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UE150 TBN Better

TBN Integrates Panasonic PRO PTZ Cameras & Tecnopoint Robotic Dolly Systems

Recently, TBN purchased 16 x AW-UE150 4K 60p integrated pan/tilt/zoom cameras, 7 x AW-RP150 camera controllers and Tecnopoint Tuning software, Totem telescopic column systems and motorized floor and ceiling dolly systems to equip new studio sets at its Tustin, CA and New York, NY facilities.

TBN is the world’s largest Christian television network and America’s most-watched faith-and-family channel. In the U.S., TBN’s family of networks is available to 98% of TV households.

Engineering a New Set for a New Format

For the production of a new women’s show called “Better Together” in its Tustin facility, TBN has allocated 11 of the AW-UE150s, and five of the AW-RP150s, along with a Tuning floor dolly system and a Totem system. At its New York City facility, for the airing of the Eric Metaxas’ nationally-syndicated radio program, TBN outfitted a studio with five AW-UE150s, two AW-RP150s and a Tecnopoint ceiling dolly system and Totem system.

Larry Haley, TBN’s director of network operations and engineering, explained that the “Better Together” set sports a new format. “The show is done in the round with the set rotating and it’s done with no crew in the studio. We’re trying to create an intimate environment. We had to come up with a way to give us the same shooting capabilities as if we have operators in the studio. The combination of the new (AW-UE150) cameras and the Tecnopoint rail systems and how they integrated together worked well for the project.” 

Haley added, “Eric Metaxas moved his nationally syndicated radio to our New York studios in a new production for the network. The New York studio is a smaller space with a more limited staff. And as in Tustin, we didn’t want operators in the studio. We wanted a high-quality, cost-effective production with the same capabilities as far as camera movement, camera control, and rail cameras. We did not want it to look like a traditional radio show with two to three people sitting around a table.”

Realizing the Vision

Haley said that TBN chose the Panasonic UE150/Tecnopoint combination for several factors. “One is the trifecta that everyone usually looks to obtain – features, price point and support. The Panasonic and Tecnopoint partnership, along with the features that the products brought, the price points and the Panasonic support that’s been good with us over the years, answered all three of those.”

“Another factor, which was a unique discovery and worked to our advantage, is the new AW-UE150 has a much wider field of view (than its competitors). With the short distances we were shooting in the sets, this gave us a whole new option we were not expecting to get with this type PTZ camera. Obviously, looking at the 4K capabilities, we were future proofing as well.”

Panasonic support, Haley added, has been amazing and “all of it has come together better than I could have hoped.”

“We would definitely recommend the Panasonic PTZ cameras and the Tecnopoint equipment and we’re already looking to use them for other projects at the network,” Haley said.

About the TBN

TBN is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To learn more about TBN’s new women’s show “Better Together,” visit https://bettertogether.tv.