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Berks Career and Technical Center Builds New TV Studio

When Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) in Leesport, Pennsylvania established their new Communication Media Technology Program during the 2009-2010 school year, they knew that a television studio was going to be a major component.

BCTC wanted a high end, broadcast quality  television studio, complete with control room equipment such as a switcher ,character generator, teleprompter, audio suite, streaming technology, studio cameras, and lighting.  After doing extensive research on equipment and systems integrators, Jim Del Conte, Instructor, Communication Media Technology at BCTC selected Applied Video Technology (AVT) in Malvern, PA.

“I had known of AVT from my days of working in the industry as a producer and director.  Their reputation for providing consultation and excellent customer service put them at the top of my list for this project,” said Del Conte.

AVT senior Account Manager, Michael Coxe worked closely with BCTC starting in February 2010 to develop and design a studio to fit their technology and budget needs.

The newly constructed studio control room features a Winsted console rack with a Sierra Video HD-SDI matrix routing switcher, Marshall Monitors, and a Digital Rapids Touch Stream Web SDI portable live video and audio streaming appliance to allow for web streaming applications.  It was very important for BCTC to have the ability to stream their video throughout campus.   A stand alone console station was built in the control room for use as a teleprompter station with a PC for the two Pro-Line Prompter People Teleprompters used in the studio.  The control room also features an HVS-300H switcher from FOR-A’s popular Hanabi series.  This switcher represents one of the most powerful, compact, broadcast level switchers on the market along with an Avid Deko 1000 broadcast quality character generator giving BCTC the ability to create powerful on-air graphics.  

AVT technicians installed a pair of JBL studio monitors on the walls for monitoring program audio.  The speakers are driven by an Allen & Heath amplifier.  A Telex intercom system is in place to allow for communication between the studio and control room staff. 

In the BCTC studio space, AVT technicians hung a fifty foot studio curtain track with a 9’ x 50’ custom chroma-key green studio curtain for use with chroma key and virtual sets and a Videssence studio lighting system.  Three JVC GY-HM700L studio cameras with JVC/Fujinon zoom control, Manfrotto tripod system and free standing teleprompters complete the studio set up.

Once all installation and integration was complete, AVT conducted end user and manufacturer training with BCTC staff.  BCTC is currently covered under an AVT Service Block support contract to provide ongoing technical support, product updates and any additional training.

“We selected AVT due to their extensive experience working with schools.  They took our list of requirements and needs and were able to use their best practices to guide the process in developing and designing a TV Studio that met the industry standards we required, while being sensitive to our budget,” said Del Conte.  “They were a trusted advisor, which was a key in being able to complete the project in the time frame we had.”

Berks Career & Technology Center was founded in 1968 and is regarded one of the premier career and technical education facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, largely to due to the outstanding performance and success of its students.   BCTC provides high quality technical education and career preparation to meet the needs of today’s high school students and adults.  The school serves 16 public school districts, numerous nonpublic schools, and the citizens and businesses of the Berks County Area.  The Communication Media Technology program is one of 36 programs offered by the school.

AVT (Applied Video Technology) is an award-winning systems integration company providing products and video solutions for broadcast, production, corporate, education, medical, and government markets. AVT is your one stop source for design procurement, engineering, installation, and service of networked audio visual systems, videoconferencing, video-streaming, digital signage, and video-production solutions.   AVT products are available on PA Co-Stars contract 003-132.