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April 2013 l 35


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broadcast UNITED KINGDOM


DAB is way forward in Europe, Radiodays conference hear


By Kevin Hilton


DAB AND DAB+ are the future for European digital radio, according to key figures in the industry who addressed the Radiodays Europe conference in Berlin in mid-March. Sessions focused on the move towards turning off analogue services and the possibilities for hybrid radios combining digital broadcasting and the internet. The event, attended by more than 1,000 delegates, opened with Jan-Willem Brüggenwirth, chief executive of leading Dutch station Radio 358, stating that DAB+ will be the “next big thing” for radio in the Netherlands. The country aims to have full digital coverage using the format by 1 September this year. This has been achieved, Brüggenwirth said, because of a “tripartite collaboration” involving the government and public and private broadcasters.


GERMANY Lawo expands into software By Erica Basnicki


BROADCAST MANUFACTURER Lawo has developed a new radio editing packing – aptly named EDIT – that the company says reflects the know-how accumulated in over 40 years of developing broadcast audio equipment. A second new product – the


JADE control centre – has also been launched with further details to follow. Wolfgang Huber, Lawo PR


manager, said the introduction of EDIT means the German


EDIT is the first of two new software products from Lawo


broadcast and networking equipment specialist can now offer turnkey packages, which will ultimately benefit the customer. “Besides mixing consoles and routers, Lawo’s


‘Broadcast Applications’ initiative now includes software products, so it is possible to address other fields of radio production, thus providing a comprehensive solution. Lawo EDIT editing software is the first product in this new category.” In order to differentiate itself


from available radio broadcast editing software Huber added that “the Lawo Editor is extremely strong in what it is developed for: it is optimised for ultra-fast and powerful editing under high strain, for highly


The Dutch experience mirrors a similar approach taken in Australia, which is now using DAB+. Tripartite agreement is also behind Norway’s move towards a complete digital radio network, according to Marius Lille, head of radio at NRK. Norway is aiming to switch-off FM by 2017. The industry as a whole is now preparing for fully integrated digital networks. The growth of internet radio listening and appearance of new apps for smartphones and other mobile devices has led critics of DAB/DAB+ to argue that a digital replacement for traditional terrestrial broadcasting is not the way ahead. This stance was questioned by radio futurologist James Cridland and Babak Zeini, managing partner of technology consultancy FORCE Innovations, who offered statistical data to show that both now and in the future there will be insufficient bandwidth for smartphones to receive radio.


James Cridland, radio futurologist, speaking at Radiodays Cridland and Zeini argued that


hybrid systems, with the bulk of the transmission coming through a broadcast chain supported by additional information from the internet, would be the best way forward. Radio DNS offers this today and Tobias Wallerius of car electronics and components supplier Visteon said it was closing the gap between “traditional broadcasting and internet radio”. EBU media director Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser gave an


overview of the Eurochip project, which backs free to air broadcasting, both analogue and digital, to all types of device. She commented that radio “must find its way into mobile phones and tablets” to guarantee its future internationally, adding that the Eurochip was a simple way to achieve that. Next year’s Radiodays will


take place in Dublin from 23-25 March. n www.radiodayseurope.com


time efficient workflows and high-quality results”. EDIT features include


Reporter Box, a voice-over production solution, simultaneous use of multiple data formats in the same project, native integrated sound processors from Lawo’s mc2 mixing console series and a loudness function in accordance with EBU R128 and ATSC A/85 that can be used both for real-time metering and loudness analysis of archive material (whether clips or entire takes). EDIT is currently available, with price depending on software version and feature set. Lawo is also providing “attractive offers for volume licences”.n www.lawo.de


SOUNDBITES


Tht Tampere studios of Yleisradio (YLE), the Finnish national broadcaster, has installed a JoeCo BlackBox BBR64-MADI recorder in the studio complex’s main control room. The 64-channel system is used alongside other software-based systems for capturing entertainment programmes and music shows. “One recorder is currently in operation, however as more studios are updated I’m confident that we will look to add further systems,” said YLE technical producer Antti Immonen. www.joeco.co.uk


Ecreso, a division of WorldCast Systems, has announced a 10-year warranty on its range of compact Helios FM transmitters. According to the company they are the only manufacturer in the industry to offer such an extensive guarantee. The warranty is currently available with all compact FM transmitters which are supported by just one year’s subscription to the company’s proactive maintenance service, Expert Maintenance Reporting (EMR). www.ecreso.com


Preco Broadcast Systemshas announced the first UK sale of Orban’s flagship Optimod-FM 8600 audio processor to Arqiva. Preco’s James Thomas said: “When we heard the 8600 for the first time, the improvements it makes to the HF sound were apparent right away and we knew that once customers actually heard the processor in operation it would sell itself.” Preco is the exclusive UK distributor for Orban’s range of broadcast products. www.preco.co.uk


As part of a planned expansion, Cologne-based RTWhas opened a new facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The office is the first US location launched by the company, and will be headed by Christopher Spahr, recently hired to be RTW’s US director of sales and operations. The new site will house all customer service, repair and final product assembly activities for US-based customers. www.rtw.de


Photo: Stina Gullander


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