Has anyone seen WPXI's Ignite Nightmare? - b-roll.net FORUM

The Next Generation... · #1 10-25-2007, 11:41 AM

Holly crap is all I can say. They purchased IGNITE, installed it and it has been operantly crashing and screwing up the news casts to no end! Does anyone on here work at a station where this software and system has actually worked the way ThomsonGrassValley says it should? My station has planned to buy it (we have the robotic cameras that are going to be BOLTED into the floor of the studio!) and the outlook does not look very good.

I don't understand why stations continue to purchase this horrible system....o wait I do know, they are trying to cut costs! Here is a link to the "Outdoor Newscast" WPXI did to deliver the news. What is funny is how the anchors kiss the Cox Execs. a$$es!!!!!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B_OHdCQa8bs

Run 'n' Get 'em · #2 10-25-2007, 12:28 PM

My last station had it... They actually made a promo that ran in the end break of the net's programming before our late show that apologized for all the errors...

And that was only SD!

Station I'm at now is getting it, but they seem to be taking the right approach... Not launching it until everyone is comfortable with it and they work out at least most of the bugs... And it'll be HD...

bw3508 · #3 10-25-2007, 01:33 PM

This really is a shame for WPXI. They definitely get my two thumbs up for their new music/open/graphics package as well as the set, but Ignite! is really bringing them down. Every now and then during a snafu, the anchors apologize, but most of the time it’s just a confused and awkward eight second glare into the camera or quite noticeable video problems. It’s expected that this may happen the first day or so after a major transition, but I can only imagine what some viewers outside of the TeeVee biz think.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GSN_7cwkcdk

backfocus5 · #4 10-25-2007, 01:51 PM

I really feel sorry for WPXI. They have a great new building but ownership gives them that IGNITE crap! I had to stop watching after awhile - it was just too painful to witness!

verdantFOX · #5 10-25-2007, 01:59 PM

In SF KTVU and KGO either use Ignite or are ramping up. KGO took a long time before they put it on-air. They still had numerous mistakes, but it seems to be working now.

KRON uses another system from Canada. I don't know what it's called, but they had a bunch of on-air problems at first, but now it seems to be working.

I think it just takes time to work out all the bugs.

Run&Gun · #6 10-25-2007, 02:06 PM

"We have ground breaking technology, we're pioneers, blah, blah, blah... We can't get it to work, but we're awesome!" This is why I hate local TV. They find anyway to spin anything to their benefit. "Across town this afternoon ch.87's anchor shot and killed himself. But our anchor wouldn't do that because he respects you, the viewer too much!" "We are the best, we are the best, no matter what you may hear or read, we are the best." "You don't need to watch the final game of the playoffs, you need to watch our emergency break-in programming of it raining." Local news blows!!!

Land Rover · #7 10-25-2007, 02:25 PM

He said that they thought it was important to still bring the news to the public but he went on for five minutes about why they were standing in the parking lot.

I have a good friend who is a reporter there. I'll have to check with him to see what's going on.

Macro · #8 10-25-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Run&Gun

"We have ground breaking technology, we're pioneers, blah, blah, blah... We can't get it to work, but we're awesome!" This is why I hate local TV. They find anyway to spin anything to their benefit. "Across town this afternoon ch.87's anchor shot and killed himself. But our anchor wouldn't do that because he respects you, the viewer too much!" "We are the best, we are the best, no matter what you may hear or read, we are the best." "You don't need to watch the final game of the playoffs, you need to watch our emergency break-in programming of it raining." Local news blows!!!

I couldn't agree more.

Baltimore Shooter · #9 10-25-2007, 03:00 PM

Is this the new ParkerVision?

Warren

verdantFOX · #10 10-25-2007, 04:11 PM

Is this the new ParkerVision?

Yes.

Run&Gun · #11 10-25-2007, 04:22 PM

Let me add that there are many very good and talented people working in local(shooters, reporters, producers), it's the "we're #1, you'll only see it here, blah, blah, blah..." from managment that taints the whole product.

The Next Generation... · #12 10-25-2007, 05:03 PM

Well at least some of the other stations are able to make it work. But it will be interesting when/if our station executes its plans to install and use Ignite. Even if it does "work" I think it is a horrible thing, to automate the entire newscast is just not a good idea. Especially since news needs to be flexible and changes (most of the time) need to be made during the show.

svp · #13 10-25-2007, 08:42 PM

Its a shame what happened to WPXI. I really have no idea what the circumstances were surrounding Cox's going with Ignite but I can tell you it wasn't to save money. I can tell you first hand Cox has no problem with spending money. If other media companies took as much pride in their stations as Cox does, this would be a much better industry to work in.

villagevidiot · #14 10-26-2007, 08:17 AM

whats ignite?

Land Rover · #15 10-26-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

i wish we weren't going through it...i would hope that no one had to go through this anywhere. that said...we're playing the cards we've been dealt....and not ready to fold yet.

I wish you the best in dealing with it. Hopefully all the bugs will get worked out.