BILLERICA, Massachusetts (April 28, 2008) Broadcast Pix today announced that Moreau Catholic High School of Hayward, California, has purchased a Broadcast Pix Slate 1000h system featuring full HD production capability for MCTV, its new film and television arts studio. The high school recently completed a multi-million dollar construction project throughout the campus that includes the new MCTV studio. Educators worked with systems integrator Snader and Associates to design and build a fully-equipped state of the art control room and filming space featuring two JVC GY-HD250U camcorders, Teleprompters and a Slate 1000 switcher at its heart.
The Broadcast Pix Slate 1000h comes complete with innovative and cost-effective features that dramatically streamline live HD productions, making high quality HD productions possible without a big team or budget. For a fraction of the cost of conventional HD control rooms, the Slate 1000h provides all the necessary tools needed to produce live HD HDproductions into a single platform.
Like all Broadcast Pix products, Slate HD systems offer a fast learning curve through ease of operation. Film and Video Arts teacher Paul McKenna says the Slate switcher exposes his students to high quality production equipment that is simple to operate. “When we were selecting a switcher for the new studio, we took great care to be sure the learning environment we were about to create was preserved. We were pleased to see that the all-in-one configuration of the Broadcast Pix switcher also was flexible enough for multiple students to be hands-on with the equipment.”
McKenna added that the ability to bring HD capability into the high school classroom factored into the decision to choose the Broadcast Pix Slate 1000h. “HDTV is the future of professional broadcasting, and the value of training our students on HD equipment now will be a tremendous benefit to them as they move onto college and into the workforce,” said McKenna. “The Broadcast Pix Slate HD system gives our students a leg up on their peers.”
Prior to the studio upgrade and installation of the Slate 1000 switcher, students were exposed to a predominantly post-production atmosphere in their film and video arts courses. Video shot by teams of students on location would be edited in Final Cut Pro and aired on the school’s closed circuit system to classrooms after announcements were read over the PA system during the morning homeroom period.
That set-up provided a satisfactory method of displaying student-produced pieces, but the piecemeal arrangement often created anxious moments during show times. “Whenever we’d go on air last year, I’d find myself distracted by minor details,” said McKenna. “The equipment X-Factor would detract from my ability to oversee the students in a real production scenario. While producing a live show this year is slightly more involved, I’m able to sit back and let the students run the show.”
Students now experience a more robust journalistic learning environment since the addition of the Slate 1000h. Students learn about story writing, reporting and even use the Slate 1000h to run b-roll that was shot the day before. Shortly after the start of the school year, MCTV II students produced their first live program. A pair of anchors read live announcements, and the broadcast included a piece on the football team produced by MCTV I students.
MCTV programming is currently shown to the student body only. However, McKenna says the Broadcast Pix Slate 1000h can potentially expand the reach of the student-produced programs. Airing shows on a local access channel or archiving programs online are no longer out of the question.
“We recognize the way in which the addition of this equipment has stepped up our game,” said McKenna. “The other day a teacher threatened not to turn on the TV during our show and the entire class protested. Can we produce for a larger audience someday? The answer is yes.”
All Slate HD switchers include multi-view monitoring of up to 30 live sources plus all keys, clips and graphics; an integrated Harris Inscriber CG; and a clip store that holds up to 40 hours of clips, including QuickTime, animations and uncompressed. Slate HD switchers feature 4 to 8 live switcher inputs, which can be expanded to up to 30 live inputs with a family of HD SD routers. 16:9 and 4:3 content can be used interchangeably without distorting any content. Special effects include up to 6 DVE boxes for 6 Picture-in-picture, and alpha wipes using a customer’s logo, which can include audio. Options include remote control of robotic cameras and audio mixers, CG-to-database connections, Virtual Sets, up to 6 keyers, and simultaneous 16:9 and 4:3 production.
About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is the leader in integrated live television production systems that are more powerful, easier to use, and far more cost effective than a traditional control room of individual components. Broadcast Pix Slate switchers streamline workflow with edit bays, and enable a single operator or small team to create compelling live video. Broadcast Pix is based in Billerica, Massachusetts, with offices throughout North America and in Europe. Customers include over 600 leading broadcast, web-cast, pod-cast, cable, entertainment, mobile, corporate, education, religious and government studios in 50 countries. See www.broadcastpix.com. Broadcast Pix and Slate are trademarks of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patents pending.
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Editor’s Note: Color product photographs are available upon request.
Robin Hoffman
Pipeline Communications
277 Valley Way Montclair, NJ 07042
Ph: 973.746.6970
Fx: 973.746.6701
email: robinh@pipecomm.com
