CASE STUDY – MATV Systems – Star of the Sea, Home for the Aged

The Initial Problem/Need

The analogue TV system had to be upgraded to receive digital TV broadcasts as the existing antenna’s were old and the picture quality was very poor. There were also inherent issues with the existing cabling network due to many years of changes to the cabling,and it’s age. The cabling network had reached a point that it needed to be completed redesigned and replaced, taking into consideration new areas of the facility. Wallaroo is about 150 km from Adelaide and the TV signals they received were from multiple transmission sites, some of which are quite weak. Residents only had 3 watchable channels. The possibility of having corporate-owned and networked pay-TV services was also a desire of the management team. Management were aware that an upgrade to their current terrestrial TV systems was required due to the new digital TV signal now available. However management did not want to place any financial burden on the residents and wanted them to continue to watch television without having to upgrade their TV set. The upgrade had to be done in such a manner that residents would not be inconvenienced at any stage of the upgrade.

The Challenges

• The upgrade had to take place in the shortest possible period of time and without inconvenience to the residents

• To provide a good and clear picture on their current analogue TV units

• More channels for the residents to watch without any personal capital outlay

• Have the work done as cost effectively as possible by a reliable and trust worthy contractor who can also provide ongoing maintenance and service

• Health concerns when working in the aged care environment

The Solution

A-COM Solutions completely re-designed the television network, from the antennas through to the outlets in the room. This design included the following;

• New antennas & mast head amplifiers

• New satellite dish

• New lead in cabling

• New backbone cabling

• New outlet cabling

• New outlets and fly leads

• New equipment cabinet with digital to analogue conversion equipment

• Network monitoring facilities

• The above scope was implemented over a period of approx 8 weeks in stages so that disruption to residents and staff was minimised.

How the Solution Was Implemented

In all, the television reception outage was minimised to only 10hrs spread over two days. The following channels were provided to all residents and common lounge areas at the conclusion of the project; Each of the above channels were provided as a digital stream and an analogue equivalent. In this way modern digital TV’s and set top boxes were able to work normally, whilst residents with older analogue TV’s were also able to watch the same* programming.

*digital TV’s and Set Top Boxes could access other additional features and channels.

Equipment List

• New antennas & mast head amplifiers

• New satellite dish

• New lead in cabling

• New backbone cabling

• New outlet cabling

• New outlets and fly leads

• New equipment cabinet with digital to analogue conversion and amplification equipment

• Network monitoring facilities

Outcomes

The work was completed within the project plan time frame without any major problems. The TV pictures/signals are the best they ever had. A-COM Solutions also provided a system which could easily be expanded on in the future should the need arise. The system has also be made ready for satellite Pay-TV services, if and when management decide to implement.

Customers’ Feedback

Jill Taylor said: ‘A-COM Solutions provided a detailed project plan on when the work would start and when it would be completed. As a single contractor they could do the entire TV installation and other associated works such as CCTV and installation of server equipment cabinets’.

“The work was done in very hot conditions and everything went according to the project plan and there was not problem during or after the installation was complete. I would recommend A-COM Solutions without any hesitation. Brenton Kelly was very considerate during the installation process of the residents’ requirements and that of the management team. He communicated on a regular basis with the management team and he was open and very honest”. Jill Taylor, CEO, Star of the Sea – Home for the Aged.

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