Tech Spotlight

Georgia Station Gets Innovative With iPads

WFXL, the Barrington Broadcasting-owned Fox affiliate in Albany, Ga., is using the new device to replace its paper scripts during its newscasts, giving it more flexibility and saving almost $10,000 a year in paper costs. That easily covers the cost of the initial six entry-level iPads, which retail for $499.
By
TVNewsCheck,

Apple iPads are flying off the shelves faster than the company can manufacture them. Among the early adopters is one enterprising broadcaster that has discovered an immediate and practical application.

Last week, news anchors and producers at Barrington Broadcasting Group's WFXL Albany, Ga., replaced their paper scripts with electronic versions displayed on the iPad.

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"By using the iPad, we're saving hundreds of thousands of sheets of paper annually," says News Director Terry Graham, who also anchors the news at 6:30 and 10 p.m. at the Fox affiliate. "Our projected savings per month are $800, or about $9,600 per year." 

That easily covers the cost of the initial six entry-level iPads, which retail for $499. (Apple offers versions with more onboard flash memory and optional 3G reception for up to $829.)

Newscast scripts are composed as usual. But rather than printing to paper, the final version is formatted as a PDF file and transmitted to each iPad via e-mail. The PDF translation is handled by iAnnotate by Aji.LLC, a $7 program sold and downloaded via Apple's App Store.

Because the PDF file is a digital depiction of the entire script, last-minute changes to the teleprompter can't be automatically updated on the iPads. "In order to update the iPad display for the anchors and support staff," says Interactive Director Vincent Hunt, "we would have to e-mail a revised script to the iPads." But because the iPad version is primarily a reference tool, he adds, "this has not been an area of concern for us and I don't see it becoming one."

Although WFXL doesn't employ iPads as teleprompters, it could if it chose to. Apple's App Store already offers two third-party applications for scrolling copy on the iPad: Nairo Techology's iPrompter for $2.99 and Bombing Brain Interactive's Teleprompt+ for $9.99, which allows any iPhone to double as a remote controller.

In addition, hardware vendor Bodelin Technologies offers a new version of its through-the-lens ProPrompter HDi display, which mounts the iPad as a prompter monitor on both studio and field cameras. The $850 device includes "professional" display software, which is also controllable through an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Based upon savings in paper alone, Graham says he'll probably be purchasing more iPads. And he says he expects that once it confirms the savings, Barrington will encourage other stations in its portfolio to put them to work on their anchor desks.

While the paper savings justify the purchase, WFXL has much bigger plans for the popular new device. "We want to enhance the way our journalists gather information; utilize instant messaging to connect producers and reporters; and engage viewers through social media," says Hunt.

Because Apple introduced the iPad's free Software Development Kit months ahead of the product launch, Hunt expects to see "a whole new level of applications developed specifically for the iPad," which will make its value to journalists "more robust and capable of the intelligent things we need it to do."

And if critics accuse WFXL of just trying to look trendy, Hunt is happy to plead guilty. "That's an inherit trait of being a market leader."

Contributing Editor Arthur Greenwald frequently writes about technology,  and new media and marketing for TVNewsCheck.

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Comments (18) -

Junderwood Nickname posted a year ago
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FYI: 3rd to last paragraph says "WFXY" instead of "WFXL." Great write-up overall and interesting use of technology on the part of the station.
PhillyPhlash Nickname posted a year ago
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A 32 or 64 gig device that lacks a real keyboard (unless the optional separate keyboard is used) and lacks connectivity (no USB) and can't multitask does not seem to be an optimum professional IT platform. What is "new" here is using PDF to distribute scripts. That could be done on any laptop, and your staff would get much greater functionality with a "real" computer that can multitask, store lots of data, and connect easily to a printer or to other devices. This smells like a gimmick. Did Apple provide the units as a publicity stunt?
Andrew Holm posted a year ago
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Actually, PhillyPhlash, the iPad *does* multi-task, but currently it only does so for Apple's own applications like Mail, iTunes and so on. The next software update will give 3rd parties access as well... What was your point again?
Bailusout Nickname posted a year ago
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Hey T-Bone, Pay no mind to the PhillyPhlash, he never has anything good to say. He used to be in the business, but now just sits at home and tells everyone that tries anything new why it won't work as well as his ideas. TMWW
PhillyPhlash Nickname posted a year ago
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And how would you know what I do all day? Attention Project Geneva: Psy Op Alert.
D BP Nickname posted a year ago
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There's no way a laptop can duplicate the intuitiveness of a touch screen or the open, flexible, one piece form-factor of the iPad. This product offers tremendous potential for TV broadcasters. In addition to using it as a TelePrompter and writing scripts, it can function as a remote for master control equipment. Broadcast Pix, for example, offers the iPixPanel which allows control of their Slate production switchers from an iPad complete with buttons and a take bar. And this is just the beginning of how the iPad can prove itself a useful tool in a TV station or production facility.
Arthur Greenwald posted a year ago
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Although I'm an enthusiastic user of Apple products, including the iPad, I tried to narrowly focus this story on what WFXY is actually doing with the device. But since PhillyPhlash brought it up, comparing the iPad to a laptop or netbook strikes me as a silly. That's not its purpose. It's a clever, intuitive, but speclialized media display device that builds in a limited amount of laptop-style functionality as a bonus. Would you criticize a toaster oven because it's not an electric range? The iPad is less than a month old and already it's proven to be the right tool for certain jobs. By January there will be tens of thousands more apps for the thing, many of them TV-specific. And this is just version 1.0. Within 5 years iPad and its imitators will be as common and indispensable as a reporter's notebook.
PhillyPhlash Nickname posted a year ago
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Well, as a field reporting device, I can't see it. The reviews say it's difficult to do real writing on its faux keyboard, it can't multitask, and field reporters can't schlep around a "display device" that can't do multiple tasks. In terms of field reporting, this is a solution in search of a problem. And it's too small to be used as a studio prompter. I'm speaking as a veteran field reporter, not a control room engineer or an ad kiosk guy. When I look at the iPad, I see another Apple Newton.
Andrew Holm posted a year ago
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Try to keep up, the iPad *does* multi-task, but currently it only does so for Apple's own applications like Mail, iTunes and so on. The next software update will give 3rd parties access as well...
Barry Shawgo posted a year ago
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The iPad will work it's way into other facets of the business as well. That's why we've optomized our AdMall sales optimization system to work with iPad. Television sales reps can now access all of the tools available through AdMall.com anywhere that they can use the iPad.
Arthur Greenwald posted a year ago
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Phlash, you have a lot of strong opinions for someone who apparently has not seen or used the device, I, on the other hand, have used the iPad intensively for 2 weeks and -- guess what -- even composed this article on the thing (in fairness, using the optional wireless keyboard, which I already owned.) The iPad will either succeed in the marketplace or fail, but certainly not because of what you or I say in these chatty comments. I suggest you go try the iPad at an Apple Store. At least then you can base your opinion on actual experience.
PSIPthing Nickname posted a year ago
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Aside from the iPad "angle:-let (which always get the fanboys excited), isn't this really a "state of 1995" type of story? "TV station replaces written scripts" I see newscasters with paper in front of them, but they never seem to read from there; it's always the TelePrompTer (or equivalent.) Maybe you guys on the East Coast are slower to adopt simple, productive changes.
RustbeltAlumnus2 Nickname posted a year ago
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It's a shame some folks can't simply share their ideas (strong or not) without being attacked. I sometimes disagree with Philly Phlash, but in this case I wish others would simply let him have his say, and move along. This is not the place for ad hominem attacks.
PhillyPhlash Nickname posted a year ago
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Project Geneva will appreciate your comment! I'll make sure the team see it, and thanks.
D BP Nickname posted a year ago
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Because this person clearly has no idea what an iPad is or its capabilities but has already written it off. That is, to put it politely, ridiculous. BTW, the iPad will have multitasking later this year by way of an OS upgrade.
Ted Langdell posted a year ago
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What happens when the prompter computer, video DA or other part of the system crashes? A paper backup is very, very handy to have at hand. On the other hand, I can visualize a reporter doing a standup, iPad in hand and waving the thing around, or having it mounted on a c-stand next to the lens.
PhillyPhlash Nickname posted a year ago
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If a reporter needs a prompter for a stand-up, it's too long.
Knute Nickname posted a year ago
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I've seen iPad apps for audio mixing, color correction, sound looping ... a lot of exciting stuff. And it's only been one month. We've purchased two for the control surface apps, but will use them for paperless workflow as well. FYI, with bluetooth, wifi (and it 3G for certain models), there's no need for USB. However the camera connection kit adds USB adapter and an SD card reader for $29 if you really need it.

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