IBC2018 is approaching. Between now and then Radio World will conduct several short Q&As with manufacturers about their plans and offerings, to help you get the most out of the big annual trade show. Michael Dosch is senior product manager, Radio, Lawo AG.
Radio World: How has business been for the company since last year’s IBC Show?
Michael Dosch: Business has been great. In fact, we can’t hire people quickly enough to keep up with the growth. If any talented folks reading this want to join the fastest-growing company in broadcasting, go to www.lawo.com/lawo/company.html and click “Grow With Us.” We’re a family-owned company. You’ll like it here.
Radio World: What are you hearing from your customers about their business outlook this year? In what areas should we expect growth or the most interesting projects?
Dosch: That’s a really good question, but let me preface my answer by saying that our clients are not like the rest of the industry. They’re top-tier broadcasters with a very different take on what’s important; they’re growing rapidly with all kinds of new services and outlets. This is one reason Lawo is growing so fast — our strategy focuses squarely on the IP transition for broadcasting, and these huge broadcasters want the benefits of IP.
Radio World: As one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of radio consoles and routers, what’s the biggest problem or challenge for broadcasters today?
Dosch: Standards. AES67 moves us in the right direction, away from proprietary protocols. Broadcast engineers understand that open standards are the way forward, and Lawo agrees. This is why every Lawo radio product is fully AES67 compliant, and we’re also implementing a number of SPMTE standards, which surprisingly, are as beneficial to radio as to TV.
Radio World: What new products will your company be showing? Why should attendees visit your stand?
Dosch: Our big focus at this year’s IBC is on SMPTE-2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching. Our new Ruby console and its Power Core mixing engine now include SPS, standard, to ensure network connection reliability. We’re also introducing a Dante plug-in card for Power Core, so that broadcasters can finally connect Dante devices to their AES67/Ravenna networks.
We’ve added Seamless Protection Switching to Version 4.0 of RƎLAY virtual radio software too, so forward-looking engineers deploying touchscreen mixing can rest assured that even their PC-based mixers have enterprise-class reliability.
Your readers will find us in Hall 8.B50. We look forward to showing them what’s new.
Radio World: What specific challenges and/or developments do you expect in your markets over the next 12 months?
Dosch: Again, our clients have a different viewpoint from the rest of the industry. They are very interested in touchscreen-based radio consoles. Many large broadcasters are either investigating or switching to virtual mixing. With the cost of powerful touch-computing platforms dropping, I think interest will increase even more.
Radio World: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trend in general at IBC2018?
Dosch: We will continue to see more IT technologies adapted for the broadcast plant. AoIP, virtualization and cloud-based software are all outgrowths of IT, and there’s no reason to believe that other innovative tech won’t migrate to broadcasting as well.
Radio World: What’s your favorite thing about this show?
Dosch: European broadcasters really love new technology! Some shows seem to only scratch the surface, but at IBC customers go really deep into the technical details. And we like that at Lawo, because we’re into the details too.
