Salt Lake Tabernacle adds unobtrusive HD production capability

When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially upgraded and strengthened the 140-year-old Salt Lake Tabernacle, it also added several HD cameras and lenses, discretely stationed in the building.

Three Fujinon HA42X9.7BERD HD ENG-style zoom lenses on Sony HDC-1500 cameras, mounted on Ravensclaw Talon robotics, are deftly tucked away, virtually unseen. The smaller footprint in that combination appealed to church leaders and to its chief engineer. When not in use, mechanical pylons underneath two of the cameras allow them to be lowered and stowed under the floor.

Another attractive feature of the Fujinon HA42X9.7BERD HD lens was its ability to be remotely controlled with robotics. The broadcasting staff of the church carries out control room duties from another building located 1500ft away, making remote control a necessity.

The HA42x9.7BERD is a portable, stabilized telephoto ENG-style lens. It features Fujinon's DIGI POWER digital servo control system and QuickZoom technology. Remote control of zoom focus and iris for DIGI POWER lenses is powered by a serial digital link. The HD zoom incorporates Fujinon's built-in OS-Tech image stabilization system.

The lenses also capture the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the weekly production of “Music and the Spoken Word.” Now in its 75th year, the program is one of the longest running live broadcast programs in the country.

For more information, visit www.fujinonbroadcast.com.