HSN Showcases its Wares in Sony HD
PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 24, 2008 – Interactive lifestyle network and retail destination HSN will take the leap to HD in 2009, adding 43 Sony HDC-1500L studio cameras and three Sony MVS-8000G production switchers to its seven-studio facility in St. Petersburg, Fla., as part of a multi-million dollar deal to create an end-to-end solution for the network.
The 30-year-old network, which reaches more than 90 million households, selected Sony as its HD partner for its “proven track record” of providing superior sales and tech support according to Noley Keener, HSN vice president of broadcasting.
“This partnership with Sony is consistent with our mission at HSN to offer the highest quality products, delivered in the highest quality presentation to our millions of consumers,” said Keener. “HSN has been a ‘Sony house’ for some time, and I can’t imagine a better partner to guide us as we enter the world of high-definition television. Because HSN broadcasts live, 24/7, we turned to Sony not only for its best-in-class technology, but for its reliability and familiarity. It’s essential that the learning curve be minimal for our crew in order to maintain full operation during the transition.”
Prior to the purchase, HSN tested the HDC-1500L and found it had a much higher noise reduction and dynamic range than the network’s current SD system and after evaluating other competitors’ camera offerings HSN found the HDC-1500L to be the far superior choice. HSN decided to add six or seven of the HDC-1500Ls to each of its broadcast studios, finding its light-weight, compact size ideal for its robotic camera pedestals.
“Our HD products are ideal for showcasing HSN’s vast array of products at their best in the television retail space,” said Alec Shapiro, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Broadcast and Production Systems Division. “We’re extremely proud to be HSN’s partner as it steps into the HD realm.”
HSN is in the process of building an entirely new fiber-based HD infrastructure that includes the MVS-8000G switchers, digital audio controls and a new main router that allows for one centrally located camera-control center. The HD upgrade project also includes purchase of Sony BVML230 monitors, along with an assortment of other Sony LMD monitors.