News Releases

NAB Booth SU1356, NAB, Las Vegas – April 23, 2006 - Ross Video today announced The Weather Channel has invested in the OverDrive Production control system to achieve increased production value, efficiently, for their primary program’s break-away live production needs. 

The OverDrive system will be used initially for studio production for severe weather programming targeting selected parts of the U.S. The system gives The Weather Channel the flexibility to produce more content, while increasing production values.

“The primary reason we invested in OverDrive was its flexibility and user-friendly approach, especially its ability to interface to a number of our legacy systems,” said David Jones, Director of Broadcast Engineering, The Weather Channel. “Another impressive aspect when dealing with Ross is their sound engineering practices. The Ross Sales and Product teams did a great job responding to our specific requirements.”

For the past several years The Weather Channel has conducted a thorough amount of research and was first introduced to the OverDrive concept at NAB2005. Ross presented a fully functional demo on-site at TWC addressing all engineering and operational requests and concerns. The Weather Channel will be using OverDrive in conjunction with a Synergy 3 MD-X digital production switcher. OverDrive will interface to a number of the Network’s existing systems including: servers, robotic cameras, and graphics systems. The Network has targeted to be up and running with the system by fall 2006. OverDrive will be installed in a new control room at the Network’s studio location in Atlanta, Georgia.

“The Weather Channel is known for their innovative use of technology,” said Jeff Moore, President of Ross Video. “We are very pleased that The Weather Channel has chosen the OverDrive production control system and Synergy MD production switchers to advance their production facilities.”

OverDrive™ is a highly flexible production control system with a LiveLink™ MOS interface to newsroom editorial systems. Using the extensive device control capabilities of Synergy digital production switchers, OverDrive extends the reach of the technical director to include control of video servers, audio mixers, robotic cameras and more. The centralized control offered by OverDrive™ gives the ability to execute a more consistent, sophisticated production on the air without increasing staffing levels.

“We are delighted The Weather Channel has recognized OverDrive as the solution to create a more sophisticated production, efficiently,” said Brad Rochon, Product Manager, OverDrive Production Control. “OverDrive’s flexible device control enables the Network to get important late breaking weather news to air with a smaller crew.”

About The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel, a 24-hour weather network, is seen in more than 89 million U.S. households. Its website, weather.com, reaches more than 25 million unique users per month. Its content is generally ranked within the 10 most popular in the U.S. by Nielsen/Net Ratings. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan, a 24-hour, all-local weather network available in 22 million households, The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services, and is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based, privately held media company. 

About Ross Video – NAB Booth SU1356
Ross Video designs, manufactures and supports a wide range of innovative products for use in broadcast, distribution, live event and production applications. Ross products are used to produce and distribute video and audio signals in over 100 countries daily. Ross' award winning product line includes the Synergy SD, Synergy MD and MD-X Video Production Switchers, openGear, RossGear and GearLite Terminal Gear, Ross Routing Systems and the OverDrive Production Control System.

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