The RTVE Institute renews its studies with Sony technology

The Corporation's training center, RTVE Institute, renews its studios thanks to two new Sony.

The lack of professionals with technical capabilities adapted to the current needs of the market is a key factor in this change and the RTVE Institute was very clear about this since its inception in 1975. The Institute understood that a sector in constant development needed professionals with updated knowledge in accordance with the needs of the industry.

It all begins when the RTVE Institute considers a radical change in its facilities and technology. Throughout 2007 they renewed the infrastructure and architecture of their facilities and adapted the studios to digital technology. More than ten years later, in 2019, it was decided evolve to HD technology, but it is not until after the pandemic, in mid-2021, that the tender for the new equipment is awarded to Sony.

Victor Luzon, from the engineering team of the RTVE Media and Operations Directorate and responsible for the implementation of the project, highlights that "in April 2022 we finished updating the two main television studios that we have at the RTVE Institute. The renovation of the two television dishes to HD technology was done in a progressive and organized manner so that the students could continue with their usual classes."

The main activity of the RTVE Institute is the internal training of workers and the higher level training cycles regulated for the Community of Madrid: Higher Cycle of Production, Sound, Realization and, the recently added, 3D Animation.

In addition, the Institute focuses on external training and, thanks to the collaboration with Sony, the Institute is qualified as a leading entity both in the house's audiovisual production system and in its training programs for future external professionals.

Hector Sierra, Regional Sales Head South at Sony Media Solutions, notes that "we have been working closely with Televisión Española for the upgrade of their RTVE Institute studios, as they sought to combine efficient workflows with future production technologies and we are delighted that they have chosen the XVS-G1 as their main mixer. Sony mixers have a long history and reputation for their reliability and robustness. The "We hope to continue collaborating closely with the RTVE Institute as technological partners, accompanying them in this process of change."

The equipment

Among the equipment supplied, the XVS-G1 production mixerLaunched in the spring of two years ago and designed to meet live production needs such as sports, news, events and entertainment, it is ideal for small to medium-sized studios as well as mobile units. Very flexible in terms of production, it offers great capacities in both HD and UHD, standing out from its competitors, where UHD usually reduces the operator's creative capacity.

Its hybrid structure combines a central processing unit (CPU) with a graphics processing unit (GPU) with programmable integrated circuits (FPGA). This combination offers maximum performance and reliability without affecting processing or experiencing delays, but maintaining high capacity in HD and UHD formats.

In regards to the HDC-3170 HD studio camera, introduces new levels of creative flexibility and portability in live production environments. Enjoy high-quality HD images as well as the versatility of digital triaxial transmission. It has a 2/3″ CMOS sensor with global shutter technology that eliminates the “jelly effect” and band noise, allowing impeccable images with low noise and excellent sensitivity. It can provide 3G-SDI signals in different formats up to 1080/50p, with the possibility of 4K through the CCU's 12G-SDI and quad3G-SDI interfaces.

The HDC-3170 captures high dynamic range images to enhance Sony's “Live SR” workflow for simultaneous HDR and SDR production.

Los RCP-3500 remote control panels Associated with the cameras, they incorporate a bright, high-resolution LCD touch screen (which improves operation in this type of production environment), with a multitude of keys and a great capacity for customization, even via the Web, which makes it an intuitive and very easy-to-use panel. The iris and master black adjustment block employs a joystick type control.

Lastly, the HZC-CSM10 software is a powerful software tool, also called as PC-MSU, has the same characteristics as its twin sister in hardware version, that is, the master control unit or MSU (Master Set Up).

This software is also a perfect preventive diagnostic tool for a multi-camera environment that, with a simple PC, offers a very intuitive interface in which the camera engineer can control all the settings and monitor the status of the elements that make up the camera chains from a single point, as well as transfer files, store said settings or generate reports.