Custom Consoles Completes Studio Desk Project For TV3

Custom Consoles has announced that it has completed a studio desk project for Dublin-based television broadcaster TV3 Group.

The contract includes two large production control desks plus a single-operator sound control desk with a large integrated audio mixing panel. All three desks are based on the Module-R product series.

TV3 head of engineering Simon Dowling said: "Custom Consoles' Module-R gave us the freedom to specify exactly the technical control furniture we needed from from standard elements. The desks form part of a major upgrade to the programme origination capabilities in our busiest studio.

"The two production control desks are arranged as a conventional front and back parallel pair. At the front is 5.6 metre wide control desk which is designed for use for five operators. These consist, from left to right, of producer, PA, director, vision control and autocue controller.

"The vision control position is equipped with a Sony MVS-7000X mixer embedded into the main working surface. Eight 3U-high equipment bays are positioned so that the front panels are within easy reach just across the worktop. Ten monitor screens are mounted on Ergotron operator-adjustable arms along the rear edge of the desk.

"The rear desk is slightly wider, at 5.7 metres, and also intended for use by a five-strong team. We specified a configuration allowing operation of an on-air graphics controller, an ENPS hot desk, EVS slow motion control, lighting control, camera control and, at the right, camera robotics.

"The design specified eleven 3U-high equipment bays occupying the full width of the desk, in the same rear-of-desktop sloping configuration as the front desk. An ETC Element 60 lighting control panel, Sony MSU-1000 master camera control panel, multiple Sony RCP-1500 camera control panels and a Ross Robotics control panel are integrated into the worktop. Ten monitor display screens on adjustable arms are positioned along the rear.

"The added flexibility built into the system design and console layout allows for easy moving around of operators, depending on production requirements. This was important to future-proofing of the studio control area.

"The audio desk is centred on a Studer Vista 5M3 and has a 13U floor-to-desktop equipment pod on the right-hand side surmounted by an 8U pod. The audio desk is 3.1 metres wide and includes space for Genelec near-field monitor loudspeakers on the worktop."

All three desks are finished in oak veneer with Marmoleum worksurfaces, black bullnose edging and black PVC edging.

Broadcasting free-to-air and on-demand, TV3 became Ireland's first commercial television channel when launched on September 20, 1998. It is owned by Liberty Global and operated by Virgin Media Ireland.

Transmitting on the Saorview digital terrestrial network, Sky Ireland satellite, Virgin Media Ireland cable and Eir TV IPTV, TV3 provides a wide range of content including news, current affairs, entertainment and sport. Content from the refurbished studio can go to air on any of the TV3 Group's channels TV3, 3e and be3.

customconsoles.co.uk

(MH/LM)