Alabama Public TV chooses Hitachi HD cameras

In preparation for its transition to HDTV next year, Alabama Public Television (APT) has purchased three SK-3010P HDTV cameras from Hitachi. The station began using them in March for a variety of local television broadcasts. Since last month, APT has gone on-air with the cameras to broadcast several, local live in-studio programs in Montgomery, including a nightly live news and public affairs program; a 30-minute weekly legislative show; and on-air membership pledge drives, which are broadcast three times a year.

APT's transition to HD will also include selecting an HD production switcher and other peripheral equipment for production control. APT currently has an HD nonlinear editing system, enabling efficient field production, and is also using three HD cameras in the field. APT's network operations are based in Birmingham, with nine local PBS stations throughout the state.

Hitachi's SK-3010p series cameras now offer 720p and 1080/24p native outputs. For its 1080i/60 cameras, optional downconverted 720p and 480i video outputs are provided via a special camera control unit (CCU).

For more information, visit www.hitachikokusai.us.