Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
16/05/2007

3sixtymedia Purchases Second Kahuna SD/HD Multiformat Production Switcher

Snell & Wilcox has announced that the UK's 3sixtymedia, the ITV Productions/BBC Resources joint venture based at The Manchester Studios, has purchased a second Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher to support general studio production.
The new Kahuna is installed in Studio 8, where it will allow the company to meet current production demands while preparing for future growth.
"Since our installation of the first Kahuna in Studio 12 a year ago, we've heard nothing but positive feedback from vision mixers and production," said Paul Bennett, Director of Northern Resources for ITV Productions. "We were originally attracted to the system because of its ability to switch to multiformat SD/HD operation without the need to purchase additional hardware and because the system introduces a maximum delay of only one frame. The open architecture of the desk gives us huge flexibility, and the auxiliary panel for a second operator has proved ideal for handling complex shows."
Kahuna's versatility allows for macro-based remapping of every button on the control surface and panels, allowing buttons to be programmed to perform tasks such as mixing two sources, selecting sources for a particular M/E bank, running a DVE move, controlling a disk recorder, or any number of other time-saving actions.
Both of 3sixtymedia's Kahuna systems feature a separate master auxiliary panel, six remote auxiliary panels, four channels of DVE, and an 80-input option. The master auxiliary panel is valuable in the many live productions for which two vision mixers are contracted, one to cut the main show and a second to switch floor feeds and ISO records. A new micro panel, also used by the second vision mixer, runs a series of macros, switching different layers of keying on and off as required by the director.
The Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher already installed in 3sixtymedia's Studio 12 has provided versatile source selection, access, and mixing capabilities that have been invaluable in the creation of television programs, such as 'Soapstar Superstar', 'Mastermind', and 'A Question of Sport'.
The new Kahuna system enhances the facility's production capabilities, allowing 3sixtymedia to produce a second series of ITV Productions' 'Soapstar Superstar' sister show, 'Bonus Tracks,' as well as ITV's live daily show, 'Soapstar Superchef.'
It also doubles the facility's future capacity to handle multiple formats in live production and when working with prerecorded and archive material.
With Snell & Wilcox's IMPAKT DVE feature, Kahuna operators at 3sixtymedia have access to a variety of powerful effects including spheres, slabs, zooms, warps, tiling, ripples, rolls and peels, fragmentation, lighting effects, and corner pinning. All these options are housed in the Kahuna's compact, 11-RU mainframe and require no additional connections or extra rack space.
3sixtymedia has begun using the Studio 8 Kahuna production switcher in SD-only mode. The future-proof design of the Snell & Wilcox switcher allows operators to work initially in SD-only and then make a simple upgrade to multiformat SD/HD operation when the studio shifts into HD production. In multiformat SD/HD mode, Kahuna users can mix existing SD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots, and archive footage directly into an HD production with no need to purchase expensive HD upgrades or extra HD upconversion equipment.
The Snell & Wilcox FormatFusion technology allows operators to integrate SD sources into HD productions seamlessly, and vice versa, without the need for conversion.
More information about the Kahuna and other Snell & Wilcox products is available at: www.snellwilcox.com
(DS/SP)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

28/05/2008
Switchers Switched On At 3sixtymedia
The ITV Productions/BBC Resources joint venture based in Manchester, 3sixtymedia, has installed four Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD multiformat productio
29/03/2006
3sixtymedia deploys Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher
3sixtymedia, an ITV Productions/BBC Resources joint venture broadcast studio, has invested in the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD production switcher. Ins
30/03/2012
Snell Launches Kahuna 360 Compact
At the 2012 NAB Show, Snell will introduce the Kahuna 360 Compact, a smaller-frame version of the company's Kahuna 360 video switcher, and one that is
11/04/2023
StreamGuys To Focus On Simplifying Live Constribution And Production Workflows
StreamGuys will bring its latest contribution to the media and entertainment industry to NAB Show 2023 – this time, with a focus on simplifying live c
11/04/2023
Crunchyroll Expands Cloud-Based Post-Production
SDVI and TMT Insights has announced that Crunchyroll, the international anime brand, has deployed the SDVI Rally media supply chain management platfor
29/03/2023
Riedel Strengthens Its Production Management Team
Riedel Communications has strengthened its Product Division management team with the promotion of Jan Eveleens to chief operating officer (COO) and th
08/08/2008
Snell & Wilcox Introduces Kahuna 1 M/E HD
Snell & Wilcox, designers of advanced systems for video playout, mastering, repurposing, infrastructure and live production switching, have announced
11/01/2006
Snell & Wilcox announces launch of IMPAKT 3D DVE option
Snell & Wilcox has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the industry’s most advanced production switcher, the multiformat SD/HD Kahuna, with the
25/06/2008
Switcher Integrates For All Channels
A trans-Atlantic company that designs and builds some of the world's most advanced systems for video playout, mastering, repurposing, infrastructure,
02/11/2023
Record TV Refits Its Audio Production Studios
Avid® has announced that Record TV, one of Brazil's leading TV broadcasters, has refitted its audio post-production studios with the Pro Tools | HDX™
23/11/2005
Betanews purchases second Snell & Wilcox kahuna multiformat production switcher
Italy’s Betanews has purchased its second Snell & Wilcox SD/HD Kahuna production switcher to upgrade one of the existing SD outside broadcast vehicles
23/02/2024
Innovative Production Services Elevates Audio Production With Lawo
Innovative Production Services, a leading provider of cutting-edge event production and OB solutions, has announced the acquisition of the state-of-th
09/08/2023
Production Futures Signs Martin Audio As Its High-Profile Partner
Production Futures has signed one of the industry's heavy hitters, Martin Audio, as its latest high-profile partner. "It's wonderful that Martin Audio
09/08/2023
Bridge Technologies Announces VB440 Production Probe
In a sweeping host of advancements that Bridge Technologies will be announcing for its VB440 production probe in the run-up to IBC2023 (Booth 1.A71),
31/07/2023
CP Communications Brings Live Sports Production Expertise
CP Communications once again brought its live sports production expertise to the MLB All-Star Game weekend of events, with 30 crew members supporting