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Oasis Brightens up MBC MBC Takes Broadcastpro ME on an Exclusive Tour of Its Refurbished Studio and Sheds Light on the New Technology at Its Facility

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Oasis Brightens up MBC MBC Takes Broadcastpro ME on an Exclusive Tour of Its Refurbished Studio and Sheds Light on the New Technology at Its Facility PROLIGHTING The new studio at MBC. Oasis brightens up MBC MBC takes BroadcastPro ME on an exclusive tour of its refurbished studio and sheds light on the new technology at its facility of the kit was undertaken in-house, Dubai- facilities at MBC Group. based systems integrator Oasis Enterprises “I have worked in the news department Client: MBC was responsible for the lighting installation since 1998 and now instinctively know what Lighting SI: Oasis Enterprises at the studio. is suitable for our news operations. Our initial Key studio kit: Sony cams, Barco video walls. Lighting brands: ETC, DeSisti and Coemar The studio lighting is said to have been at plan was merely to design a temporary studio Location: Dubai least twelve years old and was in dire need but as the demand for it became stronger, of replacement. A brand new rigging system we felt the need to revamp the entire studio from DeSisti has replaced an older system so as to accommodate the needs of our news from the same manufacturer. channel. Everything, therefore, has been Early this year, MBC Group’s Al Arabiya news The installation includes a dimming and changed at the studio. channel went on air with a brand new look control solution from ETC and LED fittings “Of course, there are some expensive for some of its programmes thanks to a from Italian manufacturer Coemar. In addition, elements that could potentially be retained so completely refurbished studio and brand the studio sets are on wheels so they can be we have done that,” he explains. new sets at the facility. Although the design moved around easily. The studio was designed The studio boasts Sony’s latest cameras and integration of the cameras and the rest by Malek Obeid, head of news resources and and lighting technologies that will enable the 78 | www.broadcastprome.com | March 2012 PROLIGHTING end user to easily and effectively control the “This LED strip is a plug-and-play element. Top right: Malek Obeid, head of news resources lighting to give the studio a different look and Once it works, it works forever,” adds Massih. and facilities for MBC Group explains the feel for each of its programmes. The ability to control the entire lighting rationale behind the refurb and upgrades at the network’s studios; top left: MBC’s Safwan Speaking about the project, Safwan through an iPod, which is a remote control Harcouss (inset), lighting supervisor operates Harcouss, lighting supervisor at MBC Group system from ETC is especially useful for the the lighting with an iPod and bottom right, says: “We have just upgraded the system with customer, adds Massih. Karim Abdel Massih from Oasis Enterprises in new pantographs and new dimming racks “The end user no longer has to go to the the control room. as well as new control systems and networks control room to adjust the lighting. This can be from ETC. We can access everything from an done with the iPod.” iPod instead of from the control room.” The studio is also equipped with a new D Overseeing the lighting project was Karim rail system from DeSisti along with 56 pieces Abdel Massih, lighting product manager of the DeSisti pantograph. Tech Specs from the Professional Projects Division at For Oasis, the biggest challenge was to Oasis Enterprises. Oasis was responsible for integrate the LED effect with the set design 4 56xDesisti pantographs undertaking a similar lighting contract at and commission the system within ten days. 4 26xDesisti 1 KW 4 12xETC source 4 Zoom with PO yoke MBC’s ARA studio in Riyadh as well. The LED strips across the studio can be 4 12xDesisti Delux 4 The Dubai installation called for the controlled both individually and as a whole 4 6xETC Smart pack rack mount dimmer deployment of new technologies. based on the nature of the programme 4 1xETC ION console with an RPU and Ipod “We replaced all of the rigging and put and the end user’s needs. This studio also remote control in new pantographs as well as new LED includes an expensive and sophisticated 4 500xLED strip RGB from Coemar lights,” explains Abdel Massih, adding that LED Barco video wall as well as different 50LED/50cm the strips have been supplied by Italian screens designed as backgrounds for 4 24xCoemar Parlite LED RGB manufacturer Coemar. various programmes. PRO March 2012 | www.broadcastprome.com | 79 .
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