Multimedios Television is one of the largest media corporations in Northeast Mexico, with television, radio and print operations throughout the country. Programming is originated at the network’s eight-channel master control facility and headquarters in Monterrey, Mexico.
Multimedios hired TV Magic to upgrade its eight-channel master control to HD. The facility needed the power and capacity for all of its network operations to run out of a single location. TV Magic designed and implemented a forward-looking infrastructure that takes advantage of new technology to allow for future growth without compromising on-air operation of the eight existing master control channels, including three with branding.
The focus of this project was to deliver versatility and functionality, enabling streamlined workflow and interconnecting the studios of six local channels, two channels out of Mexico City and 125 feeds. This was achieved by automating the system with a Miranda panel master control switcher so that one person could control any channel with the push of a single button.
One of the biggest design considerations of the project was to ensure that the existing control room could proceed with normal operations while the HD upgrade was in progress. To facilitate this, TV Magic designed and built the entire master control system in-house and brought Multimedios engineers to its San Diego headquarters for training. This enabled TV Magic to identify any potential issues before the system arrived on-site and allowed Multimedios engineers to become familiar with the new system functionality prior to actual use. Once the system arrived in Monterrey, Mexico, TV Magic installed the system in phases to ensure there was no disruption of on-air time.
TV Magic was able to gain operation efficiencies by designing an elegant technology solution, including: a Miranda router to deliver control redundancy and reduced risk of operator error, Cobalt Digital modular equipment for its customizable and flexible user interface, and an Evertz sync generator and Aphex audio processing. TV Magic was able to deliver a digital master control facility that greatly streamlines Multimedios' operations and allows for much more effective monitoring of the multiple channel feeds.