Gearhouse Broadcast’s Systems Integration division have been awarded the contract to upgrade Astro’s studio facilities in Kuala Lumpur to accommodate HD productions.   The studios are used by both Astro and Arena to produce a wide range of shows including singing and dancing competitions, live music performances, game shows, talk shows and sport highlights and the new state-of the-art HD digital broadcast facilities will be the first of their type in Malaysia for market leader Astro.

The project will include upgrading four studio floors, three production control rooms and a central equipment area.  A central component in the newly upgraded operation will be a suite of state-of-the-art routers from Snell, which provide reliable and seamless handling of all incoming and outgoing feeds in the facility. 

Snell multi-format Cygnus, Pyxis and Freeway routers as well as a raft of IQ modular infrastructure equipment all managed by Snell’s Centra control and monitoring are at the heart of the new design for the facility upgrade. Coupled with extremely flexible control operations, the routers cater to all sizes and operations from simple edit suites to outside broadcast trucks and central apparatus rooms.  Snell are also providing Astro and Gearhouse Broadcast with 24/7 customer support within the Asia region, ensuring rapid diagnosis and resolution of any issues during the facility upgrade.

Eamonn Dowdall, Business Development Director at Gearhouse Broadcast, said, “We were awarded the contract by Astro based on our proven track record of delivering broadcast solutions for major international studio facilities. We were delighted to recommend Snell’s comprehensive range of routing and modular infrastructure equipment as it provides the flexibility, quality and reliability we require for this state-of-the-art upgrade”.

Norman Rouse, VP Global Marketing and PR at Snell said, “This Gearhouse Broadcast-led project takes Astro’s facility in Malaysia to the next level.  We’re thrilled that Snell routing, infrastructure and control has been chosen to play such a key part in its success.”