Customer Success Story
Humber College
Humber College is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Within their School of Media Studies & Information Technology, they offer a comprehensive Broadcast Television/Videography program. Providing a program curriculum tailored to match the current state of the industry, Humber affords their students a comprehensive look behind-the scenes of the broadcast industry. Of particular note, is their HD television mobile truck – A 35-foot, top-of-the-line production facility on wheels. This truck is truly one of the most technically advanced mobile systems found in an Ontario College.
Norwegian Championship in 1994 and experiencing challenging economic conditions in the early 2000s that threatened the club’s existence. Today, the club plays in Eidsiva Arena (Kristins Hall) and they are known for establishing an excellent youth development scheme which has led to the transfer of several players to the prestigious Elite Leagues across Scandinavia and the rest of Europe.
The Challenge
Humber College was operating with equipment that had been generously donated to their facilities, but eventually the age of the equipment caught up with them, and they realized that they would have to upgrade their facilities to HD. Michael Wright, Director of Technical Services at Humber College elaborated, “In our beginner studio we were utilizing a Grass Valley 200 Production switcher, while in our old mobile unit – which had been donated by Dome Productions, we were using a Harris Inscriber for graphics, and a Grass Valley 3000 Production switcher. We knew it was time to upgrade our facilities to HD, but we also wanted to invest in equipment that students would find in workplaces they eventually would transition to.”
The Solution
Humber now uses several Ross products across three aspects of their media environment. In their 1st year beginner’s studio, they use a Carbonite 1 production switcher, and they have created a 4 camera TV Airpack that makes use of a Carbonite C2X switcher. For their comprehensive HD mobile unit, Michael goes on to explain: “Our HD Mobile employs the Ross Vision 3 production Switcher for our 2nd year Broadcast Television Program. The mobile is broadcast quality in every sense, with 6 cameras, 16 inputs/outputs, slo-motion replay, and two channel graphics using Ross XPression.”
Michael continued, “Carbonite was chosen for size and ability. Both are powerful switchers that provide a professional experience. The Vision switcher was part of the tendered package when the mobile was built. Applied Electronics engineered and built the mobile, and the Ross Vision was their switcher of choice. Meanwhile, XPression was initially purchased to work in the airpack with the Carbonite C2X, but it was requested by faculty that the XPression be moved to the mobile.”
The Result
For Humber College, two main goals for their new equipment were; intuitive user experiences for students, while offering the kind of equipment their students would find in the workplace after graduation. On the ease of use for their students, Michael had this to say: “We found that having a large Grass Valley 200 caused many students to initially avoid the device. They were getting anxious from looking at the large number of keys, knobs, and faders. Although the Carbonite switcher is more powerful, even more powerful than needed in this beginner studio – the Carbonite provides a simple control panel that does not intimidate students who have no experience with switchers. With Carbonite, students seem to want to sit down and play with it. By extension, they learn the concepts quicker.”
With their HD mobile unit, Humber is able to simulate a professional live facility. Directly comparable to mobiles found in the professional market, students are given the opportunity to gain experience at a variety of different events. These include varsity sports, theatre presentations, concerts, and even professional sporting events such as the Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Rock games. “The Vision switcher truly offers students a professional mobile production experience as they cover these events. This combined with an array of professional equipment, makes our mobile unit a broadcast quality facility in every sense.” Michael concluded “Our goal is to prepare the next generation of broadcasters for a career in a challenging industry. By using Ross Video equipment, our students know that they will be trained on reliable and quality equipment. Not to mention our faculty, who are full time industry professionals, are comfortable using professional equipment they are familiar with.”
