WCPO-TV simplifies
and streamlines
On Sept. 30, 2002, the city of Cincinnati committed to a $140 million expansion of its convention center, a project that would require the relocation of WCPO-TV. The move to a new building was to be completed by June 1, 2004. To make this deadline on schedule, the station completed a three-year project in just 18 months.
They designed and built a new facility that would give the station a fully digital foundation, offering SD that could easily be adapted to HD in the future. WCPO-TV hired A. F. Associates (AFA) to complete this project.
The station’s new digital workflow is centered on two Omneon Spectrum media server systems, one for production and the other for playout. Scalability was a key factor in choosing these systems, which allow engineers to add and subtract I/Os without taking the whole system down. It also offers both SD and HD operation and compatibility with the station’s editing systems.
The short time frame was the overriding consideration for the project. Broadcast systems couldn’t be installed until the construction areas were clear of hazardous materials. The team integrated Crispin automation with the server in a master control environment. The systems operate in conjunction with IQ modular systems from Snell & Wilcox. The station is also using Snell & Wilcox RollCall to enable remote configuration and control functionality over infrastructure hardware, with management and monitoring via the RollMap system.
The Panasonics newsBYTE DVCPRO editing systems were integrated with an Omneon server for news production under Avid iNEWS newsroom automation. The merging of the two technologies provides commonality between the facility’s master control and production workflows while reducing staff training time. Apple Final Cut Pro (FCP) is used with an Apple Xserv OS X-based, rack-mounted server and Xserv RAIDs. The FCP systems also may be integrated with the Omneon server in the future.
NVISION supplied master control and routing systems. In addition to unique crosspoint redundancy, the router systems offered built-in analog-to-digital conversion that saved the station thousands of dollars in outboard equipment. The NVISION products allowed the station to build an SD- and HD-compatible master control for the price of an SD-only system — and simplified operation considerably.
Design Team
AFA:
Tom Michales and Steve Vitale, sr. project mgrs.
Harry Thompson, sr. project eng.
Anthony Kilkenny, project leader/site supervisor
WCPO-TV:
Joe Martinelli, dir. of eng.
Tom Talley, CE
Scripps Broadcasting Group:
Mike Doback, VP eng.
Equipment List
Omneon Spectrum media servers
Crispin automation
NVISION: NV8256-Plus digital video router, NV7256 digital audio router, NV5128-MC multichannel MC switcher, NV9000 control system
Snell & Wilcox: IQ Modular systems, RollCall, RollMap
Thomson Grass Valley: Kalypso switchers, LDK 6000 cameras
Panasonic: newsBYTE editing systems, DVCPRO25 ENG cameras
Apple: Final Cut Pro, AppleXServ, Xserv RAIDs
Avid iNEWS automation
Sony video monitors
Cisco data routing
TBC production consoles
Shadowstone studio lighting
Ascent Network Services satellite install.
Technology Division satellite install.
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