Exploration: Developing the Future Landscape of Community-Based Broadcasting Services
Austin's Million-Dollar Media MakeoverFor over six decades, *Austin PBS has been a cornerstone of Central Texas culture, delivering powerful storytelling, trusted news, and shows like Austin City Limits* into local homes. As technology advanced and audiences' expectations changed, Austin PBS recognized the need for more than just a technical upgrade – they required a revolutionary transformation.
This vision came to life as the Austin Media Center: A cutting-edge, multi-million-dollar production facility designed to serve as a creative hub, community resource, and learning ground for the next generation of media whizzes.
The Grand Challenge: A Bold VisionThe new Austin Media Center was designed to handle multiple broadcasts, support remote productions, host live concerts and community events, and offer hands-on experience with real-world broadcast workflows for students. The new facility would consist of three studios, three control rooms, a centralized machine room, and a fully-integrated post-production environment. However, turning this dream into reality meant navigating more than just blueprints—pandemic delays, equipment shortages, and even a devastating Texas winter freeze caused by catastrophic equipment damage.
Austin PBS tackled every obstacle with the right partners by their side, including Key Code Media as the lead systems integrator to guide the technical vision and Ross Video and other vendors to pull the project together.
Ross Video: Tech That GelsRoss Video didn't just provide gear—we brought a unique philosophy to the table. Dependable, robust tools that seamlessly connect with other devices.
Ross equipment was integral to live production, graphics, and media playback, complementing systems from Clear-Com, Evertz, Sony, Telestream, Adder, and Calrec to create a unified, high-performance environment. But what really stole the show was how elegantly it integrated with other key technologies—everything simply clicked into place.
Ross Tech on Display at Austin PBS:
- Carbonite Ultra switchers that power live shows from any studio.
- XPression graphics systems for real-time visual magic.
- Tria Express Duet media servers that make playback a breeze.
"Ross products offered power and flexibility. What truly impressed us was how effortlessly they integrated with other solutions, making our system feel like one cohesive unit." -Chris Ostertag, CTO, Austin PBS
The Payoff
Key Code Media: More Than Integration—True CamaraderieKey Code Media was more than a technical lead. From day one, they stepped up as a true partner, working hand-in-hand with Austin PBS. They assisted with troubleshooting setbacks, mapped out signal flow, and guided the entire project with precision and heart. When disaster struck, they jumped into action, replacing over 100 miles of cabling without missing a beat.
Beyond the physical construction, Key Code Media ensured that the PBS team, as well as their education counterparts at Austin Community College, were ready to rock the controls. Training, support, and teamwork were the norm.
"Key Code Media didn't just deliver specifications. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us every step of the way. Without them, this facility wouldn't be what it is today." -Chris Ostertag, CTO, Austin PBS
Behind the Scenes at Austin Media Center: Tech That Spins Tales
The Command Center and Backbone
- Three adaptable control rooms with the ability to manage any studio.
- Clear-Com intercoms, Adder KVMs, Evertz routers, and Telestream monitors.
- A machine room designed for reliability, redundancy, and remote control.
Magic in the Studios
- Studio A: A spacious, 6,600-square-foot venue for concerts, audience shows, and memorable moments.
- Studio B: A 2,200-square-foot green-screen space, ideal for educational content and virtual sets.
- Studio C: A cozy, 1,800-square-foot home for community programming.
- MT Fiber connects all three studios to facilitate quick reconfiguration and camera swaps.
- Full UHD HDR workflows featuring Sony cameras, Calrec and DiGiCo audio consoles, and professional lighting rigs.
Postproduction, Elevated
- Adobe Premiere Pro editing, backed by a 1-PB Facilis storage system.
- Avid Pro Tools with S4 console for immersive 5.1 audio mixing.
- Telestream Vantage for efficient file-based workflows and CatDV for media asset management.
The Grand Scheme: What This Means for Public BroadcastingThe new Austin Media Center does more than create captivating content—it empowers Austin PBS to tackle larger, more ambitious projects, collaborate with educational institutions and cultural organizations, and showcase diverse voices and stories.
Austin PBS has built more than just a studio—it's created a community center, a training ground, and a creative canvas for voices that matter. It's a shining example of what public broadcasters can accomplish when armed with the perfect technology—and the perfect partners.
Say Goodbye to Yesterday, Welcome to Tomorrow: Public Broadcasting, Powered by PartnershipWhen it came time to reinvent its future, Austin PBS didn't settle for mediocrity. They built something audacious—something lasting. Austin PBS had the vision, Key Code Media had the blueprint, and Ross Video and a strong network of technology partners filled in the rest by providing flexible, well-integrated technology solutions.
Together, they created something powerful, adaptable, and ready for whatever comes next. And in doing so, they've raised the bar. This station is no longer just keeping pace—it's setting the pace.
Want a peek behind the curtain?
Tune In
- Austin PBS, a cornerstone of Central Texas culture for over six decades, required more than just a technical upgrade; a revolutionary transformation was necessary to meet changing technology and audience expectations.
- The new Austin Media Center, designed as a creative hub, community resource, and learning ground for the next generation of media whizzes, was intended to handle multiple broadcasts, support remote productions, and host live concerts and community events.
- Ross Video provided equipment integral to live production, graphics, and media playback, complementing systems from other vendors to create a unified, high-performance environment at the Austin Media Center.
- Chris Ostertag, CTO of Austin PBS, praised the ease of integration between Ross products and other key technologies, commenting that the system felt like one cohesive unit.
- Key Code Media, the technical lead, provided more than just integration; they acted as a true partner, working hand-in-hand with Austin PBS throughout the project, including troubleshooting setbacks, mapping out signal flow, and replacing over 100 miles of cabling after a disaster.
- The new facility at Austin Media Center features three adaptable control rooms, each capable of managing any studio, as well as a machine room designed for reliability, redundancy, and remote control.
- Studio A, a spacious venue for concerts, audience shows, and memorable moments, coexists with Studio B, a 2,200-square-foot green-screen space ideal for educational content and virtual sets, and Studio C, a smaller space for community programming.
- Postproduction at Austin Media Center is elevated with Adobe Premiere Pro editing, Avid Pro Tools for immersive audio mixing, and Telestream Vantage for efficient file-based workflows, among other tools.
- The new Austin Media Center empowers Austin PBS to tackle larger, more ambitious projects, collaborate with educational institutions and cultural organizations, and showcase diverse voices and stories.
- Armed with the perfect technology and the perfect partners, Austin PBS has set a new standard for public broadcasters, creating a community center, a training ground, and a creative canvas for voices that matter.
