News
BBC RESOURCES
TO PROVIDE COMPLETE MULTI FORMAT OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS
BBC Resources is set to provide a multi-format offering for international
broadcasters wanting to do everything from shooting to finishing
programmes in either High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition
(SD). The BBC Outside Broadcasts side of the business is investing
in a re-furbished multi-format truck, which will be SD/HD switchable.
This will be added to BBC Post Production’s existing portfolio
of HD offerings to provide a complete service.
For the first time, the business will be able to deal with HD programmes
every step of the way – from acquisition through to finishing.
The move comes in response to the worldwide sales potential for
HD output and follows on from recent successes such as BBC Post
Production’s first HD drama ‘Every Time You Look at
Me’, which aired in the UK on 14 April 2004. The organisation
has also been behind the upconversion of material for US Company
Cinemuse ranging from the award-winning natural history documentary
series’ Blue Planet and Walking with Dinosaurs to The Inspector
Lindley Mysteries and Judge John Deed. In addition Korea Broadcasting
Service (KBS) were the first to take Blue Planet upconverted.
The BBC Outside Broadcast vehicle will incorporate eight Sony HDC-950
multi format HD/SD switchable cameras and HDCU-900 camera control
units. These will work in conjunction with a Sony MVS-8000 Series
multi-format production switcher, which again operates in both HD
and SD modes. The vehicle will also have four Sony BVM-D24E1WE multi-format
widescreen master control monitors for displaying the highest resolution
of HD and SD images.
BBC Outside Broadcasts will use the new multi format vehicle –
a refurbishment of its Unit 2 – to capture live and recorded
productions in the 1080-line format. The unit is aimed at both BBC
and other broadcasters. It is already scheduled for use by BBC Music
and Events on programmes such as the BBC’s flagship religious
programme, Songs of Praise, in SD and should be ready and available
for use for The Last Night of the Proms in HD.
The new vehicle will complement BBC Post Production’s existing
HD kit and will allow programmes to be acquired and post produced
under one roof. BBC Post Production in London already has a Quantel
eQ, Spirit Telecine, HD Fire and Alchemist Platinum HD upconverter.
Andy King, Head of Capital Development, BBC Resources comments:
“Our staff have a great deal of experience of working in both
HD and SD and to date have managed a very large volume of HD output.
We wanted to take our investment one step further and provide a
complete end-to-end service for our customers. The potential HD
and SD market in Europe and worldwide has been the major driver
behind building a fully equipped multi format Outside Broadcast
vehicle. Broadcasters and programme makers around the world are
increasingly looking at the international marketplace for both finished
programmes and co-productions and they expect us to deliver to high
standards.”
For further information, please contact:
Georgie Hollett, PR & Comms Exec, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2350 (Television Centre)
+44 (0)7834 845612 (Mobile)
Email:georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk
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