Guide to Television Equipment and Supplies Basics

Get organized in order to determine the appropriate TV supplies and equipment

By Heather Topham Wood

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View a list of television equipment and supplies

Prior to construction, you'll want to work with a consultant who can advise you on the equipment requirements for a broadcast studio. You can also find pricing guidelines and equipment recommendations on various websites.

I recommend: In order to have a better idea of the amount of money that you need to spend on TV equipment for a station, you can view the charts from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). They also make quantity recommendations for the television supplies. RF-Links provides a TV equipment list that you can use to determine your requirements to get your studio running.

Receive advice on TV supplies

If you're unsure of the television equipment and supplies basics, you'll want to speak to industry insiders prior to ordering any professional TV equipment. Instead of paying a consultant, you can opt to contact equipment experts for free via online forums. Post a query or look through the archives for television studio equipment advice.

I recommend: On dvcreators.net, you can browse the forums in order to receive assistance from people within the digital video creation industry. The forums cover topics, like lighting, shooting, sound and other equipment needs. CreativeCOW.net has forums, archives and blog areas that you can search in order to receive assistance with the television station equipment.

Buy television station equipment

After you have exhausted your research on television equipment and supplies, you can go ahead and contact vendors to make a purchase. A sales representative can give you a better idea of what pieces are appropriate for your type of studio and also let you know if they have any used or refurbished inventory.

I recommend: Television Equipment Associates retails pieces from the BAL Broadcast manufacturer. Available video studio equipment pieces include wireless handheld quad split monitors, distribution amplifiers, extractors, multiviewers and in monitor displays. For help procuring equipment, installation and finding used and refurbished pieces, you can contact ITEL for assistance.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most of the television equipment lists online are meant to be read as general guidelines. You'll have to make some adjustments based on whether you will broadcast in standard/high definition and the size of your studio.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy television equipment and/or parts for television repairs or rebuilds

Find just the right TV equipment part or parts for your next television repair or rebuild project. Purchase one part or many, but either way, find what items you need to repair or rebuild your set.

I recommend: Find miscellaneous television supplies from Aubuchon Hardware. Look for OFF-AIR TV Antennas and Accessories from Solid Signal. Check out the television supplies and parts from Philips Electronics.

Purchase professional television equipment to create your own studio

Use television station equipment and other TV supplies to create your own television studio setting.

I recommend: Find soundproofing materials for an audio or music recording studio and control room from Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Abel Cine Tech is master distributor for name brand broadcast network cameras. Abekas, Incorporated is a designer and manufacturer of digital video processing, recording, editing and production equipment. They sell decoding and encoding systems, video special effects equipment, digital switchers, 3-D video effects systems, integrated production systems and more. ADC is a manufacturer of television broadcast transmitters.

Find used professional TV equipment for the best cost savings

Used TV supplies can be just as useful to you as new equipment, but at a fraction of the price. Consider purchasing used television equipment to offset your expenses, and to keep your costs to a minimum.

I recommend: Browse the new and used selections from TVProGear.com. Their pro gear selection is impressive, and they have different payment options. Media Concepts also has a large selection of new and used items. Find new and used television and satellite equipment from Fitzgerald TV & Satellite. United States Broadcast also carries new and used professional broadcast equipment.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are needing television equipment to create a studio, make sure that you check with your local government on rules and regulations for your area on the installation and use of your new gear and location.

Guide to Using Television Equipment and Supplies

Using television production equipment can prove difficult without the proper training and support

By Heather Topham Wood

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive television equipment and supplies training

Before launching your studio, you'll want to get familiarized with the different pieces of equipment your team will be using. You can sign up to take courses at local colleges or you can view online tutorials to garner a general knowledge about using television equipment and supplies.

I recommend: If you'd rather take courses that involve learning how to operate professional television equipment, you can get in contact with one of the schools listed in the Design Schools Directory. Some programs, like the Penn Foster School have online training courses as well. The Broadcast Center teaches courses that educate students on all areas of broadcast TV and equipment usage.

Get advice on using TV supplies and equipment

If you're unsure of the operational basics involved with television equipment and supplies, you'll want to speak to industry insiders prior to ordering any professional TV equipment. You can communicate via forum posts with other studio workers in order to operate and maintain the gear correctly.

I recommend: Dr. Peter Utz publishes helpful articles regarding the use of professional TV broadcast equipment and TV supplies. The AV Science Forum extends beyond the basics of video studio equipment. To use all functions on the site, you’ll have to submit a free registration form.

Attend workshops to learn uses of television broadcast equipment

Workshops can benefit pros and novices alike for learning new techniques or brushing up on televison studio equipment training.

I recommend: Browse the many available DCTV workshops available, ranging from production to post production, and from beginners to advanced classes. The National Press Photographers Association holds an annual NewsVideo workshop at a discount to members.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For a larger studio, you should have a person on staff with the ability to troubleshoot and fix TV broadcast equipment. This is imperative in order to ensure that your studio remains on schedule with its broadcasts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Embedder

An embedder can refer to audio and video. An embedder allows audio to be embedded onto video for a complete audiovisual package. Similarly, a de-embedder offers the process in reverse, taking audio out of a specific video file.

I recommend: Axon offers detailed specs for its line of audio embedders.

Audio/video converter

An audio/video converter is often a software program that provides the ability to turn various audio and video formats into other available formats. This helps to establish file compatibility.

I recommend: Microvideosoft provides information and user manuals for its video converter software.

National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)

The National Telecommunication and Information Administration is an agency that works out of the United States Department of Commerce. This agency advises the executive branch of the government on issues dealing with the use of telecommunications. The agency also oversees research and development in this industry.

I recommend: Go to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration's Web site for more details about how it functions and works with the government.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission is the regulatory agency for all types of broadcasting, including radio and television. The FCC regulates the quality of materials broadcast and the services used to broadcast programs on local and national levels.

I recommend: The FCC provides many guidelines for local television stations on what and how they can broadcast, including the types of transmission services used.

Distribution amplifier

A distribution amplifier is used to split a single video signal into two or more signals. Different types of distribution amplifiers work with specific video formats.

I recommend: Inline offers an expanded definition of what a distribution amplifier does as well as information on additional equipment used with distribution amplifiers.

DTV, digital television

Digital television is the television signal that provides higher -quality picture and sound than analog signals. Instead of using AM and FM frequencies like analog, digital television sends its signal through digital packets.

I recommend: AVS Forum offers a basic overview of what digital television is and how it is used in television broadcasting.