Jan 30

Written by: Paul McLane
1/30/2013 12:44 PM 

Last week’s news item that Harris Broadcast and Geo-Broadcast Solutions are offering something called MaxxCasting — in advance of their more ambitious geo-targeting system called ZoneCasting, which needs FCC approval — was interesting; but it left me uncertain how MaxxCasting differs from current synchronized booster offerings.

I emailed Harris to learn more. My question: “What is the key difference between MaxxCasting and previous Harris approaches to improving coverage via synchronized boosters; and will Harris now only offer MaxxCasting as its synchronized booster solution, regardless of what happens with ZoneCasting?”

The answer came from Rich Redmond, Harris Broadcast VP of strategy and product management for transmission systems.

“The Harris SynchroCast3 third-generation synchronous FM system and the Flexiva FM transmitters are at the core of the MaxxCasting solution,” he wrote.

“They work in concert with the GBS network design technology to create a much more targeted and controlled coverage solution.”

Redmond continued: “In addition to advances in the SynchroCast and Flexiva transmission equipment specifically for synchronous booster operation, the addition of the GBS network design, measurement and coverage prediction tools really take the ability to control a booster system’s coverage to the next level. It is in this additional design and control capability that transform situations where a traditional booster many not have yielded the desired coverage, to one where we can now maximize coverage while minimizing interference.”

He said Harris will continue to offer both its traditional SynchroCast solution and the MaxxCasting solution.