WCSC Launches Digital Newsroom with Bitcentral Workflow

09.12.2008

Raycom Media's WCSC-TV in Charleston, S.C., has transformed operations with an entirely new digital and file-based workflow.

Bitcentral has gone live at the station with its nonproprietary Precis news production solution and its Oasis archiving and file sharing system. The implementation included eight new Edius editing bays, raw video repository platform and dual playout control/servers, plus full ENPS integration.

"We took a huge leap in every aspect of our station's culture and technology all at the same time," said Mike Gurthie, chief engineer at WCSC-TV. "Initially, a shift this big was a scary thought at first—as we were about to change the entire infrastructure of our newsroom and how it operates on all levels. But the thorough and precise planning, as well as the excellent support from Bitcentral's engineering team and ENPS, ensured our launch was smooth. That first show went off without a hitch."

Bitcentral's engineering team closely guided WCSC-TV's transition before and following the final "go-live."

The new system delivers a browser-based, file-based workflow with extreme scalability, with SD and HD video content easily delivered to multiple platforms without video file transcoding. The "ecosystem" is completed with Bitcentral's Oasis—enabling innovative archiving capability and ENPS integration, plus the ability to share stories between sister stations with a click of a mouse.

"It's the efficient workflow of how quick you can get your content to air that helps keep you competitive," said Gurthie. "When I have a guy out on the field editing a package on a laptop and he can send that file to the station and have it on air in multiple markets within minutes—that's huge."