Testimonials - Synergy 1

RCN Video Takes on Challenges with their Ross Synergy 1

Rick Geho
Video Production Manager
RCN Video
Allentown, PA

RCN and its predecessor company "Twin County Cable" has a tradition of 40 years of providing cable TV in a competitive environment to the people of the Lehigh Valley area. Specifically, RCN 4 is the Local Origination (Programming) arm of our system. This company has always viewed local programs and especially local high school sports as a necessity in the "overbuilt" environment. We produce over 200 multi-camera sports events and 200 studio productions each year. RCN's corporate headquarters, located in Princeton NJ, is the nation's largest provider of bundled cable, phone and internet services.

With over 30 years here, I am the Video Production Manager and oversee the day-to-day operation of the studio, develop the yearly budget, and direct many of our sports and studio efforts.

In 2001, we built a new production truck and were looking to get into the digital realm to compete in the market. We have been dramatically expanding our local sports coverage over the past few years and decided we had to add to our production capabilities. We approached our representative, The Lerro Corporation, for a recommendation for a digital production switcher as they knew our requirements. Lerro made the Ross Synergy 1 switcher the solution to our needs.

What appealed to us - and was a determining factor - about the Synergy 1 was the ease of operation, price and value of the switcher and Ross' warranty.

The install and training was a breeze. Installation of the Synergy 1 and RossGear conversion (A to D and D to A) cards was absolutely easy. And I was personally trained at Ross' facility just outside Ottawa and was extremely impressed with the professionalism of their staff - their instructors were patient and courteous.

Our Synergy 1 switcher is the heart of our multi-camera, live, sports production truck. Of course, any live sports productions throw challenges at your equipment and staff on a regular basis, but with this switcher, our staff can take it.

Synergy allows us to dramatically improve the look of our productions and has definitely improved our production abilities. Our switcher has performed reliably and has really helped us to 'step up to the plate' by giving our productions that big-time sports look and feel. We make extensive use of Synergy's features like Squeeze & Tease 3D DVE, scalable keys, over-the-shoulder boxes, preview overlay and custom controls.

Throughout this entire experience, Ross has been top notch! Their staff, especially Ben Cummins in tech support, has always been at our call whenever we may have a problem or question. For RCN, support has always been an important factor when deciding to go with a company and it's safe to say Ross has proven themselves to us in being helpful and friendly.

As our operation grows, we will not hesitate to select Ross for our future video production needs.