The GB News Multi-Studio Setup with AxisCtrl
With GB News's success, it needed to expand beyond its existing studio in Paddington with a new studio location and additional outside broadcasts.
Project Background
GB News required a camera and robotics control system capable of handling cameras from multiple manufacturers in multiple studio locations. The current system was incompatible with these requirements.
To address their need for flexible studio operations, they also required:
- Unified control for multiple camera brands and robotic systems.
- Integration with their main studio automation system.
- A solution for managing multiple studio locations and outside broadcast cameras.
- Scalability for future studio and equipment expansions.
- Introducing automatic camera framing, positioning, and more to offload the operators in the control room.
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Project Solution: Multi-gallery studio control with AxisCtrl
Electric Friends delivered a scalable control system using AxisCtrl, tailored to meet GB News's needs across multiple studio locations and outside broadcasts. The solution spans two studios in Paddington and Westminster.
Key usage of the AxisCtrl solution at GB News
- Control over 20 cameras of various brands and types, including Panasonic AWUE150 PTZ, BirdDog P100 and P120 PTZ, and Sony FR7 PTZ.
- Control of Technopoint robotics.
- Integration with Viz Mosart for automated workflows.
- AI-driven features for presenter tracking and camera re-framing.
- Controlling cameras in outside broadcasts, reducing reliance on on-site camera operators.
"With Electric Friends, we can control cameras remotely, even during outside broadcasts. This flexibility has saved us significant costs and streamlined our operations," says Willmott.
He adds: "The multi-gallery setup is a game-changer. It allows us to control any camera from any gallery and adapt quickly to operational needs, including outside broadcasts. The Electric Friends system has given us tremendous flexibility and saved significant costs. This resilience and adaptability have been critical to our operations, especially during highdemand events.
A control solution for the future
- Scalability: A future-proof system ready to expand with additional cameras and new locations.
- Operational Flexibility: Multi-gallery control allows seamless switching between control rooms and cameras.
- Open Architecture: Supports various camera brands and robotic devices without vendor lock-in.
- AI Integration: Reduces operator workload through automated camera positioning and tracking.
- Efficiency Gains: Automation and AI reduce operator workload and improve broadcast quality.
Key features of the AxisCtrl
- Multi-Gallery Control: Operators can control cameras across multiple studios from one interface.
- Device Flexibility: AxisCtrl supports a wide range of cameras and robotic devices, allowing broadcasters to select the best tools for their needs.
- Open Interface Layer: AxisCtrl is built for easy integration with different robotic and camera hardware, avoiding vendor lock-in.
- Customizable Control: AxisCtrl can be configured with joystick panels, keyboard shortcuts, or even Stream Decks for easy camera switching and control.
- Real-Time Control: Execute commands and control camera movements in real-time to ensure dynamic and efficient broadcast operations.
- Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the AxisCtrl gives you personalized frames, face tracking, pose estimation, and other advanced shot properties such as path planning with keyframes.
- Vendor Agnostic: Supports multiple camera brands and robotic devices.
About GB News
GB News is Britain’s News Channel, a news and current affairs multi-platform digital media company with mass reach across all Television, Radio, owned and operated digital and social channels and third-party platforms. In just over three years, GB News has become the most talked about new media brand in the United Kingdom and is a powerhouse of growth across television, radio and digital. To learn more, visit GBNews.com
About Electric Friends
Electric Friends specialises in broadcast robotics, offering flexible and scalable solutions for media companies. AxisCtrl empowers broadcasters with unified control over robotic cameras and devices, ensuring seamless integration and future-proof operations. For more details, visit Electric Friends AxisCtrl.
Key features of the AxisCtrl
- Multi-Gallery Control: Operators can control cameras across multiple studios fromone interface.
- Device Flexibility: AxisCtrl supports a wide range of cameras and robotic devices,allowing broadcasters to select the best tools for their needs.
- Open Interface Layer: AxisCtrl is built for easy integration with different robotic andcamera hardware, avoiding vendor lock-in.
- Customizable Control: AxisCtrl can be configured with joystick panels, keyboardshortcuts, or even Stream Decks for easy camera switching and control.
- Real-Time Control: Execute commands and control camera movements in real-timeto ensure dynamic and efficient broadcast operations.
- Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the AxisCtrl gives you personalized frames, face tracking, pose estimation, and other advanced shot properties such as path planning with keyframes.
- Vendor Agnostic: Supports multiple camera brands and robotic devices.
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