Televisió de Catalunya relies on KAIROS for its 24-hour news channel 3/24

The engineering team at Televisió de Catalunya has recently completed an extensive modernization of its 24-hour news channel, 3/24, placing Panasonic's Kairos system at the core of the installation. This upgrade, managed by Unitecnic from Grup Mediapro after a competitive public tender, marks a pivotal shift to IP technology, enhancing operability and functionality while also meeting new high-definition (HD) regulatory requirements.

This project emerged to address two primary needs: replacing aging equipment, in use 24/7 for over 17 years, and upgrading to HD in compliance with national standards. The transition involved implementing SMPTE ST 2110 standards, a significant step forward for the channel, which has traditionally relied on SDI technology.

Design, Integration, and Training with Unitecnic

The implementation of the Kairos system has transformed the operation of the 3/24 channel, enabling more intuitive and efficient production. The integration, carried out by Unitecnic, which has extensive experience in projects with the 2110 standard, was not without challenges in terms of interoperability between different equipment and manufacturers, as the equipment had not been previously tested in 3/24’s specific production workflows.

Unitecnic successfully addressed various challenges, such as modifying and studying the pre-existing PTP distribution network to adapt the parameters of 2110-30 technology. Additionally, they proposed integrating the functionalities of all devices using protocols such as NMOS, Ember+, TSL, RestAPI, and SNMP, among others. The team also designed new control rooms with versatile workstations, optimizing the production workflow with a Broadcast Controller.

Xavier also highlights "the value of the teamwork created between the engineering teams at CCMA, Panasonic, and Unitecnic, to work together and execute the project in the most efficient way, solving all challenges and ensuring everything worked as intended, in a fantastic working environment."

Technological Advances for the Future

The collaboration with TV3 has resulted in a strong and mutually trusting relationship. Quick responses, product innovation, and a willingness to influence technological development have been key elements of this partnership. Marc Sanclimens explains, “The goal is for both Kairos servers to operate fully in IP, eliminating the need for SDI backup and providing a seamless experience for directors, regardless of the equipment they use.”

With this modernization, TV3 not only secures continuous, high-quality broadcasting for the 3/24 channel but also lays the groundwork for future technological advances, reaffirming its commitment to excellence and innovation in news production.