Craven Arms, UK – 24th September 2015 – Rascular, the leading supplier of PC-based multi-device master control, has today announced that its flagship Helm system has been deployed by a major European broadcaster for multi-device manual master control.
The broadcaster recently completed the rebuilding of two of its four transmission control rooms as well as re-equipping other key areas. One result is an HD transmission control room with both HD and SD chains. This output can now be routed for cross-platform distribution purposes as well as for baseband video.
Helm has been deployed for manual master control use on the broadcaster’s leading channel. It is also being used to provide a master control panel for backup, visible control, audio over and additional graphic purpose. The broadcaster was unable to find a hardware control panel with the functionality required.
The broadcaster said, “For us, the essential functionality is to get the audio meters visible along with router status, inputs switched on the programme and preset bus, so we use it for visible control reasons. If there’s any problem with the control commands from our automation system, we can manually overwrite with the desired commands, for example to correct audio input shuffling or bringing the correct logo to air. We can also use it for manual voiceover and DVE tricks such as starting our news crawl template on Intuition and we can bring emergency images to air too.”
Helm is controlling a wide variety of equipment including master control processors (Grass Valley IS750 and Grass Valley Intuition) as well as Grass Valley Router via BFE Control System, Grass Valley DSK, LGK and Intuition (SD and HD branding).
The broadcaster added, “Rascular’s Helm works with a wide range of third-party products. We have used earlier versions of Helm for many years to control different devices across all the parameters that we need: there are no limitations. Another great advantage is that you can control different devices on one Helm panel and you can create panels on your own. If you do want special functions, then Rascular is always there to help. Helm works via IP addresses and that makes it easy to use.
Ephraim Barrett, Sales Director with Rascular, said, “We are very pleased to see Helm’s master control capabilities and device-independence being used in such a comprehensive manner. We have worked closely with our dealer, to help the broadcaster tailor Helm precisely to their specific needs.”