CasparCG TV Studio Workflow

About a year ago Mediazone decided to move the CG SD workflow (Playbox Airbox+Titlebox) to HD. Unfortunately the cost of an HD CG solutions is extremely expensive and the ones that are affordable provide poor functionality. This is why we decided we switch to CasparCG (an open-source CG) which nowadays is an industry standard CG solution used by many broadcasters.

CasparCG consist of 2 entities:

  • CasparCG Server – Play-Out professional graphics.
  • CasparCG Client – Control graphics and video playout from the CasparCG Server. Note that anyone can develop his own client.
CasparCG_Server

CasparCG Server Overview

For the needs of our TV studio we needed 2 machines (which must meet CasparCG minimum requirements). One for the Play-Out of content and the other one for Graphics (Fill+Key). CasparCG Server and Client can be installed on different machines for maximum reliability, but I chose to install them on the same one. First, our TV studio does not broadcast (it’s an educational TV studio) and second it will save us some space because we will only use one machine.

As for reference, our studio workflow is 1080i50 and we use the DataVideo SE-3000 vision mixer.

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May 25, 2016 /  

Connect Allen & Heath XB-14 with CANFORD illuminated sign ES base fitting

Find below instructions on how to connect the Allen & Heath XB-14 radio mixer with CANFORD illuminated sign ES base fitting (type B, 230 volt). This connection will light the ON AIR light whenever a MIX fader is ON and fade UP.

Make sure the installation is made by an electrician.
Follow the steps below at your own risk as Mediazone, University of Nicosia takes no responsibility as to the choices you make that may have any negative impact in any way.

The base of Canford Type B units has a PCB that includes a semi-conductor called a triac – that acts like a mechanical relay – and this triac performs the final mains switching to the fitted lamps within the same Canford Type B unit. Continue reading →

May 23, 2016 /  

Open Teleprompter v2.0

I am glad to introduce you Open Teleprompter v2.0 (http://mz.unic.ac.cy/files/open-teleprompter/) which I have developed from the scratch. It’s a web based, browser independent teleprompter. It was developed using jQuery JavaScript Library. This web software can work in any web browser making it a portable prompter.

Open Teleprompter was developed in order to give our students a simple UI to work, eliminating any unnecessary functions which exist in our older teleprompter software.

Some of the functionalities:

  1. Rich text editor
  2. Font size adjustment
  3. Speed adjustment
  4. Progress bar
  5. Reset function
  6. Play/Pause using the SPACEBAR
  7. Inline indicator
  8. Full screen mode
  9. and many more which you can find on the project page

Future development? Create a key controller using the X-keys (http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php) input device.

 

Mediazone Broadcast Engineer

April 12, 2016 /  

Used equipment sale

Over time technology has only one choice; to move forward, and to move quickly to the next level. Sometimes older equipment could be put to good use! Mediazone wants to sell some of its older equipment. Much of it is in very good condition, as it has been cared for on a regular maintained schedule. Please feel free to browse our inventory and if you are interested, we can definitely talk about it.

For more information please contact Mediazone Broadcast Engineer: +357 22841594 or through our contact page.

February 23, 2016 /  

PediHeart Cyprus 2016

Mediazone in association with the Communications Office has been involved with the Pediheart organization for the second year in a row, creating public service announcements for Television and Radio broadcast. We are very pleased with the feedback and reaction from last year’s campaign, and are excited about the launch of this year’s.

February 14 is the Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day, and the University of Nicosia is proud to support such a worthy cause. Continue reading →

February 3, 2016 /  

The new generation

It’s common that the older generation will often criticize the way that the new generation grows up. I believe this happens from the beginning of all humanity. But the question is, how big is the generation gap really between a 30-year old and a 10-year old in the early 20’s and how big is it now, almost a hundred years later?
Continue reading →

November 24, 2015 /