proven management techniques to achieve the highest enterprise value for each station. Able to improve station productivity by working with local station presidents/general managers, department heads, and employees to develop a well thought out strategy for success, New Vision prides itself on being an innovator in the industry.
About Utah Scientific, Inc.
Utah Scientific, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of analog, digital, and HDTV routing switchers, master control switchers, and related products including a full range of software for controlling and managing switching systems. The company has been serving the broadcast industry for 30 years with industry-leading products and best-in-class service and support as recognized again by Frost & Sullivan with its 2009 Customer Service Leadership Award and demonstrated by the industry's first 10-year warranty. Additional information may be found at www.utahscientific.com.
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