Entertainment Technology News
Belmont Media Center Improves Local Sports Coverage with Broadcast Pix Mica
By StudentFilmmakers.com
posted Jul 1, 2013, 11:31
Broadcast Pix announced Belmont Media Center (BMC) has improved its local sports coverage with a new remote HD studio anchored by a Broadcast Pix Mica 500 integrated production system.
Broadcast Pix™ today announced
Belmont Media Center (BMC), a PEG station with three channels serving the town
of Belmont, Mass., has improved its local sports coverage with a new remote
HD studio anchored by a Broadcast Pix Mica™ 500 integrated production
system.
When BMC moved into upgraded facilities in 2009, its new control
room was built around a Broadcast Pix Slate™ 1000 system. Last year,
when it was time to build a remote HD
studio, the nonprofit organization went back to Broadcast Pix. With volunteer-based
production crews, it was important to create a remote system that would be easy,
not intimidating, to operate.
“We were looking for the latest technology and a company that had good
support,” said Jeff Hansell, executive director, BMC. “After extensive
research, we felt that Broadcast Pix was the best match for us. It provides
the ability for inexperienced people to learn the system really quickly, and
it delivers a very high quality presentation.”
BMC is a PEG station that provides public, education, and government programming
on three channels for Comcast and Verizon subscribers. Programming is also available
online at www.belmontmedia.org. The
station produces a great deal of government access programming, with regular
coverage of four different commissions, as well as committee meetings and citizen
forums. While HD footage is downconverted to SD for Comcast and Verizon subscribers,
programs are streamed live and on demand to the Internet.
Purchased primarily for local sports coverage, the Mica is also used for school
event coverage and some government meetings. “The rationale was that we
wanted broadcast-quality sports on the scene in real time,” Hansell explained.
“We’re always trying to improve the look of our programming.”
BMC worked with The Camera Company in Massachusetts to design and build the
remote system. It was used for the first time to produce a Thanksgiving football
game, and was used throughout the winter for sports and special events. Built
around the Mica, the remote system is housed in two cases and features a Shure
mixer, Clear-Com intercom system, and three Sony cameras. Programs are recorded
to DVD or ingested into a video server.
On location, BMC uses the Mica’s built-in Fluent™ workflow tools,
including the Fluent-View customizable multi-view. Fluent Clip Store provides
access to B-roll footage, PSAs, sponsorships, and interstitials, while Fluent
Macros are used to simplify multi-shot screen compositions, particularly for
sports coverage. Hansell said the built-in Harris Inscriber GS character generator
is very important, because it allows the crew to add graphics live and reduce
post-production.
After several months of remote productions, the Mica has been a solid performer
for BMC. Hansell said, “We are really happy with the performance of the
Broadcast Pix.”
Housed in a single 4 RU case, Mica includes a multi-definition switcher that
can mix eight HD/SD-SDI inputs with seven channels of internal clips, animations,
and graphics. There is support for up to six keyers and DVEs, six HD/SD-SDI
outputs, and two DVI outputs. It includes the full complement of Fluent workflow
tools, and can be controlled through a traditional control panel, keyboard and
mouse, or touch-screen.
About Broadcast Pix The leader in live video production systems with end-to-end
integration, Broadcast Pix was founded in 2002 and has customers in more than
110 countries. Its Video Control Centers™ combine an integrated switcher,
clip server, CG, and external control software with patented control panels,
unique touch-screens, and exceptional displays. Systems range from compact systems
controlled by touch-screen or voice automation to large sophisticated control
panels. Customers include leading broadcast, streaming, sports, corporate, education,
religious, and government studios. Learn more at www.broadcastpix.com.
Resources:
www.broadcastpix.com
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