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VIDEO MEETS THE RADIO STAR
by Abrie du Plooy (NEC & GALAXY Product Manager)
The days when radio presenters were
only heard and not seen are long
gone. Radio stations started utilising
webcams in studio, to stream live video
feeds to websites. A number of radio
shows started televising presenters and
guests in action. This was the start of a
new phenomenon that elevated radio
broadcasting to a whole new level: a
level that rises higher with every sunrise
as new technological innovations see
the light.
Digital signage is another key part of today's video
technology offering. Video walls are a hot topic
currently, and if they are used in concert with other
new technologies they produce an extremely
functional and impressive outcome. When one
combines the above design elements with a
GALAXY Video Wall processor and NEC professional
displays the result is a breath-taking solution that
satisfies even the hungriest technological appetite.
Primedia Broadcasting, a leader in their field with
cutting-edge stations such as Talk Radio 702 and
94.7 Highveld Stereo, decided to do a simple makeover: upgrade their existing studio equipment
from analogue to digital, slap on a fresh coat of
paint, and replace a chair or two. They kicked off
with routine design meetings, but as the team
brainstormed through the various options and
available solutions, the idea of a simple make-over
evolved into a magnificent ‘Complete New Studio’
project with video and digital signage becoming
core focus points. Grant Vick, project manager for
Primedia explained their motivation: “Initially we
only wanted individual screens in each of the new
studios in order to display content from social media
websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as
live broadcasting from sport matches and breaking
news as it happened. We also wanted to utilise
the same screens to display different branding
inside the studios at different times instead of the
conventional fixed printed branding.”
The Primedia project team then approached
Spectrum Visual Networks, a digital media company
that has been trading for 12 years. Discussions were
initiated by putting the above ideas on the table
and Primedia emphasizing the importance of video
displays within the new studio design.
Primedia operates in the ultra-competitive ‘aroundthe-clock’ broadcasting climate, so a successful
solution had to be designed with products that
offer 24/7 operation and warrantees. This was a
piece of cake for Grant Neill, business development
manager for Spectrum Visual Networks, who has
ample experience in video technology. Grant did
his homework and presented a unique digital
media solution seco