Month: June 2024

GatesAir, a Thomson Broadcast subsidiary dedicated to wireless content delivery, announced the launch of GatesAir Care, an enhanced managed services program that addresses the urgent need for skilled RF resources and services in the global broadcast industry. Available immediately, the GatesAir Care program offers defined service level agreements across three-tiered support plans (Elite, Signature, Standard) that collectively aim to fill widening gaps in engineering skillsets as long time RF engineers approach retirement.The number of services included escalates with each tier, beginning with simple extended warranties, discounted spare parts, and preventative maintenance visits to keep transmitters and associated RF systems in excellent operating condition. Additional services are available with each tier, which can include installation and commissioning, 24/7 remote maintenance and monitoring, and live, onsite technical support for major broadcast events.“Most young engineers coming into the business today possess a strong IT skillset but have limited to no RF expertise,” said Raymond Miklius, Vice President of Technology, GatesAir. “We developed GatesAir Care to alleviate concerns about finding skilled engineers to take care of RF systems and plants as veteran TV and radio engineers reduce hours and ultimately retire.”All three program tiers can also scale to the size of the broadcaster, including dedicated services in smaller markets that are especially light on engineering resources. GatesAir Care will also offer options for crisis team deployment and disaster recovery services in the event of severe weather or other unanticipated events that require immediate attention.Mark Goins, Vice President, Global Sales for GatesAir, adds that the GatesAir Care program ultimately aligns with the broadcast model’s increasing emphasis on operational efficiency. “Changes in the global RF engineering fleet are unfolding at a very swift pace over the past 12-18 months,” said Goins. “The GatesAir Care program will help broadcasters maintain their focus on operational efficiency with the peace of mind that our experienced, dedicated support staff will provide consistent, proactive and responsive service tailored to each customer’s needs.”GatesAir will also offer beginning and advanced RF training courses in alignment with the GatesAir Care program to help younger broadcast engineers strengthen their RF skillsets. More information on all three GatesAir Care tiers, service options and pricing are available at https://www.gatesair.com/services/gatesair-care. […]

The French audio specialist and equipment manufacturer Digigram has announced the release of a new sound card, ALP-AES67, as part of its acclaimed ALP-X range, which was launched in 2022.While the ALP-X range already covers a large range of audio protocols, ALP-AES67 takes Digigram a step further into the Broadcast, Live Sound and Events applications, where critical audio is at stake.Featuring the signature characteristics of the ALP-X range, ALP-AES67 was developed using Digigram’s sturdy hardware platform for unmatched reliability. ALP-AES67 also brings versatility to professional audio users thanks to its low-profile form factor coupled with a fanless design, accommodating most PCs and servers, especially when space is scarce.The ALP-AES67 PCIe card supports 64 playback channels and 64 recording channels, enabling the deployment of large-scale audio structures. Its compatibility with both Windows and Linux environments provides an unparalleled asset for countless applications, giving large freedom to users who are no longer bound by OS support. Additionally, the card is equipped with two Ethernet ports, ensuring seamless network redundancy, and two Ethernet switch ports for straightforward connectivity to other Dante, AES67, and Ravenna devices.Leveraging decades of expertise in audio over IP, Digigram’s ALP-AES67 stands out as a powerful addition to the ALP-X range, offering enhanced capabilities for critical audio applications. Pristine audio quality, low latency and extreme reliability remain at the core of the whole range, benefiting the ALP-AES67 and other cards alike.“This new addition to the ALP range opens new possibilities for our clients. While ALP-AES67 ensures full compliance with Ravenna and SMPTE ST-2110 audio standards, it delivers the usual Digigram high performance and reliability they trust us with,” states Stéphane Bert, Digigram’s Presales Manager. […]