News Releases - 2005

CHUM Television’s A-Channel Live with OverDrive™

Iroquois, ON, Canada – August 2, 2005 – Ross Video today announced CHUM Television’s A-Channel in Barrie, Ontario is using the OverDrive™ Production Control System along with the Synergy digital production switcher for live news programming.

“Part of our corporate philosophy is to use smart technology to make our facilities operate more efficiently,” said Bruce Cowan, Director, Broadcast Technology, CHUM Television. “The OverDrive™ Production Control System technology allows us to be more flexible and to better utilize our resources. It gives us the ability to create more content, more often.”

A-Channel uses OverDrive™ for production control of news programming and live updates during the day. The productions are complex and fast-paced and include live remote feeds. Using the Ross LiveLinkTM MOS interface to the News Room Control System, OverDrive™ automatically cues and brings to air the resources for each shot in the rundown.

“The staff at A-Channel are visionaries in terms of using technology intelligently and to their advantage,” said Brad Rochon, OverDrive™ Product Manager. “We are pleased to see their success in leveraging the power of OverDrive™ to increase their programming output and improve on efficiency.”

A-Channel News” crews are in constant touch with the people and events that make news. With a team of producers, editors, photographers and reporters, along with state-of-the-art live technology, A-Channel News ”provides comprehensive, community-based news programming to over two million people each week in South-Central Ontario. Their “Live Eye” cameras are unique in their ability to showcase changing weather conditions in many communities. “A-Channel” hosts a number of specialty reporters unmatched anywhere else in Canada.

OverDrive™ enables touch screen control over the devices used in a production environment. The system integrates with the Ross Synergy SD and MD/X series of production switchers, leveraging their control interfaces over video servers, VTRs, DDRs, audio mixers, robotic cameras, routers, still stores and more. The product gives broadcasters the ability to manage resources more efficiently based on the production requirements of the show and deliver a more consistent product to the viewer.

About CHUM Limited
CHUM Limited, one of Canada's leading media companies and content providers, owns and operates 33 radio stations, 12 local television stations and 21 specialty channels, as well as an environmental music distribution division. Through international format licences and program sales, CHUM's original content is seen in over 130 countries worldwide and is distributed via new media platforms, including interactive television, wireless services and exclusive CHUM-branded Internet properties. Information is available at www.chumlimited.com.

About Ross Video Limited
Ross Video designs, manufactures and supports a wide range of innovative products for use in broadcast, distribution, live event and production applications. Ross products distribute video and audio signals in over 100 countries daily. Ross’ award winning product lines include: the Synergy SD, Synergy MD and MD-X Video Production Switchers, Squeeze & Tease WARP DVE, RossGear and GearLite Terminal Gear, Kondor and NK Routing Systems, and the OverDrive™ Production Control System.

For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Nicolaassen Barrie
Public Relations Co-ordinator
T. (613) 652-4886
F. (613) 652-4425
E. jbarrie@rossvideo.com