The Media Center Mobile Studio/Control Room (MCMS/CR) was created in response to the increasing video demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing protocol. The MCMS/CR has been instrumental in providing various live-streaming and pre-recorded campus and instructional programming including but not limited to: Convocation, Graduation, Board of Regents Meetings, Culinary Assemblies, The Reading Room series, Professional Development programs, Community Outreach and Marketing initiatives.
After the pandemic, the MCMS/CR equipment upgrade has improved our studio setup while affording us the mobility of shooting on-location. Prior to the MCMS/CR equipment upgrade, in order to “take the show on the road,” the EMC staff had to disassemble and reassemble equipment from the Media Center Control Room and Studio to create a make-shift, mobile control room in order to provide a full-multi camera production on-location. The MCMS/CR eliminated the reconfiguration of equipment by consolidating them into a specifically designed mobile cart. It was a necessary step to providing a streamlined, flexible workflow to meet campus video production needs.
Designed with portability in mind, MCMS/CR allows our limited personnel to safely, effectively and quickly transport the main components of a professional control room to provide broadcast quality video production capability to remote locations on or off campus (e.g. Theatre, laboratory classrooms, and event halls).

At the heart of the MCMS/CR is the Tricaster TC-2, video production platform. One of the stand out features of the TC-2 allows for seamless streaming service compatibility with platforms such as Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, etc. enhancing the participants’ experiences providing two-way communication from the Media Center Studio to participants joining remotely. Additionally the TC-2 allows for delivery to most popular streaming services, e.g. YouTube, Facebook and other social platforms. This built-in streaming feature was integral during the pandemic to provide information to the masses when in large in-person events were restricted. At its core, the TC-2 is a multi-source video switcher for cameras, computers, etc. In addition, it has the ability to store and playback multimedia assets such as video roll-ins, graphics and audio. Additional systems allow monitoring, handling additional tasks for teleprompting, audience and production asset management from the control room and studio floor.

While the MCMS/CR functions as a mobile solution, its primary function is for in-house production in concert with the EMCʻs studio floor and lighting system. While “docked” to the EMC control room console, the MCMS/CR continues all capabilities formerly present in previous studio set up while also extending its capabilities to include variable video resolutions, more audience interactivity, extended quality assurance and streamlined operations. In addition to its mobile capabilities, the studio/control room is available for instructors to create various media deliverables to enhance and compliment their in person and online courses.

More information about the TC-2’s features and a few highlights:
- Allows the audio operator the ability to control sound to studio for video playback
- Live-streaming (Zoom web conferencing, YouTube, etc.) from studio and control room
- Allows for talent on the studio floor to communicate and respond to web conference attendees (Zoom)
- Ability to control studio lighting from the control room
- Ability to prompt talent from the control room, off-air (with a teleprompter)
- Ability to have cameras on-location and switch from the studio (remote studio)
Have an idea for videos that supplement course material or interested in a tour of our facility? Please contact Camden Barruga at extension #604 or email camden@hawaii.edu.