SONY INTEGRATES DIGITAL BROADCAST CENTER FOR NEW YORK NETWORK
Albany Location Serves New York State Government, Education and Broadcasters
ALBANY, N.Y. Sept. 23, 2003 - New York Network, the official television facility of New York State, dedicated an all-new digital broadcast center today in a ceremony that featured Robert L. King, chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) and former New York Governor Hugh L. Carey. Adjacent to the State Capitol in Albany's Empire State Plaza, the facility was built by the Broadcast and Professional Systems Division of Sony Electronics Inc. The facility features a digital standard-definition infrastructure, with the option to add high-definition in the future.
According to William F. Snyder, executive director of New York Network (NYN), "Sony implemented the system in record time. Their team landed here in January and by March we had three working studios."
Snyder explained that planning for the new Broadcast Center began when the network learned four years ago that they were to be evicted from their previous space to accommodate the renovation of the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building.
With a total contract value of $10.6 million, the NYN Broadcast Center encompasses three studios and production control rooms, two non-linear edit suites, an announcer booth, automation, archiving, satellite links and field production facilities. The Broadcast Center features seven Sony HDC-950 High Definition studio cameras, three Sony MVS-8000 multi-format switchers with integrated Digital Multi Effects, 13 DVW-A500 Digital Betacam ® videotape recorders and three DMX-R100 digital audio mixing consoles.
The NYN Broadcast Center includes 20 Sony WRT-822 wireless microphone transmitters, 40 Sony ECM-77BC lavaliere microphones, dozens of Sony video monitors, including seven BVM-D20F1U evaluation monitors, and 110 miles of cable, Sony's integration also encompasses equipment from other industry leaders, including Avid, Evertz, Fujinon, Graham-Patten, Harris Automation, Leitch, Louth, Pinnacle, Telecast and Vinten.
"NYN had a clear vision," said Patrick Whittingham, president of Sony's Broadcast and Professional Systems Division. "They demanded superb standard-definition signals today, while anticipating the needs of high-definition tomorrow. The new cameras, routing switcher and production switchers can all support HD, either by a software switch or by compatible upgrades."
Vital Services for New York State
Established in 1967, NYN programming and production elements have been seen on every national and regional network. NYN has provided facilities and services for a variety of foreign broadcasters, including the BBC. During times of crises, NTN provides key communications for the State Emergency Management Office.
NYN is a self-sustaining facility. About 85 percent of its revenue comes from paying customers that include New York State, SUNY, and commercial broadcasters covering the capitol area. On a daily basis, NYN provides videoconferencing, distance learning, studio facilities, and a broadcast-quality gateway to the world. NYN also originates educational programming, including the NYN Channel available in New York State on Time Warner Cable.
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