[QuadList] This has to be a record

[Dennis Degan]

		David asked Gary:

 > Was switching central in NYC at that time similar to Burbank, where 
the whole system was hand built, with relay switching in many, many 
racks, TP-90, TP-5 (Time Preset), etc.? This drove all of the record 
VTR's out West for zone delay recording and such (with someone watching 
over it). Gray panels with rear lit huge numbers?

		On Mar 27, 2009, at 5:40 PM, Gary Adams wrote:

 > At that time, the channels in New York were for multiple feeds not 
counting the time zone delays.  Feeds such as local channel and 
multiple sports on the weekends.  In fact the time zone delays at that 
particular time were driven by a system built by the company I was 
working for.  A computer system recording one feed and delaying for 
multiple hours.  It was mostly automatic.  Controlling Panasonic 
cassette machines.  You are probably describing what happened just 
prior to the time frame I am speaking.

		I add:

	At the time of my photos of NBC Switching Central (1976-78, which was 
prior to Gary's time frame), there were 8 output channels (not usually 
enough outputs during weekend sports programming).  Normally, one of 
those was reserved for local WNBC-TV, leaving only 7 channels for the 
Network:
		<http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/515373883/>
		<http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdegan/515346686/>
	Time zone delayed feeds were not part of NBC New York at that time 
(later, during Gary's time, they WERE part of NBC NY).  The Network was 
distributed by Telco coaxial cable and microwave link until around 1982 
when satellite distribution was put into service.  Before the existence 
of satellite distribution, it was necessary for time zone delayed feeds 
to be performed where they were needed, which meant that the West Coast 
origination center in Burbank would perform the delayed feed function 
for all West Coast stations.  Central and Mountain TZ received the same 
feed as the East, fed by branches from a "round robin"; a loop of the 
Network feed that circled around the Eastern and Central TZ returning 
to New York at the end of the loop.
	Most stations in the Central TZ aired network programs as they were 
fed at the same time as in the East, which meant that they aired one 
local hour earlier than in the East.  Some Central TZ stations 
performed their own delayed programming feeds; most Mountain TZ 
stations performed their own delayed feeds.  I've heard that a few 
Mountain TZ stations took the West feed, which meant that they aired 
programs one local hour LATER than the West feed.
	As far as the construction of NBC NY Switching Central is concerned, 
NBC had a substantial construction shop in those days which made a lot 
of custom panels and equipment.  I do not know anything about the 
construction of Burbank's Switching Central compared to New York (I'm 
hoping Gary can fill in those blanks for me), but it must have been 
very different since New York had no delayed feed capability until 
around 1982.  The West Coast delayed feed facility must have been an 
important part of Burbank Switching Central up to that time.

			Dennis Degan, Editor-Consultant-Knowledge Bank
	  				NBC Today Show, New York