Public TV pioneer WNET-TV/DT in New York has purchased Harris Corp's new remote control and facility management tool, ReCon. WNET will use ReCon at its transmitter site to monitor and control analog and digital transmitters as well as other transmitter site equipment.
"Efficient management of a multisite facility requires a systems controller that provides far more than a simple control and monitor interface," said Frank Graybill, WNET chief engineer. "ReCon provides our operators with a user-friendly, multisite and multi-user graphical control system. The IP, serial and analog interface capabilities of the Recon system allow for control of any device at any site from any location at anytime-quickly, logically and reliably. With its own control language and root cause analysis features, ReCon provides us with the precise information necessary when a fault event occurs and seconds count."
By harnessing the power of accessible IP networks, ReCon communicates with a diverse list of broadcast, network, and facility control equipment including tower lights, HVAC and facility security. ReCon is web-enabled, monitors SNMP and is capable of remote operation (via any Windows-based computer). It's scaleable and customizable, and can control Harris as well as many non-Harris transmitters through serial interface.
"When we interviewed engineer after engineer, we realized that they were looking for a tool that would enable them to control and monitor their transmitter site equipment and their digital and analog transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer," said Haldane Wilson, Harris VP for Studio Products and Systems. "ReCon meets or exceeds those requirements with its flexibility and ease of access via your network or the Web."
