Hollywood Center Studios Upgrades to HD

Landmark Studio's $2.25 Million Expansion Paves the Way for HD Production of Disney Channel Series

Hollywood Center Studios is nearing completion of a more than $2 million expansion to its HD production capabilities. This move adds new capabilities for producing HD television programming on the lot and are already being used by several Disney Channel productions, including The Suite Life On Deck and The Wizards of Waverly Place. They are also available for other multi-camera shows.

"Many of our television clients are moving to HD and we are committed to assisting them in any way we can," says Hollywood Center Executive Vice President and COO Tim Mahoney.

As part of the upgrade, the studio has acquired a host of new audio and video gear—including several Sony HDC-1500 multi-format HD cameras—the preferred camera for HD television production. The multi-format equipment will allow clients to produce in standard definition or in any HD format including 1080/50i, 1080/60i and 1080/24P. Audio upgrades including the installation of Ross Video QMD/X multi-definition switchers and Yamaha PM1D digital audio mixing consoles.

"Designing a production environment that accommodates all HD and standard definition formats was a complicated challenge," notes Hollywood Center Vice President of Engineering David Maxwell. "Our environment gives us the ability to mix and match monitoring systems so that productions can monitor their projects in HD or standard def, and in different aspect ratios—4X3, wide screen or anamorphic—to suit their specific requirements."

"That kind of flexibility is a hallmark of Hollywood Center's approach to new technologies," adds Executive Vice President of Marketing Harvey Buchbinder. "It allows us to meet our client's changing needs in a timely manner." The upgrades are expected to be completed by March.

Planned and constructed under Maxwell's direction, the HD facilities are designed to accommodate fully tapeless production as that technology develops. Future upgrades include the ability to deliver data media off-site directly from Hollywood Center sound stages.