NRK Purchases Shotoku Multi-Site Remote Camera Solution

Shotoku Broadcast Systems has announced the sale and installation of a multi-faceted, multi-site camera control configuration to NRK, Norway's national public broadcaster and the largest media organisation in the country.

The installation was a key component of NRK's upgrade to its news studios in Oslo that included a large SmartTrack rail system to achieve the desired visual impact. The broadcaster also installed a nationwide remote camera system for 11 regional studios capable of being controlled locally or remotely from the Oslo HQ.

The powerful SmartTrack system combines strength and finesse to support the rapid camera moves demanded, as well as ultra-slow, smooth on-air crawls. The range of on-air tracking shots provide unique camera motion adding interest and variation, without distracting from the serious nature of the news content and the overall production values.

"The NRK installation is a perfect illustration of SmartTrack’s capabilities," said James Eddershaw, Shotoku sales director.

"It addresses all the demanding requirements for dolly speed, elevation range, motion control and heavy camera / prompter / talent monitor payload.  In addition, the MAT LIZARD-DOLLY and TOWERCAM technology at the core of the SmartTrack system has proven so reliable it is trusted in the live production of Dagsrevyen, Norway’s flagship national daily news programme." 

In Studio 5, Shotoku installed four SmartTrack dolly systems, TG-18 PT heads and height elevation running on three separate tracks. One track carries the two main cameras in a tight arc around the main set.

A second track follows a slightly larger arc, and also straightens out to enable the camera to be used in an adjoining weather or journalist presentation area.

Finally a third, straight track provides the director with a wider angle tracking move across the lengthy back wall of the studio creating incredible opening and closing shots of the studio, as well as presenter shots when required.

The smaller Studio 7 was equipped with a single SmartTrack system along with three fixed-pedestal Shotoku TG-27 robotic pan & tilt systems, providing a simpler studio configuration yet one still able to efficiently produce powerful and engaging news programmes.
All studios use Shotoku’s TR-XT touchscreen-based control system.

The capacity and flexibility of these systems ensure the NRK operators can quickly and easily define the camera movements well in advance, and with a single tap of the touch screen initiate even the most complex multi-camera, motion-controlled camera moves. 

Each TR-XT can access any of the studio’s cameras and control is automatically shared between the main operator and, if necessary, the producer.  In addition, the TR-XT systems can take control of cameras in other studios over WAN connection, including any of NRK’s 11 regional sites located throughout Norway.

Along with direct operator control, the entire system is connected to NRK’s Viz Mosart automation system for total automation when required.  Finally, in addition to the SmartTrack and pan & tilt configurations, the TR-XT system (via Shotoku’s DigiPort devices) also enables NRK to control existing third-party integrated PTZ cameras for some simpler productions from a secondary studio.

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