Mobile Image Co

Digital Outside Broadcast Van
for Live-switched multicam TV production

phone 61 2 9953 3833
mobile 0408 446 603
email: mail@mobileimage.com.au

RACK-MOUNTED FLYAWAY KIT:

On this page:

  • 9 Good Reasons Why We Prefer Doing Van OBs Over Racks OBs
  • 4 Good Reasons Why Racks OBs Are Sometimes Necessary
  • So if we really need to use a racks solution…
  • We can build a kit for a job’s particular needs
  • Here are some examples
  • 3 really important must-have functions for a racks system

 

This is a solution for doing live-switched video coverage without using an O.B. Van. We deliver a vanload of roadcases to the venue and build and operate a control room inside the venue itself.

Here are the pros and cons of this method.

9 GOOD REASONS WHY WE PREFER DOING VAN OBs OVER RACKS OBs:

  • Waste of expensive labour, time and resources in preparing, delivering and constructing the in-situ racks system.
  • Potential for damage during loading and shipping.
  • Reduced reliability, due to building and dismantling system every time. System can only be validly tested and checked once installed at the venue, and the configuration and wiring has been re-established. The van comes pre-wired.
  • Constructing, testing and fault-finding in a dark, noisy or confined venue can be very difficult or impossible.
  • The van carries with it, lots of spares, redundant items, tools, etc, which cannot always be lugged in and out of the venue, along with a racks system. Along with skilled OB Supervision, these features allow us to provide a safer service for our clients.
  • The ambient lighting, noise, security, heat and dust inside a venue can be impossible to control, and will adversely affect the quality of service that can be offered. The van offers consistent operator comfort and amenities, and protection for the control equipment
  • It is very difficult to do accurate CCU work and audio evaluation in the variable lighting and acoustic conditions inside the venue.
  • Van can be configured, qualified and tested before leaving home to do the job.
  • Cabling from the venue out to the van is much less of a problem these days, thanks to the plentiful supply of lightweight triaxial cable on drums.

4 GOOD REASONS WHY RACKS OBS ARE SOMETIMES NECESSARY:

  • Certain producers and clients believe it is necessary to physically locate all AV controls within the same venue in which they are being displayed. "What if the people in the truck don't know what is going on in the room?" and "How can you tell what is on the big screen without looking at the screen itself?" they ask. This is despite the fact that all the (separated) TV control rooms in use world-wide for the last 68 years, have actually succeeded in producing viewable live video coverage, despite this supposed limitation.
  • Some venue buildings are so hermetically sealed that cabling in from the outside is impossible or uneconomic.
  • High-rise CBD locations can make truck parking difficult.
  • For touring shows, it is sometimes easier to tour the video equipment in roadcases, along with the PA and lighting. (Fancy driving an OB Van to Perth for a one-day show?)

SO IF WE REALLY NEED TO USE A RACKS SOLUTION…

 

If you require OBs done with a portable flyaway kit instead of a van, we do understand the reasons for it, and have a rack mounted system available, although we greatly prefer the relative quality, reliability and economy of using our vans!

WE CAN BUILD A KIT FOR A JOB’s PARTICULAR NEEDS:

 

  • Number of cameras and VTRs
  • Composite, component or digital vision mixing
  • Number of operators
  • Monitoring requirements
  • Audio and comms requirements

 

 

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:

 


This is a 4 camera rig for a corporate conference



This is a cut-down version of the same rig, with only 2 cameras and 3 VTRs.

It is intended for single-operator usage, so no CCU position is provided for.

The job required a composite video signal, but with different switched versions for:

  • Webcast of switched cameras only
  • Projection display of graphics only
  • Recording of cameras switched with graphics
  • Iso-recording of main camera. for later editing.

 


The vision mixer (lower) switches the main coverage

The matrix routing switcher (upper), provides the other versions (such as listed above).

The Timecode Generator (centre) ensures all recordings have matching timecodes, to help with editing.

We can also provide component video mixing for optimum picture quality and no "latency" or time delay.. This is a bit less efficient to rig and is thus more expensive.

Each job is different and requires its own particular solution.


Our little Sony MXP42 audio mixer,
one of the best small mixers ever built, which provides level monitoring and compression of the audio feed from the PA operator, for the recordings.

We can also provide larger portable mixers for live sound mixing in the room.

3 REALLY IMPORTANT MUST-HAVE FUNCTIONS FOR A RACKS SYSTEM

Tally indication, return video and talkback are run through the camera cables via the CCUs, even for small jobs.

These functions are ESSENTIAL for well-coordinated multi-camera production, so be very wary of OB solutions that don't include using CCUs..

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