Fremont, CA - March 18, 2013 - Blackmagic Design today announced that Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), a global Catholic network and the world’s largest religious media outlet, is using seven Teranex 2D Processors at its Irondale, Alabama headquarters for up conversion, aspect ratio conversion, frame syncs and PAL to NTSC standards conversion.
EWTN operates nine SD television channels broadcast in English, Spanish, French and German throughout the U.S., as well as one feed in Canada. The organization also has HD English and Spanish channels and AM and FM radio stations with more than 200 affiliates in the U.S., as well as an online presence that consists of nine channels of 24/7 live streaming and video on demand.
EWTN initially purchased two Teranex 2D Processors to launch its U.S. Spanish Channel in HD, up converting SD signal before sending it out as an MPEG4 satellite stream. “With one easy to use piece of equipment, we had our HD Spanish channel up and running,” said David Brantley, senior director of Engineering, EWTN. “We quickly realized that the Teranex 2D Processors had a lot more functionality to them, and they seamlessly transitioned to additional uses.”
EWTN found the Teranex 2D Processors especially useful when receiving video from around the globe, including an around the clock fiber feed from Rome and another from a Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, for which EWTN uses two Teranex 2D Processors for PAL to NTSC standards conversion, frame sync and aspect ratio conversion at its downlink stations. Three additional Teranex 2D Processors are used as 4:3 to 16:9 aspect ratio converters for EWTN’s two control room outputs prior to satellite uplink. When a 4:3 signal comes in, it is automatically routed through the Teranex 2D Processors, while 16:9 signals bypass the step, saving EWTN time and effort on patching and routing.
“Before, we took the feed from the downlink receiver, routed it through a standards converter for PAL to NTSC conversion and patched it through a frame sync. Then, if it was a 4:3 feed, we would have to go through an aspect ratio adjustment to get it to 16:9, and if we wanted to send that signal to one of our HD satellite uplinks, we would have to up convert it,” explained David. “All these separate processes needed separate pieces of equipment. We simplified that process by being able to do everything via Teranex.
“With more and more affiliates opening up throughout the world, including our own office in Rome and our upcoming work with Radio Horeb in Germany, we will continue to rely on the Teranex 2D Processors for up, down, standards and aspect ratio conversion,” concluded David.
Press Photography
Product photos of all Blackmagic Design products are available at http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/press/images/ EWTN images are available here.
About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, colour correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci colour correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please check http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/
About EWTN
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 32th year, is available in over 225 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide shortwave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
About New Magic Australia Pty Ltd (Australian and New Zealand Blackmagic Design master distributor)
New Magic Australia Pty Ltd is a recognised leader in the distribution and marketing of multimedia hardware and software, representing a carefully selected range of innovative, leading manufacturers and catering for both the professional and consumer markets. New Magic Australia established in 1993 is the Australian distributor of Blackmagic Design, Convergent Design, Hauppauge Computer Works Inc, Rotolight, Cubix, Matrox Video Products and Sony Creative Software products. www.newmagic.com.au
