KOMO And Sony Make Television History
On May 19, 1999, KOMO 4 News In Seattle, Washington became the first in the world to broadcast daily local news in Digital High-Definition Television. KOMO simultaneously launched the dual broadcast of all its newscasts in analog standard definition channel 4 and high-definition on KOMO-DT channel 38, making history with its 5 oíclock broadcast. KOMO-DT will broadcast over 30 hours of local HD news each week. The landmark broadcast was the result of KOMOís ongoing strategic relationship with Sony. Recently, KOMO purchased Sony high-definition cameras and HDW-500 HDCAMÆVTRs. Using Sonyís multi-purpose HDC-700 studio and HDC-750 portable high-definition cameras, KOMO was able to produce the newscast in HDTV and simultaneously output standard definition using the camerasí on ñboard downconverters, thereby eliminating the need to conduct two separate broadcasts. Since its inaugural broadcast in January of 1997, KOMO ABC 4 has been a leader in HDTV technology. ""Today, we take a historic step by becoming the first station in the world to broadcast daily local news in digital high definition. This leadership is a result of a pioneering spirit which resides at KOMO and Fisher Broadcasting. This broadcast is a celebration of our people and a continuing effort to serve our viewers, the public and the Northwest region,"" stated KOMOís Senior Vice President and General Manager Dick Warsinske. Vice President and News Director Joe Barnes explains what this milestone means to the news organization. ""Being the first station in the world to broadcast local news daily in digital high-definition television is another example of KOMOís commitment to being First 4 Local News. We will utilize the new tools and technologies to better cover the local people and issues in our community, as well as continuing to offer the highest quality local news in the Northwest - and in the country."" KOMO also made a commitment to Sonyís Betacam SX format for its news gathering operations. Using Sony widescreen Betacam SX camcorders, KOMO news teams can shoot in the widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio, then upconvert the material for the high-definition broadcasts. News crews will also use Sony HDCAM camcorders to shoot some story segments in high-definition. The broadcast will consist of a combination of original HDCAM footage and upconverted Betacam SX material. ""Sony is proud to once again be part of television history with KOMOís commitment to broadcasting daily news in high definition,"" said Michael Vitelli, Executive Vice President of Sony Electronicsí Broadcast and Professional Company. ""Their industry-leading approach combines high-definition studio origination, news segments produced in high-definition and high quality Betacam SX upconverted stories. KOMO has found a way to create a mainstream high definition business with currently available products."" The Broadcast and Professional Company of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. provider of video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production, business, industrial, government, medical, and education markets. More information about Sony products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sony.com/professional, or readers may phone 800 686 SONY. According to KOMOís Assistant Director of Engineering Mark Simonson, ""KOMO had had a history of technical leadership in the television industry."" KOMO was the first in the Pacific Northwest to broadcast íliveí and in color in 1954 and the first in the Pacific Northwest to broadcast in stereo in 1984. In addition, KOMO ABC 4 was the first commercial station on the West Coast to transmit HDTV in 1997. And now, we are the first in the world to broadcast local daily news in digital high-definition television,"" said Pat Holland, Vice President of Technology for Fisher Broadcasting Inc. Fisher Broadcasting is owner and operator of two ABC Television Network affiliates, KOMO TV in Seattle and KATU in Portland, Oregon. Fisher Broadcasting also owns Fisher Communications Inc. and 25 radio stations in western United States. For more information, please contact KOMO ABC 4ís Maria Collins Lepper, 206 443 4024 or email: Marial@komotv.com or Sony Electronics Inc., San Jose, California, Lisa Young, 408 955 5683 or email: Lisa.young@am.sony.com.