BCC Broadcast Case: A TV Studio in a Box
The BCC Broadcast Case is complete broadcasting system in one box – a TV station in a box. It is capable of a complete live broadcast production from almost anywhere. The portability, compactnes and ease of operation are unprecedented. There is no need for any other boxes, the whole system is built into one solid Pelican case, with the whole system including case weighing 20kg.
The BCC offers superior hardware configuration, a full blown broadcast production software, touch screen interface in full HD, recording on all 8 cameras in full HD or 3DHD, intercom, tally lights, slow motion, instant replays, built-in encoder and direct streaming capability.
BCC’s main features and benefits:
- 4 or 8 input SDI or HD-SDI physical video inputs, with embedded audio capability and onboard scaling to match a project’s resolution
- 2 XLR-balanced audio inputs, line level
- Inboard power supplies for cameras
- Inboard intercom system
- Inboard tally light system. Tally lights are included for cameras
- Unique unified cable system for cameras (SDI/HD-SDI, power, intercom, tally)
- Inboard i-frame, 8-bit, 4:2:2 MPEG2 high-profile recorder with user-adjustable bit rate (default is 60Mb/s)
- Inboard H.264 web streamer with user-adjustable bit rate
- SDI/HD-SDI output for live broadcast or external 10-bit recording
- Touch-screen interface (more ahead)
- DVI-output for program monitor (not required)
- Unique template-based source system
- Optional HDMI input/output
- Optional instant replay with slow motion (recorded from the Program output)
- Optional ISO recording of each camera source
All configurations have a built-in intercom system and multi-camera power supply, and come with the appropriate number of combined camera cables, which include intercom, SDI (or HD-SDI), power, and tally lights, for the number of inputs ordered. Standard, they also include intercom headsets for the number of inputs, plus one for the director. Additional camera cables and additional headsets (i.e. for the producer) are available as options.
When the purchaser is planning to use cameras which already have SDI or HD-SDI output, BCC comes with the standard camera interface boxes, which provide power, tally light connection, and intercom headset connection.
Multi-standard at no extra cost
Unlike some other systems where there is an artificial financial penalty for 50Hz compatibility, with BCC, all units are multi-standard. This means that you are free to choose 720p50, 720p59.94, 1080i50, or 1080i59.94 on a project basis, without paying extra. Obviously, your cameras should be able to match the framerate you choose.
No physical keyboard!
Thanks to the full HD touch screen which is hinged inside the BCC’s special Pelican case, no physical control panel, T-bar, or keyboard is required with the BCC. All user input to assign sources, change sources, or enter character generation text is all handled via the touch screen. However, for anyone who wishes to use an external keyboard and mouse the BCC has three USB ports which can allow their connection and use.
No monitors required!
For the same reason mentioned above, there is no need to purchase, carry, connect, or use any external monitor to see sources or even program output. This is not only a reduction in cost, but also a major reduction in the “shlep” factor.
BCC’s unique template-based programm creation/switching
Although for experienced video producers, a minor mental reboot is required to discard the traditional video “switcher”methodology, once you absorb BCC’s template-based system, everything becomes more logical and more efficient. First of all, there is no longer the traditional row of numbered buttons for sources. Using the touch screen interface, your finger taps a visual source directly. Before a production, you create a project with all of the required sources. Rather than selecting a transition type during the production, you pre-program each source’s attributes, including its in-transition and (if appropriate, in the case of a pre-recorded video clip) the out-transition. Each one can be a cut, a dissolve of a any desired duration, or any digital effect transition. Each one can be with or without a lower third graphic, which also can be pre-programmed for its in-transition and out-transition. What if you want to go to camera 2, sometimes as a cut and other times as a 25-frame or 30-frame dissolve? No problem: Just create that as a source twice, one with each transition. Then, during the show, you tap whichever one you want at any particular time. After you digest the power of the template-based source system, together with the touch screen interface, you realize how more efficient and more pilot-error-free this system is compared with traditional ones.
BCC’s add-on options
Optionally, you can add any of the following to a BCC:
- Instant replay with slow motion (recorded from the program signal)
- ISO recording, to have an independent recording of each source
- Broadcast Design Packs – ready to use broadcast design graphic template/scenes
Internal components and specs
Internal video processing in the BCC is 10-bit, 4:4:4, although the inboard recorder is 8-bit, 4:2:2 MPEG2 up to 60 Mb/s.
The base system has in inboard i7 processor with Windows 7, 3GB RAM, and a 64 – 360 GB SSD (solid state drive). Internal audio processing is 48khz stereo 16.
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