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Before and After the Deluge, WLAE New Orleans Puts Its Trust in Utah Scientific
SALT LAKE CITY — March 17, 2010 — Utah Scientific today announced that New Orleans’ PBS affiliate WLAE has installed a UTAH-400 V-288R digital routing switcher along with Utah control and master control systems as part of an upgrade that includes state-of-the-art, multichannel digital master control. The new router has replaced a 15-year-old analog router, also manufactured by Utah Scientific, that survived being swamped by Hurricane Katrina.
“Our decision to go with Utah Scientific this time was dictated by our past experience with the company,” said Dave Snowdy, facility technical officer for WLAE. “We’ve had two previous Utah routers, and even beyond their 10-year, no-cost warranty, Utah Scientific has continued to help us with parts and support. As a result, their equipment just keeps on going — even in the event of natural disaster.”
WLAE had just installed a digital transmitter and received a grant to support further automation of its broadcast facility in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. The new transmitter was swamped, and then, after the roof blew away, most of the studio equipment was soaked. Weeks went by before anything was salvaged, and at that point one of the few items that could be dried out and put back into service was the 10-year-old UTAH-300 router.
Beyond WLAE’s good experience with Utah Scientific, the new UTAH-400 was chosen to be at the core of the current facility upgrade because it supports system-wide flexibility, with each I/O capable of routing either SD or HD signals.
In addition to the UTAH-400 router (loaded 128x128 3G HD/SD), WLAE’s new Utah Scientific deployment includes the company’s SC-4 controller, MC-400P master control with integrated emergency alert system (EAS) and logo insertion, and Utah’s Softpanel-2 control panel software.
WLAE is currently broadcasting three streams, including some programming for sister station WLPB in Baton Rouge, making it one of the first stations in its region to perform multistream broadcasting. The new master control enables WLAE to cut into feeds easily and automatically for branding, logo insertion, EAS, and promos. WLAE went on air with the Utah Scientific equipment in January, just in time for the home team victory in Super Bowl XLIV.
“We build our routers to last — as our industry-leading, 10-year, no-fee warranty implies — so it’s very rewarding to hear that this one stood up to a hurricane,” said Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. “Like all of New Orleans, WLAE suffered a huge setback when Katrina struck, but with its new state-of-the-art facility, the station is showing the kind of resilience that makes a city, or a broadcaster, great.”
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About WLAE
WLAE is a non-profit public/private partnership, dedicated to improving local, state, and global communities. Utilizing current and emerging technologies, WLAE is committed to providing quality, value-based educational programs and services. WLAE was founded in 1982 when it was awarded a construction permit by the FCC to build an Educational Public Television station in the New Orleans community. The station began broadcasting on UHF Channel 32 in July 1984 and was licensed in 1985. WLAE-TV has produced a number of award-winning documentaries and also produces a number of weekly studio productions providing a forum for both national, state, and local government, as well as health care information.
About Utah Scientific, Inc.
About Utah Scientific Inc.
Utah Scientific is the world's leading specialist in analog, digital, and HDTV routing switchers, master control switchers, and related control software. For more than 30 years, the company has provided industry-leading products and best-in-class service and support as recognized, again in 2009, by Frost & Sullivan with its Customer Service Leadership Award and demonstrated by the industry's first no-fee 10-year warranty. |
