Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates the country’s largest group of independent television stations, is relying on camera stabilization technology from Cartoni as part of an ongoing program to modernize production facilities at stations in its group.
A number of television stations recently acquired by Sinclair are older broadcast operations whose production facilities were based on outdated standard definition or analog video technologies. Those facilities are being upgraded with new state-of-the-art HD control rooms, cameras systems and support gear, including lightweight, portable Cartoni P 050 camera pedestals.
“We looked at a number of options and upon discovering what Cartoni had to offer in terms of quality and service, the decision was obvious,” says Mark Nadeau, Director of Television Production. “After we bought the first set and tried them out, they became a standard part of our studio package.”
Sinclair uses the Cartoni P 050 in tandem with Panasonic and JVC HD studio cameras, Telemetrics robotic heads and Tekskil prompters in its new studio operations. It began using this combination a little over four years ago and now has more than 50 Cartoni pedestals deployed nationwide. The company plans to upgrade five or six additional stations with HD production technology and Cartoni pedestals this year. Its most recent studio upgrade at Oklahoma station KOKH features five Cartoni pedestals.
“From a cost perspective, it’s a perfect fit,” says Nadeau. “And Cartoni provides an exceptional value for the dollar. The P 050 has a very solid core, it’s very smooth and it has a small footprint. We are able to operate as many as five units in our larger studio operations without space issues.”
The Cartoni P 050s are part of a solution that is helping Sinclair stations “from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon” streamline production with improving quality and containing costs. “It is now cheaper to install five pedestals than it used to be to do three large robotic systems,” Nadeau says. “The Cartoni pedestal has been a great fit.”
About CARTONI
Reflecting the state of the art in camera support technology, CARTONI offers the widest product range in the industry. 79 years of know-how and experience, innovative solutions, patented technologies and the constant care of serving the professional in any shooting situation with any camera, make CARTONI synonymous with excellence in camera support. CARTONI currently exports from Rome, its Italian headquarters, to 65 countries in five continents, with a network of agents and distributors serving all major international users. CARTONI’s mission is to guarantee the cameraman the highest possible reliability, freedom and creativity in any environment.
CARTONI – Via Giuseppe Mirri, 13 – Rome 00159 (RM) Italy. Phone: +39 064382002 FAX: +39 0643588293 www.cartoni.com
About CARTONI USA
Formed in 1992, CARTONI USA is the North American office CARTONI fluid heads, tripods, pedestals. CARTONI manufactures a wide range of Fluid Heads for both Video and Film applications. The company’s products support cameras of all sizes and descriptions, from the smallest DV cameras to the largest studio cameras, while adhering to the highest industry standards for quality, reliability, performance, durability and features.
CARTONI USA, 10663 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601; 818.760.8290. www.cartoni.com
