Produce a report on alternatives transport options for the Starnet.
Customer
Te- Mangai Paho
Description
The Starnet was a network that used Telecom DDS circuits at 128kb/s to connect all Iwi radio stations to a switching centre in Papatoetoe. Te Mangai Paho wanted to explore alternatives to these DDS circuits
Expand existing SCADA system for transmission site monitoring
Customer
Description
StreamCom designed a telemetry and remote control system which not only extended control to new transmission sites, but also allowed the continued use of existing SCADA equipment. This system, called ATMS, allows TV3/4 to monitor and control sites all around the country. Communication is via data links over two way radio. This system has been operating continuously since 1997
Customer
Mai Media Ltd
Project
Relocation of studios .
Description
In 1999 Mai Media was faced with the need to relocate their entire operation to a new building which had recently been vacated by the Radio Network. On the face of it this seemed like a straightforward operation since the premises had previously been used for radio broadcasting. However this was far from the truth, Mai Media had four weeks to move their Ruia Mai national Maori news service, 1179 AM, and Mai FM, and considerable building and cabling was required in the new premises.
In 4 weeks StreamCom designed new studios, office spaces, and supervised their building. New cabling plans for a multi studio operation with 3 productions studios, 4 news booths, 3 on air studios, an 2 control rooms, were formulated and implemented. Data cabling was planned and installed, new telecommunications installed, and all systems tested and debugged. The entire operation was then moved over the space of one night, including a shift of the Mai FM transmitter from Waiatarua to the Skytower. The shift was achieved without problems and on time, with the only break being a 1 hour interruption to Mai FM 88.6, when the transmitter was relocated.
Project
Design and build new studios
Description
In 2000 StreamCom was asked to provide a turnkey solution to Tahu FM in Christchurch, for a new studio in Armagh St. The station had been operating from Nga Hau E Wha Marae, in Aranui. Tahu FM wanted new facilities that would allow them to provide a more professional environment for their operation. The space in Armagh St was an un partitioned area on the second floor. StreamCom designed studios and production areas that would meet professional broadcast standards and still come with in the budget available to the station. StreamCom project managed the entire building and relocation exercise, managing local technicians and tradesmen, as well as completing key tasks themselves.
In 2003 Tahu moved once again, this time to the corporate buildings of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. Once again StreamCom designed and managed the building, cabling, and installation of the new studios.
Customer
Skytower Limited
Project
Design RF filters for emergency services two way radios
Description
Before the Skytower was allowed to operate as a broadcast facility, they were required by the radio operations group of the Ministry Economic Development, to provide a solution which would prevent interference from the Skytower FM transmissions with emergency services two way radios. StreamCom was approached to develop a solution. After extensive testing, StreamCom developed a band stop filter which the ministry tested and approved. This allowed Skytower to commence operation as a FM transmission facility. StreamCom manufactured 200 of these filters which were supplied to all effected emergency services vehicles in Auckland
Customer
Skytower Limited
Project
Provide an antenna interlock system for the Skytower
Description
Skytower required an antenna interlock system, which would automatically shut down the FM transmitters at the Skytower in the event of an antenna failure. This is necessary because in the event of an antenna failure, if not shut down immediately the FM transmitters would literally blow up, as to the large amounts of power they are be radiating would have no where to dissipate.
This system needed to be fully redundant as a failure could result in either massive damage to the transmitters, or an unscheduled break in transmission. StreamCom designed a fully redundant interlock system, which currently protects every single FM transmitter installed on the Skytower.
Project
Provide a solution for networking 21+ Iwi stations and providers
Description
All Iwi radio stations have been connected together in a contribution/distribution network since the mid 90s. This was a system that suffered from significant losses in audio quality, and was very hard to use, as “switches” between stations needed to be made manually at a central control centre. This involved sending a fax or letter of request to the provider.
in 2000 StreamCom participated in a competitive tender to supply a replacement system. StreamCom won that tender after being short listed against Telecom NZ and BCL. StreamCom’s replacement was based around an MPEG switch/multiplexor which would route native MPEG streams without the need for encoding and decoding in the process. This switch was designed and built by StreamCom. Switches on the new network were controlled by the users themselves. This was made possible using a secure Internet site, where users could log in and manage their own switching schedules.
This system, renamed Punga Net, is still in operation, and is managed by StreamCom on behalf of Te Mangai Paho, and Te Whakaruruhau.
Customer
Mai Media Limited
Project
Design and manage Mai FMs Web presence
Description
In 2003 StreamCom, via its subsidiary Streamweb entered into an agreement with Mai Media to manage all aspects of Mai FMs internet activity. This involved designing a new website, providing audio streaming, and developing strategies to generate income from the Internet.
Streamweb developed tools to allow Mai FM staff to update online content. Streamweb also developed a comprehensive SQL database backend to manage content and reporting
Streamweb also developed SMS and e-commerce functions as well as a comprehensive membership database management tool. Recent developments include Mai Mail, a free email service similar to hotmail, this will allow Mai FM listeners to use Mai FM as their email provider, this service will be launched publicly in mid 2004
Customer
Te Whakaruruhau/ Te Mangai Paho
Description
In 2003 StreamCom, via its subsidiary Streamweb was contracted to develop and host irirangi.net. irirangi.net is a project to provide an online portal to Maori Broadcasters in New Zealand. From the site a user can listen to audio streams in real-time from 21 different Iwi radio stations, they can also read about the different organisations which support Maori radio, and view biographies about people who have been important to the development of Maori radio
Each Iwi station has also been given its own website and online tools to maintain these sites. Like irirangi.net itself, these sites are bilingual, and the management tools allow for the maintenance of material in both Te Reo an English.