GMA Network opens RP's first state-of-the-art broadcast studios

Broadcasting company GMA Network has scored another first with the opening of its brand new state-of-the-art studio building located within the network’s compound in Quezon City.

The annex building, which stands on a 4,308-square meter lot and houses two big high-definition ready studios, is the most technologically advanced studio facility in the country, GMA officials said.

GMA allotted P1 billion for the project from internally generated funds. Construction for the new building cost around P700 million, while broadcast equipment in Studios 4 and 5 are worth around P200 million. Costs for fit-out works, utility works and audience seats, on the other hand, reached about P45 million.

GMA chairman, president and CEO Felipe Gozon said the new facility will further advance the production quality of their programs. “Our new and state-of-the-art studios will make our superior programs even better,” he said.

GMA EVP and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit Jr., for his part, said the annex building will enable the network to do many things it could not do before. “As early as two years ago, there were already programming concepts being presented by our creatives that cannot be done because of the absence of such facility,” he said.

The building’s studios boast of up-to-date equipment for audio systems, lighting design and video design.

Studio 4, the larger of the two studios, has an area of 1,020 square meters and can accommodate 600 people during live programs. Studio 5 has an area of more than 638 square meters.

Studios 4 and 5 are equipped with digital speaker management systems that standardize digital feedback elimination, ensure accurate sound quality, and allow studio-to-studio link for multi studio-audio-communication. The communication link includes studios from the GMA Network Center and some remote points.

In terms of audio equipment, the new studios are at par with other studios worldwide. The best audio equipment including amplifiers, compressors, effects processors, and patch-bays to microphones from renowned manufacturers including Yamaha, Mackie, JBL, Seinheisser, Shure, Aphex, DBX, QSC, Tascam and Leitch were installed.

Studio 4 was installed with Allen and Heath ML 4000 audio that is equipped with a 96-channel audio input. The design is fit for musical shows and live concert events.

Both studios’ lighting are designed with the Electronic Theater Control (ETC) dimmer equipment. ETC is the world’s biggest manufacturer of dimmers and lighting consoles for broadcast lighting. The studio dimmers equal those being used internationally.

The ETC Congo V5 light console, the latest and best lighting console in Europe and the US, was installed in both studios. The intensity of the Congo lighting dimmer can be controlled using a wireless remote control.

Also mounted were equipment from ARRI and Fine Arts – the best lighting equipment for studio use and filmmaking.

The studios are also equipped with Self Climbing Hoist – a high end lighting suspension system used in big studios, auditoriums and concert halls across the world.

Studio 4 is the first in the country to be installed with a new studio solutions program called the IFF Aluminum Truss Motorized Suspension System. The hoist of the IFF Suspension can be adjusted up and down using a wireless remote control.

Both studios have digital video design. Studio 4 is the first studio in the country to have the Vision QMD/X production switcher – the most powerful and flexible digital production switcher. The video mixer is capable of 96 video inputs for cameras, VTRs, effects, chargens and other video sources. The switcher is a high-definition ready machine.

Studio 4 was also installed with the Kaleido-Alto-HD technology which allows as many as 20 split screens in one video monitor.

The studios use 14-bit processor digital cameras with new Fujinon high-definition ready lenses. Studio 4 can utilize 12 cameras while Studio 5 can use eight.

Studio 4 is likewise equipped with the latest Inscriber G-Store – a 3D graphics generator that enables content management and real time retrieval of stills, clips, animations, and logos. Both studios have acoustic wall treatment.