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Background
AVECO s.r.o., based in Prague, Czech Republic,
was founded in 1992 by a group of engineers who worked
in the former TV and Broadcast Research Institute. The
institute was an important developer and manufacturer
of TV equipment within Central and Eastern Europe.
The core who formed AVECO developed software control systems
for equipment
designed and manufactured by the Institute. Because of this experiece
AVECO started with a thorough understanding of TV technology.
Our first product was a dubbing studio
control system called STUDIO-D. It controlled and
synchronized VTRs with audio multitrack recorders and
digital workstations. In 1994 we came up with ASTRA,
the first generation of our master control system. It
had built-in features such as videoserver management,
teletext subtitling control and others. From here we
introduced PROCON, our videoserver control system. PROCON
was both a target application of the capabilities of
ASTRA and an expansion in functionality in videoserver
automation. In 1999, we entered the world of news by integration
with the newsroom system OCTOPUS, a new, completely
internet-based newsroom system. In 2001, due to a customer's
request, we provide a turn-key TV studio built around
our automation products. This customer asked us to build
the studio after we presented them with the most interesting
and optimum configuration options for achiving their
broadcast goals. We expected to hand over the selected
configuration to a system's integrator but the customer
insisted we do it.
Our initial customers were stations in
Central and Eastern Europe. However, the high technical
capabilities of our systems and the reliable customer
support we provided gained us access to markets in Western
Europe. We are now one of the largest suppliers of TV
automation in Germany. We have installations in Belgium,
England, Greece, Holland, India and Lebanon with interesting
projects currently on bid in other countries.
Today
Today we continue with Research and Development
efforts into key technologies in the TV, computer and
communication fields. Not only do we maintain our system's
functionality in step with developments in these industries,
we are expanding our product line. The path we take
for expansion is determined by what key technologies
we think are important to automation in the TV industry. For example,
our cooperation on the Internet standard's OCTOPUS newsroom
system was motivated by the need to master Internet's
protocols and technology. Today, motivated by interest
to master digital video, we are finalizing development
our own videoserver. This effort has given us hands-on
experience with the latest technologies that enable
digital broadcasting.
We are also growing into new markets.
Our automation products are proven and in demand. We
are focused now on growing our engineering staff to
keep providing high levels of support to our growing
installation base.
The Future
We have big plans to become a major
player in the world-wide TV equipment business. We are
in no hurry to get there. We are a private company with
no debt and a conservative, methodical growth plan.
As a potential customer you need to know this. Why?
It means we will be around years from now when you need
help with your AVECO system. And, then as now, our systems
will be at the cutting edge of technology with a clear
path to new technologies.
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