ARRI LightNet, a software platform for broadcast studio lighting networks, will also be installed at Al Araby TV.
Major news broadcaster Al Araby Network has relied on ARRI Solutions to design and engineer a fully IP-based lighting network in its new headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
Following a move from London, the news channel’s complex at Lusail City comprises three state-of-the-art production environments, a 430sqm newsroom, a 290sqm morning studio and a 235sqm blackbox studio. To design and engineer an advanced, IP-based lighting network for production conditions within the three studios, Al Araby has opted for ARRI Solutions.
ARRI Solutions, a dedicated team within ARRI focused on designing and delivering production infrastructures, handled consultation, planning and installation of the studio lighting network. The core aim was to deliver a robust and reliable workflow that could be fully integrated into the overall broadcast infrastructure.
Commenting on the deal, Jörg Pohl, Director of ARRI Solutions, said: “By working in close collaboration with Al Araby’s technical colleagues, we were able to identify a number of opportunities throughout the workflow for efficiency and reliability via IP connectivity. This approach enabled us to design a cost-effective solution that fully serves the broadcaster’s needs, whilst retaining the highest quality lighting expected by Al Araby TV for all of its programming output.”
The lighting design for the studio complex specified ARRI SkyPanels throughout the three environments, complemented by the industry-leading profiler, moving head and effect lighting fixtures. This ensures optimal light distribution and quality to support broadcasting requirements into Ultra High Definition (UHD) and beyond. The lighting network is based on TCP-IP protocols from the control board to the luminaires.
Al Araby TV will also be equipped with ARRI LightNet, a software platform that offers centralised monitoring, management and fault detection for broadcast studio lighting networks. Data from all devices on the network, from fixtures through to network switches is displayed in real-time on a single interface, maximizing efficiency for broadcast engineers working in busy studio environments.
Ali Husseini, Director of Broadcast Operations & Visuals at Al Araby TV, added: “Al Araby TV has a long-standing relationship with ARRI Solutions, having worked closely on our London studios, so we were assured from the start that the team had the experience and insight to help us reach a new level of reliability and control. With a lighting control infrastructure based solely on IP, we’re able to achieve system-wide increases in flexibility and reliability across our new facilities, essential elements for a busy news broadcasting environment such as ours.”
