Weighty issues

I am in the video products manufacturing business and don't ordinarily see your publication. I happened to glance through your July 17 issue today and saw Liane H. LaBarba's sidebar titled "Tipping the Scales," (July 17, page 47). The subject was the increasing weight of switching products and the inability to support some of this equipment. I think you might have the makings of a more in-depth article here.

The video equipment we deal with is often heavy and large (high-end video tape machines can weigh 150 lbs. or more each). Coupled with that is the pressure on broadcasters in the West to build facilities that are "earth-quake ready." Several recent installations in the Los Angeles area have used a new generation of equipment racks that extend through the computer floor and bolt directly to the concrete sub floor. In addition, these racks have been shake-tested. Some older-style racks will actually collapse on themselves when shaken sufficiently.

Stantron is one manufacturer making these racks.

Fox Digital (Fox Network) in Century City, Calif., and the new KABC facility in Glendale, Calif., use seismic-type racks.

Greg Boren Project Manager Panasonic Broadcast and Television Systems