BBC Broadcast's head of technology, Chris Howe, has justified installing Quantel systems in its new broadcast centre despite technical hiccups, writes Sam Espensen.

BBC Broadcast's head of technology, Chris Howe, has justified installing Quantel systems in its new broadcast centre despite technical hiccups, writes Sam Espensen.

Howe admitted exclusively to Broadcast, that there were "one or two problems transferring files from the Quantel world to the outside world".

However, he stressed that the systems were up and running and "are already producing core output".

He explained that when BBC Broadcast decided on which technology would fill the centre, which includes the Quantel Generation Q production system, the most important criterion was that "it had to be a shared vision with us. Quantel proved strategically sensible - we needed a fully digital, file-based media world and it could offer that. It is very keen on open standards and this was integral to both its and our roadmaps."

Howe stressed that "the move into the new centre is as much about process re-engineering as it is about new technology" and staff at the centre are being encouraged to visit a "Quantel island" to learn about the new systems.

Quantel marketing director Nigel Turner commented: "This project represents a considerable technical challenge, but working in partnership with the BBC we are absolutely confident that it will be a success."