When E! News, the nightly entertainment newsmagazine on E! Entertainment Television, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Guiliana Rancic, expanded to one hour and introduced a new set design, the network selected a Vista Spyder X20 video processor to meet its new and extensive graphic needs.
The new set features two large NEC monitor walls: one 3 x 4 and one 3 x 3 in slightly curved configurations, and a bank of three more NEC monitors adjacent to the anchor desk. It also boasts 103-inch and 85-inch plasma screens, two vertical NEC monitors, three 3 x 1 'windows' and two 1 x 3 'windows.'
"We used to have a smaller set with fewer video elements, but now the Spyder X20 0808 allows us to do a lot more visually in the new, expanded space," states Brian Quacquarini, director of live event operations for Comcast Entertainment Group. "The Spyder X20 is a nice storytelling tool that gives us the ability to change the look of our set without having to change set pieces."
"We needed a solution to feed these monitors live video, pre-recorded packages, graphics and stills," Quacquarini continues. "We also wanted the ability to change the look fluidly, to resize and fly images from one monitor to another. We saw the Spyder X20 at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) show and knew it would be the perfect solution for the new set where the walls act like storytelling devices. We produce daily content and want the displays to capture the viewer's attention."
Quacquarini reports that the operators learned how to use the Spyder X20 very quickly and are now quite proficient with it. "The Spyder X20 has eight outputs, and we use one output per display. What's great about this video processor is that even though our set's walls are separated, we can feed the entire display one contiguous image; we design all the artwork with the set pieces and their locations in mind. In a live scenario, you want something that's stable and user-friendly, and Spyder has been perfect for us."
Quacquarini also praised the Spyder X20's router and external DDR control. "You can quickly access files and backgrounds and change the look of the set instantly. It's also a multi-format device handling both HD and SD. It's been just great!"
About Vista Systems
Vista Systems was acquired by Christie, a global leader in visual solutions for business, entertainment and industry, to create a comprehensive source for image processing and projection solutions. The acquisition combines the power and flexibility of Vista Systems video switchers and real-time windowing and composition products with the power, performance and reliability of award-winning Christie projection systems. Vista Systems' switchers have become the industry standard for live multiple-destination video and data mixed signal switching. For more information on Vista Systems, visit their website at www.vistasystems.net.