Second Sigma Makes Headline News at RTE
RTE continue their march toward full digital transmission with the purchase of a second Sigma 100 digital console at their Dublin HQ.
The 32 fader console will be installed into Studio 3 to produce live to air news bulletins for both RTE1 and Network 2. Bulletins are produced in both Irish and English and range from simple news headlines on the hour, to longer bulletins at 1pm, 6pm, 9pm and 11pm.
"Viewers in Ireland seem to have and unquenchable thirst for news both international and locally generated," says RTE's Senior Sound Supervisor Ian Pike. "Such is the interest in these bulletins that we regularly obtain the lions share of viewers available at that time.
"RTE competes for its audience share with 16 other channels in the major Cities and towns. All RTE channels are also available on the SKY platform in the Republic so we also compete in homes that are SKY equipped, so attaining and holding this size of audience is an achievement."
RTE installed a 38 channel Sigma 100 digital console into its studio 6 earlier this year. Studio 6 is RTE's Live Sports Studio and transmits The Premiership (RTE's version of Match of the Day), the Scottish Premier League and 6 Nations Rugby, as well as the Rugby World Cup.
"Reaction to the Sigma has all been positive from all the supervisors - they have felt immediately at home in front of it," says Ian. "The boot up time and stability has drawn the most comment, and the speed of getting a source on air. The speed of recalling memories and storing changes has been another favourite.
"As all our Vision and Sound distribution are now Digital adding another Sigma to the mix has enabled us to take more advantage of digital technology. To go back to analogue consoles now would be a retrograde step."
