The new headquarters of the EFE Agency relies on digital signage technology to inform its employees

The new facilities of the Efe Agency in Madrid are now operational and highlighting the technological means with which it has been equipped, in which large format screens and digital signage take on special prominence. Delatorre Consulting and Engineering has been in charge of the optional direction, technical projects and the transfer of audiovisual systems to the new headquarters.

The launch of the new headquarters of the EFE Agency in Madrid to the Genesis Building, on Burgos Avenue, in the Chamartín neighborhood, has been successfully concluded after a complex project to enhance the technical means that this news agency already had and provide it with the latest generation technological systems.

As already mentioned Digital AV Magazine, the main contractor on this project –swallow-, has counted on leading companies in the technology industry to provide the necessary equipment for the new EFE headquarters, as Telefónica Audiovisual Services, Sony, Unitecnic, AEQ, Albalá Engineers, Pentatel, Crosspoint, Financed, Tecnoantenna y BroadService, among others.

In this process, Delatorre Consulting and Engineering has been responsible for the voluntary direction, the processes and technical projects of the new audiovisual facilities, as well as the planning and transfer of all this equipment to the new location; a nineteen-story building, each with a surface area of ​​more than 700 m2, of which the most important news agency in Spain occupies fifteen.

Digital signage throughout the building

In the design of the new EFE headquarters, digital signage systems take a special role to offer real-time information from a multitude of national and international media outlets., with more than 150 screens distributed in the entrance area of ​​each of the fifteen floors and in all the agency's newsrooms.

This digital signage network has been integrated into the television signal distribution system through IPTV, which is also used for various channels of corporate uses for internal communications. The DTT signal is received from Torrespaña, FM, DAB and all the polarities of the Hispasat satellites, Astra and Hotbird.

Additionally, Eight channels generated from the Central TV Control matrix have been incorporated into the TV distribution system, reception of Canal EFE via IP, as well as corporate use channels for dissemination of internal communications. Besides, There is also a star RF network that allows the signal from said satellites to be available at any user point., which makes it easier for the agency to offer special services to its international counterparts located in these facilities..

This way, All signals considered of interest by EFE can be distributed by both DTT and IPTV; The latter also allows the incorporation of video on demand channels and internal information generated through video files..

Besides, An 85” screen has been installed on the main floor of the council, from where you can follow all kinds of events, both internal and external. The wireless presentation system, installed on this display, allows up to four of the twenty seats at the board table to make presentations in a collaborative environment simultaneously. These signals can be recorded for internal use or broadcast if necessary.

This plant incorporates all the necessary wiring and sockets to be able to generate radio or TV signals from any location without the need for additional wiring..

multipurpose room

The new headquarters of the EFE Agency has a multipurpose room to host all types of events. Depending on your configuration, It can be completely open plan or subdivided into up to ten independent spaces.

This room has six large format TV screens, wireless microphone, four LED projectors and a matrix that allows content to be generated anywhere and that can be displayed in one place or another, depending on the configuration of the mobile partitions, in addition to the possibility of showing content from the Central TV Control matrix.

The public address system, hidden on the ceiling, can generate sound pressures higher than 100 dB SPL throughout the venue, with a high degree of intelligibility. Seven points have also been distributed to inject signals into the audiovisual system or generate radio and TV content anywhere in the world without any type of additional wiring..

Besides, A reservation of rooms has also been installed for the twenty-three spaces intended for holding meetings and events at the headquarters., with a display synchronized with Google Calendar to manage its occupancy and uses centrally.

Signal receiving platform

A satellite signal reception platform has been deployed on the roof of the building to follow the information 24×7. A motorized antenna 3,7 meters allows the reception of signals, even in the most adverse weather conditions, of the satellites described above.

From the Central Television Control, signals are exchanged with the media and the different departments of the building., such as the rack room, which is interconnected with the Central Television Control and different EFE rooms (laboratories, tv studio, EFE Radio, internal IPTV and RF system, corporate use areas, etc.); as well as with the Central Control Room, which has a large central console from which all the equipment is controlled.

Television and radio studio

With a surface of about 80 m2, The agency's set includes all the equipment necessary to produce high definition TV. It has LED lighting, set boxes for connecting cameras, sound elements and returns, with a separate room where the electronic equipment is located to isolate personnel from the noise and heat generated.

The control has production and sound consoles to make all types of TV programs, while in a multipurpose room the devices responsible for making the change between the different formats have been arranged. (BetacamDigital, BetacamSP, XDCAM in both SD and HD, y MiniDV o DVD.

The television set, with LED lighting, allows the realization of small interview type programs, debates, etc. The video equipment is also located in the multipurpose room and the production can be located either from this space or on the set itself..

The facilities have three radio studios: two complete and one in self-control mode, and from its central control signals can be routed to any part of the world. The installations are synchronized with the Central TV Control and allow the exchange of video and audio signals.

Besides, All the furniture for audiovisual use has also been designed by Delatorre and allows cables to be passed through its interior without having to make modifications to the furniture., as well as incorporating equipment inside without overheating problems.