Global TV taps Linear Acoustic to smooth out audio levels

Linear Acoustic recently supplied a total of seven OCTiMAX 5.1 Digital Television Audio Processors to Global TV, one of Canada’s three
national networks, for installation within a new national Master Control
facility in Calgary.

The units are being used to provide multichannel processing for six dedicated network feeds: two for Ontario, one for Manitoba, two for Alberta and one for British Columbia – the seventh system is patchable to handle 5.1-channel satellite and related feeds. In addition to controlling multichannel audio levels for the network’s HD broadcasts, the OCTiMAX units also handle stereo-to-5.1-channel upmixing of legacy two-channel material. The order was fulfilled by Sonotechnique PJL Inc., which handles Canadian service and support for Linear Acoustic products from the firm’s offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

Global TV serves a total of five time zones using locally generated material in addition to programming from US-based networks, including NBC, CBS, Fox and ABC. Global TV’s specialty networks comprise COOL TV, DejaView, Fox Sports World, Lonestar, MENTV, Mystery, TVTropolis and Xtreme Sports.

Combining multichannel, multiband dynamic audio processing with a stereo-to-5.1-channel up-mixer, OCTiMAX 5.1 accepts a conventional stereo analog or digital signal and produces a fully mono- and stereo-compatible, 5.1-channel output audio. A proprietary Auto Voiceover feature allows
straightforward insertion of voiceover audio, while UpMax, a user-selectable two-channel-to-5.1-channel up-mixer with full control of center width and surround depth – enables local and network audio to be transformed into excellent quality 5.1 audio. The resulting signal is fully mono, stereo and matrix surround compatible.

The systems were installed in August of this year and, according to the network’s Engineering Director, National Broadcast Center, Dan Gold, have
proved to be a “good solution.” Global TV is using the systems “to control
overall multichannel audio levels and also, under [programmable] GPI command from our Harris system.”

Regarding Global TV’s equipment choice, Gold says that “OCTiMAX was the only unit we could find that could provide both functions – multichannel dynamics control and upmixing – in a single package. Also, Linear Acoustic staff and sales people have been very helpful in answering our many technical
questions, and getting back to us quickly so that we can get decisions made. They are an excellent solution to the challenges to television audio.”