Hearst-Argyle taps Sony XDCAM for ENG needs

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. is converting to Sony s XDCAM Professional Disc System for electronic newsgathering (ENG) and creative services operations across several of its stations.

The company will be using a combination of Sony s standard and high-definition XDCAM technology.

Several Hearst-Argyle stations will begin using the high-definition version of the XDCAM system, specifically Sony s new PDW-F350 optical camcorder, to acquire content for internal and external communications, promotional spots and advertising material

With Sony s XDCAM system, we expect to significantly streamline production from acquisition to publication across multiple platforms, said Marty Faubell, vice president of engineering for Hearst-Argyle Television. Today, video is file-based and this new environment will provide increased opportunities for our stations and their creative staffs.

According to Faubell, the creative services departments at several Hearst-Argyle stations will begin using the high-definition version of the XDCAM system, specifically Sony s new PDW-F350 optical camcorder, to acquire content for internal and external communications, promotional spots and advertising material.

These stations include WCVB (Boston), WTAE (Pittsburgh), WESH (Orlando), and KCRA (Sacramento, Calif.).

WLWT (Cincinnati), WYFF (Greenville, S.C.), WXII (Winston Salem, N.C.), KOCO (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and KITV (Honolulu) will begin using Sony s standard-definition PDW-530 camcorders and optical decks for ENG operations.

Initially, these systems will be used in a hybrid, non-linear editing production chain, with content transferred back to tape for playback.

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 25 television stations and manages an additional three television and two radio stations. The company’s television stations reach approximately 18 percent of U.S. households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. The company is also the second-largest NBC affiliate owner (10 stations) and the largest ABC affiliate group (12 stations). Hearst-Argyle also manages an additional ABC station owned by The Hearst Corporation, and also owns two CBS affiliates and a WB affiliate, and manages a UPN affiliate and an independent station.