Category
New studio or RF technology — station
Submitted by Lawson & Associates Architects Design Team AARP: Mark Slimp, dir., radio & TV prog.; Bob Martindale, mgr. TV production; Bill Western, chief radio & TV eng.; Dennis Felton, proj. mgr.
Lawson: Bruce Lawson, principal; Carlos Madero, tech dir.; Susan Stine, designer
DSI: Andrew Prager, sr. project eng.
Eastboard Consols: Steve Goldberg, principal Technology at work Avocent KVM platform
Avid
Interplay DAM
Media Composer
Adrenaline sys.
Symphony Nitrus
Barco monitor walls
Cellcom wireless
headsets
Clear-Com Eclipse Matrix
intercoms
Euphonix Max Air digital
audio sys.
Evertz
Fiber-optic distribution
MVP processors
Harris
NEXIO server platform
X75 converters
NVISION serial HD router
Sony MVS8000 switcher
Sun Microsystems
StorageTek SL8500
AARP broadcast facility renovation opens up the views and keeps an eye on future needs
In the AARP 12,000sq-ft facility, the group wanted the equipment to represent forward thinking, and with the exception of two studios, the entire plant was rebuilt.
The association wanted upbeat colors, special wall materials, special light fixtures, and for everyone to be able to see what was being done in all the control rooms, and yet when necessary, have privacy. The answer: glass with a light switch! An added benefit is that smart glass saves costs for heating and cooling and lighting, as well as avoids the cost of installing and maintaining motorized light screens or blinds.
AARP selected equipment with long-term growth and interoperability in mind. The NVISION routing system, the core of the technical operations center, is built using NV8256-Plus digital video router, NV7256-Plus synchronous AES router, NV5128 analog video router as well as RS-422 data and time-code routing. The NV8256-Plus router along with all plant wiring is fully capable with 3Gb/s SMPTE 324 1080P video. Euphonix Max Air audio platforms, Sony MVS8000 switcher systems and Barco video walls driven by Evertz MVP processors are used in the production control rooms.
The two studios use Sony HDC-950 series HD cameras. HDW-750 cameras are used for field use. All video production is shot and edited at 1080i, but AARP can dub and transcode any format. Harris NEXIO servers and X75 format converters support ingest control of 24 channels of HD and SDI. The Sun Microsystems StorageTek SL8500 modular library provides long-term storage of all media assets. An Avid Interplay DAM system is combined with 10 Media Composer Adrenalines DNxHD 145 on the Symphony Nitrus system and the StorageTek for long-term storage connected by Flash-Net to the archive operating system.
The entire plant is interconnected with Evertz fiber optics. Clear-Com’s Eclipse Matrix and Cellcom digital wireless intercom system wireless headsets are used for communication throughout the facility. The Avocent KVM platform links 48 user locations and 64 platforms. This overlay software allows any terminal within the system access to any connected platform.
The technical plant is supported by an 80KVA UPS with fifth-order harmonic filtering supported by a 500kVA generator. Power is monitored remotely in and out of house. HVAC, chilled water and lighting are all dual system and remotely monitored as well.
The electronics were designed by the AARP engineering department in VidCad for ease of change and documentation capability. No raised floors were used anywhere. All cable distribution is on overhead cable trays fitted with accessible hinged custom covers that have magnetic catches for easy access.
With AARP’s renovated facility, everything is possible and on the tour to the rest of the users in the building.
