MBC takes BroadcastPro ME on an exclusive tour of its refurbished studio and sheds light on the new technology at its facility Early this year, MBC Groups Al Arabiya news channel went on air with a brand new look for some of its programmes thanks to a completely refurbished studio and brand new sets […]
MBC takes BroadcastPro ME on an exclusive tour of its refurbished studio and sheds light on the new technology at its facility
Early this year, MBC Groups Al Arabiya news channel went on air with a brand new look for some of its programmes thanks to a completely refurbished studio and brand new sets at the facility. Although the design and integration of the cameras and the rest of the kit was undertaken in-house, Dubai-based systems integrator Oasis Enterprises was responsible for the lighting installation at the studio.
The studio lighting is said to have been at least twelve years old and was in dire need of replacement. A brand new rigging system from DeSisti has replaced an older system from the same manufacturer.
The installation includes a dimming and control solution from ETC and LED fittings from Italian manufacturer Coemar. In addition, the studio sets are on wheels so they can be moved around easily. The studio was designed by Malek Obeid, head of news resources and facilities at MBC Group.
I have worked in the news department since 1998 and now instinctively know what is suitable for our news operations. Our initial plan was merely to design a temporary studio but as the demand for it became stronger, we felt the need to revamp the entire studio so as to accommodate the needs of our news channel. Everything, therefore, has been changed at the studio.
Of course, there are some expensive elements that could potentially be retained so we have done that, he explains.
The studio boasts Sonys latest cameras and lighting technologies that will enable the end user to easily and effectively control the lighting to give the studio a different look and feel for each of its programmes.
Speaking about the project, Safwan Harcouss, lighting supervisor at MBC Group says: We have just upgraded the system with new pantographs and new dimming racks as well as new control systems and networks from ETC. We can access everything from an iPod instead of from the control room.
Overseeing the lighting project was Karim Abdel Massih, lighting product manager from the Professional Projects Division at Oasis Enterprises. Oasis was responsible for undertaking a similar lighting contract at MBCs ARA studio in Riyadh as well.
The Dubai installation called for the deployment of new technologies.
We replaced all of the rigging and put in new pantographs as well as new LED lights, explains Abdel Massih, adding that the strips have been supplied by Italian manufacturer Coemar.
This LED strip is a plug-and-play element. Once it works, it works forever, adds Massih.
The ability to control the entire lighting through an iPod, which is a remote control system from ETC is especially useful for the customer, adds Massih.
The end user no longer has to go to the control room to adjust the lighting. This can be done with the iPod.
The studio is also equipped with a new D rail system from DeSisti along with 56 pieces of the DeSisti pantograph.
For Oasis, the biggest challenge was to integrate the LED effect with the set design and commission the system within ten days.
The LED strips across the studio can be controlled both individually and as a whole based on the nature of the programme and the end users needs. This studio also includes an expensive and sophisticated LED Barco video wall as well as different screens designed as backgrounds for various programmes.
