Technical Equipment
Our production team uses state the art video and audio equipment to provide a professional live broadcast event that encompasses camera, microphones, mixers, intercoms, lighting and more. In the following paragraphs you find a description of the single devices that are responsible for a smooth video production. All recordings are in 4K and are stored locally on a video and 8 channel sound recorder. Live Broadcast on YouTube is streamed at 720P.
ATEM Video Switcher 4K – The Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K is a UHD 4K-compatible, 8-input live production switcher with an integrated control panel, suitable for broadcast, music, web, and A/V productions. This versatile switcher’s eight independent 12G-SDI inputs accept all popular HD and UHD signals up to 2160p60. A re-syncing feature on each input enables you to seamlessly use a mixture of pro and consumer cameras and computer feeds.
Switch, add effects, color grade, and key in real time using the control surface’s buttons, knobs, and slider. The ATEM Advanced Chroma Keyer, with one upstream and two downstream keys, offers live graphics and virtual set creation with improved image control and spill correction. Create PiP ( Picture in Picture) effects, resize and scale live video, and choose from 17 powered transitions.
Multi-View and Program View – The ATEM Switcher includes a multi-view that allows you to see all of your video sources and graphics overlays in one display. The multi-view screen also includes the preview and program view section.
Program view is the active display that will be recorded and broadcasted. In our case we use two 4K monitors, one that shows the multi-view and the other the program-view only in full resolution. This allows to control the video for correct white balance, sharpness and exposure. The person controlling the Switcher is called the Technical Director, TD.
Control Module – The control module is a multi functional device that includes several parts. On top you see a power conditioning module that filters out grid voltage spikes and therefore protects the sensitive electronic equipment. Next device is a audio delay unit that is explained on a separate entry. Below is an internal fan unit to cool the units below which are the Web-Presenter and the Hyperdeck Video recorder.
On the bottom you see the Intercom and Tally-Light control. The intercom allows the Technical Director to talk to the camera operators and give them instructions if needed. Tally Lights are the control lamps that show which camera is currently in the Program-View mode. Each manned camera also has a Tally-Light.
Clock, ON AIR and Fan Control Module – Offers time information for broadcast schedule. Broadcast is starting for 5 minutes prior to each recital start with an introduction video and announcement by the web-presenter.
It also controls various Cooling Fans to keep equipment well ventilated and protected from over-temperature. The Module also controls the ON AIR indicator.
The ON-AIR indicator is faced to the live audience of the recitals to let them know that the crew is busy with recording and streaming the event and shouldn’t be disturbed.
Zoom L-12 Audio Mixer and Sound Recorder – A highly flexible 12-channel digital mixer and multitrack recorder, well suited for live performances, studio recording, band rehearsals, podcasts, and more. The compact mixer features 8 mono channels, each with combo mic/line XLR-1/4″ inputs with high gain, low-noise microphone preamps, +48V phantom power, and a single compression knob, while the two stereo inputs offer dual 1/4″ and RCA inputs.
We are using 8 microphones and a direct feed into the church’s wireless microphone console to capture the sound adequately for various piano and stage performances. The sound engineer is mixing and adjusting the single microphone for best performance and optimum live broadcast results.
Blackmagic Hyperdeck Mini Video Recorder – a portable broadcast quality record/playback deck.
All our recitals are recorded in 4K and if something would go wrong with the live broadcast stream, the local SD card copy could be used to perform some post editing in Premiere Pro and upload the event video after the live event to YouTube.
Blackmagic Web Presenter – a compact desktop device that allows you to connect any SDI or HDMI camera signal and stream it live on the Web in 720p HD. In our case the ATEM Switcher is connected with an SDI cable to the Web-Presenter.
From the Web Presenter a USB connection goes to a high end desktop computer which uses the OBS or Wirecast streaming software.
Rane AD22S Audio Delay – Our audio recording is not performed via the cameras but is fed directly into the audio mixer. Since the camera video processing needs more time than the audio, the video signal will run behind the audio and a “out of sync” situation will occur. To compensate the AD22S can delay the audio signal so both signals, audio and video are in sync. The empiric delay value is about 8 video frames which is roughly 266 milliseconds.
Intercom and Tally System – This is a control module that allows communication between the Camera Operators and the Technical Director. The yellow control lights indicate the camera channel active. The red lights are Tally Lights that indicate which camera is currently in the Program-View mode.
Web Presenter – Announcer The word Web-Presenter has two definitions. Firstly it is the Device that is described above. Secondly it is the Person that controls the Live Stream, the lighting, the desktop computer and the upstream for Camera 8 which are pre-recorded clips from the computer’s hard drive.
Moreover, the Web-Presenter also has its own microphone and does announcements as needed for the live broadcast. The Web-Presenter is recorded on Camera 7. The Web Presenter also controls the live broadcast on YouTube and replies to questions and comments written by the Live Stream viewers.
Please view or download the following PDF files for detailed duties and suggestions: Web-Presenter Duties | Narration Topics
Panasonic GH5 Camera – 1 through 4 are GH5 cameras. Camera 1 and 2 are operated by a camera man/girl and camera 3 and 4 are mounted on a “camera tree” and are remote controlled by the Technical Director.
The Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera provides an outstanding imaging platform for shooters who demand some of the best video and still photography quality they can get in a single compact camera. At the heart of the camera is a 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor and a newly developed Venus Engine processor, which both offer dramatically improved processing times over its predecessor. This enables the ability to record 4K video at up to 60 fps, even with 10 bits.
The camera also has good low light capacity however it needs some decent lighting to make the picture grain free.
Our GH5 is built on a “cage” with various accessories such as an external battery, 3x zoom control, focus control, external monitor, intercom module and HDMI to SDI converter 6G. We run the camera with 4K resolution (3840×2160) in 10 bit mode via a SDI cable to the ATEM Switcher.
Panasonic AG UX180 Premium Professional Camcorder records DCI 4K (cinema 4K) at 24p, UHD 4K at up to 60p, and FHD up to 120p (when set to 59.94Hz standard). The camera is switchable between the 59.94 and 50Hz frame format, which is analogous to NTSC and PAL. This allows the camcorder to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of current broadcast video systems in place around the world. Featuring an integrated 20x optical zoom lens and a 1″ type sensor, the camera records in DCI 4K, UHD, and HD in MOV, MP4. The camera is also capable of recording HD in the AVCHD format. The 16-axis color correction functionality enables precise color adjustment not normally available on a camcorder.
We will use 2 UX180 cameras. As opposed to the GH5 this camera has a 20x optical zoom which allows to make close up shots. Since high zoom levels also amplify slightest camera movements it is important that this camera is kept on the tripod with minimum pan/tilt changes.
The VariZoom VZ-ROCK-PZFI is a zoom/focus/iris controller for Panasonic cameras with 2.5mm zoom/start/stop and 3.5mm focus/iris ports. It features matching 2.5 and 3.5mm connectors on an integrated 40″ cable, and a brass clamp for attaching it to most tripods, jibs, stabilizers, and other camera supports.
The controller has a pressure-sensitive, side-to-side rocker for zoom control. The rocker offers a wide sweep that provides for a greater range of motion and more accurate control than throttle-style zoom controls allow. Iris and focus are adjustable via separate smooth and quiet knobs that can be operated by two people, useful for moving/crane shots. Furthermore, focus and iris can be used in auto or manual mode, selectable via a switch. The controller is designed to provide precise control over these three camera functions and also offers a low-profile record/pause button.
Panasonic G85: 2 of those cameras are unmanned. One points to the keyboard of the piano and the other one is for the web-presenter commentator.
Designed for video and stills shooters alike, the Lumix DMC-G85 from Panasonic is a versatile Micro Four Thirds camera characterized by its quick performance, flexible photo capabilities, and UHD 4K video recording.
Included with the camera body is the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S., which is a standard zoom lens that provides a 24-120mm equivalent focal length range. Its optical design incorporates three aspherical elements and one extra-low dispersion element to reduce both chromatic and spherical aberrations throughout the zoom range.
The G85 also supports recording UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) video with either 30p or 24p frames. We use 30 frames per second and route the video signal via a blackmagic HDMI to SDI converter to the Blackmagic 4K switcher. The keyboard camera is also used for PIP (Picture In Picture) mode in the switcher.
Tally Light and Intercom Each manned Camera has a control box that incorporates a Tally Light (red) and an Intercom Light (yellow). When the Tally light is lit, the camera is active in the Program Mode and being streamed live. That means that no erratic movements, no pan or tilt oscillation should be made. Listen to the Technical Director’s voice in your headset if some correction should be made.
If the yellow light is lit, your microphone on the headset is activated and you can talk back to the Technical Director. If it is not lit you can press the yellow light button and your mike will be activated. Please do not use this button to utter unrelated comments or talk to other camera operators. The Intercom should only be used between the Technical Director and a single camera operator.
Owner Manuals Please click the following links to view or download (PDF) the owner manuals for the following technical devices: