Articles tagged #AI
Articles tagged
#AI

Garage Sale 2022

Bring your car, bring your van, bring your trailer 'cause the Videocraft Garage Sale is back baby!


We're having a garage sale in Melbourne and selling off everything from ex-demo to ex-rental and overstocked items!

Come and get yourself a bargain.


Be quick - once it's gone, it's gone!


Date: Saturday 19th of March

Time: 10am - 2pm

Where: 148 Highbury Rd, Burwood VIC 3125

Read More

Australian Open Overview 2022

This year at the Australian Open, we provided equipment and engineers for a range of clients.

Read More

Videocraft builds State Of The Art TV Studios and Production Facilities For RMIT

Recently RMIT University undertook a significant renovation of its Melbourne city faculty specifically to open their campus up by redoing its Swanston Street facade and substantially renovating seven floors across four buildings. This huge undertaking was known as the New Academic Street, or NAS, Project. The existing buildings were where RMIT had its TV studios, originally built in the 1960s, much used and loved but long overdue for an overhaul. The NAS project provided an opportunity for RMIT to replace the old TV Studios with world class, cutting edge facilities to support both current and future trends in media production as well as RMITs research requirements in the digital media realm. To help them with the design and build of the complete project they turned to Videocraft. Before the project could start the university put out a tender for the design, construction and integration of four control rooms (two of which were to be UHD), five studio spaces and a virtual and augmented reality system. The tender also specified some unique components including a fully distributed routing system, UHD record and replay solution and the ability to quickly move any studio to any control room, or multiple control rooms. Technical Services Manager School of Media & Communication College of Design & Social Context at RMIT University David Beesley explained, “We required world class facilities with a futureproof and flexible infrastructure - a big ask - and we required a company who could work with us to enhance our vision of what these facilities would look like and how they could support our specific pedagogical needs. In conjunction with other industry leaders and after extensive research and consultation, RMIT came up with a base design which was subsequently put out to tender. Videocraft's winning point of difference was their ability to add significant value to our vision and turn it into a functioning reality.” Videocraft worked with RMIT end users to finesse the design and ultimately supplied and installed the kit for four TV studios and control rooms, a master control room (MCR), RMIT’s 'Black Box' research studio and multiple fibre-linked OB points throughout the NAS Precinct. [gallery ids="https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5135.jpg.jpeg|Head of ABC News speaking at the RMIT NAS Project opening,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5130.jpg.jpeg|James Taylor in one of the four control rooms designed and installed by Videocraft,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5136.JPG-e1522805026155.jpeg|,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5131.jpg.jpeg|James and Jeanette Taylor at the Opening of the RMIT NAS Project,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5132.jpg.jpeg|Panasonic 4K UHD Studio Cameras,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5129.jpg.jpeg|Checking out the studios on RMIT's Opening night for the NAS Project,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5133.JPG-e1522804985885.jpeg|Panasonic 4K UHD Studio Cameras,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5126.JPG-e1522804965720.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5125.JPG-e1522804937190.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5128.JPG-e1522804906693.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5127.JPG-e1522804881286.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios"]   Videocraft Head of Engineering and Projects Nick Maclean added, “We also designed a Central Apparatus Room for the 4 control rooms and 5 studios, plus supporting spaces such as green rooms, makeup rooms and production offices. Given that this was not a greenfield site, but a retro fit of an existing building, there were considerable constraints with the spaces, but with clever design we were able to come up with a solution that met the brief.” As part of the scope required a ‘distributed’ router Videocraft decided to install a large Riedel Mediornet system as, based on a 10Gig backbone, the system can handle up to 384x384 3G HD signals. For a distributed audio network they implemented a Dante audio network and ensured that all the audio mixers, stage boxes and tie lines were IP connected over a 10GigE IP network with a Cisco Nexus backbone. Videocraft also installed IP KVM systems, IP talkback using Riedel Smart Panels, and IP wireless comms using the new Riedel Bolero AES67 wireless keypanels. To tie all these systems together they used Lawo Virtual Studio Manager, a control solution that removes all the complicated backend components and presents a unified interface for operators. Beesley continued, Videocraft also installed the first UHD EVS system in Australia, which included IP Director and XFile for file-based ingest and delivery of both HD and UHD studio content. Critically they also supplied and installed kit for our temporary TV studios, constructed for the duration of the major build, to ensure business continuity. It really was a first class job and they met our every requirement.” Other kit supplied and installed by Videocraft included Panasonic 4K UHD camera chains, Sony vision mixers, a Zero Density 'Reality' virtual set and MoSys camera tracking, Ross Expression graphics, Yamaha audio desks and ARRI lighting. Beesley continued, “Videocraft took charge of face to face meetings, design workshops, numerous stakeholder and site meetings, design revision, installation, commissioning and testing. Their approach was professional and flawless.” Now complete the new facilities are used for teaching, including live broadcasts, research and more. As a result RMIT students can now learn on the same tools they will encounter in the field to which Beesley added, “These are the first purpose built UHD studios in Australia. They are at the forefront of technology for anybody, but for a teaching facility they are undoubtedly the number one studios in Australia. They are flexible and their unique infrastructure ensures that they'll be fit for purpose well into the future.” David Beesley, clearly incredibly pleased and incredibly proud of RMIT’s new TV and production facilities felt compelled to highlight the real shining lights of the project concluding, “There are many wow factors with the new facilities with their flexibility, extensive use of fibre, VSM, and 4K UHD capabilities but the real standout is the Zero Density Reality system. Videocraft installed a two-camera system with Star Tracker motion tracking which can render full virtual sets and augmented reality elements in realtime with unbelievable realism. The system uses the Unreal Engine for 3D design and rendering and the results are simply stunning. It’s the most realistic virtual system we have ever seen. I cannot speak highly enough about what Videocraft did for RMIT during this project. They were amazing to work with, incredibly patient, understood our unique requirements and worked with us to create something that is truly great, and the envy of many.”

Read More

The 3 most interesting ideas to come from attending AvidConnect 2017

Firstly, this is not an Avid press release! AvidConnect (the annual Avid Customer Association event) is in its fourth year, and while it is a way for Avid to show off some of their new offerings and partnerships, there has always been some really interesting discussions about the industry we work in, and where we are headed. This year was no exception, and I have put together some of my thoughts on what I have seen over the weekend, and how I see this affecting our future. Here are three key points I have taken from AvidConnect2017, feel free to comment!

Read More

Videocraft recognised as a Victorian finalist in the 2015 City Switch Awards

o Lighting - Changed 98% of our lighting to LED lights and we expect a 14187 kWh reduction in energy use for the upcoming year.

Read More

Videocraft Designs, Supplies, Builds and Installs New Television Studio for RMIT

Recently Videocraft played a major part in the delivery of RMIT’s New Academic Street (NAS) consolidation project which included providing teaching and learning environments for students in their Screen and Media, Screen and Media Productions, Communications and Journalism programs. The scope of works required to deliver this project involved Videocraft designing, building and being responsible for the full construction of RMIT’s new TV Studio A.   Videocraft MD James Taylor explained, “This was a very comprehensive project and build and involved the acoustic treatment of ceiling, walls and windows, specialist acoustic doors, an upgrade of existing mechanical and electrical services and the relocation of existing equipment which was no mean feat. Bearing all this in mind Videocraft fulfilled all of RMIT’s audio visual requirements.”   Moving studios is never easy. Moving studios and simultaneously building a new one is even more complex as Taylor detailed, “This was a challenge for all involved. Maintaining continuity of business whilst shutting down one facility and building and troubleshooting a new state-of-the-art studio definitely had its challenges. That said we approached the broadcast AV installation in our usual professional manner and completed the project on a very tight timeframe and within the budget.”   According to Taylor the program constraints were difficult to achieve however he added, “Despite this major constraint we delivered in full and worked extensively with the end user to ensure their functional requirements were comprehensively addressed. I’m delighted to say RMIT were very happy with the end result.”   When all was complete Videocraft built and installed a state-of-the art digital television studio and master control including fibre link to C31, live streaming capabilities and green lighting technologies throughout. To which Taylor added, “All of this on a very tight budget by and within a very short timeframe. I’m very proud of our team for making this happen. It was an incredible effort and they were so professional.”   Videocraft supplied RMIT with the equipment for two TV studios with all associated cabling, two control rooms, comms, master control, cameras, audio, vision switchers, routers, racks, patch bays, CCUs and graphics. Now complete and ‘on-air’ the new studio is a dynamic and busy teaching facility catering to both VE and HE classes at RMIT in addition to RMITV. As a result students can now put live broadcasts to air on CTV31, live stream broadcasts over IP and cater for numerous pre-records and teaching activities.   James Taylor concluded, “RMIT’s feedback is that the users are ecstatic with the new spaces and the overall user experience has been excellent. The students find the state-of-the-art gear we installed a joy to work with and represents best industry practice, which in turn ensures the graduates are industry ready.”  

Read More

Videocraft provides NSCC with Hybrid Broadcast Production Facility

With a broadcast facility entering its twelfth year, it was clear to the team at the North Shore Christian Centre (NSCC) that an upgrade was well overdue. With weekly services and a half-hour TV program on TVS Channel 41 to produce, the facility was rapidly coming to its end of life - something NSCC Operational Pastor Ross Stewart turned to Videocraft for help with.
Stewart explained, “Our facility was over twelve years old and some of the equipment was almost thirty years old. We needed a major upgrade that would give us higher quality pictures for our live services and broadcast TV programme. We also wanted to go 16:9. As Videocraft specialises in these types of broadcast facilities and solutions we put together a tender and asked them for their advice.” Stewart met with Videocraft NSW state manager Andy Liell to discuss requirements, options and critically, budget. He continued, “We had a budget but it was one that required Videocraft to be creative and I’m delighted to say there were. We simply didn’t have the money to purchase all new equipment, so Andy put together an amazing deal based on a hybrid solution consisting of their best high quality rental equipment and some brand new kit.” The Videocraft solution included four Sony BVP-E30 SD triax camera chains and a Panasonic AV-HS450 vision switcher with Venitex Aux Bus control panels providing the NSCC with simple switching for two stage side screens independent of the broadcast feed. Stewart added, “The solution was a good one and the way Videocraft installed the switching console so we could overlay song lyrics over live video was particularly clever. Andy also designed the system so we could independently switch the side screens from the broadcast cut using the flexibility and versatility of the Panasonic vision switcher. It was very clear that Videocraft understand how to utilise the full potential of the AV-HS450 and how, by using third party add-ons, we could achieve a very cost effective workflow.” The Videocraft installation also integrated AJA Ki Pro hard disk recorders that enabled a fully file based workflow for the NSCC’s post requirements, a Ross router, Sony monitoring, new Sony projectors, Fujinon ENG and box lenses and all back end glue, wiring and cabling. As the NSCC facility is staffed by volunteers, ease of use was something that had particular attention paid to it with Stewart commenting, “Our volunteers are not broadcast industry professionals so Videocraft had to take that into consideration. The broadcast facility we now have is simple to use and yet gives us very high quality results. It’s a great example of how Videocraft have created a full broadcast facility on a very tight budget. As a result we have all our bases covered as, by upconverting, we are able to produce HD content for all our in house requirements whilst delivering an SD master for broadcast. Our aim is to upgrade to HD cameras in the near future. The other points worth mentioning were around Videocraft’s expertise and professional approach. Nothing was too much trouble, we were able to test before we purchased and no question was ever left unanswered.”  

Read More

#NAB2014 Products to Watch - Post Production

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read More

Videocraft Builds Major New Studio for Ambience Entertainment

Bespoke solution with tapeless and file-based workflows Production company Ambience Entertainment is used to requesting unusual solutions from Videocraft. In fact, according to Supervising Producer Monica O’Brien it’s almost expected now. However, the company’s most recent request surpassed everything they had asked for to date. “This time we asked Videocraft to build us a complete studio from scratch in under three weeks. Even for us that’s a big ask and for anyone who knows Videocraft they’ll also know their answer – yes, we’ll do it!” said O’Brien. The request came after continued success for Ambience with the company being commissioned by the Nine Network to produce another children’s show entitled, Pyramid. O’Brien explained, “We had to do two series of Pyramid in Sydney in record time. In order to do that we required a cost effective strategy for the production which was file based and did not compromise on quality. With their previous success in providing us with XDCAM workflows for Larry The Lawnmower and Magical Tales we again turned to Videocraft for the solution. Along with the XDCAM workflow we wanted an SD/HD solution that was reliable and could cope with producing 130 commercial half-hour episodes at a rate of six per day. Oh and it had to be very cost effective too!” Upon initial discussions it became clear to Videocraft MD James Taylor and NSW State Manager Andy Liell that what Ambience needed this time was more than just a straightforward workflow solution. Liell explained, “Ambience wanted us to think outside of the box. What was required wasn’t a traditional networked studio or OB solution. It was much more a bespoke studio build that would suit Pyramid and many other future shows for Ambience. The studio also had to be tapeless with file-based workflows. With so little time James immediately began a system design proposal and my team started work on the install schedule.” Videocraft specified a system that used the latest industry standard components. This meant the production was not tied to a legacy of older equipment. Although Pyramid was to record in SD, the core of the system is a powerful and flexible HD backbone. Liell continued, “This system is totally unique, customised to the needs of the production and designed so it can be easily and quickly reconfigured if required with the entire studio able to switch from SD to HD by simply changing the cameras. The fact that this is now a permanent installation in Fox Studios Studio 8 means that there is virtually no potential for problems that could occur with a system that was constantly being bumped in and bumped out on a weekly basis, potentially delaying production if a problem arises at bump in.” Key to the system’s success was the design, equipment and its workflows. Central to the system solution was a 6-channel EVS XT2 server and XDCAM workflow for record and playback. Liell explained, “James designed the system to record to both EVS and Sony XDCAM. Main programme and a backup record is to two Sony PDWHD1500 XDCAM decks, which also give the advantage of being able to record 8 channels of audio in the MPEG IMX 50 format - equivalent in quality to Digital BETACAM. The EVS XT2 server records the programme feed, ISO cameras and also does playback. We also added the EVS IP Director to simplify recording and manage exporting operations to Final Cut Pro for editing. The ISO material on the EVS is recorded in the same IMX 50 codec as XDCAM, so the quality of the master and the ISOs is identical. Both Final Cut Pro and Avid systems can natively edit these files with no quality loss. This file based workflow significantly helps the turnaround time of the programmes, reduces cost for tape stock, reduces ingest times to post and preserves the best picture and audio quality.” Monica O’Brien added, “The EVS is amazing. It’s at least 1 and ½ times faster than a tape based solution and there’s no digitising time involved, so this saves us money on every line item in the production.” Taylor’s system design also includes a fully optioned Sony MVS8000G Vision Mixer, Sony’s most powerful switcher currently on the market, for maximum flexibility. Multi-view monitoring is taken care of by Evertz VIP-A multi-viewers feeding four Sony 47” LCD screens that make up the control room monitor wall along with Marshall UMD LCD displays. Also included in the system is the TSL Tallyman box, which allows tallys and source names to follow through from the Codan router to all the monitors in the control room. For graphics a Deko 3000 dual-channel CG boasting a full feature set was included and for intercom an RTS Zeus III Digital matrix with wireless floor manager comms, wireless IFB for talent and standard wired camera comms were chosen. Videocraft also provided four Sony BVPE30WSP widescreen SD cameras on Sachtler pedestals and fifth camera (Sony HDCX310) as a jib mounted wide-angle camera with full paint control from the CCU area. Liell said, “The BVPE30 is the current flagship SD camera of the Sony range. The Power HAD EX CCD is widely regarded as the best 2/3” SD CCD ever made and provides the best SD picture performance, excellent low light capabilities and very low noise. The BVPE30 follows the same operational characteristics as earlier series of Sony cameras, providing instant familiarity for Camera Operators and Technical Directors.” Videocraft also took care of the studio’s engineering area designing it with full control of all router sources and destinations, its own grade one monitor and audio monitoring. Monica O’Brien said, “We turned to Videocraft to custom build us an entire studio because we can trust them. I told them I needed them to provide a miracle in three weeks and they did it. The team were as professional as ever and even during installation and commissioning the production was able to continue unhindered not missing a beat. Videocraft never try to mislead or hard sell us on anything, they are honest and always provide the best advice – not to mention always work within our budgets too. Along with help from Fox Studios and support from Channel 9 we have an exceptionally strong team. With this studio our aim is to continue to produce high quality programmes for local and international broadcasters for the foreseeable future. We also expect Videocraft to very much be a part of that. Their expertise and integrity is unquestionable and invaluable.” Andy Liell said, “Custom building this long term rental studio for Ambience is one of our greatest achievements to date and has significantly bolstered Videocraft’s inventory. Omnilab Media and Ambience are always looking for new and inventive ways to effectively and efficiently make their programmes. We are very pleased that we continue to play an integral part in helping make that happen.” Pyramid airs on Channel 9 at 4pm.

Read More

Videocraft moves into Top Gear

Following the huge worldwide success of the UK original, Top Gear Australia was the most eagerly awaited TV franchise of 2008 and for good reason. With a nationwide search for presenters and significant promotion on SBS, the motor loving Australian public were keen to see the results. Freehand Productions were the production company tasked with creating Australia’s biggest motoring show based on a global product and Executive Producer Scott Young and Videocraft’s James Taylor discussed the best way to make this happen. Taylor’s solution involved the latest in Avid equipment and workflows. He explained, “The solution we put together included two Avid Media Composers, a new Avid Symphony Nitris DX, a 24Tb Avid Unity Media Net, a Digital Beta Cam Camera, DV Cam record facilities, a video router, tape machines, and high quality video and audio monitoring. Basically the whole shooting match.” The Avid solution came after Taylor looked at how the Avid Symphony was used on the UK show and decided that the new Nitris DX would be perfect as the main finishing suite for sequences with the Media Composers used for editing. Taylor continued, “It was an excellent solution and with seamless data transfer between the Symphony and Media Composer which meant not one problem despite very heavy shooting and post schedules.” According to Taylor it was the robustness and reliability of the system which was the key. “At Videocraft we have extensive experience with this type of system.” He added. “Our philosophy is to have a solid nucleus and then customise it per the individual project’s requirements. There was an intense amount of post and treatments on Top Gear Australia and the editors did an amazing job.” Scott Young was impressed with the Videocraft approach to solution solving. “James was spot on with this system.” He said. “He demonstrated that as Avid’s Media Composer and Unity have developed and extended their functionality there was no need for full blown and costly edit suites. The Symphony Nitris DX achieved the post look that we wanted at a much cheaper cost than if we were to have used the standard Symphony that’s at the heart of the UK show. With the Boris Continuum Complete and Sapphire V2.0 plug-ins we were able to achieve everything we wanted.” The real technology star according to Taylor was the Avid Unity Media Net. “The Unity was the key.” He explained. “It allowed an edit created in Media Composer to be seamlessly opened and finished in Symphony. Editors could also easily add to and change each other’s work without complications. The Unity as a shared storage system also saved time and money as there was no need to re-digitise tapes.” Scott Young concluded, “We congratulate Videocraft on creating a professional solution for Top Gear Australia. We have had constant feedback that the show not only looks as good as the UK version but in many respects, even better. Their sheer professionalism and hard work combined with expert knowledge was invaluable to us. With the much smaller budget it was a real achievement to attain the same look as the UK show.” Top Gear Australia Series Two begins shooting in February 2009

Read More