The Escola Profissional Val do Rio, in Oeiras, has taken an important step towards modernising its training offering with the implementation of a new professional audiovisual studio, fully designed by Pantalha, as part of a Specialised Digital Technology Centre (CTE Digital). The initiative has equipped its Audiovisual Technician course with advanced technological infrastructure, bringing students closer to the conditions and demands they will encounter in the professional market.
With a strong focus on innovation and hands-on learning, the school now has a fully integrated audiovisual production ecosystem, including broadcast, streaming, virtual production, technical communication and professional post-production solutions.
According to the course coordination team, the need for modernisation arose from the desire to provide students with experiences increasingly close to real-world professional environments - “We felt the need for an integrated system that would give us access to the latest technology, both in terms of broadcasting (…) streaming (…) and image capture (…). This equipment will allow us to take that step forward and get closer to (…) the kind of equipment and environment students will encounter in the professional market (…)”, explains César Pedro, coordinator of the Audiovisual Technician course.
Television Studio Infrastructure
The new studio infrastructure was designed to provide a professional production environment equivalent to that of a real television or streaming broadcaster, allowing students to develop technical and operational skills through practical experience.
Image capture is handled by Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 cameras, connected via SMPTE fibre adapters and equipped with studio viewfinders, Camgear tripods and pedestals. The lenses used are high-resolution 4K FUJINON UA series lenses. SMPTE fibre adapters consolidate video, audio, intercom and power signals into a single cable, while FUJINON UA lenses, widely used in professional broadcast environments, deliver high-quality images and an extensive zoom range.
The video mixing workflow is centralised around a Blackmagic ATEM Constellation 8K, operated through the ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel 20, with two playback channels and recording via the HyperDeck Studio 4K, as well as integrated image-control and streaming tools. The Blackmagic Design ATEM Constellation replicates the ergonomics and scale of a professional television control room, while the Blackmagic Design HyperDecks familiarise students with real-world recording and live playout workflows.
Communication between everyone involved in the studio and control room is ensured by an RTS ODIN intercom system, complemented by fixed support panels and mobile wireless units. A reference in the broadcast industry, the RTS ODIN allows students to become familiar with the communication protocols used in live productions, including coordination between the director, camera operators, technicians and assistants.
Audio capture is handled by Sennheiser digital wireless microphones, with all signals managed through an Allen & Heath digital mixing console and monitoring provided by KRK studio monitors. Sennheiser wireless microphones provide low-latency transmission and high resistance to interference, the Allen & Heath console enables multichannel audio operation in complex production environments, and the KRK monitors provide neutral reference monitoring for precise mixing.
The 3D virtual studio system is powered by Ross Video's Voyager Trackless solution, with integration of content created using graphics engines such as Unreal Engine. By eliminating the need for physical tracking sensors on the cameras, Voyager Trackless reduces operational complexity and, through its integration with Unreal Engine, enables students to develop skills in Extended Reality (XR) production, one of the fastest-growing areas of the audiovisual industry.
Finally, in a support room next to the main studio, an LED panel measuring 4 metres wide, with a 1.9 mm pixel pitch, has been installed. It is designed to function as a scenic backdrop with dynamic content from the main studio or virtual environments. With a pixel density suitable for camera capture without a moiré effect, the panel expands the creative possibilities available for productions, complementing the virtual studio system.
This combination of technologies allows students to develop skills across different areas of audiovisual production, from multicamera directing and television production to podcast creation, live events and content featuring virtual sets. In addition to classroom activities, the school has already begun collaborating with companies, associations and institutions in the region to produce real-world content, giving students direct exposure to the concrete challenges of the industry.
Virtual Production Opens Up New Creative Possibilities
One of the highlights of the new installation is its ability to work with virtual sets and three-dimensional elements integrated in real time. The combined use of chroma key, 3D content and professional capture makes it possible to create highly versatile visual environments, significantly expanding the creative possibilities available to students and teachers - “It will allow us to have a lot of fun experimenting over the coming years (…) and enable students to create the universes they want to imagine and bring them into the studio. (…) We are limited only by our imagination (…) so now we always have to think about more sets, more possibilities (…)”, says César Pedro.
Training Aligned with the Professional Market
Closer alignment with the professional environment is one of the key benefits identified by the school. Students work every day with equipment, workflows and methodologies similar to those used by film and advertising production companies, digital content creators, television channels, events and communications companies. This environment provides more solid preparation for entering the job market, developing not only technical skills but also habits of organisation, responsibility and teamwork. Student motivation has also been evident since the new studio became operational, with growing participation in practical activities and strong interest in experimenting with the new technologies.
A Trusted Partnership
The project was implemented with the support of Pantalha, which was responsible for the supply, installation, technical support and training related to the adopted solutions. For the Escola Profissional Val do Rio team, the collaboration has been extremely positive - “Working with Pantalha has been great. They arrived, installed the equipment, they really know what they are doing, they are very competent and communicate very well. We have had a great relationship. Whenever we need technical support after the installation, they have continued to provide it. Whenever there is a question (…) they are always just a phone call or an email away, and things have gone extremely well. The training sessions we received were also very useful (…) everything we have received has been very positive,” says César Pedro.
A New Level for Audiovisual Education
With this modernisation, the Escola Profissional Val do Rio positions itself among the best-equipped vocational education institutions in the audiovisual field in Portugal, providing its students with technological resources comparable to those found in higher education and in the professional market.
More than a technological upgrade, this investment represents a clear commitment to training future generations of audiovisual professionals, strengthening the connection between education, innovation and industry - “At the moment, all the students want to experiment with the equipment. They volunteer to participate, they want to handle it and use it, so there is a great deal of enthusiasm (…) there is a positive energy surrounding this place,” says César Pedro.
September, 2026
