WJAX Taps Advanced For Studio Upgrade

When Cox Media Group’s CBS affiliate WJAX Jacksonville, Fla. (DMA 42), began renovating its production studio, it wanted to incorporate an eye-catching display in every area of the set — including the anchor desk. Working with design consultant Devlin Design Group, integrator Advanced took on the challenge with the installation of more than 40 displays by NEC, HyperPixel and LG.

“The end-result of this multi-faceted installation is truly stunning,” said Advanced VP Mark McPherson. “No aspect was more challenging than the integration of a custom HyperPixel 1.5mm LED display into the primary anchor desk. Most studios use an LCD screen, if that —  and we had to develop a way to configure and mount a super fine pixel pitch, direct view LED display onto the curved surface. WJAX now has one of the most cutting-edge studios in broadcasting.”

Advanced’s engineering team planned how exactly they’d build and configure a 6×1 panel anchor desk display. Advanced chose to work with HyperPixel because it was able to custom-configure their displays to work in portrait mode, making them compatible with the horizontal shape of the desk. “We requested that custom panels be made for this to work,” said Greg Priest, senior account manager at Advanced. “And, in addition to the displays themselves, HyperPixel designed special framing and mounting components to successfully secure them.”

Beyond the high-tech anchor desk, Advanced installed more than 40 displays throughout the studio. Advanced built the central 9×3 panel videowall and flanking 2×4 panel monitors with NEC’s ultra-thin bezel LCD displays because of their adaptability in the broadcast environment. “NEC displays look great on camera. There are thin bezels on the models and that translate fantastically in this application,” Preist said. “Additionally, NEC displays allow for fine color adjusting. Lighting is different in every studio, which affects on-screen color balancing. These displays make it easy to make very specific color adjustments in any given studio.”

Since the set’s production is extremely video-centric, Advanced was also responsible for configuring the sophisticated signal processing system. Advanced relied on TVOne to integrate twelve different connectors into the production staff’s own switcher, allowing them to send twelve signals to various monitors throughout the studio. “We chose to work with a video processor that was easy for production staff to use,” McPherson said. “Staffers can break visuals into different windows, and distribute video content to the displays in a variety of configurations. It allows for total flexibility.”

According to McPherson, the set was finished just in time for Jacksonville’s crucial coverage of Hurricane Irma in the region. “The new displays served as key disseminators of information throughout Hurricane Irma’s impact in Florida,” he said. “It’s exciting to see how displays can transform a news broadcast.”