Archive News
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Mar 2007
dB Broadcast builds new Playout centre for SPORTSMAX in Jamaica
Independent system integrator dB Broadcast has built a new, two-channel digital playout centre for SPORTSMAX, Jamaica’s 24 hour sports-dedicated TV channel.
The total, ten-rack system was prefabricated and tested at dB’s purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cambridgeshire, before being shipped to Jamaica for installation at a newly-located media centre. The new media centre will be fully operational prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, beginning in March 2007, and is expected to be used for the Cup by outside broadcasters as well as by SPORTSMAX.
A brand of Caribbean-based International Media Content (IMC), SPORTSMAX is Jamaica’s first and only TV station dedicated to sport, which it broadcasts live, in real-time, 24 hours a day via cable.
The company is the rights holder (in many cases exclusive) in Jamaica and the Caribbean for live broadcast/distribution of major sporting events. These include Barclays English Premier League football, English FA Cup, NBA, West Indies Cricket Overseas tours, Ashes Cricket-Australia v England, IAAF Grand Prix events and the PGA (Pro-Golf) tour events.
The new Playout centre will be one of the first digital systems in Jamaica and is based around Miranda presentation mixers, branding image stores, and distribution equipment. Also included in the system are GVG video disk recorders, with storage of 64 hours, while monitoring is on Panasonic plasma screens, fed from Zandar multi-viewers.
Consultancy for the project was provided by London-based Ten Ten Digital. Commenting on dB’s contribution, project manager Mike Severyn said: “Having worked with dB before, I knew how organised the company is and the care and detail it puts into its back-office work. At the same time it is capable of giving a highly personal service. Another factor influencing the choice of dB,” says Mike, “was the ability to prefabricate and test off-site - a very important consideration.”
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Feb 2007
dB Broadcast moves closer to London
Cambridgeshire-based independent system integrator dB Broadcast has moved closer to London with the decision to base a key member of staff in the Capital full time.
Commenting on the decision, Tom Swan, dB’s sales and marketing director, says: “Although in the last ten years or so we have undertaken major projects worldwide, it is also true that some of our largest and most prestigious customers are based in London, eg, the BBC, MTV, QVC and Turner Entertainment (TENIL).
“We see the appointment of a project manager in London, as part of our plans to support our customers in the Capital and to approach many new ones.”
The person appointed by dB is Phil Keeler, who recently joined the company after working for the last six years in a freelance capacity. Phil, who will operate from his home just south of London, is no stranger to the Capital, having worked in London for many years. “London-based companies he has worked for include The Mill, TVI Ltd and MTV Networks Europe. Phil was at MTV for six years (1994-2000) and his responsibilities as Projects Manager included the research, design, acquisition and integration of new technologies.
Tom Swan continues, “Of course dB itself, with its purpose-built 20,000-square-foot pre-fabrication and testing facilities, is only an hour from London by train, and we are always delighted if our London-based customers wish to come and visit us. But Phil Keeler will provide a vital first point-of-call for most of our London customers.”
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Jan 2007
dB Broadcast expands engineering team - appoints new Project Manager
Independent system integrator dB Broadcast has expanded its 14-strong engineering team by appointing Phil Keeler as a Project Manager. Phil will report to Engineering Manager, Gareth Evans.
Educated at Tonbridge Wells Grammar School and Ravensbourne School of Broadcasting, Phil Keeler has a Higher National Diploma in Broadcast Systems Engineering and over 16 years experience of the broadcast industry.
For the last six years Phil has worked as a freelance Project Engineer and Manager. In that capacity he has been employed by dB Broadcast on a number of projects. These ranged from the ATV television station in Amman, Jordan, where he was responsible for the design and testing of the studios, to the glass-fronted MTV studio in London’s Leicester Square.
Companies Phil has worked for include London-based The Mill, TVI Ltd and MTV Networks Europe. Phil was at MTV for six years (1994-2000) and his responsibilities as Projects Manager included the research, design, acquisition and integration of new technologies.
As well as extensive projects in the UK, including numerous ones for the BBC, Phil’s overseas work has included National Broadcast Centres in both Tbilisi, Georgia, and Lisbon, Portugal. In Georgia, the project consisted of the design, pre-fabrication and building of a full broadcast centre in a very short timescale and small budget. In Lisbon, Phil was responsible for the relocation of a six-channel automated transmission system, microwave transmission, video tape dubbing areas and other associated facilities.
Tom Swan, dB’s director of sales and marketing, said: “Phil has worked for dB Broadcast as a contractor on several projects over the last three years and we are delighted that he is joining us full time. He brings with him a high level of both engineering skills and commercial awareness, and a great sense of humour.”