New Orleans PBS Affiliate Deploys Utah Scientific Routers, Master Control Systems

WYES, a New Orleans PBS affiliate, has deployed routing and master control solutions from Utah Scientific as part of a digital upgrade that is advancing the station’s ability to add channels. WYES is also relying on the new technical infrastructure for local production, most recently taping a 26-episode cooking series starring renowned chef John Besh that will air nationally in 2011.

“Production deadlines meant the technical project had to be completed in a hurry, and the Utah Scientific system worked perfectly from the get-go,” says WYES Chief Engineer Fred Barrett. “In particular, we appreciated that the SC-4 control software made the panels and master control switcher very easy for our operators to use.”

WYES’ new routing system comprises a UTAH-400 V-288R routing switcher, loaded to 128×128; Utah SC-4 control; a Utah MCP-2020 master control panel; and five MC-400 master control switchers. The set-up replaces an analog router and a separate master control switcher in need of replacement.

The WYES engineering team considered router and master control systems from a number of providers, and then selected Utah Scientific due to their cost-effectiveness, both in terms of investment and operation. For example, the UTAH-400 router builds in flexibility to allow WYES to go from its present 1080i infrastructure to 1080p with no need for optional features or a costly future upgrade. Likewise, the system can handle legacy controls and router heads, since some existing WYES equipment was not in need of an immediate replacement.

Software control panels for the router and master control afford fast, easy set-up, operation, and backup from a laptop. WYES has the ability to segregate the router’s I/O to reduce the possibility of human error. Utah Scientific also worked with WYES to provide the required five channels of master control in a configuration that was maximally affordable and functional.

“Television stations are taking advantage of advances in digital routing and master control technology to add channels, making more and better-targeted information and entertainment available to their viewers,” says Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. “We’re glad to work with stations like WYES not only to make this vision for the future possible, but also to make it affordable.”