Al Jazeera International chooses Apple Technology

Catering to a wide range of media requirements, the Apple-based technology project is set to deliver a total solution ranging from editing to storage needs. With a reputation for using cutting-edge technology, Al Jazeera plans to use the latest from Apple's portfolio of solutions to revolutionize the functioning of the TV station's video network.

Al Jazeera International is 24-hour English language news and current affairs channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar. A subsidiary of Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera International is the world's first English language news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East. The channel has more than 30 bureaus and dozens of correspondents covering the world, giving global audiences the right information on international happenings.

Focusing on bringing the truth to the masses in time, Al Jazeera has signed up with Arab Business Machine's (Apple IMC Middle East) Reseller, PRO TECHnology to implement a comprehensive, turn-key media solution for the channel's growing infrastructure.

Partnering with Apple's Independent Marketing Company for the Middle East, Arab Business Machine Ltd, in deploying Apple storage solutions in the Middle East, PRO TECHnology specializes in the implementation of client/server network infrastructure and peer-to-peer network requirements. With a certified and experienced team of engineers and consultants, PRO TECHnology has the right resources and expertise to deploy an enterprise solution at Al Jazeera International.

Al Jazeera chose cutting edge technology which includes 41 MacBook Pro and Final Cut Studio for journalists, a 70 TB Apple storage solution using 10 Apple Xserve 7 TB XRAID and 14 Apple Xsan Software Licenses, plus 12 PowerMac G5 Quad, 2 PowerMac G5 Dual Core and 19 Apple Cinema HD Display 23' for editing and design.

'We are excited that we were given this opportunity.' said Ghassan Bendali, Deputy General Manager of Arab Business Machine Limited. 'Al Jazeera International is definitely a big name in the region today, and is anticipated to become one of the worlds' biggest broadcasters in coming years. We are absolutely delighted that they have chosen to be powered by Apple technology, and we are confident that they will soon reap rich benefits through the implementation of Apple's leading range of solutions from the MacBook Pro to the XSan.'

Journalists will also greatly benefit from the usage of Apple tools as the Final Cut Studio allows professional editors to elevate production values with powerful editing tools, revolutionary sound design, real-time motion graphics and next generation DVD authoring from the field, while the MacBook Pro is the first Mac notebook built on the Intel Core Duo processor, which delivers the power of two processors on a single chip - for blistering performance with high-end creative applications.

'The solution will focus on Apple's high-performance solutions which facilitate the editing of video, film and audio, in addition to the creation of effects and motion graphics, all from inception to completion. Our detailed solution for Al Jazeera will set the benchmark for all major television stations across the region.' concluded Bendali.