Day: Apr 16, 2019

Arizona PBS Optimizes Content Quality and Efficiencies With Interra Systems’ QC Solution

Posted on by contentntek in Distribution & Delivery, News

Interra Systems today that Arizona PBS (AZPBS) is using its BATON file-based quality control (QC) platform to increase the scalability, flexibility, and consistency of its QC operations. BATON provides AZPBS with ultra-precise automated video, audio, and closed caption checks, drastically improving content quality.

“As our facility continues to migrate to a more file-centric workflow, having the ability to inspect content at a file level as it makes its way through our automation system is critical,” said Ian MacSpadden, chief technology officer at Arizona PBS. “Our station will continue to add more digital over-the-air subscription channels and expand our online offerings, and there are never enough eyeballs to visually check every piece of content that we process. Having BATON assisting our team provides a crucial set of digital eyes, with a level of simplicity and depth in a QC solution that is especially impressive.”

AZPBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University, based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Compared with manual QC, which is limited in nature, BATON allows AZPBS to perform comprehensive quality checks, including standards compliance, regulatory, MXF level, SDI playout, and baseband. BATON’s scalable architecture will enable the station to expand QC operations according to its growing needs, providing high availability at all times, even if a hardware component breaks down.

“AZPBS is one of the nation’s leading public media organizations, with four broadcast channels and a growing array of digital platforms. Since it handles a massive amount of content, the station is always looking for new ways to improve QC efficiency,” said Ashish Basu, vice president global sales and business development at Interra Systems. “Our BATON QC platform features a scalable architecture, comprehensive quality checks, and high availability, a winning trio of features that will enable continuous business growth for AZPBS and superior content quality for all of its channels.”

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JVC ProHD Studio 4000S Anchors New Broadcast Production Flypacks for World TeamTennis

Posted on by contentntek in News, Production & Post Production

The league’s 2019 season will run July 14 – August 3, with matches in eight locations across the United States.

In previous seasons, the league would hire an OB production truck with a large crew, an expensive process that limited its ability to provide extensive coverage of the tournament. Last year, WTT decided to establish an in-house media production and distribution capability that would allow every match of the season to be broadcast live on digital and linear TV platforms.

Once the project was approved, the league hired Pittsburgh-based TDS Media, which had only 50 days before the first match to design, order, build, and deliver the systems – plus provide training for the production crews.

Doug Sicchitano, principal of TDS Media, chose the 4000S because it was an economical tool that allowed one operator to switch as well as handle replays and commercial video playback. “This was the best solution out there for what we wanted to achieve,” he said. “The user interface feels like a smart phone app. It’s a highly intuitive layout that I can teach anybody in of a couple of hours to use and use well.”

WTT features co-ed teams in New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Washington, D.C., Orange County, Calif., Springfield, Mo., Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas, Nev. For the 2018 season, WTT produced 32 of its 43 matches using the flypack systems, with only the Springfield venue and four matches for national cable TV relying on outside production services.

WTT_TeamTennis2

All matches were streamed on WTT.tv and syndicated to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch. Plus, select matches were provided to regional sports networks on tape delay. With the addition of new teams in Orlando and Las Vegas, the number of matches to be produced using the flypacks will increase to close to 40 of the 59 in the 2019 season.

“We are excited to continue working with JVC Professional Video in 2019 to deliver WTT action to our fans around the world,” said Carlos Silva, CEO of World TeamTennis. “The flypack system enables us to produce a high-quality live match broadcast at a very attractive price point.”

With the WTT’s new flypacks, a three-camera production is handled by a six-person crew plus two commentators. In the control room, the director switches the show and handles replays, while the producer handles audio and graphics. There are also three camera operators and a utility crew member.

Directors generally use the 4000S color-coded illuminated keyboard to switch and create replays, as well as the touchscreen for playback and replays. Although the 4000S includes a built-in audio mixer and CG, Sicchitano included a Behringer mixer that feeds analog directly into the 4000S via USB and a separate graphics laptop with NewBlueFX Titler Live 3 for the producer. Programs are recorded to a Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio Mini and streamed using a Teradek VidiU Pro, with the 4000S serving as a backup for both.

WTT_TeamTennis
World TeamTennis uses its JVC ProHD Studio 4000S sports production and streaming studio systems with ProHD GY-HM620 camcorders to produce coverage of its league’s matches in five cities.

A typical three-camera setup includes one high game camera and two low cameras positioned on each side of the net for player ISO and bench shots. The fourth input of the 4000S is used for Hawk-Eye SMART Replay technology, which the WTT uses to help officials with close line calls and provide graphics and data to the live production. WTT includes limited commercial breaks during its coverage, which are stored, organized into separate playlists, and played through the 4000S.

Sicchitano praised the GY-HM620 because of its integrated Fujinon 23x zoom lens with manual zoom, focus, and iris control rings. “There are not a lot of camcorders out there with a 23x zoom lens, so that checks a huge box for us,” Sicchitano said. “JVC’s color profiles have always been very rich with bright colors. Then you factor in the price point, and it was a no-brainer to choose it.”

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