Products & Newsletters
NAB Insider - March 02, 2004
Index:
- Sam Donaldson and Michael Powell Face-off at NAB2004
- Oprah Winfrey to Receive NAB Distinguished Service Award
- Wheatstone Generation 8
- DK-Audio PT0600M
- Marantz PMD670
- Broadcast Electronics Audiovault RBDS
- Heil Sound PL-2T
- Marti Electronics Cellcast
- Omnia Audio Omnia-5EX HD
- Tascam 2488 Portastudio
- TM Century Short Bus Radio
- Active Power Clean Source DC
- Broadcast Engineering Conference
- SBE Ennes Workshop
- Radio RF and Transmission Developments
- Amateur Radio Operators' Reception
- What to do After the Convention
- Getting Around in Las Vegas
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| News from the Convention |
Oprah Winfrey to Receive NAB Distinguished Service Award
NAB President and CEO Eddie Fritts will give the annual state-of-the-industry address and Oprah Winfrey will receive the 2004 Distinguished Service Award from the NAB during the All-Industry Opening on Monday, April 19. Each year the award recognizes broadcasters who have made significant and lasting contributions to the broadcasting industry.
Sam Donaldson and Michael Powell Face-off at NAB2004
ABC News anchor and radio host Sam Donaldson will interview FCC
chairman Michael Powell in a one-on-one setting for the FCC Chairman's
Breakfast on Tuesday April 20.
The Donaldson/Powell match-up has been a highlight of the convention in
previous years.
The FCC Chairman's Breakfast is part of the 12th annual NAB Business,
Law and Regulation Conference.
| New Products from the Floor |
Wheatstone Generation 8
Booth N2802
This control surface offers four faders dedicated specifically to
call-in segments to provide error-free interface to four callers or
remotes, each with independent caller feed, independent fader
feed,user-selectable talkback communication and adjacent channel
linking. A dedicated LCD display screen keeps the operator informed and
in control. One CAT-5 wire conveys all the control from this surface to
Wheatstone's Bridge System. Users can bring any system audio source
(inputs or mixes) to any console fader or monitor pot (source
visibility software controlled). Set destinations for mixes, aux sends
and MXMs to anywhere in the facility.
www.wheatstone.com
DK-Audio PT0600M
Booth C3843
Sharing the same motherboard as the MSD600M++ surround sound meter,
this unit combines the jellyfish surround display with a rotary control
knob on the front panel, enabling it to act as the master volume
control for speakers in stereo configurations. This product is built
into a half-rack width package.
www.dk-audio.com
Active Power Clean Source DC
Booth C1217
This line of battery-free energy storage systems has been enhanced
to include expanded power levels and incorporate several changes in the
evolving product line. The new models provide tightly regulated,
adjustable dc voltage to replace or augment batteries configured with
uninterruptible power supply systems backing up critical applications
in the 100kW to 2000kW power ranges. These systems are available with
unit power ratings of 100, 140, 200, 250, 425 and 500kW, and can be
paralleled in combinations up to 2000kW.
www.activepower.com
Broadcast Electronics Audiovault RBDS
Booth N1902
A software-based management solution for advanced data services,
this system includes data content management and encoding, and it can
be adopted for IBOC applications. A traffic announcement function of
the system that allows a station to cause RBDS radios to pause a
listener’s CD or cassette in favor of radio programming so that
the listener will tune into a station’s traffic announcements.
The system will also show the alternative frequency function of RBDS
that allows a listener driving out of a particular FM station’s
geographic reach to be automatically tuned to the station’s
secondary frequency in a nearby geographic region. The RBDS system
comprises of content management, at the individual station via a local
server on the station LAN, or for multiple stations/clusters via a
central server.
www.bdcast.com
Heil Sound PL-2T
Booth N2718
Using a system of balanced internal springs rather than outboard
springs, the PL-2 handles microphones up to 1.5 lbs. in weight.
Threading the mic cable inside the boom is done by removing the top and
back plates. The mic boom also features a hollow channel that the
microphone cable can be fed through so wire ties are not needed. The
equipment is shipped with the standard ‘C’ clamp mount that
will accept an 1.5” thick table. An optional flush mount is
available which screws to the top of a surface. The unit accepts
5/8” - 27 threaded mic clips or shock mounts. The chrome threaded
stem can be locked into its position depending on the type of
microphone or shock mount.
www.heilsound.com
Marti Electronics Cellcast
Booth N1902
This is a GSM compatible Digital Cellcast digital mixer and cellular
remote unit. The GSM upgrade completes the remote unit’s local
compatibility with major cellular providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile
and Cingular.
www.martielectronics.com
Omnia Audio Omnia-5EX HD
Booth N1416
Paired parallel processing paths,one optimized for conventional
broadcasting, the other for DAB and HD Radio, webcasting and satellite
systems, route processed audio from the multiband mixer section to
discrete output stages. The FM section receives distortion-controlled
final limiting with pre-emphasis, and an upper-frequency response of
15kHz. The DAB/HD Radio section features Omnia's program-adaptive
Look-Ahead limiter and user-selectable frequency response up to 20kHz.
New processing algorithms provide clear processing for solo voices and
instruments. Bass Management controls, with two new Bass Limiter
functions, Tight and Girth, allow users fine control over low frequency
processing. Dynamic Bass Limiter algorithms that change waveform
characteristics based on frequency, resulting in deeper bass on smaller
speakers.
www.omniaaudio.com
Tascam 2488 Portastudio
Booth N2418
This four-track, 24-bit, 36-channel workstation offers a capacious
hard drive, powerful signal processing and built-in CD-RW drive. The
recording and mixing workstation runs 24 tracks at 24-bits/44.1kHz.
Eight inputs can be simultaneously recorded into the XLR and W
"inputs.Twenty physical faders control the mixdown channels; each
channel has three-band EQ and access to three built-in effects
processors. A 40GB internal hard disk gives the user ample space for 20
to 30 two 24-track songs and virtual tracks for comping. Plus the 2488
has a USB 2.0 port for back-up via computer. Loop effect provides
reverb, delay, chorus and more on an aux send and return.
www.tascam.com
TM Century Short Bus Radio
ShortBusRadio.com is a sweeper/imaging service. It is available in
five flavors, each market-exclusive: active alternative rock, classic
rock, CHR, country and news/talk. More formats will be available in the
future.
www.tmcentury.com
Marantz PMD670
Booth N3026
This solid-state recorder offers a one-touch digital audio recording
capability of more than 70 hours on 1GB compact Flash cards. The unit
can record in linear PCM and compressed MP3, MP2 and BWF audio formats
using 40 assignable audio quality settings. The recorder features a
non-stop record function with four hours of battery life, and includes
an EDL marking system for creating new files on the fly during
recording, providing easy file selection during playback. The system
offers variable bit-rate recording with user-adjustable sampling rates
from 16kHz to 48kHz.
www.marantzpro.com
| Session Highlights |
Broadcast Engineering Conference
Each year, the NAB and SBE team up to offer the most concentrated
broadcast engineering education opportunity available. Each spring, the
NAB convention hosts the Broadcast Engineering Conference (BEC), which
has been the launching point for countless broadcast technologies and
new ideas. This year, the BEC offers a rich landscape of engineering
issues to explore.
While the convention floor doesn't open until Monday, the technical
sessions begin Saturday. When planning your trip, be sure to arrive
early to participate in all the sessions.
SBE Ennes Workshop
This day-long session investigates the changing importance of
digital technology and IT infrastructure in the broadcast environment.
Topics will include an overview of IT systems and storage and
management of digital media, as well as offer details of recent
projects at ESPN, Turner and Clear Channel.
The SBE Ennes Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 17 from 8:30
a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Radio RF and Transmission Developments
On April 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Marty Hadfield, VP of
engineering for Entercom, will lead this session that will investigate
the latest activity in RF for radio. The session's agenda
follows.
-
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Linearity Performance Measurements in Modern AM Transmitters and the Relationship to HD-Radio and DRM Performance
Phil Schmitt of Harris will discuss how modern digital transmission waveforms demand a linear and consistent transmission path for both the envelope and RF paths in envelope elimination and restoration modulation techniques. -
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: IBOC RF Measurements
David Maxson of RFsigns.com will discuss the future of RF measurements for radio broadcasting. -
10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Evaluation and Improvement of AM Antenna Characteristics for Optimal Digital
Ronald Rackley of du Treil, Lundin and Rackley will discuss the high demands on AM antenna system bandwidth. Actual test results of IBOC stations will be compared with their observed on-the-air signal quality. -
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Design and Field Results for the Utilization of Circulators in High-Power Broadcast Transmission Systems
Jim Stenberg from Dielectric Communications will detail the use of circulators in analog and digital FM signal combining. -
11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: HD Radio FM Broadcast Coverage-What to Expect
Mike Bergman from Kenwood will discuss the results from extensive field testing of FM IBOC and Tomorrow Radio during 2003. -
11:30 a.m. to 12 noon: The EH Antenna
Ted Hart of EH Antenna Systems will explain the inner workings of the EH antenna.
| Convention Events |
Amateur Radio Operators' Reception
One of the most popular events at the convention will be held on Wednesday, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The reception draws broadcasters from all geographic areas and interests. Where else can CEO a comfortably mingle with a shop technician? The event will feature DJ All Night Mike and door prizes. The event is sponsored by Heil Sound.
| Out and About in Las Vegas |
What to do After the Convention
While Las Vegas is known for the casinos, lavish hotels and stage
shows, there are other activities if you have some time.
Located in the Toiyabe National Forest, Mt. Charleston
is nearly 12,000 feet tall. A distinct departure from the arid
landscape of Las Vegas, the area has an average temperature that is
about 20 degrees cooler. Northwest of Las Veags by about 25 miles, Mt.
Charleston has ski runs during snow season, campgrounds and hiking
trails. Activities include hiking, biking, camping and horseback
riding. Entry to the park is free.
Located 15 minutes off the strip, the Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix has the
longest go-kart track in the state. An electronic, 10-position timing
board compares lap times to establish bragging rights. The track is
open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and until 11 p.m. Friday and
Saturday. The track is located at 1401 N. Rainbow Blvd.
Located 17 miles west of the Strip on Mount Charleston Blvd., Red Rock
Canyon receives nearly 1.2 million visitors every year. An
ever-changing panorama of multi-colored hills marks this natural
wonder. As the sun moves across the sky, the light changes, and so too
do the colors of Red Rock Canyon. View petrified sand dunes, waterfalls
and red-tailed hawks circling above. The 197,000 acre area provides a
13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic
areas, and a visitors center with exhibit rooms and a book store.
Getting Around in Las Vegas
You may have noticed that construction of a monorail system had
begun at NAB2003. The Las Vegas Monorail is due to begin service this
month, which means it will be fully ready for the NAB convention
crowd.
The Monorail runs from the MGM to the Hilton along a route that follows
the Strip and then cuts over to Paradise Road. There are Monorail stops
at many of the main hotels and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This should provide a faster route than the convention shuttle buses
and taxis. A single trip costs $3 with discounts for multiple-ride
tickets.
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