On Friday, March 28, 2008, over a dozen production team members from Comedy Central and Spike TV's west coast offices gathered together with broadcast icons Sony, Panasonic and Bexel Broadcast Services for an intensive technical workshop with demonstrations and explanations of emerging camera and image acquisition technologies. Shapour Nosrati Fard and Deon LeCointe from Sony and Doug Leighton from Panasonic joined Bexel representatives Greg Siers, Frank Gabb and Tim Sutton to provide the interactive demonstration on how to use existing camera technologies and how to select appropriate formats to enhance the vision in developing projects.

Each vendor provided polished video comparison presentations that highlighted the solid state format's sharp pictures and robust field capabilities (even handling 10G's in a nose dive strapped in the cockpit of an F16). In an industry environment ripe with intermediary formats and as many cameras, compression schemes, acquisition mediums and models as there are prime time shows, this specific technical discussion was designed to shine some light on some very confusing times for the creative contributors in the entertainment industry.

The attendees got a sneak peak at the new Sony 270 HDV full-size camcorder and the Sony XDCAM EX1. Panasonic provided a demonstration and discussion about the HPX 3000P and the P2 HVX200 camera.

In previous presentations, Bexel has partnered with Sony and Panasonic to present custom equipment showcases for MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo & Spike and have helped integrate Viacom's working production professionals with cutting edge broadcast production equipment education. While no technical topics were off the table, there was a focus on broadcast live events, multi-camera setups and an explanation of tapeless workflow or, perhaps more correctly, workflows that use "less tape".

It is apparent that there is much more to learn as technology emerges and bexel is committed to continue the educational process. Tammy Glover, VP of Production for Comedy Central said it best: "Your guys in the Bexel gang did not just simply create a warm and welcoming environment. It was a dynamic and educational atmosphere and presentation. We learned a lot!"