Looking for a major vendor that could offer a multitude of components for an end-to-end system, the new Al-Ahly TV sports channel, located at the Egyptian Media Production City near Cairo, has installed a full complement of digital technology from Harris. The comprehensive platform incorporates production, automation, signal processing, routing, channel branding, graphics and test and measurement products and systems.
The core of the new channel’s system includes two Harris NEXIO media server platforms to handle the file-based production and transmission of content as well as an ADC automation system for automated content management and program playout. The automation system also controls a full range of routing, branding and graphics products. The Harris servers and automation systems are tightly integrated with numerous Apple Final Cut Pro workstations, enabling shared-storage editing in the production environment and fast turnaround of sports packages.
Incoming feeds at the Al-Ahly broadcast facility are managed by the Harris X75 signal processor, and the system is supported by two Harris SDI routers — one located in the studio and the other in the master control room. Branding and graphics are handled by a Harris IconLogo on-air channel-branding system and Harris Inscriber RTX on-air graphics platform. Rounding out the fully integrated system are Videotek test and measurement equipment, a master timing generator, sync generation equipment and clocks, and a GPS receiver.
