Electronic Media Upgrades Studio

This summer, UCBA eMedia upgraded its studio control room and primary professional editing suite to completely digital high definition HG capability. The previous control room was a hybrid facility that included digital technology for some functions and older analog equipment that was used over the past decade.
As a result of the Muntz first floor renovations, Computer and Information Analyst Neil Sharrow and UCTV moved to M243. Studio Lab Manager Bill Boyle moved to M217E, and the old editing suite in M215E became smaller to accommodate Boyle's office adjacent to it.
The Department took advantage of the changes and moved up a planned upgrade to a fully digital high definition suite. The new control equipment fits in a smaller space without losing any functionality.
The new control room includes a computer controlled digital recording and switching system called a TriCaster. It connects to a hardware switching device that controls graphics and switching directly from the studio cameras and integrates it into one system, all displayed on new, oversized LCD screens. A new audio mixing board is also integrated into the TriCaster system.
In addition, the Department has three new high definition studio cameras, a teleprompter, green screen, seamless backdrops and sound dampening panels. The studio was also rewired for better functionality of the studio cameras and the intercom system used during productions.
They also upgraded to new LCD monitors for viewing the video signals while monitoring, editing and switching from one camera to another during productions.
The studio and control room physical space was totally renovated during the short summer between quarters and semesters. The space was functional just in time to start eMedia's Multicamera Video course. It was a huge undertaking and they are still making adjustments to the facilities.
Bill Boyle stated, "The advanced video students were pleasantly surprised to see that the studio was upgraded during our short summer. They were anxious to start using the new equipment and facilities."
Bill Boyle provided the design, wiring and installation of the control room. Computer and Information Analyst E. M. Akama-Dibo and Boyle were responsible for the installation of the new studio resources. Akama-Dibo, Boyle, and Neil Sharrow all worked on the interconnection for UCTV and on resolving signal flow issues.