CHELMSFORD, Mass.—A recent upgrade to the control room at Wilmington Community Television, a PEG station in Wilmington, Mass., included the installation of the BPSwitch GX integrated production switcher from Broadcast Pix.

According to Adam Dunesberry, the operations manager for WCTV, the installation of the Broadcast Pix system resulted in a decluttering of extra gear in the control room, including playback decks and an external CG, as the BPSwitch console could handle graphics and video roll-ins itself.

All roll-ins and opens are stored in the BPSwitch using its Watch-Folders media management system. Producers are able to upload assets from an NLE using the integrated BPNet cloud-based video workflow service.

Meanwhile, the graphics are being produced with the built-in NewBlueNTX multi-layer 3D motion graphics CG. There is also the integrated BPview customizable multi-view that feeds four monitors in the control room.

The BPSwitch was added to the WCTV control room earlier in March.

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—Broadcast Pix is helping traverse distances with a new deployment of its BPswitch MX integrated production switcher for the San Diego-based GovTV. The TV station is using the BPswitch for an IP-based, live remote video production at official meetings of the city of Lancaster, Calif., roughly 170 miles away from the GovTV company offices.

GovTV developed a new workflow last year that was designed around the BPswitch, launching the new system for Lancaster at the end of December.

“Now we can instantly cut to the person speaking, so there’s no need to go to a wide shot when we’re following a conversation,” said Bob Anderson, president and CEO of GovTV.

The system’s master control is housed in San Diego. Operators use a traditional Broadcast Pix control surface to switch the live meetings, as well as control and monitor client productions through a Broadcast pix Commander browser-based user interface. A dedicated VPN connects GovTV to Lancaster for system and robotic camera control and insertion into live programming. BPNet, BPswitch’s integrated cloud-based video workflow service, provides a virtual backup to the VPN.

Lancaster operates its own PEG channel, LTV, on Spectrum Cable and AT&T, and is streamed by Granicus. GovTV is able to cut into LTV remotely through LTV’s Leighton Nexus. The BPswitch mainframe is located in Lancaster and has dedicated inputs for five cameras connected via SDI, plus an electronic voting system, scan converter to display PC-based PowerPoint presentations and a dedicated video calling system for Skype. The system operates in 1080i with SD downconversion for cable feeds.

In addition, the BPswitch’s integrated NewBlueNTX multi-layer 3D motion graphics and BPfusion software help display agenda items and lower-thirds.

CHELMSFORD, MA–KTEN, a dual NBC/ABC affiliate with a CW substation serving the Sherman-Ada, Texas market recently upgraded its control room with a Broadcast Pix BPswitch integrated production switcher, as part of an effort to prepare the station for next month’s election coverage.

Owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group, KTEN’s studio is based in Denison, Texas, and produces more than seven hours of local news each weekday across its three channels. News broadcasts begin with morning news starting at 4:30 a.m. and conclude with a 10 p.m. newscast. The studio includes three robotic cameras and a stationary “grid cam,” which is used for bumps and other transitions.

The switcher's BPfusion software is integrated with NewBlueNTX multi-layer 3D graphics which streamlines the creation of data-intensive CG graphics. BPfusion automatically updates graphics using data from RSS feeds, Twitter, scoreboards, and other sources over IP. With simple drag-and-drop operation, BPfusion uses templates to integrate information into customized graphics like multi-layer election maps without re-keying the data.

BPfusion also allows KTEN to import Adobe After Effects projects directly into NewBlueNTX. Previously, the graphics department had to render some graphics as Targa sequences, which added a cumbersome step to the production process. Now, the graphics are simply dropped into the BPswitch Watch-Folders media management system without re-rendering, then transferred to the switcher’s integrated clip store. Martinez said BPfusion has also “really streamlined our scoreboard gathering” for KTEN’s Friday night high school football show.

AMSTERDAM—Broadcast Pix will introduce BPswitch RX, a portable model in its line of integrated production switchers, at IBC2018, Sept. 14-18 at RAI Amsterdam. A self-contained unit complete with touchscreen display and integrated streaming to Facebook Live and other CDNs, BPswitch RX provides multicamera production and high-end motion graphics for live production on location.

Ideal for sports, concerts, and event coverage, BPswitch RX features four multidefinition video inputs, plus two IP inputs that support RTSP and NDI protocol. It also includes eight channels of clips and graphics, built-in audio mixer, three keyers with DVEs, and seven outputs. The integrated NewBlueNTX multi-layer 3D motion graphics CG includes hundreds of title styles and templates, so it is easy to create and update lower-thirds, bugs, animations, rolls, crawls, and looping effects like a glint or shine.

BPswitch RX offers the full complement of Broadcast Pix workflow tools, including built-in program recording, clip and graphic stores, file-based macros, ClearKey chromakey and Virtual Studios virtual sets, and customizable multi-view. The system is housed in a durable aluminum alloy chassis with built-in handle for easy transport.

Although BPswitch RX can be operated with the included keyboard and mouse, users can connect a traditional Broadcast Pix control panel or use the optional Broadcast Pix Commander customizable touchscreen interface. With its simplified controls, Commander helps non-technical personnel easily switch live productions, add titles, insert clips, and control robotic cameras. The recently updated iPixPanel and iPixPad provide other control options, allowing a second operator to complete specific production tasks through an iPad or iPhone.

Like other models, BPswitch RX provides full-motion video and complete access to all sources and workflow tools through a browser-based interface that can be accessed by tablet, phones, and laptops. The company’s BPNet IP ecosystem, powered through the ioGates cloud-based media management platform, delivers BPswitch’s control-over-IP capabilities with low latency, as well as extended encryption and two-factor authentication for secure performance.

BPswitch RX supports optional robotic camera control as well as BPfusion, Broadcast Pix’s optional software for streamlined data-intensive CG graphics for sports, election, and news coverage. Broadcast Pix also offers soft and hard carrying cases for additional protection for air travel or other transport. Priced at $14,995, BPswitch RX will be available at the end of September.

Broadcast Pix will be in Stand 7.C06. Click here to register.