Ion Solutions, the Irish owned specialist provider of audio-visual solutions to companies nationwide and across the world, has designed and installed state of the art technology in the Virgin Media Television News Hub.
Virgin Media Television, formerly known as TV3, is Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster and hosts an array of news programming from the News Hub. News bulletins are broadcast daily at 12:30, 17:30, and 20:00.
The new technology ensures content is delivered in a more visually engaging manner, leading to a more enjoyable experience for viewers. The flexibility of the technology also means that it is particularly suited to news programming during high profile events such as Storm Emma or the Pope’s Visit.
The seamless technology is ideal for using infographics, maps and other visual aids. Up to four contributors in various locations can feature on the large screen at any one time, heightening the news experience for the viewer.
The project involved the installation of 32 Christie 55-inch flat panels, configured in portrait mode as two rows of sixteen monitors. In addition to the screens, Ion Solutions installed eight UHD 4K feeds from two Christie Pandoras Box Servers, with eight live HD inputs to feed the videowall’s ‘picture-in-picture’ facility. Two Pandoras Box Players were also put in to feed in-set monitors.
The installation of this technology means an entirely different look can be programmed and controlled from a single soft button on the control surface, and news bulletins can be run manually or be automated to follow a pre-programmed schedule through the use of General Purpose Interface (GPI) triggers.
Kevin Moore, Director of Ion Solutions, says:”At Ion Solutions, we work with some of the most progressive, pioneering brands in the world, which means in a position to deliver top class, reliable technology to our clients. For this project, Christie was absolutely the right choice, and enabled us to deliver a fantastic solution for the News Hub requirements.
We’re delighted that Virgin Media Television chose Ion Solutions to work on the upgrade of their news services. A lot of time and work has been put in to this project, and we are happy that we were able to successfully meet Virgin Media Television’s requirements. We’ve completed many projects with them in the past, and we’re very much looking forward to working with Virgin Media Television again in the future.”
Joel St-Denis, product manager, Christie, says:“The versatility of Christie Pandoras Box delivers an improved viewer experience while creating a powerful platform for limitless creative opportunities for end users not only today, but well into the future. We’re pleased that Virgin Media Television has selected Pandoras Box as part of its upgrade to this news hub.”
Ion Solutions is the market leader in the design, supply, installation and integration of audio visual display systems, broadcast television systems, digital video production systems and computer graphics systems, as well as digital signage and wayfinding solutions.
The company was formed in early 2018 when sister companies Eurotek Ireland and Avtek Solutions, market leaders in the visual communications sector, amalgamated to operate under a single name. The operation, which is already setting new standards in the global visual communications industry, is 100% Irish owned, headquartered in Sandyford, Dublin and has grown to employ over 70 people.
The company has worked on contracts for a range of clients across a variety of sectors including, broadcast, retail, healthcare, hospitality and educational facilities as well as corporate venues. Clients include the likes of RTÉ, Ireland West Airport, TG4, Convention Centre Dublin, Kerry Group, Croke Park Dublin and the SSE Arena Belfast, as well, of course, multiple projects with Virgin Media Group & TV3.
The Ion Solutions team includes specialists in IT networking, video engineering, design, integration and sales. The company has invested significantly in developing and updating its technological capacity to ensure it can provide excellent products and high-end customer service and technical advice.
Ion Solutions is a member of the International Communications Industry Association and complies with its rules and standards.
