08/14/2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • GENERAL EQUIPMENT DIRECTION • Elimination of Amiga Computer Systems Over the past few years we have replaced all but two of our Amiga graphics and editing computer systems. The two remaining Amiga systems (one in the public edit suite and one in the studio control room) are currently functioning adequately. While replacement of these systems remains important as they are no longer supported by their manufacturer and do experience problems, we'd like to continue to use them until they must be replaced. When that time does come, the current plan is to replace the studio Amiga with the PC based Compix graphics system. It is capable of producing complex graphics, but is also relatively simple to learn. This is important as the general public utilizes this studio. This is the same system currently utilized in the production truck, which means staff will not have to learn an additional graphics program to use in the studio. It also means that graphics created for use in the truck could also be used in the studio. There is a tentative plan to replace the Video Toaster editing system, in the public edit suite, with the PC based Genie editing system, from the staff edit suite. Staff is currently researching the Trinity system for the staff edit suite. It has an excellent switcher, and graphics program, and is capable of both linear and non - linear editing. There have been rumors, however, that problems exist with the editing software. The expectation is that this problem, and any other bugs, will be worked out by the time we are prepared to invest in this system. Staff continues to research a variety of possibilities in the event the Trinity editing system remains problematic. Costs: Compix software and hardware $6,000 Trinity software and hardware $25,000 • Master Control Upgrade A request for MediaOne to front a comprehensive master control upgrade has been included in the franchise renewal process. At this point there haven't been any objections from the company regarding the inclusion of this upgrade. Questions remain as to how that funding would be distributed. It is known that the upgrade will cost between $360,000 and $400,000 and be recouped by the company. If the franchise is renewed and includes the master control upgrade we would like to begin making master control purchases in 2001. Recently, staff has learned that Di -Tech Corporation, the producers of our automated switching system, is going out of business. We had planned to replace our old Di -Tech system with a new one, but now we must begin researching alternative routing systems. In addition to a new routing system, the master control upgrade includes purchasing digital and SVHS tape decks, monitors for each tape deck, three color monitors, test equipment, audio /video distribution /amplification equipment, modulators, de- modulators, an upgrade of our Scala graphics system and all the cabling, connectors, and parts necessary to connect the equipment. It is necessary to establish some degree of digital playback capability in master control before we can begin digital mastering in the truck, studio, and edit suites. 9