VISTA Worldlink is a global leader in transmission services offering satellite, mobile and fixed uplinks, fiber optics and streaming services. Co-located with their production arm Stirling Studios, they deliver cutting edge creative and production capabilities. As a major media solutions company, it was important to them to build and develop their own master control room and Midtown Video was uniquely qualified to make this happen.
Although VISTA was always able to monitor their client’s feeds in their facility, they wanted to bring all signals in and out of one unified location. With technology outdating rapidly, it was important to create a suite that is ahead of the curve today with components that can grow as technology evolves. Joshua Liemer, VISTA Worldlink’s Vice President states, “It was imperative to enhance our gold standard customer service by investing in a state-of-the-art master control facility that provides flexibility. Our service offerings continue to evolve as technology changes, making it necessary to coordinate a variety of broadcast services from satellite distribution, fiber optics and Internet Broadcasting. CEO Roy Liemer likes to call our facility a virtual MCR, because we embrace IP connectivity and our team can control all the equipment within a central location, from the comfort of our coordinators work stations or remotely on-site at a production.” The MCR bridges the traditional service offerings with Internet broadcasting and digital archiving solutions. Building the best facility and maintaining cost was one of VISTA’s goals.
After reviewing the existing master control setup with Midtown’s sales representative Chari Hill, VISTA’s Director of Technical Operations chose a 288×288 Blackmagic router and Solid State Drives for recording in 15 Blackmagic Hyperdeck Studios. They also added a Vizrt TriCaster switcher with live streaming capability and Decimator SDI Quad Splitters for viewing along with monitors, converters, and peripheral gear to enhance system stability and redundancy.
Delivering world-class customer service to the sports, entertainment, news, corporate, religious, government and PR industries is a daunting task. How good is VISTA Worldlink? Good enough to internationally distribute all Major League Soccer games and transmit from World Cup in Brazil. They provided multi-camera production services packaged with mobile uplink trucks and international space segment along with offering live shot positions from all 12-host cities throughout Brazil for foreign broadcasters. All services were monitored and coordinated on-site by VISTA’s Major Events Department and remotely by VISTA’s team located within the comfort of their new Master Control Room. Midtown Video was thrilled to be part of the excitement. See what it takes to bring World Cup soccer from Brazil to your living room here: http://VISTAworldlink.com/blog/svg-world-cup-qa-VISTA/
Midtown and VISTA have a lot in common. Both are family owned, have a long history, place a very high value on relationships and supporting their community, and never lose focus on providing unsurpassed customer service. These shared values made the project especially meaningful to both companies. “It was incredibly rewarding to work with such terrific, dedicated people. The VISTA production facility is so impressive, and I’m proud that we were able to meet their high standards”, says Debby Miller, Executive Vice President of Midtown Video.
Thanks to an amazing team effort, VISTA Worldlink now offers the services of a comprehensive Master Control Operation manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
