Ireland’s national television and radio broadcaster, RTÉ, has developed and is about to pilot a new acquisition model for mobile journalism that uses Avid Studio for iPad. By deploying a mobile journalist kit, which includes a microphone, iPhone, iPad and downloadable apps, RTÉ journalists in the field are able to produce broadcast-quality footage, edit it to a professional standard and then send it straight to air – at a glance making their news gathering operations much faster and more efficient. Having considered other mobile editing apps on the market, Glen Mulcahy, production development manager at RTÉ News, explained that Avid Studio for iPad “is a perfect product to support professional journalism.” He said: “Avid’s solution ensures that we can not only generate content in a cost-effective and very timely way but also by offering vital editing features, it creates a wealth of opportunities for the future of mobile newsgathering.” He continued: “For us, we live and die by the quality of our news coverage. It was essential for us to use the highest quality mobile editing technology on the market. Avid Studio for iPad boasts features and a precision that other systems, such as Apple’s iMovie, do not offer. Not only does it allow for frame accurate editing, but its split audio editing functions mean that we can produce a professional edit on location – no matter where we are. We’re delighted with the initial results, and having already broadcast features created by RTÉ video journalist Sean MacAn tSithigh using Avid, we’ve seen the potential of this solution and are looking to deploy more kits in the very near future.” Daniel Pell, Avid UK enterprise accounts manger, concluded: “It’s great to see RTÉ News responding to the increased demand for content without compromising on quality. From the newsroom to the journalist in the field it’s critical that technology is fit for purpose to guarantee the best results.” www.avid.com
