NBC Connecticut HD Relies on Miranda’s Signal Management, Monitoring Systems

NBC Connecticut HD’s new file-based, 3Gbps-capable facility is relying on Miranda Technologies’ signal management and monitoring systems.

The green field facility, based in Hartford, was designed and installed by KMH AV Integration. It incorporates Densité signal processing and NVISION router systems, as well as Kaleido-X multi-viewers and iControl facility monitoring.

“Miranda’s highly integrated solution is invaluable to operations like these,” says Kevin Henneman, president of KMH. “Efficiency and maintenance is vastly improved, and the reliability of Miranda’s equipment is excellent. You plug it in, turn it on, and it works.”

The routing and distribution core uses two routers: an NVISION 8500 series Enterprise Class digital video/audio router, and an NVISION 5128 mid-size router, which handles analogue video with stereo audio. Together, they act as one large router system, with multiple levels to manage all the signals using fiber and coax. The system receives multiple incoming feeds, including NBC-leased common carriers, satellite feeds from the NBC Networks, and microwave feeds from OB units.

The monitoring system across the building is based on three Kaleido-X multi-viewers, with the XEdit multi-room layout editor managing the source sharing and layout presentation. At NBC Connecticut HD, a total of 128 signals are displayed across four 50-inch screens in the Production Control room, two 50-inch screens in the Station Operation Centre, and a similar sized screen in the Audio Control room.

More than 60 Densité frames house hundreds of signal processor modules, which perform a wide range of functions, including up/down/cross conversion and Dolby E/AC-3 processing. Miranda’s iControl system provides effective monitoring of all the Densité modules, and allows the facility to be controlled by just three operators.

“With iControl, the operators can instantly see what’s going on with the facility’s signals,” says Henneman. “If there is an error, they can identify it very quickly, and troubleshoot from a single point to make a rapid repair. I would say that the system has led to, at least, a 30% improvement in the time it takes to report and resolve a problem – and in all likelihood it’s much more than that.”