Santo Tomas Professional Institute
CUSTOMER
SOLUTION
Santo Tomas Professional Institute, Chile
www.santotomas.cl
Production solutions including six LDX 80 Flex software-upgradable
cameras, Karrera K-Frame S-series switcher with two 2 M/E control
panels, two Kaleido-X16 multiviewers, two T2 iDDRs and Densité
modular interfaces
CHALLENGES
Upgrade to high definition while providing
students a professional working environment
with the same broadcast equipment being
used throughout Chile
BENEFITS
In addition to using equipment found in broadcast and productions
facilities throughout Chile, the Institute is also a Grass Valley Authorized
Service Provider, with its instructors certified by Grass Valley
CASE STUDY SANTO TOMAS PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE
Background
Santo Tomas Professional Institute is located in 19 cities throughout Chile
with 14 university campuses and 22 colleges and vocational training
centers. In its communications program, more than 1,000 students across
three campuses — Santiago, Talca and Concepción — are learning and
practicing broadcast technology. Student training includes mastery of
digital technology, production equipment and operating systems, such
as camera management, lighting, sound and post production.
With two modern, fully equipped studios at the Santiago campus,
students are able to enter the field of Digital Audiovisual Communications
with experience using the latest production solutions from Grass Valley.
The two studios feature a full range of state-of-the-art technology and
enabled the Santo Tomas Professional Institute to become an ASP—a
Grass Valley Authorized Service Provider — for its students, providing
the necessary synergy between theory and the practice.
Most recently, Grass Valley, a Belden Brand, and the Institute developed
a partnership agreement to ensure that the students receive the best
possible education and training.
The Institute is very active with advances within the industry. It
participates in the TECNE local trade show, where the academic and
industrial mix fulfills key roles in the Chilean market; and they are also
regulars at NAB.
“We train professionals in media, and in that sense, they should reach
TV channels or production houses with highly relevant knowledge about
the production techniques, workflows and advances in technology,”
said Darío Cuesta Cristóbal, National Director Communications Area,
Santo Tomas Professional Institute.
Challenges
“After looking at multiple vendors and evaluating our options, we
chose Grass Valley for the outstanding quality and reputation they
bring to the table,” said Darío. “Also, the opportunity to form a true
partnership was a major factor. We look forward to a long and mutually
beneficial relationship.”
The two studios at the Santiago headquarters are fully equipped
with Grass Valley equipment including six LDX 80 Flex cameras,
one Karrera K-Frame S-series switcher with two control panels, two
Kaleido-X16 multiviewers and Densité modular interfaces. Systems
integrator, VGL in Chile, performed the installation and will provide
ongoing service as required.
The selection of Grass Valley LDX cameras was based on two factors:
The LDX 80 Flex allows software updates that others did not offer;
and most TV stations in Chile are already equipped with LDX cameras.
“Most TV stations in Chile are working with Grass Valley’s LDX 80
Series cameras. In that sense we are convinced that we must train
students with equipment as close as possible to what is being used
in the workplace,” explained Darío. “The total production solution
provides a streamlined and efficient workflow using equipment found
in the field today, making this the ideal learning environment.”
www.grassvalley.com
“Being able to provide services to broadcasters is just beginning, and is now possible thanks to the agreement with Grass
Valley. Our students are trained on Grass
Valley equipment and our instructors are
Grass Valley certified which means they
can operate the equipment to achieve the
highest quality productions.”
Darío Cuesta Cristóbal,
National Director Communications Area
Santo Tomas Professional Institute
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CASE STUDY SANTO TOMAS PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE
The Partnership
“When we migrated from standard definition to high definition, we
evaluated multiple vendor offers. We felt only Grass Valley could
provide us with the ability to keep our students on top of advancing
technology. Personally, Grass Valley has always been the priority
vendor, because I know their equipment is of the highest quality,
especially with their switchers and cameras,” said Darío.
The institute has similar agreements with other companies and they
are, in fact, the only institution certified by Avid for Pro Tools and
Media Composer in Chile.
The newest agreement with Grass Valley goes beyond supplying
equipment to the Institute — it includes serving as an advanced
training facility for the next generation of broadcast professionals in
Chile. Additionally, Santo Tomas Professional Institute will host Grass
Valley customers and prospects for equipment demonstrations on a
regular basis.
Darío added that this was not a simple conversation in which decisions
were taken lightly. It was hard work to reach an agreement that would
benefit all parties involved, directly or indirectly. One of the aspects
that influenced the final decision was the added value that benefits
students.
“To us, this is a partnership that will provide us with the latest
equipment and access to all of the updates to keep us on the leading
edge of technology — this is essential for our students.”
“Grass Valley also offered us the opportunity to become an ASP in
Chile. This allows the Institute, people working in the industry and our
students to become industry certified. And students that pass the test
for operating video and audio can opt for a certification. We anticipate
we will be able to certify about 50 to 70 students each year — helping
them hit the market with an advantage over their competitors,” Darío
said.
www.grassvalley.com
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CASE STUDY SANTO TOMAS PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE
Looking Towards the Future
The agreement between the Institute and Grass Valley allows the
extension of the relationship over time. At the Talca campus, the HD
workflow is all Grass Valley with a 2 M/E Kayak HD switcher, but in
Concepción the system is still SD — that upgrade is the Institute’s
challenge within the next two years.
The new system at Santiago is already making a major impact with
students and broadcasters alike. The Institute will soon be able to
provide its production services to TV stations and producers, and is
already receiving requests for production services. In fact, before the
America’s Cup, the Institute was visited by two Argentinean channels
to see first-hand the new facility and the expertise of the staff and
students.
“We’re just beginning to be able to provide services to broadcasters,
all thanks to the agreement with Grass Valley. Our students are trained
on Grass Valley equipment and our instructors are Grass Valley
certified which means they can operate the equipment to achieve the
highest quality productions.”
“Grass Valley also offered us the
opportunity to become an ASP — Grass
Valley Authorized Service Provider
in Chile. This will allow the Institute,
people working in the industry and our
students to become industry certified.
And students that pass the test for
operating video and audio can opt for
a certification. We anticipate we will be
able to certify about 50 to 70 students
each year — helping them hit the
market with an advantage over their
competitors.”
Darío Cuesta Cristóbal,
National Director Communications Area
Santo Tomas Professional Institute
GVB-1-0540A-EN-CS
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