Nine Network’s new remotely operated broadcast news studio features Sony FR7 PTZ cameras, allowing both remote production from Sydney and local control in Canberra.
Australia’s Nine Network has opened a new remotely operated broadcast news studio in Canberra. Operating four cameras, the studio supports both entirely remote production from Nine’s Sydney facility, and local control in Canberra, with news exchange and basic edit facilities and capabilities.
Nine Broadcast Systems Integration Manager Mark Rath and CTO of Broadcast Operations David Bowers talked about purchasing cameras for the facility. “In order to give the studio remote control capabilities as well as scope to handle a range of project types, we needed a PTZ camera built to accommodate varying lens requirements," Mark said. “Out of the line-up of cameras we assessed, the Sony ILME-FR7 PTZ came closest to meeting all of our demands.”
Nine has now completed the acquisition, installation and roll-out of the studio's cameras. David commented, “This new studio is particularly effective for us. Remotely controlling all of the cameras and set-up from Sydney is not only efficient, but also costs considerably less than buying and installing a full robotic system.”
A Non-Traditional Approach
The studio’s choice of the FR7 makes it unusual – large sensor PTZ cameras are not traditionally used in studio television. However, Sony has combined the FR7's PTZ features with a high-performance, full-frame image sensor, compatibility with Sony’s E-mount lenses, flexible zoom functionality, and wide angle shooting.
The FR7 incorporates pan, tilt and zoom capabilities that can be controlled remotely and saved as presets. PTZ, focus and record functions are operated through a dedicated web application or, for more precise joystick operation, through the Sony RM-IP500 remote control with buttons that adjust the PTZ speed and focus operations according to the subject and setting. The cameras may also be placed in tight, awkward locations and then accessed via QR code.
Focussed on Talent
Sony FR7 cameras are also being used in the Nine Network’s talent operated studio in Canberra. The FR7 has a number of shooting features that make it suitable for this application, where the crew is not present to work with the physical set or the talent.
For example, for flexible subject tracking, the pan and tilt speeds can be continuously varied from 0.02 degrees per second to 60 degrees per second. Both the app and the RM-IP500 can store up to 100 presets and camera framing operations, activated with a button. Up to 16 operating patterns of 180 seconds duration can also be stored.
While the user works on shot composition or uses touch tracking on a tablet, the camera’s auto focus, which is essential for remote work, will take over in real time. This includes eye tracking even when subjects are looking up or down. When adjusting for distance, the FR7 tracks subjects up close, even in low light, using 627 selectable phase-detection autofocus points and the BIONZ XR processor.
Long Distance Access and Control
These characteristics help users overcome location and space limitations, and add creative options for broadcasters and content creators in studio, live production and filmmaking settings.
The FR7 also has versatile connectivity and efficient multi camera workflow support, for instance, IP interfaces and transmission connections are available for video output, IP transmission and synchronisation with other devices. HDMI video output can be used for real-time monitoring, and SDI output sends RAW signals to external recording devices. Camera control, video/audio transfer and power supply can all be managed through a single LAN cable.
David said, “Choosing the FR7 gives us large sensor studio-quality cameras – our key requirement. The picture quality, and the ability to interchange expressive E-mount lenses, is very desirable for us. Also, the Nine Network can now gain complete access to the studio in Canberra when needed and record talent in a remote location, while we in turn control the entire production including audio/video, lighting and comms from Sydney.” pro.sony
