News & Trends

The audiovisual world never stops surprising us. Technology and artistic concepts constantly redefine each other, resulting in products that are increasingly visually appealing and creatively challenging, and increasingly hard to keep up with.

And yet, there are always those who raise the bar, who take the challenge to the next level with ideas that are so extraordinary that they often lead us to rethink how audiovisual creation works.

The moment you step into Studio 4 at 3CatInfo, you can see how those boundary‑pushing ideas have shaped every inch of the space. 

Studio 4: A Step Into the Future of Broadcast Innovation

AVIXA had the opportunity to visit 3CatInfo's Studio 4 during a Tech Tour at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), which took place on February 3-6 in Barcelona. To say the group of experts who toured the studio was impressed would be more than an understatement.

3CatInfo is the news division of 3Cat, Catalonia's public media company, established in 2023 following the integration of TV3, Catalunya Radio, digital and streaming platforms, and interactive and on-demand content services. The organization now presents itself as a content‑creation company spanning television, radio, streaming, and social media — all produced in Catalan and tailored to audience preferences.

Naturally, television plays a huge role in 3Cat's work. The organization operates 10 studios where everything from reality shows to documentaries is produced.

Amid this vast audiovisual ecosystem, Studio 4 stands out as the crown jewel. Its significance comes from two key factors: first, the technology deployed in this space represents a groundbreaking leap for both Europe and the wider industry; and second, it serves as the home of one of 3Cat’s flagship products — its news programs.

Revolutionary Screen and Camera Systems

The first thing that catches the eye of anyone crossing the threshold of Studio 4 is its innovative screen system. The 400 sq. m (approximately 4,300 sq. ft) space is encircled by 42 m (138 feet) of screens, measuring up to 3.5 m (11.5 feet) in height. The studio features top-of-the-line LED technology, offering every imaginable possibility to the creative team.

In addition, the studio has three mobile totem-type screens with rounded edges. Two of them move laterally, serving as support for the anchors and commentators. The third, one of the most innovative elements of the studio, is the so-called “giratuto,” which is capable of rotating 180° with the presenter standing on its base.

With such visual support, 3CatInfo's news programs not only display graphic aid for their information and commentary but also bring the programs’ full set design to life, offering outstanding visual depth and detail.

And if the screen system made more than one visitor gasp, the camera setup took the surprise even further. Studio 4 features five Artimo robotic cameras, capable of moving freely throughout the space and receiving commands from a control station located outside the studio.

Artimo robotic cameras, Source: www.rossvideo.com

Artimo Free Roaming Robotic Camera System: Technical Details

• Payload Capacity: ENG or Box style broadcast camera, ENG or Mini-Box lenses, 19″ Teleprompter
  
• Max. Payload: 40 kg (88 lbs)
  
• Optical Height Floor to Tilt Axis: Min.: 0.7m Max: 2.0m
  
• Range: 130 cm
  
• Pan Range: ±179 deg (total 358 deg)
  
• Tilt Range: With prompter: ±25 deg (50 deg total)
  • Without prompter, throughout lift range: ±36.5 deg (73 deg total)
  • Without prompter, limited lift range: ±85 deg (170 deg total)
• Pan Speed: Min. : 0.01 deg/sec Max. : 90 deg/sec
  
• Tilt Speed: Min. : 0.01 deg/sec Max. : 60 deg/sec
  
• Floor Speed: Min. : 0.01 cm/sec Max. : 50 cm/sec
  
• Lift Speed: Min. : 0.01 cm/sec Max. : 15 cm/sec
  
• Floor (xy) Absolute Accuracy: ±1.25cm
  
• Max. System Height: 2.5m
  
• System Weight: <185kg
  
• System Footprint – Max. Width: 86cm
  
• Virtual Tracking Data: Included
  

The camera system is complemented by an elevated camera capable of rotating 360 degrees, and two conventional backup cameras to be used in case of an eventuality.

All of Studio 4’s systems are fully integrated with Augmented Reality (AR) generated through Unreal Engine and with the RedSpy camera‑tracking system. This integration enables the creation of hyper‑realistic 3D graphics — maps, virtual environments, floating objects, virtual screens, and more — all rendered live and perfectly synchronized with the real camera. It also gives the production team pinpoint‑accurate information about the camera’s position, orientation, zoom, tilt, and movement at any given moment.

Studio 4's Impact on 3CatInfo and Beyond

Source: X @mlarroyatv

Having all the technology anyone could desire is useless if it’s not put to use in a project. This idea lies at the very heart of the concept that gave rise to Studio 4.

In the months leading up to the studio’s launch, Albert Calatrava, TV3’s Head of News, said, "It is a TV set equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which will allow us to offer our audience more visually appealing and technically sophisticated content, without forgetting the DNA of this newsroom, which is quality, credibility, and rigor." 

There is no doubt that this has been the case. In terms of public TV stations of a similar scale to 3Cat, Studio 4 represents a major leap in real‑time graphics, modernization of workflows,  shift toward hybrid physical‑virtual sets, strategic bet on Unreal Engine and AR, and a clear alignment with global trends.

Studio 4 may not yet operate at the technological level of industry leaders like the BBC’s virtual production stages or Sky News’ fully automated AR/VR environments, but it is undeniably a strong step toward the standards of top‑tier broadcasters.

Its impact is already clear. Studio 4 now anchors the entire 3CatInfo news operation, producing a broad slate of daily programming that ranges from the morning show Matins (8-10:30 a.m.) to the late‑night analysis program Mésnit (from 10:05 p.m. onward), as well as the four daily editions of Telenotícies (1:55 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.).

By the end of the visit, one conclusion felt inevitable: 3CatInfo and Studio 4 are just getting started.