Technical facilities for TV and Web

The contact point for all bookings of TV and Web video facilities

In Brussels and Strasbourg, the European Parliament's audiovisual unit provides a range of broadcasting facilities for media professionals.
 
ENG

Two-person crews, using Betacam SP or SX.
 
Editing
Digital editing, with the assistance of an editor.
 
Feeds
In both Brussels and Strasbourg incoming and outgoing links for access to EBU's and private operators' networks. All video formats available for play-out.
 
Studios / Live position
Studios are equipped with real or virtual sets for configurations of up to 1 + 4. A live position is available next to the Chamber, for live statements and interviews.
On-site multicamera sets during plenary sessions or for special events.
 
VoxBox
The VoxBox multimedia studio is a new facility located in Brussels in the heart of the EP. It is specially designed to offer radio and Web journalists all the assistance necessary for live or recorded audio and video roundtables to be streamed on the Internet.

Chamber control room

Equipped with 6 robotic cameras, our chamber control room is used to record and broadcast plenary sittings of the European Parliament.

Mobile production unit

This unit is used mainly for coverage of parliamentary committee meetings and is equipped with three digital cameras.

TV studio

Our digital TV studio has a 100 sq. m sound stage equipped for the live or recorded production of round table discussions involving up to five people. There is a choice of various real or blue-key superimposition backgrounds.

The studio equipment includes :

Video:

• three robotic cameras mounted on RADAMEC robotic heads;

• one fixed camera;

• one autocue;

• one INSCRIBER CG Supreme character generator interfaced with the mixer;

• one ADB stage lighting system with 50 projectors;

• plasma screens;

• one PINNACLE DVE extreme DVE;

• one multiformat player (IMX, digital Betacam, Betacam SP);

• Betacam SP recording

• one video mixer BTS

 Audio:

• an audio mixing console;

• a CODEC ISDN.

Editing rooms

There are five editing rooms available to journalists. They are equipped with a virtual system (NewsEdit) with access to the server, and are mainly intended for news coverage. Mastering is on Betacam SP or digital Betacam.

Editing rooms with audio/video distribution are available for visiting crews.

De-rushing

A number of de-rushing stations with direct access to our video archives will soon be available to journalists for their reports.

SNG vans

Spaces with audio/video connections are available for reception/transmission vehicles.

As the number of available spaces is limited, please contact our TV Bookings Centre.

The VoxBox
The VoxBox multimedia studio is a facility located in Brussels in the heart of the EP. It is specially designed to offer radio and Web journalists all the assistance necessary for live or recorded audio and video roundtables to be streamed on the Internet.

Recording and copying studio

Debates, meetings, press conferences, studios, etc may be recorded and copied in the following standard formats:

• BETACAM SP

• DIGITAL BETACAM

• BETACAM SX

• DVCPRO 25

• DV

• DVD

• SVHS

• VHS

Feed point
 
Our feed point is equipped with a number of outside links for broadcasting programmes live or transmitting reports:

• an outgoing link to the EBU/UER circuits equipped with a video signal and two audio signals;

• an outgoing link to the European Commission with one video signal and 24 audio signals for EbS broadcasts;

• an outgoing link to Residence Palace building with one video and 4 audio signals enabling contact with other commercial networks;

• an incoming link with one video signal and four audio signals.

 
Our feed point plays back the following video formats:

• BETACAM SP

• BETACAM NUMERIQUE

• BETACAM SX

• BETACAM IMX

• DVCPRO 25

• DVCAM

• DV

 
Our EBU/UER identification code is: FRPUE Bruxelles
*Line costs are to be borne by the receiving TV channels

Chamber control room

The chamber control room covers parliamentary debates.

It is equipped with:

• a THOMSON 9250 video mixer

• eight  THOMSON 1657 D WFX digital cameras mounted on RADAMEC robotic heads

Press Room production unit

Our mobile unit mainly covers the press room.

It is equipped with:

• a THOMSON 9200 digital video mixer

• four THOMSON 1657 D digital cameras

• one AKAI 03D digital audio mixer

• a COLLAGE character generator

TV studio and stand-up interview point

Our TV studio measures 100 sq. m and can accommodate discussions with up to five people.

It is equipped with:

Video:

• a BTS video mixer

• a THOMSON 9500 mixer

• four digital THOMSON 1657 D robotic cameras

• two DIGITAL BETACAM VTRs

• a SONY DMXB 4016 audio mixing console

• a CODEC RNIS CDQ PRIMA 220

• an ULTIMATTE 8 digital imaging compositing system

• a PINNACLE DV Extreme DVE

• an INSCRIBER CG Supreme character generator interfaced with the mixer 

• an ADB stage lighting system with 50 projectors 

• an autocue. 

Audio: 

• an audio mixing console

• a CODEC ISDN

We also have a central point for live stand-up interviews equipped with:

• a digital camera

• a CODEC ISDN

• an audio mixer

• the necessary telephone links

• lighting kit

During special events a modular multi-camera production stage can be set up against a live backdrop.

Editing rooms

Journalists have access to three news editing rooms, each equipped with both a virtual system (AuroraEdit) allowing direct access to the server, as well as a cut/cut edit facility working from Betacam SP, Digital and SX to Betacam SP. These editing rooms are intended for news coverage.
A few rooms with video/audio distribution are available for visiting crews allowing them to edit with their own equipment and technicians. On occasion a supplementary distribution point with video/audio is made available in the Pressroom for independent recording by visiting crews.

De-rushing

One de-rushing facility is available and has an SP/SX/IMX DIGITAL BETACAM player

SNG vans

Spaces with audio/video connections are available for reception/transmission vehicles.

Recording and copying room

We also have a recording and copying room which covers plenary debates, the studios and press conferences.

It is equipped with:

• a THOMSON PROCART archiving robot, comprising three DIGITAL BETACAM VTRs and a magazine of 96 cassettes

• a BETACAM DIGITAL VTR

• two BETACAM SX VTRs

• two DVCPRO 50 VTRs

• ten BETACAM SP VTRs

• DV

• one VHS PAL VTR

• one VHS multistandard VTR 

Transmission room

Our transmission room is linked to the EBU/UER and other commercial networks (at present through SERTE/GLOBECAST) and comprises:

• four outgoing links: one video and four audio

• one incoming links: one video and four audio

 
Our feed point plays back the following formats
 

• BETACAM SP

• BETACAM DIGITAL

• BETACAM SX

• BETACAM IMX

• DVCPRO 25

• DVCAM

• DV

 
A separate feed point is dedicated to the broadcast of the proceedings for EbS and is therefore linked to the European Commission with a video connection and 24 audio channels.

Help with your reports

Whether your programme has to do with the Constitution, enlargement, airline security, safety at sea, working hours or rail transport, if it involves Europe and the European Parliament, contact us!