KBS TV upgrades its studios with Iris postproduction suites
Published: ASIA
KOREA: Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), the biggest of the four major South Korean television networks, has installed three large Merging Technology Iris postproduction systems in to the company’s audio suites. The equipment was supplied by Merging’s distributor, Syncfish.
The broadcaster was already very familiar with the Swiss manufacturer’s products, having already opted to use Pyramix in as much as 70 per cent of the total music, drama, and documentary output being handled at the studios. The servers in use by the network required data in the XDCAM MXF format, and this meant that the final audio file had to be sent back to the video editing and computer graphics teams to be converted, leading to frequent backlogs. To enable the whole process to be completed directly in the audio suite, each one was fitted with Pyramix, VCube, Final Cut Pro and a GC computer, the major advantage of this being that last minute changes can quickly be carried out.
With such a large system, a suitable and efficient audio controller would also be necessary and the Tango 2 was selected. Subsequently, after consultation with the Merging team, additions to the upcoming version 5.0 of VCube will ultimately allow the Final Cut Pro stations to be removed, further saving time.
In addition to the obvious advantage of completing the process in one location, the company also feels the change has had the effect of breaking down the traditional barriers between the video and audio teams. A move that, because of the technical obstacles involved, the broadcaster describes as bold.
KBS’s Technical Operations team for this installation, which was led by Choi Myung Gyu and Insu Hwang, opted to equip each of the three studios identically, the only differences being the amount of faders on the Tango surfaces. Room A features 44 channels, whereas the other two both feature 32-channel consoles directly controlling the Pyramix 256 MassCore Post Pack, which is in turn connected to Horus units with a redundant power option. VCube completes the system with the HD-SDI Dual Card Option allowing for maximum video codec support.
Clearly happy with the new purchases, Mr Gyu remarked, ‘KBS is already very familiar with Merging Technologies products so this was an easy choice for us to make. We knew that this Iris system would meet our workflow requirements with the potential for even greater efficiency with the new VCube version coming soon. Our operators find the Tango control of Pyramix to be excellent.’