Action News Jax, taps Devlin Design Group and Advanced for technology driven set

WJAX, Jacksonville’s Action News Jax, recently debuted an upgraded studio from Devlin Design Group, complete with a wide array of new video technology integrated by Advanced.

The project included installation of over forty video displays from NEC, HyperPixel, and LG.

“The end-result of this multi-faceted installation is truly stunning,” said Mark McPherson of Advanced. “No aspect was more challenging than the integration of a custom HyperPixel 1.5mm LED display into the primary anchor desk. Most studios use an LCD screen, if that – and we had to work closely together with Devlin Design Group to develop a way to configure and mount a super fine pixel pitch, direct view LED display onto the curved surface. WJAX now has one of the most cutting-edge studios in broadcasting.”

Advanced’s engineering team in conjunction with DDG’s technical leadership planned out how exactly they’d build and configure a 6×1 panel display on the main anchor desk. Advanced chose to work with HyperPixel because they were able to custom-configure their displays to work in portrait mode, making them compatible with the horizontal shape of the desk.

“We requested that custom panels be made for this to work,” said Greg Priest, senior account manager at Advanced. “And, in addition to the displays themselves, HyperPixel designed special framing and mounting components to successfully secure them.”

Wide vide of the studio.

Advanced installed over forty displays throughout the studio including a central 9×3 panel videowall and flanking 2×4 panel monitors with NEC’s ultra-thin bezel LCD displays because of their adaptability in the broadcast environment.

“NEC displays look great on camera. There are thin bezels on the models and that translate fantastically in this application,” Priest commented. “Additionally, NEC displays allow for fine color adjusting. Lighting is different in every studio, which affects on-screen color balancing. These displays make it easy to make very specific color adjustments in any given studio.”
Since the set’s production is extremely video-centric, Advanced was also responsible for configuring the signal processing system.

Advertisement

Advanced relied on TVOne to integrate twelve different connectors into the production staff’s own switcher, allowing them to send twelve signals to various monitors throughout the studio.

“The Advanced and Devlin Design Group technical teams chose to work with a video processor that was easy for production staff to use,” McPherson commented. “Staffers can break visuals into different windows, and distribute video content to the displays in a variety of configurations. It allows for total flexibility.”

Jacksonville station rolls out new look early for Irma coverage

“The new displays served as key disseminators of information throughout Hurricane Irma’s impact in Florida,” said McPherson. “It’s exciting to see how displays can transform a news broadcast. The entire team is thrilled with the end-result, and we’re very proud of the work we did for WJAX.”