ARD/ZDF KiKa SAW

In July 2006, MCI started modernizing and enlarging the broadcast center of the MCS GmbH Thüringen, which transmits the daily Kinderkanal program (Children’s Channel of the two public television stations ARD and ZDF) from 6 am to 21 pm. The entire infrastructure as well as all devices are HD-capable and can easily be upgraded.

To facilitate the process of ingest, playout and the approval of broadcasts an Astra automation from Aveco has been integrated also actuating the K2-transmission-server. The Profile-XP-Server was linked with the new and redundantly configured K2-server for a problem-free file transfer.

The video walls found in the broadcasting center and in the master control room of the broadcast center Thüringen were replaced by a MVP-Multiviewer-System in connection with six 47-inch-Focus-displays. In order to produce trailers without a pre-production the Maestro master control system 2007 was extended by a two-channel video effect device. The implementation of logos and the bonding of PDC (Program Delivery Control) data were realized with components from Evertz and Albrecht. Axon Tracs Systems are responsible for Compliance recording.

The development, the commissioning and the changing to the new system must have been effectuated without any interference on the existing system and on the operations in the broadcast center. Such a realization required a flexible planning and a close and uncomplicated communication with the customer. On that account, MCI successfully concluded the project in October 2007.

In 2010 while KIKA was still on air, MCI extended the broadcast automation control system and also an additional channel branding had been integrated.