JSE-listed multinational Spescom has begun a four-month, R15.5 million project to digitise and improve data workflow in the Swaziland Television Authority's newsroom.
The contract will see subsidiary Spescom Media IT install an Avid newsroom production system to simplify the task of producing, packaging and delivering news content. It will also upgrade Swazi TV's analogue system to a digitised news production system.
The broadcast solution comprises standard hardware components from different vendors, with propriety software designed by Avid Technology.
Sean du Toit, Spescom's GM, says Avid Technology is global provider of software and hardware for digital media production, management and distribution. He adds: "Spescom is the sole integrator of Avid's hardware in the sub-Saharan region."
Kick-off
Du Toit says the first phase of the project is under way. "We are getting the central apparatus room ready. This is where all the equipment will be housed.
"The systems are built in Ireland by Avid. Spescom will integrate them in Ireland, then fly the client to Ireland to check if the systems are in accordance with the newsroom's specifications. When this is done, the equipment will be flown in and fitted."
He says the system is expected to arrive in March. The deployment will simplify and improve Swazi TV's data workflow, adds Du Toit.
"Currently, the production team gets the story and inputs it into the system. Footage from the story would then be recorded onto tape and, because there's only one tape, only one person at a time can work on the footage. This can take up to five hours."
He adds Spescom's Web-based server will allow footage to be immediately digitised. "Journalists and editors will be able to view the same footage at the same time and make the necessary changes. Swazi TV will now be a tapeless environment."
Du Toit says the system installation will take place in April and the project will go live at the end of April, after staff training. He adds that Spescom also concluded a renewable support contract with the broadcaster for one year.
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