When Tim Harris, general manager and CEO of KVVB-TV in Victorville, CA was looking for an efficient way to expand his station’s ability to transmit data, he found the solution he was looking for with the VS-102-HDSI encoder from Marshall Electronics.
KVVB-TV, an independent television station in Los Angeles, broadcasts a range of original programming, including local and national television shows. The station serves a community reach of approximately 470,000 people. KVVB-TV (Channel 33) can also be watched anywhere in the world via its livestream, which is hosted on the station’s website.
“As technology continues to evolve, we wanted to expand as well,” says Harris. “We were looking for a solution that would enable us to transmit data from one location to another. We talked to a few friends in our industry and the recommendation was overwhelmingly towards Marshall. The best recommendation is when an industry peer speaks highly of a product. So, we took the leap, purchased the VS-102-HDSDI and have been very happy with the product.”
The VS-102-HDSDI is a high-definition video server that allows real-time transmission of an SD/HD-SDI, HDMI, or NTSC/PAL composite video signal along with bi-directional AAC encoded high-definition stereo audio over standard IP networks and the internet. The Marshall VS-102-HDSDI incorporates advanced H.264 and MJPEG compression technology, providing optimal video transmission quality even in networks with limited bandwidth.
“We used Marshall to go from point A to point B via an IP stream,” adds Harris. “By upgrading to Marshall, we were able to expand our system and we now have a good signal to remote locations and places that did not previously have a good signal. We spread out our signal over probably 70 miles in total.”
The VS-102-HDSDI can also be configured to operate as a point-to-point talent monitoring system. For example, the unit can operate as an encoder to compress and transmit A/V data over a LAN to another VS-102-HDSDI located in a green room or other location. The other unit can act as a decoder, which receives the compressed data through the LAN and restores the data to its original high-definition state. Additionally, other computers or VS-102-HDSDI decoders connected to the same network can monitor both the audio and video in multiple locations throughout a venue, such as dressing rooms, the stage manager, or box office at the same time. When properly configured, the VS-102-HDSDI may be simultaneously monitored through the internet.
Harris finds two features of the VS-102-HDSDI really stand out. “User configuration and the quality of signal are absolutely amazing,” says Harris. “It’s so easy to set up and we did not have to review manuals to figure out how to use it. In addition, the quality of transmission is wonderful.”
Harris has not only been happy with his Marshall equipment, but also with the quality of its customer service. “Anytime I call in to Marshall, I always get help immediately and anyone I speak with is more than eager to share their knowledge with us,” says Harris. “We have been so happy with our Marshall gear that we have been looking at adding Marshall’s miniature cameras to our inventory.”
Marshall offers various IP-based solutions to fit any application, from dedicated IP encoders and decoders to broadcast and pro AV cameras that already have IP encoders built into the design. This wide range of product offerings gives customers various options when establishing or adding to an IP-based workflow.