It had election software called Vidivote. We obtained Canada's first live-eye in 1979 and for nine years we had the only news mobile in the country. To get it operational with the eight channels that the DOC had set-aside at 15 gHz., something that was unique to Canada, I had to convince Broadcast Microwave Services to build the first 15 gHz microwave equipment for this purpose. The truck got its baptism in the 1980 federal election, where we did three live hits from different locations that evening. As far as we can tell that the first live mobile ENG in Canada.
Equipment is a lot cheaper now and our budgets are better.
Despite this change Citytv continues to innovate with non-traditional technology where it makes sense. A good example of where were still using non-traditional gear is with our newspeople. Every videographer has a High 8 camera and every news vehicle is equipped with a mounting inside the car that allows the cameraperson to shoot himself to set the scene for the story. Today Citytv is a mainstream station and is pulling from the same pool of technology as all other stations. From Reid's perspective the most radical change occurring currently is in the area of inexpensive digital tape formats.