Behind the scenes: kitting out a state-of-the-art HD OB truck

The following article gives an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the kitting out of two state-of-the-art high definition TV (HDTV) outside broadcast trucks. There's a fair bit of techno-speak in there, but if you're interested in how a £4m versatile OB truck is put together, read on.

High density, high definition patch panels provide maximum flexibility for state of the art outside broadcast HDTV trucks

Broadcast TV systems integrator Neil Wilson Enterprises (NWE) has made use of high-density patch panels from Deltron Emcon in equipping two state-of-the-art high definition TV (HDTV) outside broadcast trucks for a leading UK broadcaster. The 32x2 panels give more flexibility in less space than would have been possible with traditional 24 x 2 models, allowing the programme makers more freedom both in camera locations and production / mixing.

Much trailered in the run-up to the football World Cup as the ‘next big thing in home entertainment’, high definition TV promises a sharper, clearer and more colourful picture to those with the appropriate receiving equipment. The leading broadcasters – BBC, Sky and Telewest among them – are working hard to get the new technology operational in their outside broadcast facilities in time for this summer’s sporting and other events.

For NWE, the challenge is to design and install the increasingly complex outside broadcast equipment needed to support the new technology. “Each OB truck has 20 or more high definition cameras, video disk recorders, high definition VTRs, graphics sources, as well as the audio signals,” says proprietor Neil Wilson. “Space is at a premium inside the trucks, and for the programme makers, flexibility is key. It is all about maximising the routing possibilities within a small space.”

The BES VJF62 high definition patch panels from Deltron offer 3GHz bandwidth high quality performance. The high-density version is supplied in 32x2 format, just 1U in height. “We chose the Deltron solution because it allows us 50% more packing density than a traditional 24x2 panel. We are using 60 panels in each truck, so the space saving is significant.”

In this project, NWE was commissioned to design and fit-out two outside broadcast (OB) trucks; one was a complete refurbishment of a five-year old truck and the other was brand new. The trucks will be used for coverage of cricket at county and test level, as well as for a range of other OB duties including sporting events, music and light entertainment. The refurbished truck was completed in January 06 and the new one will be finished by the end of May 06.

“These state-of-the-art equipped vehicles cost over £4M each,” explains Neil. “They have to be capable of working wherever they are needed – from the Winter Olympics in Italy to cricket at Lords and the Glastonbury Festival.”

Indeed, as soon as the first truck was finished in January it was sent to cover the Winter Olympics. The complexity of the set up there required the engineer to use more than 250 patch cord connections. In other locations there may be completely different needs, such as broadcasting at frequencies other than the standard 50Hz, to get a particular effect. Each project has its own requirements, and the equipment must have the flexibility in terms of patching, to support them all.

It is not just video signals that are state-of-the-art in this project. The new OB trucks feature the latest in audio broadcasting – multi-channel DolbyE 5.1 for surround sound viewing. NWE took the unusual step of using video patch panels for the audio signals, in order to ensure the required quality and performance for the DolbyE 5.1 system.

Neil Wilson again:  “We did look at other suppliers of high density patch panels, but their products were considerably more expensive for no better performance. We have bought BES products before and have every confidence in the quality of their engineering. The robust, aluminium BES VJF62 is ideal for the job."

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