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UNO Television Dedicates New 4K Studio

  • published: 2018/09/14
  • contact: UNO Television
  • phone: 402.554.2516

UNO Television dedicated its new 4K studio Friday, Sept. 14.

About 40 people attended the ceremony, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and university leaders.

The new studio updates decades-old equipment that allowed students to produce programs only in the old standard-definition television format.

The conversion to 4K HDTV was made possible by grants from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, The Knowledge Network, a coalition of five Omaha-area schools that airs programming on Cox and CenturyLink channels, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Chris Allen, general manager of UNO Television and professor in the School of Communication, said the conversion cost about $130,000. Due to the grants, not a dime of state money was spent on the new equipment.

"It shows how important the support of our friends is,” he said. “This would not have been possible otherwise."

"Students are at the pinnacle of all this effort. This studio is a teaching studio, and now UNO students are learning on the very newest equipment."

Much of the equipment being replaced was older than the students using it, Allen said.

The new equipment includes three new Black Magic 4K studio cameras and HD lenses, two smaller "rafter cam" cameras, a Black Magic video switcher, Ross Video System Expression graphics system, and Ross Inception newsroom management and scripting system.

"It makes UNO Television the most up-to-date studio in Omaha," Allen said.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association provided a $50,000 grant to the UNO School of Communication, which includes UNO Television, last year. Some of that money was spent earlier to purchase and build a sound booth for TV and radio production students.

"It makes UNO Television the most up-to-date studio in Omaha."

 Chris Allen, general manager of UNO Television

NBA president and executive director Jim Timm said although the NBA is focused on helping the licensed radio and TV industries in Nebraska, its special focus is on educating the next generation of broadcasters.

"We are so appreciative of the enthusiasm and creativity of UNO students," he said. "Our goal in providing the grant was to help UNO improve its facilities, and to give the students the best equipment to learn on."

The Knowledge Network chipped in another $30,000. The remainder of the money came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, through an in-kind grant arrangement with NET.

UNO Television produces two programs that are seen statewide through the NET system.

"Consider This…" is a weekly interview program hosted by Cathy Wyatt. It is the only state-wide interview program on NET. UNO Television produces 24 editions through the year. Although Wyatt and UNO Television director Mike Pacholski produce the program, the studio operations, including sound and cameras, are provided by Pacholski’s Studio and Field Production students.

"The Omaha News" is a weekly newscast produced by students in the capstone journalism classes.

UNO Television also regularly shoots live interviews for ABC, CNBC, Fox News and other networks.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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