Broadcast & Media

A Belgian broadcaster with 3 studios, 1 master control and 2 OB vans typically runs 40-60 devices that must stay synchronised within a few frames. One drifting clock anywhere in the chain means a lip-sync issue the editorial team will hear immediately.

What we typically see in broadcast deployments:

• A GMR1000 or GMR5000 as master clock and PTP grandmaster in master control
• NTP100-TC modules in OB vans with IRIG-B input for camera and audio sync
• TCDS-series display clocks in control rooms (Time Code displays, countdown or running time)
• TCA100 amplifiers to distribute SMPTE time code over long BNC runs
• PCIe-TCR cards in playout servers for frame-accurate insertion

Points of attention for broadcast:

• OB vans face challenging site conditions: ask for a Rubidium holdover when the van stays at an event for more than a day without GNSS lock (urban canyons, festivals)
• Studio renovations: PoE++ for the brightest NTDS clocks in public areas, do not underestimate the power budget
• IP workflows (NDI, SMPTE 2110) require a PTP grandmaster and boundary-clock switches

We do not advise on cameras or mixers, that is the domain of other specialists. The time layer underneath your broadcast infrastructure is our expertise.