In my last blog, I discussed a little about what is involved to get a newscast on the air. As you now know, in order to convert from analog to digital, we have to replace our current control room and the system we’re now using (Parkervision) with an entire new control room and system (Ignite). Below are pictures of some of the new equipment that has recently been installed and is in the process of being installed in what will eventually be our new control room.
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I’d like to introduce you to Ron and Bob. They are two of our shop engineers, and they’re in the process of assembling one of our seven new high definition studio cameras.
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Here’s a picture of several of our new studio cameras. All of our old studio cameras need to be replaced with high definiton cameras. This is all part of our switchover from Parkervision to Ignite.
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This is our BACKUP audio console and digicart machine. The digicart machine allows us to play music and sound effects. This equipment is in what will be our new control room once we are on the air with our digital (Ignite) system. If the Ignite audio system would fail, we would still be able to operate microphones, music, etc., using this backup audio board.
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This is the camera controller. Before Parkervision/Ignite, each camera required a camera operator, but now, one person is seated at this controller and is able to operate up to eight cameras!
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This is the new Ignite audio board. The directors will program their newscast, and this will allow the computer to automatically bring up whatever mic/audio source is needed throughout the show.
To help you better understand our transition to digital television, I’ve decided to take you back seven years to 2001! Since what was required to air a newscast before that time is substantially different than what is currently required, I thought that I would share this difference with you.
Before 2001, a MINIMUM of thirteen people working simultaneously was needed to get a newscast on the air, and after 2001, a MAXIMUM of five people was needed. (This number excludes news editors/photographers and on-air talent.) Back then, to do a live newscast required a prompter operator, a floor director, three studio camera operators, two tape operators, one technical director, one audio technician, one director, one producer, one graphics artist, and an ENG coordinator.
In 2001 WRTV purchased a computerized system called Parkervision. Parkervision was able to eliminate several positions and still enable us to put a quality show on the air. We now only needed a prompter operator, a director, a producer, one camera operator, and an ENG coordinator working simultaneously to do a newscast. More and more stations throughout the country are moving or have moved in this direction.
The purpose for giving you a little of this history is because we will be replacing our Parkervision system with a new system called Ignite. Ignite is our digital replacement for Parkervision. While our Ignite system is being installed, we will still be on the air with Parkervision in our current control room. Since the room in which the directors program and prepare for their shows (the Parkervision Prep room) will become the new Ignite control room, they had to be relocated to another area of the building. As you can imagine, it will be a busy time here at WRTV between now and February 2009!!
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This is the area of the control room where the director, producer and camera operator are seated during a newscast. Almost all of the equipment in this room will become obsolete and will be replaced by the Ignite system. This new system will be set up in what was formerly the Parkervision Prep room.
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This the audio area of our current control room. The audio board and all related audio equipment will be replaced with the new Ignite system, also.
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This is the Parkervision Prep area as it looked a week ago. All of what you see in this room was moved to another area in the building to make room for what will become the new control room once the Ignite System is up and running.
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