Harris Corp.'s Broadcast Communications Division (BCD) has equipped Radio Television Guatemala with its HD transmission, encoding and master control package in time for the broadcaster's coverage of World Cup matches.
The Guatemalan broadcaster's coverage of the opening ceremony and the Day 1 Germany-Costa Rica match on June 9 in Munich marked the first live HD sports broadcast in Central America, according to Harris. The inaugural broadcast last week was part of a celebration commemorating the Guatemalan broadcaster's 50th anniversary on the air.
Radio Television Guatemala's new equipment includes a Harris Ranger ATSC 1kW transmitter, the company's NetVX HD encoders, and a Leitch IconMaster SD/HD master control system. Additional hardware includes Harris's NEO XHD series up- and down-converters. (The equipment at the main transmission site in Guatemala City, including a Leitch NEXIO video server, will be used for content storage and playout.)
The Ranger transmitter is outfitted with an Apex exciter with real-time adaptive correction technology. Harris also is providing the Latin American operation with a transmission line, RF loads, combiners, and power management equipment to prepare the facility for future DTV and HD transmissions. The broadcaster will continue with terrestrial HD broadcasts in the Guatemala City market (Channel 19) following the conclusion of the World Cup next month.
