Mobile Studios And FOR-A Deliver HD Production Flypack To University Of Maryland Station, UMTV
Boca Raton, FL - University of Maryland Television (UMTV), the non-profit, educational cable television channel for the University of Maryland, purchased Mobile Studios' portable live video production system, the MS7HD, featuring FOR-A's HVS-500HS HANABI 1 M/E HD switcher. UMTV engineers selected the MS7HD after determining it was the best and most cost-effective tool for its student field production curriculum. 
The MS7HD is a fully integrated system that simplifies the complex world of live field production, making it an ideal choice for educational environments. Its ease of mobility saves time and money when planning a remote production. "The integration is key," said Rich Rubin, president and CEO of Mobile Studios. "Our MS7HD is packaged in a portable, small system. Everything is integrated into our console for ease of operation. You just open the top, plug in the cameras and you're ready to shoot."
The standard MS7HD unit comes complete with a FOR-A HVS-500HS HANABI 1 M/E HD switcher, input preview monitors, next preview and program monitors, audio mixer panel, flight pack console, back up UPS battery power supply, complete systems integration and user orientation from a Mobile Studios' engineer. FOR-A's HVS-500HS is the heart of the unit. The HVS-500HS is a self-contained switcher that accepts analog and digital HD and SD formats – with no external conversion required. One of the switcher's major innovations is its variety of input/output interfaces, including SD-SDI, HD-SDI, Analog Component SD and Analog Component HD. It can also connect to HDV cameras or PCs using component video break-out cables.
Purchasing an integrated unit eliminates the guesswork involved in building a system from the ground up. "The components found in the MS7HD are available for individual purchase. When a customer buys our integrated system, they don't have to worry about making a mistake because we've already put it together," explained Rubin. Customers can also opt to tailor the unit to their needs with customizable options like character generators, wireless sound systems and digital video recorders.
William Parker, UMTV's Director of Operations and Engineering, said that adding the MS7HD to their broadcasting curriculum makes it possible for students to learn remote production in a hands-on setting. So far, students have used the MS7HD to shoot a behind-the-scenes documentary on a talk show program, "In the Know." The local public affairs show, underwritten by the Capital Area Minority Contractors and Business Association, broadcasts regularly on WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C.'s affiliate as a paid program. During that production, one crew taped the show using UMTV's studio cameras while a second crew recorded the students using four cameras connected to the MS7HD. The university plans to use that footage to promote its broadcasting program.
"The most important benefit to UMTV is having a fully integrated system that is simple to train students on, but could also deliver broadcast quality," said Parker. "Response from the students has been extremely positive. They fall in love with the system with their first experience."
The switcher's flexibility and economic appeal prompted Mobile Studios to incorporate the HVS-500HS into its mobile production system. The MS7HD is an ideal choice for universities, houses of worship and production companies looking for portable, live HD production at a relatively low price point. "You can use the MS7HD wherever video production is done on-the-fly," added Rubin.
The acquisition of this equipment helps set UMTV and UMD apart from other broadcasting programs. "Our students are amazed because they receive access to a device featuring high definition at the college level, which better prepares them for future endeavors in professional broadcasting," said Parker. UMTV also has plans to take the unit on location to do a four-camera shoot of a jazz concert at a local club. Future projects could also include local sporting events and lectures.
SOURCE: University of Maryland Television