Billerica, Massachusetts (November 12, 2008) Broadcast Pix™, the company that redefined the production switcher as a live integrated production system, announces 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.”
About Slate Switchers Every Slate switcher is a complete integrated live video production system, including production switcher, multi-view monitoring, Inscriber® CG, clips stores, and aspect and format conversion, with optional control of robotic cameras, audio mixers and other studio devices. Slate HD models are priced from just $14,400, and support HD-SDI 1080i and 720p formats as well as SD-SDI and analog. Optional I/O includes DVI and VGA for computers and projectors, , and 1080p output via HDMI. Unlike conventional production switchers that only accept video inputs, Slate systems also accept clips and graphic inputs as files, including QuickTime (DV, DVCPRO, and H.264-Mpeg4) as well as animations from all popular animation packages. This file-based architecture streamlines live production workflow by seamlessly integrating the live production system with edit bays.
About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is the leader in 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 enable a single operator or small team to create engaging live video. Broadcast Pix is based in Billerica, Massachusetts, with offices throughout North America and Europe. Customers include over 1000 leading broadcast, web-cast, pod-cast, cable, entertainment, mobile, corporate, education, religious and government studios in 50 countries. For more information, go to www.broadcastpix.com. Broadcast Pix and Slate are trademarks of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patented.
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Editor’s Note: Color product photographs are available upon request.
Robin Hoffman
Pipeline Communications
277 Valley Way
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 746-6970
cell: (917) 763-8069
