Cable plays a starring role at film studios

Paul Boughton

Pinewood Studios in the UK has made a smooth transition to High Definition (HD) film and TV production by upgrading to Nexans’ network cabling solutions. Prompted by demand for all UK terrestrial TV broadcasts to be screened in HD, the network infrastructure upgrade project has delivered the increased bandwidth required for HD productions as well as shielding to protect against interference.

Pinewood Studios is Europe’s largest studio facility and has 34 stages, five TV studios and approximately 500,000 square feet of studio stage space. It has been home to world-renowned productions including Skyfall along with many other James Bond films, and Snow White and the Huntsman.

As part of Pinewood Group’s ongoing investment in its facilities, it appointed Cheyne Link, a specialist in the design and installation of cabling infrastructure, to deliver the upgrade work. As a longstanding Nexans Certified Solution Partner, Cheyne Link turned to Nexans to supply a Category 6A cabling system, which is shielded to protect against interference and which offers excellent bandwidth as well as resilience and protection of signals. LANmark-OM3 Gigalite fibre optic cables were also installed in the studios’ central apparatus room and galleries.

The cabling upgrade was carried out in the lighting, sound and production galleries, through both studios to the studio floor. Since completion of the installation in 2012, the cables have carried signals used in the production of major worldwide film and TV productions including Kick-Ass 2 and Fast & Furious 6.

Paul Darbyshire, Director of Broadcast at Pinewood Studios said: “Nexans has ensured that our upgraded installation will allow for the possibility of higher bandwidth in the future as we move into the age of full High Definition across all channels. With regards to the future, the Pinewood Group has plans to continue its investment in television. We already have plans for another new television studio and will be looking to the likes of Nexans and Cheyne Link to be involved in this process.”

For more information, visit www.nexans.co.uk/pinewood