ADVANCED BROADCAST SOLUTIONS INTROS MULTI-FORMAT HD MOBILE PRODUCTION TRUCK SERVING THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

July 11, 2008

Source: Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS)

Systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) has completed a state-of-the-art multi-format HD mobile production truck designed to offer customers the ultimate in cost and workflow efficiency.

Since hitting the road in mid-May of this year, the truck has already been used by KHQ-DT, in Spokane, WA., to produce its first live HDTV telecast—"The Lilac Parade"—a unique annual event held on May 17. And on May 31st, the truck was used by KGW-DT, in Portland, OR, to produce "The Starlight Parade," another local event broadcast for the first time in HDTV. KGW-DT also booked the ABS truck for coverage of two other live, local HDTV live events – one that took place on July 4th and the other occurring on Thanksgiving in Portland.

"We're finding that there is strong demand for this production truck because it fills a need very cost-effectively," said Mark Siegel, president of ABS. "Broadcasters would never be able to afford to build their own multi-million dollar HD mobile unit. Nor can they pay the exorbitant rentals that truck vendors typically charge major networks to use their trucks to cover major sporting events in HDTV."

The ABS truck, which is a 24-foot mobile unit, was designed specifically to support the needs of broadcasters in the Pacific Northwest region; however, the truck's market also extends to production companies, houses of worship, and theatrical and musical event producers.

Because of the equipment choices that ABS made for the truck, a small crew of operators can manage all of the tasks associated with a live HD production. The efficiency of the workflow and ergonomics of the gear make it possible to hold the line on crew costs without compromising the quality of the production.

The truck, which can take in and output virtually any video signal, is outfitted with the latest gear, including:

• Three Thomson LDK-4000 Triax HD cameras, with 14-bit A/D conversion and 22-bit processing, and a full complement of Canon lenses
• Broadcast Pix Slate 5016 2 M/E production switcher with integrated clip store, Inscriber TitleMotion Pro CG, still store, and six keyable DVE's on each key channel
• Roland RSS M-400 48-channel 18-bit digital audio mixing console, with four stereo EFX processors, 12 31-band global equalizers, independent channel audio processing, and full automation control via Broadcast Pix
• Fully-configurable multi-viewer LCD monitor system; Edius HD nonlinear edit package; Sennheiser microphones; live streaming encoder; and Clear-Com Eclipse 24 channel intercom with IFB

"Our objective in building this truck is to offer the broadcast community the means to create compelling, original HD content that will enhance the value of their program offerings and ultimately boost their profit margins," said Siegel. "This truck offers broadcasters a cost-effective solution for developing their own unique media properties that they can distribute and monetize repeatedly through on-air advertising, DVD release, streaming media, and other innovative business models."



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