According to Blackmagic Design, “Meiji University,” a top-tier university in Japan, has installed in their studios a number of Blackmagic Design products, including URSA Broadcast G2, Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro cameras, ATEM Constellation 8K, HyperDeck Extreme 8K HDR broadcast decks. They offer both in-person and online courses in media production.
Established in 1881, Meiji University has four campuses in Tokyo. The university’s Surugadai Campus has a broadcasting and streaming studio that can be used by faculty, staff, and students. Several years ago, the HD system was upgraded to a 4K studio system.
Huh Jung-eun, instructor at Meiji University, has the following to say regarding Blackmagic:
Mr. Huh: This studio was established for the purpose of recording online on-demand classes in the form of media classes and recording events on campus. It is also used in classes in the Faculty of Information and Communication and information-related subjects. Blackmagic Design has an intuitive and easy-to-use configuration for switchers, controllers, recorders, etc. It is easy to use even for teachers and faculty members who are not video professionals, so we decided to introduce it with our studio.
The studio is divided into three parts: the main studio, individual booths, and a sub-control room. The main studio is a green screen chromakey shooting space, and is equipped with one URSA Broadcast G2, two Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pros, and one ceiling-mounted camera. There are three individual booths, each with a DeckLink capture card and camera. One of them uses a DAW system and can record music and voice. The studio’s Sub Control Room includes ATEM Constellation 8K Switcher, ATEM 1M/E Advanced Panel, ATEM Camera Control Panel, HyperDeck Extreme 8K HDR, HyperDeck Extreme Control, 2 HyperDeck Studio Minis, ATEM Talkback Converter, ATEM Studio Fiber Converter, SmartView 4K monitors, Teranex Express and Teranex Mini converters are introduced.
Mr. Huh: In the control room, we can use the ATEM switcher to mix the camera and audio input from the main studio, as well as the presentation materials, and record each material with the HyperDeck recorder. In addition, it is possible to record audio data input in individual booths, and record narration and music according to the images while outputting video and audio to individual booths.
Mr. Huh: Although it’s a university studio, it’s well-equipped and easily accessible, so we actually rent it out to professional filmmakers. Blackmagic Design products are intuitive and easy to use even for first-time users.
From 2020, the university decided to conduct all classes and university events online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the studio was equipped with recording equipment, and by making use of the know-how gained there, it was possible to switch to online smoothly.
Mr. Huh: When it was decided that classes would be held online, we installed Blackmagic Web Presenter in the classrooms and set up a recording and distribution system. Currently, at the same time as face-to-face classes, we are continuing hybrid classes by developing classes by Zoom, and students can choose how to participate in classes. Teachers, who are the main users of the system, can use the permanent equipment to record and distribute data simply by starting up their PCs without having to worry about camera and recording device settings, making it possible to conduct hybrid classes and events. It is now possible to do it on a daily basis.
