Anton/Bauer Batteries and Lighting to Compliment NBC’s Media Acquisition Process During Coverage of the Vancouver Winter Games, February 12-28, 2010
NEW YORK – Anton/Bauer® has been selected to provide batteries, chargers and lighting to NBC during the network’s coverage of the Vancouver Winter Games, February 12-28. The announcement was made today by Chip Adams, Vice President Venue Engineering, NBC Olympics, and Michael Accardi, President, Anton/Bauer.
When millions of people in the United States tune in to catch the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Anton/Bauer, a brand of The Vitec Group, and the world’s premier provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries, will be working behind the scenes to help NBC ENG crews power up for every bobsled run, figure skating spin and death-defying ski jump.
As a longtime NBC Olympics partner, Anton/Bauer has provided its mobile power solutions and accessories to NBC since 1996. In addition, Anton/Bauer provides exclusive, on-site technical support 24/7, giving users access to dedicated customer service prior to and during the entire broadcast span.
“Good customer service on-site at the games is absolutely essential,” says Adams. “During the Olympics, you can’t be standing around trying to get a problem solved when you’re in the middle of a number of broadcasts happening simultaneously. Anton/Bauer has always been there to make sure we have what we need, and our experience with its team has been excellent. They’re always just a phone call away if we need something, and they’ll jump through hoops to get what we need to us or fix it for us. The company has an extremely customer-oriented team and I’m looking forward to working with them again in Vancouver.”
Throughout the years, Anton/Bauer has also used its relationship with NBC’s Olympic division as an opportunity to debut some of the most advanced ENG power solutions on the market, using innovative new tools to assist NBC in overcoming mobile power or lighting challenges. This year, Anton/Bauer worked with the NBC Olympics team to integrate state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries into its arsenal of equipment. These lightweight batteries can be used on the camera, eliminating the need for cumbersome battery belts and reducing the load on the cameraman. Crews will also have access to Anton/Bauer’s new ULHM-LED, an efficient LED light module designed for use with the world’s most popular on-camera light, the Anton/Bauer UltraLight®.
“Anton/Bauer has really been on the forefront of developing new battery technologies,” says Adams. “I have always been impressed by the great solutions Anton/Bauer comes up with to help us power our camera systems more effectively and efficiently. The company’s products are rock solid. Anton/Bauer has introduced us to next-generation solutions which continue to change how we approach the Olympics and improve our kits. One of the nicest new products we’ll be using this year is the Anton/Bauer ULHM-LED module that consumes less power, making sure our crew members have more power for longer periods of time.”
In addition to the ULHM-LED module, Anton/Bauer will provide a large variety of batteries, chargers and other equipment for the games. A sampling of Anton/Bauer products that will be on-site includes the lithium-ion Dionic® 90, Dionic® 160 and nickel-metal hydride HyTRON® 140 batteries, along with the Quad 2702 and Dual 2722 chargers, as well as the UltraLight 2 camera mounted lights. Anton/Bauer brackets, lighting, belts, cables and other accessories will also be employed. Thirty-five NBC Olympics ENG and RF camera crews will pair the Anton/Bauer equipment with Sony PDW800 XDCAM and Sony PMW-EX3 HD cameras.
“As we head into our 40th anniversary year, Anton/Bauer is proud to also celebrate the milestone of having provided our mobile power solutions to NBC Olympics for more than a decade,” says Accardi. “We have made remarkable advances in our mobile power system technology since we began working with the NBC Olympics crews in 1996, and will only continue to outdo ourselves when it comes to providing the most reliable, high-quality products in the industry. Our 24/7 on-site support team also highlights our deep commitment to exceptional, hands-on customer service for NBC during the Vancouver Winter Games.”
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
NBC has broadcast 11 Olympics, the most Olympics broadcast by any network. NBC surpassed ABC’s 10 Olympics with the 2008 Beijing Games, the most watched television event in U.S. history with 215 million viewers.
The 2010 Vancouver Games mark the sixth of an unprecedented seven consecutive Olympic broadcasts by NBC Sports. The impressive streak began with the 2000 Sydney Games and continues through the 2012 London Games. NBC has broadcast eight of the last 10 Olympic Games, both summer and winter; Vancouver will mark the ninth out of the last 11.
ABOUT ANTON/BAUER®Anton/Bauer is recognized as the world’s innovator and premier provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other key mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries. Based in the United States in Shelton, CT with offices in Europe and Asia, Anton/Bauer was established in 1970 and has expanded its product offerings to include many signature lines such as its leading Gold Mount® system, InterActive® chargers and Logic Series® batteries such as the HyTRON® 50, 100 and 140, and Dionic® 90, 160 and HC. Their products are compatible with virtually every camera brand on the market today. Other Anton/Bauer high performance products include the UltraLight®, ElipZ®, ElightZ®, CINE-VCLX and CINE VCLX/2. Their superior-quality products have become an industry standard. For more information on Anton/Bauer, visit www.antonbauer.com.
ABOUT THE VITEC GROUP PLC
The Vitec Group plc is a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcast, electronic media, photographic and live events industries, and is rapidly extending its reach into related areas such as government, security and defence. Vitec's many industry-leading product brands have established a formidable reputation for innovation, technical excellence, and superior service and support. The diverse range of brands are united by a common Vitec Group commitment to delivering a world-class customer experience, and a visionary approach to the future. This befits an enterprise which has grown both organically and by acquisition to incorporate over 2000 employees worldwide and achieve a 2008 turnover of almost half a billion dollars. Vitec Group products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through both direct sales and by means of a strong, fully-resourced distribution network. The Vitec Group comprises:
The Videocom Division, which develops, manufactures and distributes high quality manual and robotic camera supports, location lighting, camera and equipment bags, portable power solutions, prompting products, wireless camera links and communication systems used principally by broadcast and live entertainment professionals. Brands include - Anton/Bauer, Autoscript, Clear-Com, Litepanels, MSC, Nucomm, OConnor, Petrol, RF Central, Sachtler, TCS (The Camera Store), Vinten and Vinten Radamec. www.vitecgroupbroadcast.com
The Imaging & Staging Division, which designs, manufactures and distributes photographic and video-camera support; lighting, trusses and suspension systems for the professional photography, video, cinematography and live event markets. Brands include - Manfrotto, Gitzo, Kata, Avenger, Litec, IFF, Bogen Imaging, Tomcat and Brilliant Stages. www.vitecgroup.it
The Services Division, a leading provider of professional video and audio rental equipment, and engineering support for major event productions. Brands include – ASG and Bexel. www.bexel.com
More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.
