Spanish regional broadcaster Aragón TV has installed a number of robotic camera solutions as part of the upgrade of its studios in Zaragoza.
The broadcaster chose technology from Vinten, including robotic heads, height drives, and pedestals, to enhance its studio capabilities.
Among the new technology employed by Aragón TV is Vinten’s StarTracker optical camera tracking system in the FH-155VR heads. The unified solution enables tracking of camera positions in real-time without the need to add extra equipment to the camera package, said Vinten.
“The high level of accuracy offered by the integrated StarTracker solution removes the need to target the robotic equipment each morning, saving time and resource,” said Juan José Ramos, technical director at Aragón TV’s integrators Moncada y Lorenzo. “It also gives production staff the freedom to move the cameras around the studio in manual mode and change quickly back to robotic control in any position.”
The broadcaster has also upgraded its prompting system to Autoscript’s IP-based WinPlus-IP software, which enables Aragón TV to share control across its facility.
In its 400 square metre Studio 3, Aragón TV has installed a brand new LED Wall with advanced AR capabilities. The studio features four Vinten FP-188+ robotic pedestals fitted with four FH-155VR StarTracker robotic heads, as well as four EPIC-IP19XL teleprompters. The prompters each include a CLOCKPLUS-IP to display time, tally, and camera number.
Studio 4, which measures approximately 100 square metres, is dedicated to virtual production, and includes Vinten FE-165 Height Drives that offer smooth robotic elevation where there is no need for XY movement, said Vinten.
The robotics system has been integrated with Brainstorm and Avid Maestro engines, enhancing AR capabilities to enable immersive visual effects, added the company. Autoscript’s WinPlus-IP prompting software automatically receives instant script updates from the facility’s iNews NRCS system. Aragón TV also uses a Tallyman server for Tally over IP signalling for both the robotics systems and prompters.
“Building automation that improves the efficiency and creativity of a broadcaster’s production capabilities is key to our ongoing roadmap,” said Philip Dalgoutte, product manager Robotics and Prompting at Videndum Production Solutions. “By adopting technology such as Autoscript’s IP control for added flexibility and Vinten’s integration of StarTracker technology for improved accuracy, Aragón TV has shown how our products can help broadcasters maximise resources while continuing to develop ever more engaging content.”
