6.0. SCWSR 05-01-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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HD Equipment Transition Update HD Upgrade History and Research Process During the last few years I have reported at some length on the transition to High Definition (HD)that the video industry is going through. This upgrade is just as complicated as the equipment transition everyone went through when we switched from black&white TV to a color system. There are actually many HD formats that video programs are currently produced in. In the following recommendations I have taken this into consideration and have narrowed down the upgrade options available to us to make sure they continue to be compatible not only with our current AV equipment but also our city operations,commission philosophy, goals and budget. I have put a lot of time and effort in the last few years into studying the options available to us. As part of my research into this transition; I recently attended the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB) show in Las Vegas. This show is internationally recognized in the broadcast and cable TV industry and it is the place where most of the new models of AV equipment are announced. I met with many manufacturers to find out in depth information about their new equipment and to study the current trends and changes during this transition to HD. I also met with several cities that have gone through the HD upgrade process with their government equipment and also with their cable provider.Nationally,the AV community has come to accept that the manufacturers are no longer making SD equipment or replacement parts. As we have had to replace equipment due to service issues or age we have purchased replacement pieces that are compatible with future upgrades.All of our cities already have some equipment that is considered HD compatible. At the end of 2013 I handed out a recommended transition path for each of the Sherburne Wright Cable Commission cities along with each cities equipment inventory. In the recommended HD upgrade path,we detailed a 5 year transition plan. As mentioned in previous reports, I worked extensively with our commission treasurer Mert Auger of Buffalo to develop this transition budget. In addition to being a very competent City Administrator, Mert actually speaks AV very proficiently and has been a huge help during the development of these upgrade recommendations. I have also met with many of the commission members several times and discussed the upgrade options with you and pertinent members of your city staff. I also want to thank Phil Kern for his assist with the budget format and creative ideas, Mark Davis for his input and of course commission attorney Bob Vose. 4