Detroit Public Television Outfits New HD Truck with Utah Scientific Switchers

Detroit Public Television (DPTV) has deployed two of Utah Scientific’s routing switchers in the station’s first HD production truck. The 35-foot, eight-camera-capable truck carries a 48×64 UTAH-400 digital router as well as a 32×32 UTAH-200 stereo analog audio router. The truck is producing arts, entertainment, and sports programming for DPTV and is also available for commercial hire.

“For use in a TV truck, we needed a compact chassis, but we also needed the capabilities afforded by a generous number of crosspoints,” says Helge Blucher, DPTV’s VP of engineering and technology. “And because we are a nonprofit with a tight budget, the price was critical. I looked at more expensive products, but they didn’t give me anything more than Utah Scientific — not to mention we’re gaining the company’s outstanding reputation for reliability, quality, and support.”

Utah Scientific’s UTAH-400 routers are based on architecture that reduces the complexity of large systems and provides more capabilities with less rack space, reduced power consumption, and reduced operating expense. The UTAH-200 is a compact routing switcher that provides flexible control, multiple formats and scalability in a 2-RU box. For DPTV, two more Utah Scientific selling points were the routers’ versatility, important because the truck will be used for a variety of different shows, and easy-to-use control to accommodate part-time and freelance operators.

“Detroit Public Television’s new HD truck enables the station to serve its viewers with enhanced remote capability,” says Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. “The two Utah routers on board were built to stand up to the demands of remote broadcast, both in terms of the durability required of a system that gets bounced around on the road and also the versatility to produce all kinds of shows.”

DPTV is one of America’s leading public television stations and PBS affiliates, serving the nation’s 11th largest market. It operates a 24-hour broadcast schedule, and has produced numerous award-winning international, national, and local shows. DPTV’s HD truck was first assigned to the Sphinx competition for young minority musicians at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. Future commitments will extend its range to shows as far away as Connecticut and Nashville, Tenn.