Bridge Technologies supplies Hong-Kong broadcaster TVB with full redundancy switching through business partner Mediatech.
Covering most of the HK terrestrial broadcast footprint, Mediatech's installation of a suite of Bridge Technology VB243 units ensures the continued stability and reliability of TVB's broadcasting operation
The context
TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) is a television broadcasting company that operates five terrestrial free-to-air HD channels in Hong Kong, broadcasting content in both English and Cantonese and a 24-hour news channel. TVB achieves up to 80% market share during primetime hours from its TV City facility in Tseung Kwan O.
The challenge
As with any broadcast network, the risk of outages is a significant threat and ensuring operational efficiency should issues occur is key to the company's reputation, accountability and audience loyalty. TVB have engaged in a constant process of upgrading their broadcast network, and have placed strong importance on maintaining full redundancy across their network to each of the hilltop sites, enabling switching of the data path whenever an outage or error occurs.
The solution
Through Mediatech Bridge Technologies' Hong Kong-based supplier, VB243s have been installed at TVB's hill-top transmitter locations, forming part of the wider redundancy switching system as part of network upgrades between the playout centre and hill-top transmitting sites.
The VB243 is designed to be the most robust and reliable redundancy system possible, constantly monitoring signal performance of streams and switching as appropriate. Even in the very unlikely event of power or other failure in the product or facility, the VB243's signal path integrity is maintained.
The technical detail
The VB243 provides full dual path redundancy for ASI signals with autonomous operation and deep signal analysis on both signal paths for the ultimate in switching decision making.
By actively monitoring the primary and secondary input signals, the VB243 allows monitoring and analysis to take place on both inputs simultaneously for switching purposes. All the parameters in the implementation of the TS 101 290 specification can be utilized as switching criteria; PID analysis, Service analysis, bandwidth overview and table analysis, Most significantly for TVB, the Bridge Technologies VB243 supports the Chinese DTMB broadcasting standard, with special development of DTMB-specific SFN timing measures implemented in order to meet specific client need.
If any problem in any parameter is detected, preset rules apply and the unit will check the opposite input for the same failure and, if no failure is detected on the secondary, a switch is performed.
To ensure seamless operation even in the case of power disruption, the 1RU chassis offers dual redundant power supplies, whilst the switching card has magnetically latching relays to protect against signal disruption even during a complete loss of power.
Front panel controls offer local override control and a clear visual indication of the active switching path, with three modes of operation; Automatic mode - wherein decisions are made according to pre-set conditions, Manual mode - in which the unit can be controlled from any NMS system via the extensive XML-based Eii (External Integration Interface) or via SNMP triggers, and SuperLocal mode - which operates to deliberately cut off overlying NMS control for emergency manual override situations - thus maximising both flexibility and security.
The outcome
Commissioned in early 2021, Mediatech were able complete the installation in a timely and efficient manner, and TVB's redundancy system is now fully tested and operational. TVB have expressed their satisfaction with the project, and thus follow a number of other terrestrial and satellite broadcasting companies who have looked to Bridge Technologies when reliable switching of mission critical IF, RF and ASI streams is required.
Speaking of the installation, Harold Tsoi, Executive Engineer for TVB, said: Securing our redundancy path was an important project for TVB, and we are satisfied in the solution that Mediatech proposed for us. The centrality of the VB243 within this setup is clear; providing a level of redundancy that secures against just about every form of disruption we could imagine. We can be confident of our ability to maintain operational consistency - and thus channel reputation - well into the future'.
On behalf of Mediatech, GM Raymond Mo said: Bridge Technologies frequently sits at the heart of the solutions we propose to clients providing class leading products across all facets of the media chain. The VB243 is a seriously robust solution - an invaluable tool that can be used in a versatile manner'.
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
07/05/2026
January 8, 2024
Colorfront (colorfront.com), a leader in high-performance, on-s...
07/05/2026
February 9, 2024
Colorfront (colorfront.com), the multi-award-winning pioneer i...
07/05/2026
March 20, 2024
NAB 2024, Las Vegas - Colorfront (colorfront.com), the multi-awa...
07/05/2026
April 1, 2025
CINEMACON, APRIL 1, 2025 - Colorfront (colorfront.com), the multi-award-winning developer of high-performance dailies/transcoding/streaming syste...
07/05/2026
June 15, 2025
Colorfront (colorfront.com), an Academy and Emmy Award-winning de...
07/05/2026
June 15, 2025
Colorfront participated in the ICTA Barcelona Cinema Technology Summit on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Held at The Phenomena Experience, the event feat...
07/05/2026
July 1, 2025
Colorfront (colorfront.com), the multi-award-winning developer of high-performance dailies/transcoding/streaming systems for motion pictures, OTT,...
07/05/2026
July 1, 2025
Passion and dedication will take you places. Come with us on a short trip to the heart of India, where Annapurna Studios is living-up to the inspi...
07/05/2026
July 3, 2025
Colorfront (colorfront.com), the multi-award-winning developer of high-performance dailies/transcoding/streaming systems for motion pictures, OTT,...
07/05/2026
September 1, 2025
IBC 2025, Amsterdam - Colorfront (colorfront.com) - the Acade...
07/05/2026
April 17, 2026
LOS ANGELES - April 17, 2026 - Colorfront today announced Colorf...
07/05/2026
April 23, 2026
NAB 2026, Las Vegas - the Academy and Emmy Award-winning develop...
07/05/2026
Well known Irish faces pushed to the edge in new series of
Uncharted with Ray G...
07/05/2026
RT will premiere A Traveller Family, a compelling new documentary exploring the...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Another year, and more proof that Asia continues to shape some of the world's most exciting new sounds. This year's RADAR artists draw from deep local r...
05/05/2026
The Austin City Limits Music Fest 2026 lineup just dropped, and this year, Spoti...
05/05/2026
New drum machine book campaign incoming
Bjooks have announced that during Superbooth 2026, they will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the product...
05/05/2026
Flagship all-in-one production bundle updated
The latest version of Native Instruments' flagship virtual instrument and plug-in bundle has just been ann...
05/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host RF Testing Innovations Forum 2026, helping design engine...
05/05/2026
The company grew by 7.6% in net revenue and 16.3% in EBITDA, achieving a 33% inc...
05/05/2026
FOX Sports, FOX One and Indeed Launch Nationwide Search for FOX One Chief World...
04/05/2026
just:play pro 2026 and just:live pro 2026 are available to download!
More Details:At NAB 2026, ToolsOnAir showcased just:play pro 2026 and just:live pro 2026, ...
04/05/2026
just:in mac pro 2026 - The Next Level of Professional Recording on macOS
More Details:The headline innovation in just:in mac pro 2026 is the new Auto format si...
04/05/2026
Last week, guests gathered in New York City for On Air, In Style: An Evening with Spotify-a night of conversation, culture, and connection celebrating the inter...
04/05/2026
New music & post-production features added
Avid's latest DAW update delivers an array of helpful features aimed at both music and post-production users,...
03/05/2026
Polysynth now features Mutable Instruments' macro oscillators
Melbourne Instruments have just released a free firmware update that brings the engine beh...
02/05/2026
Versatile re-amping tool announced
Warm Audio are best known for their recreations of sought-after vintage studio gear, but their latest release brings a ne...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. But a playlist that tells you which The Devi...
01/05/2026
One of the world's biggest popstars is headed to El Cl sico. Later this mont...
01/05/2026
Limited-edition model celebrates 15th anniversary
Heritage Audio's range of monitor controllers has just gained a new member, the Baby RAM Black Edition...
01/05/2026
Dumble recreation now available as UAD plug-in
Along with their renowned processing plug-ins, Universal Audio have been steadily introducing emulations of c...
Bridge Technologies supplies Hong-Kong broadcaster TVB with full redundancy switching through business partner Mediatech.
