The studio used by TV stations WFFF-TV and WVNY has recently undergone a complete upgrade in an effort to streamline operations.
Serving viewers in Burlington, Vermont, Plattsburgh, NY and Southern Quebec, Canada and now owned by Nexstar Media Group, the stations have installed a Grass Valley Ignite automated news production system in tandem with a Telemetrics robotic camera system. Together they enable each newscast to be produced by a single technical director, driving efficiency and reducing technical issues.
“Both systems work well together as they are both IP driven and have the right connections for the associated IP equipment we use here,” said Keith Mayhue, an engineer at WVNY and WFFF-TV. “As for the robotic cameras, they have helped us make the transitioning of camera movements a whole lot easier. The directors love the new equipment.”
The robotic camera system includes four Telemetrics PT-LP-S5 heads with Hitachi DK-H200 HD cameras, all controlled by a Telemetrics RCCP-2A-STS robotic camera control panel. The panel helps the TD set up shots before the newscast and transfer those settings as ‘news events’ into Ignite’s show rundown. This, in turn, allows the newscast to virtually run on its own from a technical perspective, via the RCCP-2A’s IP connectivity.
A counter-balancing system on the PT-LP-S5 enables quick, easy and accurate setup, even when a teleprompter, confidence monitor and other components are mounted on the head. LED indicators provide real-time warning if the load is out of balance and precise mechanics provide smooth motion.
The RCCP-2A-STS includes fully integrated studio (STS) software and a large touchscreen display to provide a 3D Studio View that allows a graphic display to be selected by the operator to work with a 3D representation of their studio environment and quickly see the location and orientation of any robotics and set pieces within that space.
The STS software also features a selectable Robotics Status display to show all major robotics parameters – such as pan/tilt angles, elevation height, rotational status and lens information – for any selected camera in the studio.
Mayhue said that the overall strategy behind the studio upgrade is to put out a better on-air product that will lead to increased ratings and revenue, one with more consistent camera moves and fewer technical errors.
“We’re always trying to improve how we do news and the Telemetrics system is a huge step in that direction,” he added.
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