WBFF, Channel 45, a Fox affiliate in Baltimore, has launched its first HD newscast this week with the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher included in its new HD production control room.
Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned WBFF is using Kahuna’s FormatFusion technology to incorporate its SD content into HD newscasts, simplifying production of broadcasts that leverage archival and field-captured SD content, along with shots from a new HD satellite truck, new HD graphics, and images from five HD studio cameras. WBFF’s HD set also includes DMX-addressable lighting, a 143-inch rear-projection screen, and a rotating anchor desk that allows the production team to showcase its new weather center.
“WBFF already was a very efficient SD news operation, and the Kahuna has helped the station maintain this efficiency in the HD world by providing format flexibility without the complexity of external conversion systems,” said Mark Nadeau, senior director, Sinclair Broadcast Group. “As a result, the station has realized significant cost savings while achieving outstanding HD image quality.”
Sinclair Broadcast Group took ABC affiliate WSYX (Columbus, Ohio) to air in HD earlier this year using the same Kahuna-based HD production model. Sinclair ABC affiliates WLOS (Asheville, N.C.) and WEAR (Pensacola, Fla.) are scheduled to launch HD newscasts in August.
