Government Productions

Broadcast Pix User Reports

Jutson credits Granite 1000 in large part for holding the line on truck costs (which totaled nearly $270,000) without sacrificing performance and operational ergonomics. “While we considered many top conventional and PC-based production switchers,” he added, “Granite 1000 was the only one that incorporated all the functionality we needed in a way that enables small crews to produce a multi-camera show in a very small footprint.”

Broadcast Pix Helps Move BATV into HD

BROOKLINE, MASS. At Brookline Access Television (BATV), we’re trying to change the face of public access television. BATV is committed to providing a wide range of programming, including documentaries, studio-based talk shows, and coverage of local government meetings. We encourage the participation of our residents and local organizations through instructional workshops, plus we offer production courses at our facility through agreements with local colleges. We like to think that our new 10,000-square-foot facility is one of the most technologically advanced community multimedia centers in the country.

RECENT MOVE TO HIGH DEFINITION We celebrated the grand opening of this facility on March 28, following a soft launch back in January. Our new digs include two high-definition studios and two identical control rooms, which are anchored by Broadcast Pix Slate 5000 systems and Yamaha 01V96 digital audio mixers, which are controlled through the Slates. We have 45 edit stations that are all connected to a 40 TB shared storage server system. I handled the broadcast equipment integration, while our dealer, HB Communications, provided the audio and video integration for the classrooms and other areas in the building.

WORKFLOW TOOLSET BUILT INTO SWITCHER Part of the appeal of the Broadcast Pix switchers is their Fluent workflow tools—from the built-in Inscriber CG to clip and graphics stores. Fluent’s Multi-View feature allows us to view our sources on a 52-inch flat screen display in each control room. Fluent Watch-Folders is another valuable workflow tool. We don’t use it much for simple productions, but it’s invaluable when we have to add last minute graphics.

Several of our shows use virtual backgrounds, so Slate’s outstanding chromakey technology gets regular use as well. And for these shows, we often use Fluent Macros to create presets that automatically change the virtual set to correspond with the different cameras.

We didn’t want our new control rooms to appear to be a hodgepodge of equipment racks, so our Slate 5000 control panels are recessed into custom consoles manufactured by TBC Consoles. In public access television, particularly when you’re working with volunteer crews, sometimes you can have a room full of help, or it could be just a one-man operation. Our consoles are designed to allow one TD easy access to all of the equipment needed for an entire production, but we can accommodate a full crew when it’s necessary. BATV produces its programming in high definition, though we’re still transmitted in SD by the Comcast and RCN cable systems.

However, we’re planning to launch high-defiition video on our Web site later this year, and with our Broadcast Pix systems, we’re prepared should an HD opportunity become available on one or both of the cable systems. I am a huge fan and advocate of Broadcast Pix. From a financial standpoint, Broadcast Pix is a great decision for any public access or small to mid-market facility. You really get a lot of product for the money. Also, their switching systems can handle extremely complicated productions, but are also easy to use. Our Slate 5000s allow students and volunteers to grow at their own pace into more advanced productions

City of Lakeville, Minnesota Streamlines Workflow with Broadcast Pix Slate 1000

On June 22nd 2010 announced that the City of Lakeville, Minn., is using the Broadcast Pix Slate™ 1000 integrated production system to produce live video telecasts of its City Council and Planning Commission meetings, as well as in-house presentations, town forums, and community-related interview shows. The meetings are broadcast live and frequently repeated on the city’s government access cable channel through Charter Communications. Meetings and other programs are also available on demand on the city’s Web site, www.lakeville.mn.gov.

The installation in February 2010 followed two years of intensive planning, budgeting, and competitive bid reviews. Purchased through Alpha Video in Edina, Minn., the Slate 1000 resides in a control room adjacent to Council Chambers at City Hall in Lakeville. “When I first saw the Slate 1000 switcher two years ago at NAB, I knew it was perfect for our setup and budget,” said Tim Klausler, video production specialist for the city.

Both Klausler and fellow Lakeville video production specialist Jim Schiffman operate the Slate 1000. Because the system includes Fluent™ workflow software, which includes clip store, graphics, macros, and an Inscriber CG, either one can each produce programming by themselves.

“The Slate’s ability to allow a single operator to handle an entire production from start to end was extremely attractive to us,” added Klausler. “The Slate 1000 replaced an older Ross analog switcher, a Compix character generator, several analog CRT monitors, and a rack full of small LCD monitors. As a result, the Slate switcher greatly streamlined our production workflow very cost effectively, while saving us valuable control room space.”

Leveraging the built-in Fluent Multi-View, Klausler and Schiffman display their program, preview, and input sources on a single 30-inch Dell LCD monitor screen. “Since Jim and I share operation of the Slate, we appreciate how easy it is to setup the Slate system for the needs of different productions,” Klausler explained. “When we switch between memorized user and production settings, the system instantly recalls our individual preferences and instantly configures itself according to the way we want to work, such as the monitor layout and graphics templates.”

During City Council and Planning Commission meetings, the Slate 1000 accepts HD-SDI signals from four Panasonic AW-HE100 robotic HD cameras integrated with pan/tilt/zoom operation that are mounted on the ceiling, as well as signals from computers, projectors, and a WolfVision document camera at the podium. Using the Slate’s Fluent workflow tools, native files cut on either of two Apple Final Cut Pro editing systems can be fed directly into the Slate work environment for use during the production.

While meetings are produced in HD, they are currently broadcast on cable in SD. “When the time comes that we can air the meeting videos in high-def, we’ll be ready to take advantage of that opportunity,” Klausler said. “Since we depend on city revenues to fund our major video equipment purchases, we are very pleased with the ‘bang for the buck’ the Slate 1000 gives us, including HD.”

Douglas County Television, DCTV23 Selects Broadcast Pix Slate Switcher for Live Broadcast

On November 12, 2008, Broadcast Pix™ announced the sale of its Slate™ system to the Douglas County Television, DCTV23 in Georgia. The switcher is being used to air the Board of Commissioners meetings twice a month as well as planning meetings once a month.

DCTV23 recently televised runoff election results live using the Slate system, something that could not have been done before. T.J. Jaglinski, DCTV23’s Technical Director explains the process: “I created titles for the two runoff races and combined it with a live feed. We ran it through the switcher with our regular programming, shrinking it into a lower right-hand screen with a wraparound title. We also wrote a script so that it would alternate from title to title and I could update the results. In one night, our coverage went from government access channel style reporting results to something we’d see on a major news channel.”

DCTV23 department consulted with and purchased its Slate system through Broadcast Pix dealer, Media Products – located in Atlanta, GA. Media Products then assisted the media department in conjunction with Broadcast Pix during the integration of the switcher. The Broadcast Pix Slate system integrates a production switcher, production control panel, Inscriber CG, clip store, and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, in a single system.

DCTV23 purchased its Slate to replace the original equipment that had been installed at its facility one decade ago. Several options were researched before selecting Slate, but a demo of the features and having all control room functions built into Slate helped cement the decision, according to Jaglinski. He also says DCTV23 uses the Sony BRC 300 cameras that interface with the Slate, taking full advantage of the remote control functionality the interface offers.

“We really loved the fact that with this upgrade, we weren’t going to have to buy a separate camera control for the cameras; we’d get integrated clip store, integrated CD, and keying flexibility. I especially appreciate the ability to adjust iris exposure, zoom and all other configurations with the presets. It allows me to input settings that automatically compensate for an area of the courthouse that is especially bright or dark.”

The all-in-one design and single operator configuration of the Slate provided a significant cost savings to the DCTV23 when compared with the financial outlay involved in installing a legacy system. Separate components, according to Jaglinski, would have taken more time to integrate and require additional staff to operate. A two-person staff handles DCTV23’s coverage of board of commissioners meetings, while the planning and zoning meetings are produced by a single operator.

“Our experience with Broadcast Pix has been stellar from start to finish. Technical support is immensely important for people in my position where budgets do not allow for additional staff to address technical issues. Broadcast Pix is there to take care of the technical stuff – we can draw on their knowledge base as if they were a member of our staff.”

City of Brea Selects Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 Switcher for Live Broadcasts

Billerica, Massachusetts (July 29, 2008) Broadcast Pix™, the company that redefined the production switcher as a live integrated production system, announces the sale of its Slate™ 2100 switcher to the City of Brea, California. The switcher is being used to air the bi-weekly City Council proceedings live from a control room above the council chamber in Brea, CA.

The City of Brea Media department consulted with and purchased their Slate 2100 through Broadcast Pix dealer, VMI Video – located in Los Alamitos, CA. VMI Video then assisted the media department in conjunction with Broadcast Pix during the integration of the switcher. The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 system integrates a production switcher, production control panel, Inscriber CG, clip store, and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, in a single workstation-based system.

The City of Brea Media Department previously used a Play Trinity switcher for its broadcasts. According to Senior Media Specialist, Scott Pettinger, the media department saw the need for an upgrade and began researching a variety of equipment. Having all control room functions built in to the Slate 2100 was a deciding factor according to Pettinger. “When we were faced with this purchase decision, I thoroughly examined my options, visiting trade show booths and putting equipment through its paces, as well as talking to people already using the various systems we were considering,” explained Pettinger. “The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 provided absolutely everything we needed, making it a hands-down winner.”

In his role as Senior Media Specialist, Pettinger calls upon an extensive broadcast engineering background as well as years of technical experience. Pettinger said that the professional broadcast quality offered by Broadcast Pix’s Slate 2100 stood up to that close scrutiny: “It became clear to me that the Slate 2100 was designed for professional productions. It provides us with broadcast-quality graphics, an easy to use soft panel, and touch screen all within a fail-safe configuration. The switcher is very simple to use, offers multiple ways to switch and it literally makes novices look like pros.”

The all-in-one design and single operator configuration of the Slate 2100 provided a significant cost savings to the City of Brea when compared with the financial outlay involved in installing a legacy system. Separate components, according Pettinger, would have taken more time to integrate as well as require additional staff to operate.

Voice of America Selects Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 Switcher for Live Broadcasts

On July 23, 2008 Broadcast Pix™ announced the sale of its Slate™ 2100 switcher to the Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, D.C. A second Slate 2100 is also in place at VOA’s London facility.

VOA is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts more than 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 115 million people.

The Slate 2100 switcher is being used to produce newsbreaks and remote inserts to enrich news of national, international and regional import for inclusion in VOA’s recently expanded Persian TV broadcasts. VOA’s round-the-clock operations already fully utilized staff and production resources necessitated a supplemental studio. The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 manned with a single operator fulfilled those specific operational needs efficiently.

According to Steve Hocker, Senior Broadcast Engineer at VOA, “The ability to broadcast a newscast complete with clips and have the same unit drive an audio board, clip store, and lower thirds, while being controlled by a single operator, was a very important operational benefit.”

The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 system integrates a production switcher, production control panel, Inscriber CG, clip store, and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, in a single workstation-based system. The multi-function system and single operator design of the Slate 2100 simplifies engineering and allows ease of installation and operation, compared to the complex integration requirements of a conventional control room that involves many pieces of equipment. VOA plans to expand production of daily news inserts for Spanish language broadcasts to Latin America.