Department of Media Study

Equipment & Facilities

The Department of Media Study, housed in the Center for the Arts with the departments of Visual Studies and Theatre and Dance, provides state-of-the-art facilities (labs, classrooms, screening rooms) and equipment that give students hands-on experience with the best gear and best practices available.


Equipment:

(View a detailed listing of DMS equipment)
The Department of Media Study offers access to high-end production equipment including an array of professional- and prosumer-level digital video cameras (HDV, 24p DV, DVCam, miniDV); sync- and non-sync 16mm and Super-8 film cameras; high-end hard-disk and DAT audio recorders; a range of directional and omnidirectional wired and wireless microphones; tripod systems, dollies, lighting kits, grip equipment and field monitors; presentation equipment including film and video projectors and media players; and many additional production accessories. The equipment is assessed and upgraded yearly, insuring that students have access to technologies used in the forefront of contemporary media making. View our equipment list.


Equipment Room Hours:

  • MONDAY - THURSDAY: 8:30 to 5:30
  • FRIDAY: 9:30 to 5:00

Labs/Facilities:

    Non-Linear Editing Labs:
  • 5 Basic Digital Video Editing Stations (Final Cut Pro)
  • 7 Advanced Digital Video Editing Stations
    (Mac Pro and Mac G5s w/ latest Final Cut Studio, Adobe Photoshop, AfterEffects, Discreet Cleaner, MAX MSP/Jitter and many more media editing applications)
    22 Mac Digital Stations:
  • Mac Intels, G5s, G4s w/ Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Premiere, AfterEffects, Cleaner, DVD Studio Pro, and more including various Open Source software; lab is equipped with dv decks, scanners, data/video projector
    9 Animation / Modeling Digital Stations:
  • PC Workstations with Autodesk Maya 3-D Modeling, Web Design software, Interactive Design software
    8 Robotics Digital Stations:
  • Software: C/C++ compilers, Python with all extensions, PD, Java, Matlab, OpenCV, Matrox Vision Library; IDEs: Eclipse, MSVS, Codewarrior, Vim, MPLab
  • Hardware: ieee1394 compliant digital video, analogue video, frame grabbers, cmucams/webcams, handheld devices (palmOS), various sensors (bend, touch, light, motion, sound, 1/2D acceleration, temperature), various electronic components (cmos, ttl), breadboards, various motor types and sizes (servo, dc, stepper), various power supplies (linear regulated, fixed), soldering irons, diagnostic tools)
  • More info at mediaroboticsindex.html
    Virtual Reality Studio:
  • 10 Advanced Digital Stations
    (Linux Stations for Open GL and C++ Programming for VR Design, Plus Maya Interface, Pro-Tools)
  • Mini-Cave with 3D Rear Projection, Ascension Space Pad Tracker System, Wanda Input Device
  • more info at vrstudio.buffalo.edu
    Audio Labs:
  • Sound Design Lab with Pro-Tools LE (Mbox), Kurzweil Keyboards, Drum Machines, Sampler, Film Sound Transfer (Mag Dubbing) Room, Sound Recording Booth and DVD Authoring.
    16mm Film Editing:
  • 1 6-plate, 2 8-Plate Steenbecks; 6 Cutting Stations
  • Optical Printing: J-K Optical Printer with Blow-Ups from Super-8 to 16mm
  • Animation Stand: Oxberry Animation Stand for Traditional Cell/Stop Motion/Titles

Classrooms/Screening Rooms:

  • 2 Small Screening Rooms (Seats 30) with 2800 lumens video projectors
  • 1 Large Screening Room (Seats 220) with stage, equipped with video projection, 35mm/16mm/S8 film projection, networked presentation PC, PA system (wired and wireless, lectern, lighting presets
  • 1 Production Classroom/Soundstage with Lighting Grid
  • 1 Television Studio with Chroma-Key Wall, Lighting Grid
  • Mobile Presentation stations (computers with data projectors)
  • 2 Distance Learning/Video Conferencing Stations

Community Resources and Support Programs:

Part of what makes Media Study at UB unique are our numerous resources within the university itself and the city of Buffalo. Students not only have access to our labs and equipment, but also benefit vocationally and artistically from our strong ties to professional organizations within Buffalo. Outside of UB, Media Study has strong working relationships (and sponsors internships) with nearby media and cultural organizations, including Avid Productions, the Buffalo Bills, C.E.P.A.Gallery, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Squeaky Wheel Media Center, and numerous television stations and production houses. Students will also gain from supervision by the Director of Graduate Studies, benefit from university services and resources, and have access to all university libraries, including Lockwood library for research materials and VCRs. The Media Library in 24 Capen is another excellent resource for students. The Department of Media Study also features its own collection of more than 1,000 videos, films, and DVDs for students to view and study.