German federal broadcast network ARD last summer conducted a limited on-air demonstration of high definition television using equipment supplied, installed and integrated by Thomson.
Installed at the ARD Play-Out-Center Potsdam, near Berlin, the setup extended an existing, standard-definition playout center using Thomson Grass Valley K2 media servers.
To add the HD capability without increasing the workload, Thomson's systems integration engineers installed a four-channel high-definition K2 media server alongside the existing Grass Valley Profile servers used for SD service. The new HD K2 server and related equipment was integrated with the broadcaster's playout automation system.
ARD needed to add HD capability to its existing Potsdam playout center without any disruption of its existing SD services. The HD system was designed, implemented, installed and commissioned in about 10 weeks.
For more information, visit: www.thomsongrassvalley.com.
