Shotoku Broadcast Systems Brings Extra Value to QVC UK

QVC UK – User Report
Shotoku Broadcast Systems Brings Extra Value to QVC UK
(Printed in TVB Europe Magazine, June 2010)
Simone Borkar (Left), Broadcast Engineering Operations Manager,
David Tidd, Broadcast Systems Engineer, QVC UK.
Company Profile
QVC is the largest TV shopping channel in the UK, offering a wide variety of brand name
products in apparel & beauty, jewellery, home innovation and home style. We broadcast 24
hours a day (17 hours live programming per day), seven days a week and are
currently available to over 23 million UK homes through BSKYB, Freeview, Freesat and
Digital Cable. QVC UK generates annual sales of around £360m handling 15m phone calls
and delivers almost 14m items to customers all over the country.
QVC UK has been a user of robotic camera systems as an extension of the manned
operation for over a decade, so we are no strangers to the technology. Our latest objective
was to successfully integrate a robotics system with our original equipment to greatly expand
the use of remote controlled heads throughout our broadcast operation and maintain a full
complement of live cameras for every show. The enhanced system would allow a team of
just two to cover a set of five robotic cameras and one high-grade manual rig at a single
studio set.
Why Shotoku?
Of all the solutions that were evaluated, Shotoku was identified as providing the best
compatibility with the existing Radamec system without compromising accuracy and
providing the most resilience.
A Shotoku TR-16T touch screen control panel was installed in each of QVC's production
galleries at our Battersea Broadcast Centre, and eleven TG-18 & TG 19 robotic heads were
divided throughout Studios 1, 4 and 6. In addition, six Shotoku T1-12 height drive units
would be mounted on our manual pedestals to further extend the range of shots.
Shotoku Broadcast Systems +44 1784 224 650 www.shotoku.tv

QVC UK – User Report
Shotoku TG-18 Studio Pedestal with
Robotic/Manual Pan & Tilt Head Ti-12 Height Drive
Shotoku’s intuitive control system integrated well with the existing system to seamlessly
control both the old and the new camera heads. One manual camera remains in each
studio.
Shotoku TR-16T Touch Screen Display
The vision control operator, who was already responsible for racking the cameras, controls
the rest remotely. The Shotoku control system provides this remote control interface, and
also gives automated assistance to the operator by recalling saved shots on demand. They
are all working with our more streamlined and efficient approach to production.
The control system is very configurable, which is ideal for us as we value simple ergonomic
user interfaces for our multi-skilled staff. Unlike many robotic camera implementations, we
use them extensively under joystick control not just for recalling stored shots. Shotoku were
able to add customisation to suit the needs of QVC's live requirements, and worked very well
with us to make our implementation of their product “Just Right”.
Shotoku TR-16T Control Panel
Shotoku Broadcast Systems +44 1784 224 650 www.shotoku.tv

QVC UK – User Report
The level of control we have over third party products such as lenses and pedestals is
excellent. QVC typically uses Studio lenses at full zoom, and the hardest challenge is
making this work at the level of detail we require. Shotoku ensured that the selected lenses
worked at their best for robotics operation. QVC’s productions require a great deal of closeups
and Shotoku’s ability to adjust the sensitivity so finely that you can trace the outline of a
ring with a box lens on a super tight close up was a pivotal factor.
The use of redundant control networking (Shotoku’s Resilient Network Interface) has
protected us against any network failures.
Benefits Delivered By The System
The savings of automation are obvious, but some other advantages are subtler; for example
some 'quieter' shows would not normally be given a full complement of cameras and
operators, but now can. With robotics, all cameras are available, allowing directors to include
creative decisions or ideas that weren't justifiable before.
This project and the advances in technology offered by Shotoku have allowed us to make
the move to a fully robotics based operation. We retain the ability to use a manned camera
where the particular type of show requires it. This change to a more robotics based
production technique has significantly reduced production costs for the channel while
allowing previously hidden talents in some of our operational staff to come to the fore.
After Sales Support
Shotoku's support team have been extremely professional and helpful throughout the
project. They have provided us with excellent support, listened to our feedback, and have
often gone the extra mile to make it all work to our very demanding specifications.
Probably the biggest acclamation is that we've recommended Shotoku as the robotics
provider for QVC Italy – which launches in Autumn 2010
David Tidd, a Broadcast Systems Engineer has been with QVCUK for 16 years specialising in studios
and production control rooms. David led the project throughout.
Simone Borkar. QVC Broadcast Engineering Operations Manager, has been with QVC since 2006.
He and his team provide 24/7 support for all Broadcast systems through a team of seven shift based
Broadcast Engineers and three Media Network Engineers.
Shotoku Contact: James Eddershaw, Sales Director. +44 1784 224 650 info@shotoku.co.uk
Shotoku Broadcast Systems +44 1784 224 650 www.shotoku.tv