German mobile facilities company Studio Berlin Adlershof (SBA) is upgrading one of its largest OB vans (Ü4) to full high definition (HD) with an investment in several new systems from Thomson. The investment is part of SBA's efforts to meet the growing demand for HD programming and installation is due to be completed this summer.
Thomson is supplying six LDK 8000 Series HDTV WorldCam cameras; a 3x HDTV SuperSloMo camera; two Kayak HD switchers (one 4 M/E and one 2 M/E version); and a Concerto HD video router configured with a 128x128 matrix to handle both SD and HD signals. Both Kayak HD switchers will be installed on the same 16.5 meter long OB van in two separate production areas. The upgraded van will be able to produce projects in both the 720p and 1080i HD formats.
"SBA chose Thomson Grass Valley HD equipment based on the excellent experience we have had with our other HD OB VAN during the past two years," said Michael Rasch, Chief Executive Officer of SBA. "The idea is to secure a unified production platform across SBA's mobile HD fleet related to technologies and operational concepts that have been very successful for us. Thomson's system engineers and HD equipment have served us well and we plan to continue to work with them."
Thomson has already provided systems for the upgrade of for another of SBA's OB vehicles in 2006 which has already been used for HD coverage of successfully the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2006. The truck is also being used to deliver HD coverage of the UEFA Soccer European Championships 2008 in and the German Bundesliga.
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