Greece’s state-owned broadcasting corporation runs three channels, ERT, NET and ERT3, and offers a full range of dynamic programming, from regular news bulletins, current affairs programmes, and live coverage of breaking news and sporting events to general entertainment programs of all kinds. ERT is also a main sponsor of the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. To ensure that the Athens-based Corporation can continue to provide leadership and quality programming in Greece’s increasingly competitive TV market, ERT’s technical specialists have looked to the long term and decided to invest in state-of-the-art communications and intercom equipment from Telex Communications. ERT’s two largest studios are already being refitted (largely in preparation for the Olympics): Studio D features an 72 x 72 Advanced Digital Audio Matrix (ADAM) from Telex RTS, Studio A was supplied with an ADAM 40 x 40, and the City Studio uses an ADAM CS 24 x 24 in combination with a Telex TM 2000 Trunk Master. Studios A and D are about 1000 feet from each other, with trunk lines between the studios. The system is supported by a variety of Telex keypanels, such as the KP32, KP12 and DKP8, as well as ISDN and analog telephone hybrids, and will continue to expand right up until the Olympics this summer. A BTR700 UHF duplex intercom system is another key element of the new configuration. The ADAM CS Matrix is the ideal tool for the City Studio - nearby to the Greek parliament buildings - to be able to provide up-to-the-minute coverage of the latest political developments. It makes the transfer of information faster, easier and more reliable, and allows the development of a larger network comprising all three ADAM matrices with the addition of the Telex TM 2000 Trunk Master. The beauty of this system is that it is so easy to extend: the TM 2000 is capable of managing up to 32 matrices at the same time!



Manuel Brico, Product Manager of Telex E.A.M.E, commented:

“In making these technological decisions, ERT has invested in the future, simultaneously giving itself an unbelievable range of options and an enormous freedom of manoeuvre. For example, with the help of an additional Bus Expander, the various matrices can be linked directly to one another, yielding all the advantages of a giant logical matrix, with hardware distributed among various locations, and the option of integrating outside broadcast vans into the network. The entire system is modular in structure with virtually no upper limit to its expansion capabilities.“

In addition, the AOB (Athens Olympic Broadcast) will be equipped with 2 ADAM 256 x 256 matrices for the IBC (International Broadcast Center) at the Olympic games. The IBC will supply ALL national and international broadcasters with communications from the IBC, placing Telex/RTS at the very heart of Olympic events as they are broadcast on a global scale.

AOB Intercom equipment list:



Fact: 21,500 members of the media are expected to cover the Games: 16,000 broadcasters, including AOB, and 5,500 photo/written press members. Telex/RTS will be at the heart of the coverage.