BBC Regions Watch

Ok, I have started thread to see what graphics systems the regions use
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a41997/new-news-graphics-planned-for-bbc-regions.html
Apparently, last year they were meant to roll out VizRT but I doubt BBC Midlands are using it. If you have any info on it in your region please reply

The regions graphics are terrible. It bugs me the way the font isn't as big as the size used on the national straps.

Also, BBC NE&C still put the presenter name to the right of the straps, making them look stupid.

Midlands Today don't do presenters names.
What irritates me is Midlands Today's graphics are worse than NattyTwatty's mocks.

God forbid you concentrate on the stories rather than the "dressing" of the reports ...

The reports are fine, class team of journos at the Mailbox. It's just those graphics.

Oh I can see how they'd irritate me beyond belief too.

This is a TV *presentation* forum. Goes with the territory.

Thanks Steve, I was so confused as to where I was, but thanks for putting me right.

Much as I realise this is a presentation forum, I just despair at the fact the OP seems to think the book cover is more interesting than the book.

I don't believe this is the case for many people who post here ... Who enjoy the content but have an interest in how it is presented. This guy seemed to not care (judging by his passing "those journos are great, aren't they?" comment) about anything but the graphics. One part of a larger jigsaw, if you ask me.

I suspect the roll out of VizRT has been slowed or even suspended by various cutbacks in funding across the BBC. It ain't broke, so they ain't fixing it. Most regional centres are continuing to use kit they already owned, with industry standards like Astons and Quantel Picture/Paintboxes and some PixelPower Clarity and Collages being used. Most English regional centres now use the same editing system and the high-end suites come with graphics packages built in.

Although there is a consistent style that's supposed to have been applied across the output, what kit a region uses very much drives what's possible. For example, the prescribed 'news' wipe effect isn't possible on many bits of kit, so while you see graphics and straps animate on on BBC News Channel with the wipe effect, you don't see that happen on many regional news programmes (particulary with lower third straps). It's not that regions aren't trying, it's usually that the kit can't do it.

I hear that VizRT is also pretty complex to program. Rolling it out to the whole of the BBC would require retraining for many dozens of people en-masse as well as reprogramming of gallery automation systems. A pretty major undertaking.

Does Leeds have VizRT permanently or is it hired/brought in for the Superleague Show?

VizRT I'm sure is in the North West - the 2007 - 2008 straps I'm sure needed it to animate.

So I'm really confused why they insist on just fading the new straps in...surely they could do the same animation the nationals do if they have the same equipment?

Midlands have it for I beleive.