The Production Control Room (PCR), often referred to as a Gallery, serves as the central hub of a television studio, playing a pivotal role in live television production by coordinating people, equipment, and processes.

Within TV production, the PCR is characterized by a high concentration of personnel and technology, functioning much like an orchestra, where the director harmonizes various components to achieve a seamless broadcast. Regardless of the type of production—be it a newsroom, reality show, or entertainment program—the essential tools and key players largely remain consistent.

Key roles in the PCR include the Director, Technical Director, Audio Engineer, Producer, and Graphics Operator, among others. These professionals rely on a balanced combination of traditional broadcasting equipment (such as mixers, routers, and processors) and IT-based systems (including playout servers, character generators, encoders, and recorders), with an emphasis on reliability, ease of use, and responsiveness.

AxelTech offers products specifically designed to meet these critical requirements in the PCR environment.

YouPlay  

In the fast-paced context of live broadcasting, the capability to incorporate contributions from a range of diverse sources is essential. These contributions might include professionally produced videos, pre-edited content, or newly recorded live feeds, which are standard in traditional PCR workflows. Increasingly, there’s a need to integrate clips sourced from tablets, smartphones, and social media. However, these sources often present challenges in terms of aspect ratios, resolutions, field formats, and codecs, which may not be optimized for television broadcasting. YouPlay addresses these challenges by providing the ability to seamlessly play back a variety of video clips while ensuring optimal quality. Moreover, it comes equipped with recording functionalities and supports both manual playback and integration into a Newsroom Computer System (NRCS) workflow via MOS.

Learn more about YouPlay

CG Plus 

Designed for ease of use without compromising on broadcast-quality graphics, CG Plus is a versatile solution that caters to various production needs. It offers multiple GUI (Graphical User Interface) options to enhance user experience, whether for live shows or channel branding. A rich library of templates and pre-designed objects enables users to establish the visual style of their channel or program. For users in need of more intricate graphic designs, CG Plus also allows integration with Adobe After Effects. 

Learn more about CG PLUS

MXC (Multicross Converter) 

As live production evolves, reliance on traditional SDI connections is diminishing. Modern PCR workflows increasingly incorporate technologies such as NDI, WebRTC, and SRT. The Multi Cross Converter (MXC) facilitates the smooth integration of these various formats into existing PCR infrastructures, whether based on SDI, NDI, or SMPTE 2110. It also offers crucial processing capabilities, including Up/Down conversions, frame rate adjustments, and aspect ratio modifications.

Learn more about MXC

RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

RAI, the Italian national broadcasting corporation, has integrated YouPlay across all of its television production control rooms. The selection of YouPlay was based on its multifunctional capabilities as a contribution playout system, which enables the broadcast and display of video clips and images on video walls in various formats and aspect ratios. Furthermore, RAI utilizes YouPlay as a recording tool for pre-recorded contributions and for capturing segments of live programs for immediate repurposing. In the most critical control rooms, the organization has implemented two YouPlay Server 4CH units to enhance operational efficiency.

Whether you’re upgrading your current setup or planning a full studio transformation, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how VJ Pro can power your next broadcast.