Bexel, a Hollywood, Calif-based broadcast production rental house, has been contracted to provide support and services, including equipment rentals, fiber-optic technical expertise and engineering support to the 79th Annual Academy Awards.
Because the show is being broadcast in HD, a number of HD fiber feeds were needed to support an extensive array of equipment, according to Craig Schiller, director of broadcast services for Bexel.
"Like last year, we are using the Stratos Lightwave HD Electrical to Optical Media Converters, and feeding HD to the curved LED stage 'Marquee,' to the 'Best Picture' front projector screen and to the 'Cinemascope' rear projector on the show's stage," Schiller said.
Fiber is also used to connect the main show mobile unit and the pre-show mobile unit--carrying HD, SD and analog video in addition to audio and communications signals over Evertz, Stratos Lightwave and Telecast Fiber gear. Fiber feeds are also used for to transmit HD RF camera signals from the pre-show Red Carpet coverage as well as in the "Orchid Court."
Scott Nardelli, director of Bexel Broadcast Fiber Services, led a team of Bexel fiber-optic specialists to run HD, SD and analog fiber feeds from the main show to international and domestic TV compounds that were half a mile away, according to Schiller.
The Oscars will be broadcast on ABC on Sunday, Feb. 25.
