Nine Network Completes Deployment of Sony ILME-FR7 PTZ Cameras

Picture of Sony camera in a new Nine Network news studio
(Image credit: Sony)

SYDNEY—The Nine Network has completed its purchase, installation and roll out of Sony ILME-FR7 PTZ cameras into its remote operated studio in Canberra. The new remote broadcast news studio is particularly unique due to its use of the Sony large sensor PTZ cameras, not traditionally used in studio television.

“This new studio is particularly effective for us as, by using the Sony FR7 cameras, we can remotely control all of the cameras and setup from Sydney,” Nine Chief CTO of broadcast operations David Bowers explained. “This is not only a very efficient workflow, but it also saved us a considerable amount of money when compared to  buying and installing a full robotic setup.”

Sony FR7 cameras are also being used in the Nine Network’s talent operated studio in Canberra.

The new four-camera studio enjoys both fully remote production from Sydney and open plan local control in Canberra. It also comprises production, news exchange and basic edit facilities and capabilities, Sony reported. 

“We wanted to build a multi- purpose studio with full remote capability,” Nine broadcast systems integration manager Mark Rath said. “For that we required the best PTZ cameras that could accommodate varying lens requirements in the studio. We assessed all the PTZ cameras available in the market and found the Sony FR7 met all of our requirements perfectly.”

Sony’s FR7 PTZ camera with its high-performance full-frame image sensor and the expressive scope of Sony’s extensive E-mount lens lineup work with versatile remote pan/tilt/zoom control, high flexibility in zoom capability and wide angle shooting to break through location and space limitations to open up creative possibilities for broadcasters and content creators in studio, live production and filmmaking settings. It also offers versatile connectivity and efficient multi camera workflow support, Sony reported. 

“The FR7 is exactly what we required for our remote operated broadcast studio in Canberra as it provides us with large sensor studio quality cameras - our key requirement,” Bowers concluded. “The picture quality and the ability to interchange lenses with the FR7 is also excellent. In short, by using Sony FR7 PTZ cameras the Nine Network now has the ability to have complete access to the studio in Canberra when needed and the ability to sit talent in a remote location, while we in turn do all the production including audio/video, lighting and comms from Sydney.”

CATEGORIES
George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.

Read more
NAB
Telycam to Showcase New Broadcast PTZ Camera at 2025 NAB Show
Blackmagic's Ursa Broadcast G2
Cameras Adopt a Cinematic Theme for 2025 NAB Show
Kento Sayama of Sony Electronics
NAB Show 2025 Exhibitor Insight: Sony Electronics
NAB
QuickLink to Launch Two New Variations of StudioPro Solution at 2025 NAB Show
IPX-100 product shots and diagram
Ikegami Electronics to Introduce IPX-100 IP Gateway at 2025 NAB Show
Ross Video
Sponsored: The Feed Room Is Now a Web Browser
Latest in Products
Avid
Avid Discusses New Leadership, NAB Show Plans
F&F Productions new 2110 OB truck featuring Grass Valley technologies
F&F Productions Taps Grass Valley to Equip New Fully 2110 IP 4K OB Vehicle
Dish Media logo red and black
Dish Media Partners with Decentrix on New Ad Management Platform
Graphic showing the Viz One 8 media asset management solution
Vizrt Unveils Containerized Enterprise MAM System
Cameraman capturing an event using Dejero equipment
Stream7 Relied on Dejero Technology to Live Stream an International Event
Leader
Leader to Unveil NDI Checker at 2025 NAB Show
Latest in News
TV Tech Summit with moderator George Winslow (top left), Jason Wormser, senior vice president CW Sports (top right) Scott Warren, president and general manager, CBS Bay Area (KPIX/KPIX+) (bottom right) Tim Hinson, vice president, technology ABC13 KTRK, ABC Owned Television Stations (bottom left).
TV Tech Summit: Networks, Stations Explore the Future of News and Sports Production
MovieLabs Industry Forum logo
MovieLabs Announces Industry Forum Leadership Council
YouTube
YouTube Sees Record Viewing, Beats Disney in TV Viewing Share
PSSI
PSSI Global Services Appoints John Bright Director of Engineering Development
Avid
Avid Discusses New Leadership, NAB Show Plans
F&F Productions new 2110 OB truck featuring Grass Valley technologies
F&F Productions Taps Grass Valley to Equip New Fully 2110 IP 4K OB Vehicle