Thomson Selected for Abu Dhabi Media Company HD Expansion, by Brian Smith

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From the Editors

Thomson Selected for Abu Dhabi Media Company HD Expansion

by Brian Smith, October 24, 2007

Staff Reporter for TV Technology

Digital video technologies leader Thomso recently announced an order for four high-definition outside broadcast units from the Abu Dhabi Media Co. (ADMC).

Founded earlier this year by Emir of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ADMC carries out all media-related activities, including advertising, broadcasting, production and print publishing in Arabic and other languages. The purchase from Thomson will mark the first of its kind in the Middle East. The deal, worth €15 million, is the first contract under a new technology partnership between the two organizations.

“We want to be an A-class and in the first row in the media industry,” said ADMC CEO, Riyad Al Mubarak.

Abdul Hadi Abdullah, ADMC director of media technology, added, “And we believe that to be in the first row we have to have the latest technology that suits our goals and objectives. Thomson demonstrated to us that they had the competencies to deliver precisely what we need within our tight timescales. Our vision is for media and culture as a central goal in the economic and social growth of the Emirate. We aim to become a leader in production and broadcasting in the Middle East using leading-edge technologies and workflows.”

Thomson Senior Executive Vice President of the Systems Division, Jacques Dunogué, expressed his feelings concerning the partnership. “We are very excited by the ADMC project. As a region, the Middle East is challenging the world of broadcast by demanding very high standards of high-definition production. ADMC is leading that challenge through four television stations in the United Arab Emirates and now with this production capability to cover the whole region. We look forward to a long and fruitful role as their key technology partner.”

The four mobile production centers consist of two large trailers with full-length, double-expanding sides, one fixed-axle vehicle with a full-length expanding side and one fixed-axle, fixed-side vehicle. Expanding sections ensure a comfortable amount of workspace is provided for VIP production staff and slow-motion operators and editors.

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Grass Valley Kayak HD Switcher

Production hardware for the OB units includes 37 LDK 8000 cameras equipped with the new SportCam format for capturing 2x super slow motion on HD, four Kayak production switchers, Grass Valley Concerto routers and Kameleon and GeckoFlex modular products.

All four units will be custom designed and built by the Grass Valley systems group in close co-operation with ADMC engineers and operational teams to meet their ergonomic and practical needs.

Already underway, the project has an eight-month timeframe for complete delivery. A Grass Valley systems group workshop in Weiterstadt, Germany, is responsible for construction, with coach building by European specialist Guering.