Oasis Christian Center chooses Hanabi HVS-3000S digital video switcher
Jan 20, 2005 3:45 PM
The Oasis Christian Center in Los Angeles has upgraded the quality of its video productions with the installation of broadcast-quality equipment including a Hanabi HVS-3000S16 digital video switcher from FOR-A Corporation of America.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2004, Oasis is currently located in the old Destiny Theatre on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. As one of the original United Artists’ theaters, the Destiny hosted movie premiers and other gala events attended by celebrities of the day. Oasis purchased the theatre in February 1997 and proceeded with a multi-million dollar renovation, including expansion of the proscenium stage and the replacement of the seats. The renovated space seats about 600 people.
Video has always played a part of the church’s services, but the installation of the professional gear in April 2004 allowed productions to reach new levels of quality and sophistication. The new gear will also be a selling point as Oasis looks to rent out its facilities to outside groups.
“We had an older four-channel switcher before, but it wasn’t professional,” said Jason Perr, Technical Consultant to Oasis, and a member of the congregation. “We had one camera and a videotape deck and were using it more just to have a record of what was being said. We bought this new system so that we could broadcast to an international audience on broadcast and cable TV.”
Perr selected FOR-A’s Hanabi HVS-3000S video switcher based on its features and price. “It came highly recommended from other TV stations and VTP (Burbank equipment supplier Video Tape Products, Inc.),” he explained.
The Hanabi HVS-3000S that Oasis installed has 16 channels, 2 M/E (mix/effects) busses and SDI inputs and outputs. “We liked the switcher’s expandability and the ability to add digital video effects later,” said Perr. “We don’t have the DVE now, but when we add it, all we have to do is add a card, and we’re set for the future. Another much more expensive switcher did not have comparable features. Also, the Hanabi switcher looked and felt like a professional unit that was well-constructed.”
Oasis feeds four Sony DVCam cameras to the HVS-3000S switcher. Two of these cameras are outfitted with Vinten Robotics. Other switcher inputs include two VTRs, and an analog to digital converter that can be selected for a DVD player, VHS player or other analog sources.
Graphics and other video are fed to video screens at the front of the church, but not recorded to tape. The two M/Es of the HVS-3000S are particularly helpful in this scenario. “M/E 1 controls what is going to tape, and M/E 2 controls what is going to the screens,” Perr said. “I can TD two shows at the same time from one switcher.”
Perr’s most challenging production was the recording of a CD and DVD, but the Hanabi HVS-3000S made it easier. “We used each of the six outputs for recording different things,” Perr said. “Using the aux busses make it a lot easier to set up the camera isolation tape recordings, as opposed to running separate camera cables to the secondary outputs of each of the CCUs.” Perr said that the switcher has 10 aux outputs total. A non-denominational Christian church, Oasis offers three services every Sunday and one on Wednesday along with a youth service on Fridays where use of the new equipment is taught to and operated by youth volunteers. The production staff shoots and edits full broadcast-level productions of all the services.
The Hanabi HVS-3000S is a 2-M/E video switcher designed for live production use in either studio or mobile environments. The basic system provides three key layers per M/E, plus fast operational response and the multi-function capability needed for broadcast production work. Chroma key operation is also standard. The switcher can be further expanded by adding up to four floating DVE channels and/or any of the hardware, software options available.
FOR-A is a major manufacturer and distributor of video and audio systems to the broadcast, postproduction and professional video markets. For more information about FOR-A’s product line, call 1-714-894-3311 or visit our web site at www.for-a.com.
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