Urgench is modernizing the TV channel: Sony Electronics is implementing another project for MTRK of Uzbekistan.
Sony Electronics has long been working with the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan – O’Zbekiston Milliy Teleradiokompaniyasi (MTRK). The vendor completed the first project for MTRK in Termes, the southernmost city of Uzbekistan, the administrative center, and the largest settlement of the Surkhandarya region.
Sony learnt about this second project, which includes the modernization of the Khorezm TV channel in the city of Urgench, and the administrative center of the Khorezm region through direct contacts with existing customers.
Sony went on to participate in a competition held to bid for this project through its partner, the system integrator TVC Solutions (Lithuania), a company that actively manifests itself in the CIS countries. They came out victorious, and won this tender. After that, the joint development of the conditions for the supply of equipment according to the specification began.
“The first thing the customer expected from us was to offer the most modern technical solutions at the time of project implementation. The next task was to fulfill the delivery strictly on time. We have accomplished these two main tasks,” says Vyacheslav Klyuchnikov, Lead Account Specialist at Sony Electronics JSC in Kazakhstan.
The equipment modernization consisted of four parts: hardware-studio complex; mobile television station; long-term storage system (archive), and TGK Delivery of studio cameras for studios and OB vans.
TGK sets (camcorders and radio microphone systems for them) such as a monitor rack, LCD displays were installed in the OB van. A new PTS which consists of two minibuses – the main and auxiliary was built. The integration was carried out directly by TVC Solutions. Sony engineers, in turn, provided remote support and advice.
“Uzbekistan is rightfully one of Sony’s key customers in this region,” Dmitry Bunevich, Senior Manager, Sony Middle East & Africa confirmed.
He further added that: “MTRK has been working with us for decades, thanks to all of MTRK and especially to the engineering staff.”
Sony and MTRK have repeatedly held negotiations in order to develop the most optimal partnership options: “We started with one of the regions, and now we are finishing the second one. If the Government of Uzbekistan supports the further development of television, in particular MTRK, then we will have an additional opportunity to participate in similar projects. In our opinion, the solution is relatively unified, which not only simplifies and speeds up the design process, but also makes it possible to simplify system maintenance by MTRK specialists. A certain system has been developed, on the basis of which local adaptation and installation of equipment takes place. Thus, we are talking about a project not only for one region, but about a potential project for the complete re-equipment of Uzbek television,” Dmitry Bunevich added.
At the last meeting with the leadership of the television and radio company of Uzbekistan, plans were formed for the further modernization of 12 regions and the Tashkent Media Center, launched in January 2012. Also in the plans is the purchase of two large transmission control protocols (TCP).
Of the projects confirmed for 2023, the nearest is the re-equipment of the media structures of the third region of Uzbekistan; the Jizzakh province.
It should be noted that the Republic of Uzbekistan carry out broadcasting in SD and HD. In fact, in the Central Asian region, Uzbekistan was one of the first to launch HD broadcasting; the signal distribution system also works quite effectively.
At the moment, there is no over-the-air broadcasting with a quality higher than HD. However, cable television broadcasting in 4K is working around the clock, for instance, the LuxTV channel.
“Now most TV equipment manufacturers are investing in IP solutions. Obviously, this is not the first year that this has been happening. Technologies are gaining momentum and are moving into the format of already implemented working systems. Sony is in a good position in the market, thanks to its partnership with Nevion. In general, bit giants are now in a better position – corporations that can offer the most complete set of IP solutions. Competition in IP is gaining momentum every year more and more. Who will win? Time will tell. Each company should make every effort to retain leadership positions. The difficult analysis of technological innovations is associated with the constant updating of existing solutions for the transition of SDI to IP and vice versa. This also applies in terms of software platforms, protocol support and overall system development. Obviously, IP is the future! But SDI remains relevant and will be so for a long time to come. This is because many television and radio companies, including television in Uzbekistan, are based on SDI. This means that it will work for them for at least another seven or even more years. Therefore, we must understand that within the framework of Uzbekistan Television and MTRK, risky steps will not be taken at this point in time, which is an absolutely correct and balanced decision. I believe that integration into IP will turn out to be a rather lengthy process, but it is precisely such a system that is the engine of progress,” sums up Dmitry Bunevich.
You can see with your own eyes how the modernization of television in Uzbekistan is taking place during the International Hybrid Conference Broadcasting / Cinema / Pro AV 2023 Uzbekistan, which will be held on March 28-29 in Tashkent.
