Lighthouse Television moves to digital with PlayBox
Published: WORSHIP
UGANDA: Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate, Lighthouse Television, has installed a PlayBox Technology channel-in-a-box solution as part of a major modernisation project at its studios in Kampala, Uganda. The new solution is reportedly enabling the Christian broadcaster to transition from tape-based analogue operation to a more efficient digital file-based workflow.
‘Every broadcaster currently working in the analogue domain aspires to a file-based workflow,’ explained Gary Everett, station manager at Lighthouse Television. ‘PlayBox Technology has clearly demonstrated its ability to deliver products that are easy to install, easy to operate and easy to maintain. The solution we have chosen will greatly extend the channel's resources in terms of channel branding, including live control of animated graphics. It also provides a high degree of automation so we can operate confidently on a hands-off basis if required.
‘Our creative staff find the PlayBox Technology user interface a pleasure to work with, as all information relevant to each task is clearly displayed,’ he continued. ‘Archived programmes and interstitials can be located quickly and shared easily. The new workflow is high-definition compatible, giving us the ability to upgrade our transmissions from SD to HD at any point in the future.’
The PlayBox solution installed at the Kampala studios includes a CaptureBox server, a 16TB network-attached storage server, a preparation station comprising ListBox, DataBox and TitleBox, plus a RAID-protected AirBox playout server with integral TitleBox. Rack-mounted video monitors, an SDI router, a master sync generator, a primary/secondary smart switch and KVMs have also been integrated.
‘Lighthouse Television is the latest in a very large number of analogue channels which have chosen our products as a basis for their advance to high-efficiency digital production, editing, titling and playout,’ added PlayBox Technology sales director, Ben Gunkel. ‘That includes many African broadcasters for whom the very word “PlayBox” has become a synonym for all playout solutions. Lighthouse is now equipped with the full resources needed to provide sophisticated channel branding across all its output. The station can operate with complete confidence both as a live broadcaster and on a fully automated hands-off basis, day or night.’