
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'.
Most recent headlines
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...
03/06/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
For more than three decades, Re-recording Mixer Andrew Wilson, AMPS, CAS, has helped bring the natural world to the screen with exceptional audio enjoyed by mil...
03/06/2026
Telestream, a global leader in media workflow technologies, will showcase its latest innovations for modern AV production environments at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N...
03/06/2026
DPA Microphones will present a comprehensive portfolio of integrated audio solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of today's professional AV environm...
03/06/2026
Lightware announces the GVN-HC-TX220AP, a new transmitter in the Gemini GVN 1G AV-over-IP family that introduces full-featured USB-C for professional 1Gb AV-ove...
03/06/2026
Evergent, the customer management and monetization leader for streaming and digital subscription businesses, and Minno, the global leader in faith-based content...
03/06/2026
Alfalite, Europe's only LED display manufacturer, has completed a new broadcast installation with the deployment of two UHD Finepix 1.5 MATIX AlfaCOB LED di...
03/06/2026
Broadcast Solutions, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, is completing a contract to build eight...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/06/2026
Creamsource, known for its tried-and-true Vortex Series of cinematic lighting, has announced the Vortex2 (V2) and Vortex2 Soft (V2S), two compact additions to t...
03/06/2026
Do not read this media release! Andy Lee's smash-hit show returns to ABC thi...
03/06/2026
Faster, More Flexible AI Matting Fuels Boris FX Silhouette
Jessie Electa Petrov June 2, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026 release helps artists tackle complex ...
03/06/2026
La T l 's National League Hockey Expansion Powered by Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton June 2, 2026
0 Comments
Blackmagic Videohub 120 120 12G provi...
03/06/2026
ZY Optics to Offer Exclusive First Look at Zone T1 Cine Kit at Cine Gear Expo 20...
03/06/2026
Berklee Alumni St. Vincent and Ruby Plume to Perform Together on St. Vincents 20...
03/06/2026
At CVPR, NVIDIA is unveiling new physical AI agent skills that help researchers ...
03/06/2026
What makes a robot gripper useful isn't that it can pick up one object - it&...
03/06/2026
RT has today announced Heineken 0.0 as the broadcast sponsor of their FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
The sponsorship, brokered by Dentsu, will see Heineken 0....
02/06/2026
Tennis Channel has completed a transition from satellite-based distribution to a...
02/06/2026
Daktronics has announced the 2026 High School Video Summit, a two-day educational event for high school educators and student production teams, taking place Jun...
02/06/2026
Fandango will bring Telemundo's live Spanish-language coverage of the FIFA W...
02/06/2026
All Women's Sports Network (AWSN) has announced the live television schedule...
02/06/2026
Spalk, a cloud-based multilingual commentary and production platform, has announced three new partnerships: Ligue 1 (English and Portuguese highlights), Eurolea...
02/06/2026
NHL Network's 2026 Stanley Cup Final coverage began June 1 with NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Media Day from the Carolina Hurricanes' Lenovo Center at ...
02/06/2026
Matrox Video has announced the Maevex MGX Series, a lineup of IPMX-ready video e...
02/06/2026
Marshall Electronics will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth C7521), showcasing a lineup of 4K and HD compact POV cameras for corporate, education, hospitality, wo...
02/06/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated have...
02/06/2026
MultiDyne Video and Fiber Optic Systems will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth C50...
02/06/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has announced the promotion of Joe Marchitto to Western Regional CTO. In his new role, Marchitto will oversee system design across ...
02/06/2026
The NHL has announced that Brothers Osborne will headline a free outdoor concert...
02/06/2026
CP Communications has announced the appointment of its first two female executives in the company's 40-year history. Tabitha Coleman has been named Vice Pre...
02/06/2026
The Lighting Design Group (LDG) has announced the completion of Studio C at Yahoo's headquarters at 770 Broadway in Manhattan. The studio launched April 24 ...
02/06/2026
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Z) has announced a partnership with FIFA to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, FIFA Women's World Cup 2...
02/06/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
02/06/2026
The department is broadcasting NCAA Baseball Super Regionals at Plainsman Park this weekend
Broadcast and production crews at Division I institutions are busy ...
02/06/2026
The initiative is extends beyond the league's arenas to team training rinks,...
02/06/2026
Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Pen lope Cruz, and Edward Norton appear in The Invite by Olivia Wilde, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (Co...
02/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...