THE CUSTOMER
Headquartered in Tustin, California, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is the world’s largest religious broadcast television network.
THE PROJECT
Headquartered in Tustin, California, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is the world’s largest religious broadcast television network.
Looking to deliver localised Christian content to UK audiences via multiple delivery platforms including Sky, Freesat and Freeview, TBN approached us for help with an ambitious project to turn a 32,000 sq. ft. former cinema in Willesden, North London, into a three-floor HD studio complex.
THE APPROACH
Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – provided complete project consultancy, supply and implementation of the entire broadcast infrastructure at the new facility.
TBN was keen for its new UK studios to mirror its American ones, so we designed a solution that delivered eight Grass Valley LDK 8000 HD camera channels and a Grass Valley Karrera vision mixer, as well as a Harris Platinum MX router, which incorporates audio embedding, audio de-embedding and multi-viewing into a compact box. We also worked alongside entertainment systems specialists Glantre Engineering on the lighting design within the facility.
One particular feature of the new complex is that the radio microphones work anywhere in the building, without having to move the receivers. To achieve this, we designed and installed an intelligent RF distribution system that has pick-up points on each floor and distributes the RF into multiple receivers, complete with filters to ensure that no external noise is picked up.
THE OUTCOME
The new state-of-the-art HDTV production facilities feature three separate studio floors and four galleries – all of which are interchangeable.
The ground floor studio features a 200-seat auditorium, designed to host talk shows and live music. The first floor houses a studio with a green screen infinity wall, as well as the main production and audio galleries, lighting and camera control area and equipment racks. A smaller studio set and two additional galleries are located on the top floor.
“Our aim with this new studio facility in London is to be able to offer localised content to the UK, to the same standard that we’re able to do in the US,” said Richard Fleming, managing director of TBN Europe. “It was important that we found a partner who could offer expertise on the entire project, rather than just supplying equipment, and we’re delighted with the support that Gearhouse Broadcast has been able to provide.”
THE CUSTOMER
Launched in 1973, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) began as a single television station broadcasting a few hours of Christian programming daily to Los Angeles viewers. Today, it operates more than 30 networks globally, which run 24/7.
THE PROJECT
In 2015, religious network TBN sought to transform a 32,000 sq ft former cinema in Willesden Green, North West London, into a multi-level HD studio complex.
Once complete, the ambitious project would allow the network to deliver localised Christian content to UK audiences via multiple platforms including SKY, Freesat & Freeview.
TBN opted to rely on leading broadcast solutions provider Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – to design, supply and install the three-level production facility.
THE APPROACH
Gravity Media has a worldwide reputation for innovation, and is known for devising flexible, cost-effective & reliable broadcast solutions.
The team drew on its vast wealth of experience, and unrivalled access to the very latest in broadcast technologies when coming up with the best, most innovative ideas for the state-of-the-art Willesden Green studio build.
The HDTV production facilities devised, supplied and installed by Gravity Media featured three separate studio floors, along with four galleries, all of which are interchangeable.
The ground floor studio features a 200-seat auditorium, designed to host talk shows and live music. The first floor houses a studio with a green screen infinity wall, as well as the main production and audio galleries, lighting and camera control area & equipment racks. A smaller studio set and two additional galleries are located on the top floor.
In terms of kit requirements, TBN was keen for its new UK facilities to mirror those already established in the US. So, Gravity Media delivered eight Grass Valley LDK 8000 HD camera channels and a Grass Valley Karrera vision mixer, along with a Harris Platinum MX router, which incorporates audio embedding, audio de-embedding and multi-viewing into a compact box.
Gravity Media also worked on the lighting design within the studios, alongside entertainment systems specialists Glantre Engineering.
One stand-out feature of the TBN facility is that its radio microphones work anywhere within the building – without the need to move receivers around. To achieve this, Gravity Media specialists designed and installed an intelligent RF distribution system. The system has pick-up points on each floor, and distributes the RF into multiple receivers, complete with filters, ensuring no external noise is picked up.
OUTCOME
Gravity Media worked closely with TBN throughout the entire studio build process, providing complete project consultancy, as well as supply and implementation of the entire broadcast infrastructure.
Speaking upon successful completion of the project, Richard Fleming, managing director of TBN-Europe said it was important that content originating from the London facility was on par, quality-wise, with that produced in the US.
“It was important that we found a partner who could offer expertise on the entire project, rather than just supplying equipment, and we’re delighted with the support that Gearhouse Broadcast has been able to provide.”
THE CUSTOMER
The independent Arab nation of Qatar, officially known as the State of Qatar, is located in the Middle East, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The country has the highest per capita income in the world. its capital city, Doha, is known for its futuristic skyscrapers and other ultramodern architecture inspired by ancient Islamic design. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Emir of Qatar. He became the 8th Emir of Qatar on 25 June 2013 after his father’s abdication.
Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, also known as Qatar State Mosque or the State Grand Mosque was opened in 2011. Officially Qatar’s national mosque, it is named after an 18th century Sunni Muslim preacher and scholar. Located at Al-Khuwair in Doha, the air-conditioned, extravagant yet clean-lined mosque is believed to be the Middle East’s largest, with 90 domes, 18 entrances and capacity for 30,000 people.
THE PROJECT
In 2011, leading broadcast solutions provider Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – was tasked with delivering a high specification, turnkey broadcast installation for Qatar’s new national mosque.
The installation needed to be configured to accommodate the regular live broadcasts of Qatar Television (QTV).
Specifically, the television network wanted to utilise the mosque for live feed every occasion during Ramadan EID and Adha EID, as well as during prayers every Friday.
THE APPROACH
Gravity Media’s Systems Integration team is known for taking a tailored approach for each client, providing innovative and flexible broadcast solutions using the very latest in broadcast technologies. This project was no exception.
The Broadcast Control Room was fitted out with a Sony DVS 9000 vision mixer, Harris routing, glue and Inscriber graphics, Sony VTRs, a Miranda Kaleido multi-viewer and six JVC 42 LCD display monitors.
The audio mixer supplied was a Soundcraft BB100, which was specially fitted into bespoke Custom Consoles technical furniture. The five Sony BVP-E30 system cameras supplied with a mix of Canon J35 and J22 lenses were supplemented by ten Panasonic AW-E860 cameras, with Canon YJ20 lenses on hot-heads.
Some of the other major system components were provided by Trilogy Communications, Tektronix and Evertz. Panasonic remote control cameras were installed to provide extra coverage of the main Mosque area. Comprehensive technical cabling was carried out to custom wall boxes throughout the Mosque, some fitted with marble inserts.
