WAYNE, N.J.—Gray-owned TV station WAFF-TV in Huntsville, Ala., has been able to increase its streaming output with the help of JVC’s ProHD Studio 4000S live streaming studio system, per a company announcement.

WAFF-TV utilizes the ProHD Studio 4000S, as well as two robotic JVC KY-PTZ100 pan/tilt/zoom cameras and JVC’s RM-LP100 PTZ camera controller, for streams of both live original content and replays of its newscasts.

The ProHD Studio fits into WAFF’s digital studio production workflow, connecting with the IP-based KY-PTZ100 cameras and the station’s routing switcher to take shots from the PTZ camera and the existing JVC GY-HM600 ProHD series cameras in studio. Additional features of the ProHD Studio include a touchscreen interface, instant replay with slow motion playback on all cameras and program stream recording.

The KY-PTZ100 camera includes JVC’s IP communications engine for network connectivity through Wi-Fi, 4G-LTE or cabled LAN, as well as a direct drive mechanism. The camera also has a 1/2.8-inch, 2.13M pixel CMOS imager and can deliver up to 30x optical zoom.

The RM-LP100 PTZ camera controller, meanwhile, provides IP control for the KY-PTZ100s and remote control functions for most JVC IP-enabled professional cameras.

WAFF-TV has used this new setup to stream content through its website, social media and OTT channels.

For more information, visit pro.jvc.com. 

WAYNE, NJ (June 17, 2019) – JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, today announced WFIE, the NBC affiliate in Evansville, Ind. (DMA #103), is using its ProHD Studio 4000S live sports production and streaming studio to produce breaking news and local sports coverage for the web. Owned by Gray Television, the station originally purchased the system last summer in time for high school football season.

“We had been considering the idea of streaming live high school sports on our website, and JVC’s studio-in-a-box solution seemed like an affordable way to consolidate the equipment needed for multi-camera productions,” explained Jason Gravens, news operation manager for WFIE. ”The 4000S gives you the basics of everything you need to make a ballgame happen.”

Rack mounted into one of the station’s live trucks, the system anchored three-camera productions for five high school football games and two-camera productions for three high school basketball games. “If you’re a sports fan, you want to see replays – without it, the production is missing a key element,” Gravens added. “The built-in replay feature in the 4000S is fantastic. Just having it included in the unit itself is great.”

Although only available to streaming audiences, at times WFIE had about 1,000 people watching the games. Following its successful sports coverage, the station decided to use the 4000S to produce breaking news updates for the WFIE website and other social media platforms.

An old conference room at the station was converted into a small studio, with the 4000S and an audio mixer positioned on a small table. Beth Sweeney, WFIE evening anchor, has been trained to be a one-man band for the productions, operating the 4000S and audio mixer while reporting live news updates for the WFIE website and other social media platforms.

One of the station’s older ENG cameras is mounted on a tripod, and a mic is positioned above Sweeney on a C-stand. The small studio also includes a basic three-point lighting system, plus an extra piece of WFIE’s current news set mounted to the wall as a backdrop.

When the station wants to stream an update, the equipment is turned on and still images or graphics are loaded into the 4000S using a flash drive. The 4000S has a built-in CG, but WFIE imports its own station graphics. Sweeney makes sure the mic is off and puts a slate on the screen. When she is ready, Sweeney opens the mic, switches to the camera, and begins the webcast. Once the update is complete, she returns to the slate, kills the mic, and ends the stream.

While the sports directors tend to use the touchscreen for switching, Sweeney prefers the keyboard and mouse. Gravens said the control flexibility is a big positive, because the 4000S operator can use whatever interface works for them. He also said the built-in multi-view was helpful in training Sweeney how to use the system. “In fact, the whole system is very user friendly for someone who’s not necessarily a trained TD,” he added.

Earlier this year, JVC introduced the CONNECTED CAM Studio 6000S, a six-input model that supports NDI® and SRT streaming protocols. Both the 4000S and 6000S offer automated multi-channel instant replay and slo-mo, as well as an integrated sports CG for scores and timers. Other features include an integrated audio mixer, four layers of DSK, production switcher with automated switching mode and choice of transitions, and full PTZ control for the JVC KY-PZ100 robotic PTZ production camera.

ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL VIDEO
Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, JVC Professional Video is a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation. The company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of broadcast and professional video equipment, as well as D-ILA front projection systems. For more information, visit JVC’s website at http://pro.jvc.com or call (800) 582‑5825.

WAYNE, NJ (Jan. 3, 2019) – Live streaming of breaking news is nothing new in the Cleveland-Akron market (DMA #19), but WOIO wanted to provide its viewers with more than just a video feed. In December, the Raycom Media-owned CBS affiliate began using its new ProHD Studio 4000 live production and streaming studio from JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, to provide a scaled-down, cost-effective version of its full control room for its OTT media platforms.

“We saw it as a way to drive our OTT with a control room-type look that would not require a control room to do,” explained Bob Maupin, director of technology for WOIO and WUAB, a CW and MyNetworkTV affiliate also owned by Raycom. “We hope to drive all our digital platforms with this.”

On Dec. 18, WOIO began using the system by offering live coverage of two events in one day, a press conference in Akron and the sentencing of a murderer in a Cleveland courtroom. The production, which was shared on the station’s website, mobile app, and Facebook Live, included double boxes, graphics, phone commentary from a reporter, and other production elements viewers expect during a newscast.

“All of this we can do with one person running this production system using touchscreens,” Maupin added. “We’ve developed some workflows to make it rather comprehensive.”

The self-contained ProHD Studio 4000 is housed in WOIO’s newsroom. With a dedicated JVC KY-PZ100 robotic PTZ network video production camera hanging from the ceiling in front of the production workspace, the system operator can also serve as on-camera talent. A 70-inch LCD monitor behind the operator serves as a video backdrop, and retractable ropes on either side of the workspace prevents personnel from walking in front of the camera during a live webcast.

Two of the ProHD Studio 4000’s four inputs are dedicated to the PTZ camera and an NDI source, while the other two are used for content accessed through the station’s router. During a webcast, the system operator can add graphics, bugs, relevant archival footage, live Skype feeds, and web pages, as well as adjust audio levels.

According to Brian Sinclair, WOIO assistant news director, training on the new system was very easy, and operators adapted quickly to the touchscreen interface. There is no traditional control panel, and a keyboard and mouse are used only for typing CG content or searching for content in the station’s ENPS system. WOIO added a second touchscreen so operators could conveniently access the station’s virtual router control panel and ENPS through a separate computer.

The new production system also provides WOIO with new flexibility. As Sinclair noted, during the live coverage on Dec. 18, the main studio and control room were used to produce an on-air update and a recorded tease for an upcoming newscast. In the past, the station would have had to break from its live coverage to produce the two segments.

WOIO plans to use the ProHD Studio 4000 extensively. “We want our digital platforms to have as much live breaking coverage as we can provide,” Sinclair said. “We’re hoping the JVC system can make a difference in the market with obvious viewer benefit. We’re really happy so far.”

ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL VIDEO
Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, JVC Professional Video is a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation. The company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of broadcast and professional video equipment, as well as D-ILA front projection systems. For more information, visit JVC’s website at http://pro.jvc.com or call (800) 582‑5825.

CLEVELAND—WOIO, the Gray Television-owned CBS affiliate serving the Cleveland-Akron, Ohio, market, last month deployed a new JVC ProHD Studio 4000 live production and streaming studio as a scaled-down, cost-effective control solution for its OTT media platforms, JVC said today.

“We saw it as a way to drive our OTT with a control room-type look that would not require a control room to do,” said Bob Maupin, director of technology for WOIO and WUAB, a CW and MyNetworkTV affiliate also owned by Gray Television. “We hope to drive all our digital platforms with this.”

WOIO’s inaugurated its new OTT control system Dec. 18 with live coverage of a press conference in Akron and the sentencing of a murderer in a Cleveland courtroom, the company said. (WOIO was a Raycom Media station at the time of this deployment. On Dec. 20, 2018, Gray Television’s bid to buy Raycom Media received regulatory approval.)

Coverage was delivered via that station’s website, mobile apps and Facebook Live. It included double boxes, graphics, phone commentary from a reporter and other familiar production elements used in linear newscasts. One person ran the production system via touchscreens, and special workflows were developed to provide “rather comprehensive” coverage, said Maupin.

The ProHD Studio 4000 is located in the WOIO newsroom. The self-contained setup includes a dedicated JVC KY-PZ100 robotic PTZ camera suspended from the ceiling in front of the production workspace. An operator can also serve as on-camera talent. A 70-inch LCD monitor provides a video backdrop, and newsroom personnel are prevented from accidentally walking in front of the camera during a live webcast by a retractable rope.

Learning to use the new system was easy for operators, said Brian Sinclair, WOIO assistant news direction. A second touchscreen was added to the system to allow operators to access WOIO’s virtual router control panel and ENPS via a separate computer. A keyboard and mouse are only used to type CG content or to search the station’s ENPS system.

Individual sources assigned to the ProHD Studio 4000’s four inputs include the PTZ camera and an NDI source and two content sources routed through the stations video router. An operator can add graphics, bugs, archival footage, live Skype feeds and web pages during a webcast as well as adjust audio levels.

The station intends to make extensive use of the ProHD Studio 4000. ““We want our digital platforms to have as much live breaking coverage as we can provide,” Sinclair said. “We’re hoping the JVC system can make a difference in the market with obvious viewer benefit,” he said.