Network Ten rises to the occasion with new Sony camera systems
Sony studio camera at the Wake Up set.
Wake Up is no ordinary TV breakfast show, just ask any Sydneysider. It is different not only for its no-holds barred, irreverent and witty take on the day’s news and events, it is different because it is beamed live every morning, rain or shine, from Surf City in the stunning surrounds of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Produced by Network Ten, one of Australia’s leading entertainment and news content companies, with assets across free-to-air television (Ten, Eleven and One), online and the digital platform tenplay, Wake Up demonstrates Network Ten’s ability to think outside the box, or in this case outside its normal city studios.
When it came to building the Wake Up studio at Surf City, Network Ten knew it had to invest in technology that could be used both in a traditional studio setting as well as Outside Broadcasting.
Besides equipment for its ‘beach studio’ the network was also sourcing camera systems for its Brisbane studios that produce Queensland’s daily news programmes.
After the selection process, the Network Ten team, headed by its Chief Technology Officer Jason Tuendemann, settled on the Sony HDC-1700 dual-format HD system camera.
The HDC-1700 meets required specs for Australian broadcast without more OB features like 2x speed. The cameras provide excellent picture performance at a very cost effective price while maintaining compatibility with the proven HDC accessories such as OLED viewfinders, control panels and large lens adaptors.
Jason Tuendemann
Chief Technology Officer, Network Ten
The Sony HDC-1700 in action at Sydney’s Northern Beaches
This cost-effective camera system supports both SD and HD signals, and also features a cutting-edge 2/3-inch CCD image sensors and 16-bit A/D converter.
Jason says, “The Wake Up studio is located at a remote location at Queenscliff Beach near Manly, approximately 10km from Network Ten’s main Sydney facility. These sites were linked with fibre optic connection to transmit signals back to the main control area.
“By making use of the Ethernet control available on the HDC systems, the operators are able to remotely control the cameras from the main site and thereby minimise the number of technical staff that are required at the remote studio. This means that staff can operate systems on the breakfast show, and also work on the morning show that starts immediately after, with no travel time required.”
Commenting on the HDC-1700, Jason adds, “The HDC-1700 meets required specs for Australian broadcast without more OB features like 2x speed. The cameras provide excellent picture performance at a very cost effective price while maintaining compatibility with the proven HDC accessories such as OLED viewfinders, control panels and large lens adaptors.”
Besides the HDC-1700, Network Ten also invested in the HDLA-1500 Large Lens Adaptors for enhanced operability. The HDLA-1500 allows operation of the HDC-1500 HD portable camera or HDC-3300 Super Motion camera together with large studio/OB lenses and 7” viewfinders.
Unlike traditional lens ‘build-up kits’, the HDLA-1500 provides a very simple one-touch cable-free mounting of the camera so that it can be quickly and easily converted from hand-held to tripod configuration.
To complement the HDC-1700 for Wake Up and its other studios in Melbourne, Network Ten invested in the latest range of digital wireless microphone system from Sony. The new DWX range is ideal for field production as well as news gathering.
Says Jason of the DWX, “The new DWX digital wireless systems provide outstanding audio quality and a host of powerful control features. These particularly allow camera operators to easily work with the systems, as they integrate very well with XDCAM cameras.”
Sony’s reputation for innovation, quality and its track record with Network Ten were vital factors in the decision to choose Sony over the other brands. Besides the recent acquisition of the HDC-1700, Network Ten’s large arsenal of Sony equipment includes MVS switchers, XDCAM camcorders, LCD and OLED monitors.
“In the network’s previous experiences with Sony, the products have always proven extremely reliable and this gave us the confidence when making further purchasing decisions. The feature set of the HDC-1700 systems was exactly what was required while not adding additional features that were not needed for this application. With established CCU and RCPs in existing studios, integration of the new camera chain control was minimised and as operators were extremely familiar with Sony studio cameras there was no additional training required,” concludes Jason.
As Network Ten continues its out-of-the-box approach in bringing innovative content to its viewers, it can count on Sony’s unstinting support every step of the way.