Sigma 100 on QVC Shopping List
Top UK shopping channel QVC has purchased a 52 fader Sigma 100 digital console to help future proof Control Room A at the channel's London Headquarters.
One of two live studio control rooms at the Battersea studios, Control Room A has been completely overhauled. The console replaces an M Series desk which has seen daily service since the channel's launch in 1993.
"Control Room A has been rebuilt from scratch," says QVC Broadcast Systems Engineer Mark Ushaw. "We chose digital over an analogue desk primarily because of space. The ability to configure the Sigma to function in a similar way to Calrec's S2 console, but with a smaller overall control surface, was a big attraction."
The console compliments a 48 channel S2 in Control Room B, installed in 2001. Programmes from Studio A broadcast live every day from 09:00 through to 02:00 the next morning.
"With 17 hours live to air every day, it's vital to have total redundancy, and without it the Sigma would have been out of the question," adds Mark.
"However, the main attraction of the console was the continuity of signal flow and the control familiarity between the S2 and the Sigma. Our operators need to be comfortable with both set-ups and be able to switch between the two consoles intuitively.
"The Sigma is a long-term investment and we had to ensure that any new equipment was well equipped for future developments."
Launched in 1993, QVC has been the UK's leading shopping channel for over 10 years. QVC broadcasts on Sky, NTL, Telewest and Freeview and reaches more than 13 million homes in the UK, as well as having a significant Web presence at www.qvcuk.com.
