Television Equipment and Supplies Basics

Get organized in order to determine the appropriate TV supplies and equipment
By Heather Topham Wood, Freelance Writer Television equipment and supplies is a broad area that can apply to many different pieces of gear. If you’re in the media and communications industry, you’ll need TV equipment in order to outfit your studio.

Professional TV equipment can include a slew of different audio and video machines that perform various functions. Examples of television equipment are audio and video converters, embedders, extractors, viewers, displays, cameras, lighting, switchers and amplifiers.

1. Determine the type of professional television equipment that you need. Find out the pieces you’ll need to make your studio functional.

2. Find TV broadcast equipment vendors. Request price quotes on the television production equipment that you want to buy.

3. Save with used and refurbished video studio equipment. Many pieces you can find in excellent working condition at a reasonable price.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.