KQED-DT/TV Acquires Complement Of Fujinon HD Lenses

San Francisco, CA - KQED-DT/TV, a PBS station serving Northern California, recently put several new Fujinon HDTV lenses into service. The Fujinon HD lenses include four HA27x6.5ESM studio lenses; one HA22x7.8BERM ENG-style HD lens; one HA16x6.3BERM wide angle ENG style lens; and one HA13x4.5BERM super wide angle ENG/EFP style lens.

KQED uses the four HA27x6.5ESM lenses on its Sony HDC-1000 multi-format HDTV studio pedestal cameras. The wider HA16x6.3BERM and HA13x4.5 ENG/EFP style HD lenses are used in the studio in handheld applications or in the field on several Sony HDC-1500 multi-purpose HD portable cameras, which have been outfitted with a "build-up" kit that supports the lenses. The HA22x7.8BERM is used on a jib or in handheld studio applications on the Sony HDC-1500 cameras.

Among the HD programs produced by and for KQED are: "This Week in Northern California," a weekly current affairs show; "Check Please," a weekly look at top restaurants in the Bay area; as well as documentaries, cooking and children's shows. Serving the Northern California market including San Francisco, San Jose, and Monterrey, KQED broadcasts KQED-TV analog channel 9; KQED-HD HDTV channel 9.1; and DTV sub-channels 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, and 9.5, each of which carries different programming, including "World," a collection of the popular science and history series seen on PBS.

At KQED, the new Fujinon HD lenses replace SD lenses which were also manufactured by Fujinon. However, prior to making a purchase decision, KQED's engineers participated in a "shoot-out" of all the top HD lenses on the market, with camera operators participating in hands-on demonstrations in their own studio.

"Since lens design and manufacturing has been steadily advancing, there are many excellent, competitive products on the market," said Lee Young, director of engineering facilities for KQED. "The deciding factor to purchase our new HD lenses from Fujinon came down to the outstanding customer service that we have received from Fujinon over the years."

KQED Senior Video Engineer Eric Shackelford said they've all been very pleased with their picture quality, features, and performance: "The picture quality on these lenses, especially the big studio lenses, is amazing. We're one of the first customers for the HA27x6.5ESM, and our units have serial numbers five through nine. I especially like that the ‘27x6.5's' are wider, shorter, and lighter weight than comparable lenses."

On the HA27x6.5 studio lenses, Shackelford said that one of the most appealing features is the Advanced Back Focus when they're implementing special effects. "Where you have a live, wide shot, you can quickly and easily defocus the wide shot on-air and bring in a key over it, among other effects," said Shackelford. "This feature is useful in situations where you want to bring on text of four or five bullet points, and you want the shot behind it to go softly out of focus to draw viewer attention to the graphic."

Another appealing feature is the DIGI POWER digital servo control system, enabling precise, repeatable moves and zooms. Shackelford said that the servo focus was not a feature they originally intended to order, but after the camera operators gave it a try during a demo, they were so impressed with its performance that they requested that the feature be added to the order.

Overall, Young and Shackelford said that their experience with Fujinon has been exemplary. "Whenever we've needed anything, they've bent over backwards to provide us with good technical and customer support," said Young. "Having a swift, dependable response is critical, especially for a 24/7 multicast television operation. Over the years, Fujinon has demonstrated that they are truly partners with us."

For more information about Fujinon broadcast and communications products, call 1-973-633-5600 or visit our web site at www.fujinonbroadcast.com.

SOURCE: Fujinon