(31/07/2013) With its first news programme prepared at 8.30am and its last run at midnight, the Regieplatz 7 (RP7) TV news control room at ORF ( sterreichisches Fernsehen) operates for 16 to 17 hours per day, seven days a week. In fact, RP7 clocks up the greatest number of operating hours of any control room operated by the Austrian public broadcaster. Unsurprisingly, after twelve years of continuous operation, RP7's technical installation had reached the end of its working life.
A thorough refurbishment was commissioned in July 2012 to bring the control room in line with current technology, including switching from SD to HD production. To ensure its audio facilities matched the new picture standards, the upgrade included two Lawo mc 66 digital broadcast mixing consoles.
The main console is fitted with 56 faders (24-8-24) and the second with 24 faders (8-8-8). Each of the consoles comprises 240 DSP channels and one Plug-in Server. A Lawo Nova73 HD router supports the central matrix with DSP as the mixing console core this offers 51 MADI ports and has a routing capacity of 8,000 times 8,000 crosspoints. As this is a news control room, both PSUs and the router boards are redundantly configured. The stageboxes are fitted with redundant MADI boards and cabling. Also redundantly designed are the five Netlink-MADI crosslinks between the Nova73 HD and the consoles: Both consoles are networked via a central matrix so that it is possible to switch from one console to the other within the control room. The console cores are identical, and integrate 16 MADI ports each , explains engineer Reinhard Tomek, who was responsible for project management of the refurbishment.
RP7's smaller console takes care of programme pre-mixing so that for larger programs such as coverage of parliamentary elections the local reporter units and local studios can be assigned (e.g. via telephone) and satellite uplinks can be established promptly. This frees the sound engineer at the larger console to take control of the live program, using the feeds from the smaller console.
Identical console
In summer 2012, an identical main console had been installed at ORF's Regieplatz 1 (RP1); a production control room used for lottery jackpot draws, talk shows and magazine programmes, as well as larger TV shows. And for particularly big productions, RP1 can be linked with other studios. The first programming to be produced using the Lawo mc 66 at RP1 were magazine programs, followed by Dancing Stars . With the refurbishment of RP7, now RP1 and RP7 are identical so that, in case of a technical problem, all programs can be covered by the sister control room. The mixing consoles in RP1 and RP7 provide six ports for connecting stageboxes. Two stageboxes are assigned to each studio, but these can be distributed as required. In addition, there are four stageboxes in the TV Theatre' , says Tomek.
copyrighted by liveProduction.tv The decision to install a second Lawo console in RP7 was based on a bidding process conducted some years ago, that was won by Lawo. During one cycle of investment, we place high value in adopting one product model. With regard to mixing console technology, this results in benefits in spares pooling, servicing, and contact as well as training. Moreover, our sound engineers work at different production facilities studios and OB trucks and find the same operating philosophy and the same console surface everywhere , Tomek explains.
As a direct result, all ORF sound engineers and Tonmeisters can work in different OB vans and studio control rooms without the need for specific training. Presently, Lawo consoles are installed in almost all ORF OB vans and regional studios' production control rooms. This enables efficient workflows, while the consoles' configurability allows them to be adapted to changing requirements.
For a broadcaster like ORF, the availability and dependability of its equipment is of critical importance. With Lawo, ORF has a partner that both supplies quality products and also, if problems occur, helps out competently and, first and foremost, quickly , closes Tomek.
Lawo, headquartered in Rastatt/Germany, specialises in developing, designing and manufacturing mixing consoles and matrix systems for radio and TV broadcasters, as well as for use in live events. Recently, Lawo offers also professional video equipment for the broadcast sector. Standards of high quality and innovative technology are supported by more than 40 years of experience in the field of professional broadcast technology.
Lawo's product range covers digital audio mixing consoles for use in radio, broadcast, production and live applications, including the required software. In addition to the provision of matrix systems and audio networks, Lawo also offers video processing equipment. The company also carries out project engineering tasks as well as user training and maintenance. This high level of expertise results in a comprehensive support service for Lawo customers.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
13/05/2026
New Adobe Premiere Color Grading Mode Accelerated on NVIDIA GPUs
Joel Pennington May 13, 2026
0 Comments
New NVIDIA RTX-accelerated features streamlin...
13/05/2026
Grass Valley announced that dB Broadcast has delivered new IP-based outside broadcast (OB) trucks for Cloudbass, featuring Grass Valley LDX 100 Series cameras a...
13/05/2026
Ikegami will exhibit the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast production cameras, control units, viewfinders and monitors on stand 5D3-1 at Broadcast...
13/05/2026
FISE, working with the founding members of the XR Sports Alliance (XRSA), Accedo, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and HBS, have collaborated to develop an immersive...
13/05/2026
Canon Unveils New EOS R6 V Full-Frame EOS Camera and RF20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ Bu...
13/05/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Honors Beth Morrison and Moses Pendleton at Comme...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Creative software developer Foundry today announced the latest developments on Nuke Stage. A purpose-built application for end-to-end virtual production and in-...
13/05/2026
A definitive portrait of one of Ireland's most influential musicians
New TV documentary airs Monday 18 May on RT One and RT Player at 9.35pm
Watch the...
13/05/2026
Agentic AI is changing the way users get work done. Following the success of OpenClaw, the community is embracing new open source agentic frameworks. The latest...
13/05/2026
Reinforcement-learning agents - AI systems that learn by trial and error - can c...
12/05/2026
Beyond the Hype: A Strategic Post-Hoc Analysis of NAB 2026 If NAB Show 2026 had an underlying theme, it was a quiet, industry-wide pivot from the high-energy sp...
12/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D), a Panoptec Technologies Group company, and CT Square, led by Chandresh Shah, have announced a joint venture to distribute G&D and V...
12/05/2026
With 30 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the United States, has announced th...
12/05/2026
The NHL has announced the return of Stanley Pup for its third consecutive year, a 90-minute special featuring adoptable rescue dogs competing on a miniature rin...
12/05/2026
NBCUniversal presented its 2026 Upfront to advertisers at Radio City Music Hall, detailing upcoming programming across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Versant properti...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced funding for the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Publ...
12/05/2026
TNDV and Live Media, both divisions of Live Media Group, supported live broadcast coverage around NCAA Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, including the March M...
12/05/2026
The European Football Alliance (EFA) has announced a content distribution agreement with Fubo Sports Network, the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel ...
12/05/2026
For the first time, Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. will have two separate tel...
12/05/2026
CP Communications led a comprehensive spectrum management initiative on behalf of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, coordinating RF assets across the ...
12/05/2026
LiveU has announced a strategic partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, a 501(c)3 non-...
12/05/2026
Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BMC TV, a specialist in IP transport of broadcast content, has selected the Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway solution...
12/05/2026
NEP Europe, part of NEP Group, has announced it will deliver broadcast solutions...
12/05/2026
Grass Valley has announced continued collaboration with Ravensbourne University ...
12/05/2026
Stats Perform has announced the launch of Opta Pulse, an AI-assisted video creation and distribution platform for leagues, rights holders, and broadcasters. The...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced a collaboration with Sesame Workshop to integrate Sesame Street characters into FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 programming. Conten...
12/05/2026
To date, NHL Productions has produced 19 broadcasts with commentary in American Sign Language
NHL in ASL (American Sign Language) may be just one show, but the...
12/05/2026
Google's Brian Albert: creators, athletes, highlights, nostalgia, second-scr...
12/05/2026
A still from Past Lives by Celine Song, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | p...
12/05/2026
Spotify is where fans and artists come together, turning discovery into somethin...
12/05/2026
Features patented Marco-MMC clocking technology
Black Lion Audio's latest release combines the company's expertise in clocking with their renowned p...
12/05/2026
New Track Panel, sequencer upgrades & more
Following their recent public beta release, Reason Studios have announced the full release of Reason 14. With the...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
(31/07/2013) With its first news programme prepared at 8.30am and its last run at midnight, the Regieplatz 7 (RP7) TV news control room at ORF ( sterreichisches Fernsehen) operates for 16 to 17 hours per day, seven days a week. In fact, RP7 clocks up the greatest number of operating hours of any control room operated by the Austrian public broadcaster. Unsurprisingly, after twelve years of continuous operation, RP7's technical installation had reached the end of its working life.
