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Next Equipment Phases and Recommended Equipment Purchases <br /> The first cities recommended to go the next phase of the upgrade are Delano,Elk River, <br /> Monticello,Buffalo and our production trailer. We divided up each city into the following <br /> equipment areas: Council Chambers, Control Room,Playback, Portable Equipment and Editing. <br /> Much of the upgrade path involves several key pieces of equipment and changing the wiring and <br /> infrastructure connecting them,the major equipment pieces are: Council Chamber cameras, <br /> Video Switcher,TV Monitors and the Channel Playback device, The cities we chose to upgrade <br /> first were selected primarily because they already had more of the components necessary to start <br /> the process. <br /> Sony Council Chamber Cameras <br /> Starting in the council chambers,the first major component necessary to transition to the next <br /> upgrade phase is the camera system. We have already accomplished this in our production <br /> trailer. <br /> One of the manufacturers I met with was Sony. We currently have Sony cameras and controllers <br /> installed in all our city council chambers.In the cities of Buffalo, Elk River,Monticello and <br /> Delano we have a model of camera that is HD ready. Currently these are setup to output standard <br /> definition(SD)video. By installing an HD-SDI interface card and changing the wiring <br /> components that go back to the control room we can convert them to a full HD output.In the <br /> remaining cities we have Sony cameras that are SD only. <br /> Sony told me that they will be carrying the HD-SDI interface card we need only for a short time <br /> before they move to a new model of camera. This means that we need to make a decision very <br /> soon to purchase these cards. We currently have about$50,000 invested in HD ready cameras in <br /> these 4 cities.If we wait too long the interface card will no longer be available and we will need <br /> to start from scratch and purchase new cameras. These cameras are still in very good shape. <br /> I received a quote from AVI Systems of Eden Prairie for the HD-SDI interface cards. They are <br /> the authorized Sony Professional repair center and dealer that we originally purchased the <br /> cameras from. The cost for 12 cards and the necessary adaptors is$21,900. This price is <br /> consistent with the cost estimate listed in the transition recommendations you reviewed last year <br /> that I have attached. I also requested quotes from several national Sony retailers which were <br /> comparable but they charged extra for the additional HD-SDI converters and do not offer local <br /> service or emergency replacement. Note: AVI Systems was the dealer who loaned us free <br /> replacement units when Delano had problems. <br /> Action Requested:I would recommend that you approve the purchase of these Sony HD SDI <br /> interface cards and parts for$21,900 from authorized Sony Professional dealer AVI System of <br /> Eden Prairie,MN. <br /> 5 <br />