French radio station NRJ Radio is responding to listeners’ changing usage patterns and the growth of video in the radio industry by modernising its studios with Sony PTZ cameras.
French commercial radio station NRJ Radio is responding to its listeners’ changing usage patterns, and to the growing importance of video in the radio industry itself, by modernising and upgrading its broadcast capabilities. At the same time, the station intends to preserve the aesthetics and ergonomics of its studios.
An important move in NRJ’s modernisation project is replacing the station’s existing camera fleet with a more modern set-up capable of delivering high image quality while blending discreetly into the studio environment.
“We needed to replace our old Sony cameras and set up a compact, high-quality system that would integrate naturally into the studio,” said Mathieu Guinet, Technical Manager at NRJ. “Available space was one of the project’s main constraints - we had to install several cameras in limited locations without compromising image quality or the experience of the hosts and guests."
BRC-AM7 – Balancing Compactness and Performance
To meet these requirements, NRJ chose the Sony BRC-AM7 camera, a PTZ model capable of recording image quality that meets current broadcast standards and has a 20x optical zoom range with a compact design that makes it discreet and adaptable. Shooting up to 4K60p video, the BRC-AM7 is designed for broadcast, corporate and event applications where crews can take advantage of its combination of compactness, AI-based automatic framing capabilities, image quality and ease of integration.
“I’m very familiar with Sony products. In our context, the BRC-AM7s represent an excellent balance between quality, price and size,” Mathieu noted. The cameras track subjects with AI analytics, which use detailed human pose, head, face, clothing and other data to recognise human subjects with a high level of accuracy. The technique results in natural-looking framing suitable for high quality content, but needs fewer camera operators. AI analytics can also be used to automatically control pan, tilt and zoom to follow an athlete at a sports event, for example. The pan and tilt functions run on a new motorised drive system that is also very quiet.
The BRC-AM7’s small, lightweight form factor makes it easy to install into most locations, even in multi-camera setups. It supports broad connectivity and system compatibility with, for example, S700PTP and free-d protocols. The Sony S700PTP protocol allows remote control via Ethernet using Sony’s remote control panels or the MSU series master setup units. Users can combine the BRC-AM7 with BRC series or other system cameras to create highly integrated systems with complex remote-control.
4K Sensor with 5K Oversampling
Methieu also commented, “Everyone has been very satisfied with the image quality, and the cameras’ web interface is practical for day-to-day operations and monitoring.” Camera functions can be controlled remotely using web app software on a networked PC, and adjustments made to the composition of the subject. Because of the realtime tracking AF support, the tracking subject can be changed with one touch at any time, even when PTZ Auto Framing is active.
Regarding the images, by combining the 1.0-type 4K compatible stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the BIONZ XR processing engine, the BRC-AM7 achieves 4K 60p high resolution imagery with minimal noise. Stacked sensors have an extra layer of circuitry for higher-speed processing. Using a sensor with a slow readout produces more rolling shutter distortion when recording fast subject movement with high-speed electronic shutters.
The camera’s 5K oversampling capability for 4K QFHD (3840 x 2160) recording, is able to oversample approximately 1.7x the required amount of data, to eventually produce 4K 60p output with more resolution and detail. BRC-AM7 also captures a broad dynamic range and a wide colour gamut, supporting ITU709, 709tone, S-Cinetone and S-Log3 for precise colour matching
Evolution of Visual Radio
“Today’s filmed radio studios have high demands in terms of image quality, discretion and ease of operation. With the BRC-AM7, we have developed a PTZ camera capable of meeting these requirements. We are delighted that NRJ has chosen this solution to support the modernisation of its studios and the further development of its video content," said Pascal Kerloch, Key Account Sales Manager, Sony Europe.
The rise of video content produced from radio broadcasts is gradually transforming studios into true audiovisual production spaces. PTZ cameras can play a central role here due to their compact size, remote control capabilities and ability to integrate into restricted locations, as outlined above.
With the BRC-AM7 cameras, NRJ now has a modern infrastructure capable of supporting the development of its video content, from live broadcasts and digital productions associated with its programs, to clips for social media. pro.sony
