T+M finalised the new central control room for NDR Radio in Hamburg

In March 2003 the new central control room was handed over to NDR on time. Due to an extended use of the former central control room NDR (North German Radio) renamed it to "BAW" (Betriebsabwicklung). The translation means "enterprise processing" and points to the additional functionality.

The system implemented by Thum+Mahr includes three basic subareas:

the central switching for audio and ZI-data (ZI stands for "Zusatz Information", such as RDS)

IT-based dispatching and automatic switching procedures

interconnection with existing radio network systems of NDR (such as on air and production sites)

The digital core router is the well introduced Nexus Star-router of German manufacturer Stagetec. The switcher consists of four Nexus Base Devices which are networked with each other over fibre. For interconnection with the different radio networks an appropriate number of MADI links was provided.

To process the complex conferencing (mainly for football transmissions) and live recordings a DHD 4200 RM digital mixing system was installed in the BAW. The console system interconnects directly via dual MADI such as all the other radio networks of NDR. The system for dispatching and automatic switching is a Veith software package called ROSY. ROSY is widely used in German public radio station. Classice strength of the system includes the ability to operate the German Sternpunkt (programme exchange Frankfurt) fully automatic. ROSY also provides smart labeling of LCD buttons for manual switching and monitoring.

Some more highlights of Thum + Mahr's IT system integration within this project:

Integrated fault indication system with MailTransferAgent

Intranet-Gateway to preview the scheduling in HTML-format on standard internet browsers

EasyCodec integration for full automation of ISDN codecs

Automatic control of recording processes (on PC or some remaining tape machines)

Transaction of data to VCS dira!

Integration of D.A.V.I.D.'s DigAS-Multicoder workstations to replace tape machines

Automatic control of the DigAS-Multicoder workstations by the Veith system

Integration with NDR's DIGAS data base to obtain direct availability of automated recordings for all users of the DigAS production system

Scheduling of audio play-outs via NewsPlayerX

Implementation: July - March 2003