Two LIN TV stations in New Haven, CT, WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT, are using a Broadcast Pix Slate 1000 integrated production system to produce select high school sporting events around the state in HD. WTNH, an ABC affiliate, and WCTX, a MyNetworkTV affiliate, operate as a duopoly from the same facility and serve the Hartford/New Haven market, which is ranked as the 30th DMA in the nation.
The Slate system saves the company money and reduces crew requirements while allowing it to produce more games than it could previously.
Working closely with Broadcast Pix dealer Access A/V in Concord, NH, the Slate 1000 was installed onboard the company’s new Markertek VPTR-1 20ft mobile production trailer. Other equipment includes three Sony PMW-EX3 XDCAM EX HD camcorders and Sony HVR-1500A HDV/DVCAM VTRs. Plus, a Mac Book Pro with Final Cut Pro records footage directly from the Slate 1000 to external drives for editing. The trailer also features uplink and microwave capabilities.
The Slate 1000 features include robotic camera control, so the stations use a Sony BRC-H700 robotic camera for the shot clock, which reduces crew requirements. WTNH/WCTX also use CG Connect, an optional feature that automates the insertion and updating of statistical data in live sports graphics. While the Slate 1000 is configured as a 1M/E switcher, the system’s built-in macros can be programmed to expand the switcher’s functionality.
Friday night high school football games were streamed live on the stations’ Web sites, and then aired in HD during prime-time the following night.
