This is a landmark project as it will be the first BBC facility to use Internet Protocol (IP) technology across both its production and broadcast operations.
The new BBC Wales building will include a number of TV Studios and Media Production facilities, as well as radio which forms a separate project. dB Broadcast won this major integration project through a competitive tendering process, and will complete the work in 2019. dB and BBC Wales are working with Canadian company Grass Valley on the implementation of the Live IP system.
This project includes four workstreams: Broadcast Infrastructure, Media Production, TV Studios and TV Playout. The BBC Wales project is adopting an IP core for signal routing based on the SMPTE 2110 standards and AMWA/NMOS for Control.
BBC Wales is moving to a building in the centre of Cardiff that is more efficient and effective than its current home in Llandaff. The new broadcast centre will have space for around 1,200 staff, and the new technology deployed is able to adapt quickly to new video formats, higher bandwidth or better video resolution. It also offers simpler production for multiple and new platforms, with less time wasted converting between different video or audio formats.
“This new centre will give us a greater level of creative freedom than we've ever had before”, said Gareth Powell, Chief Operating Officer of BBC Wales. "We want to harness the benefits of IP technology to provide the best possible tools to our content makers, and to free them from many of the historical constraints we've faced at our current HQ."
Tom Swan, Sales & Marketing Director of dB Broadcast, said: “dB is at the forefront of the industry transition to the use of IP in live, uncompressed video and audio systems. We have already delivered several large systems based on current or precursor standards such as ASPEN, Dante and SMPTE 2022.”
dB recently completed one of the largest IP projects in Europe, and is pivotal in the realisation of IP as a practical platform.
Image: BBC Wales Central Square, Cardiff
About dB Broadcast
dB Broadcast (dB) is the UK’s largest and most successful independent systems integrator, and is expert in solutions design, systems build and integration, migration and support for both traditional and new technology broadcast systems.
dB is independent of hardware and software vendors and represents a centre of excellence for the delivery of modern day, fit for purpose broadcast systems. Consultancy and after-sales support are an increasing part of dB’s portfolio of services.
dB also designs and manufactures products for the broadcast industry including: Cardinal range of mains distribution units (MDUs), Hawkeye for switching and monitoring all types of broadcast signals, MERlin DVB-T2 and DVB-T monitoring receivers, Showman multi-standard analogue TV receiver/demodulator and bespoke products to a customer’s specific requirements.
With purpose-built headquarters in Cambridgeshire UK, dB has approximately 20,000 square feet of space for prefabrication and test of customer systems.
About BBC Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is the national broadcaster for Wales, providing a wide range of English and Welsh language programmes and services for audiences across Wales, as well as flagship programmes for the BBC network. It has the largest BBC newsroom outside London, serving audiences across Wales with live news across television, radio and digital platforms seven days a week