WASHINGTON
To go HD or not was the big question for Mobile Video, one of the largest production facilities here, as the DTV transition deadline and the 2008 elections loomed large. Any revamp would have to provide a path forward for Mobile's diverse clients in an all-digital environment, and migrate us from an analog facility to one based on 1080i.
One of the new high-definition control room/edit suite facilities constructed at Mobile Video The rebuild had to take place during the summer months and be ready for the election season. Cameras, nonlinear editing, routing and transmission equipment were all part of the equation. We wanted to construct a multipurpose production environment with facilities that could serve both as control rooms and nonlinear edit suites. We also wanted to ensure that the upgrade touched all facets of the company's service offerings, with a complete infrastructure change to HD.
When we got the green light, we turned our focus to procurement and integration of just the right mix of equipment.
FUTURE-PROOF ROUTING
Harris became the choice for most of the core equipment, including the Platinum routing switcher with 3 Gbps frame and cards. This router provides Mobile Video with the capacity to handle uncompressed HD-SDI, along with 16 channels of embedded audio at 1.5 Gbps for 1080i today and offers a future-proof migration to 1080p in the future.
The router sources and destinations extend throughout our facility and Mobile's transmission and reception fiber circuits can now send and receive the various flavors of digital video requested by our clients, including the multiple bit rates provided by our Harris NetVX ASI encoders and decoders.
The Harris package also included Centrio, a multiviewer, which could be integrated as part of the Platinum router frame, saving both space and additional distribution gear.
Along with Platinum, Harris also offered the convenient CCS Navigator software application for network monitoring and control. When properly networked, CCS Navigator controls the Platinum and various equipment such as the company's 6800+ core processing platform and cards series, including d.a.s, muxes and demuxes, the multiviewer and X75 audio and video signal processors.
The X75s were chosen for their multifunction capabilities, including frame synchronization and crossconversion. The devices are also critical for the integration of analog sources into the digital environment.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG ELECTION
The rebuild went as scheduled and everything was in place for the big events of November 2008, when the eyes of the world were on Washington and the election of a new American president. Mobile Video successfully provided live television coverage to more than 52 broadcast networks in Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the Middle East.
This all took took place from five rooftop positions overlooking the White House. More than 360 services were provided during the first week in November, including on-location coverage highlights for news in the United Kingdom, France and Spain.
Mobile Video has successfully implemented many technology changes to its service lineup during its 30 years we've been in business. This high-definition investment makes us ready for this latest change in video production technology. It's not just the equipment either. Our experienced technical staff makes it all work and this is really the key to customer satisfaction. Now producers and cable networks have a strong option in Washington, D.C., for their HD program production requirements.
Larry VanderVeen is president of Mobile Video and was instrumental in the early use of electronic newsgathering equipment and satellite transmissions. He may be contacted atlarryv@mobilevideo.net.
For additional information contact Harris at 757-548-2300 or visitwww.broadcast.harris.com.
