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Solent Unviersity Southampton logo

Outside broadcast vehicle

Our outside broadcast capabilities are based around our flagship fully-equipped OB vehicle.

About the outside broadcast vehicle

Our OB vehicle is a custom-built 3.5T Renault Low Loader. Vision facilities include a 2M/E Blackmagic vision mixer, up to seven fully controllable HD multi-camera capability using three Ikegami System Cameras and four Sony PMWs, as well as video feeds from extra roaming cameras, VTs and graphics. The van can also provide iso recording of each camera and has many Tailboard connections to allow signals in and out including multiple M/E feeds, aux feeds and ISO feeds of each camera for separate mixing. The vehicle is equipped with acoustic treatment, Allen & Heath dLive audio mixer, Dante and MADI connectivity and Trilogy Messenger communication system, plus integration with a 10x headset wireless Clear-Com system and optional 4-wire routing. 

The vehicle has a 32A power inlet as standard, but we can operate using 16A or 13A. We will always consult you on power requirements. We also have a 5.6kW propane generator to power the whole van when this is not available.

The vehicle is supported by our flyaway systems, which allow multi-camera HD filming/recording of events where using the truck is not practical. These are based around Blackmagic ATEM video mixers, the four Sony PMW cameras plus multiple Panasonic HD cameras, Allen & Heath and Midas audio mixers with multitrack digital recorders. This allows simultaneous filming/recording of up to three different medium-large scale events.

In addition, we have a wide range of other single camera, recording, editing and post-production facilities available, including dubbing/ADR suites, surround mixing rooms and tracklaying/edit suites.

Equipment

  • The outside broadcast vehicle is equipped with:
  • Acoustic isolation and air conditioned interior.
  • Three Ikegami HDK-55 HD system cameras with SMPTE fibre.
  • An additional Four Sony PMW HD system cameras with Triax.
  • A variety of Panasonic and PTZ cameras.
  • Blackmagic ATEM 2M/E Constellation HD vision mixer vision system with 20 HD SDI inputs, 40x40 vision router, Tektronix waveform monitoring and two channels of standards conversion.
  • Four SSD recorders and a dedicated Mac for VT playout.
  • Allen & Heath dLive DM0 MixRack and C3500 digital mixing console with multi track recording, portable stageboxes.
  • MADI and Dante cards for Large-scale multichannel audio.
  • Trilogy Messenger Communication Matrix and optional Clear-Com wireless kit.
  • Portable 5.6kW Propane Generator to run the whole van when needed.
  • Trilogy Mentor SPG for Tri-Level Sync.
  • Flyaway systems are equipped with:
  • Blackmagic HD video mixers.
  • Panasonic HD cameras.
  • EVS replay system VTRs.
  • Dinky Dolly track system.
  • Allen & Heath and Midas audio mixers with multitrack digital recorders.

Courses that use this facility

  • BSc (Hons) Live Event Technology
  • BA (Hons) Media Production
  • BA (Hons) Film and Television
  • BA (Hons) Television Production
  • BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

The OB vehicle is available for hire

Outside broadcasting at Solent is delivered as part of our media technology programme, allowing students on our media courses to work in a real outside broadcast environment under the genuine time and quality pressures that this creates. Our OB facilities are available for hire by both internal and external clients, giving students the opportunity to support their learning while gaining valuable hands-on experience by providing services to the wider industry. BBC South regularly use the vehicle, with our students as additional crew.

Our students have covered many major events, such as:

  • Multi-camera shoots at Glastonbury, Bestival and Glade music festivals.
  • Large-scale rock/pop/dance music events.
  • Providing technical facilities for BBC South's outside broadcast of Children in Need.
  • Working in conjunction with the University’s School of Media Arts and Technology to produce high definition footage of Dance Stage East/Silver Hayes at Glastonbury Festival for Glastonbury TV.
  • Filming and broadcasting live from the country’s largest heritage railway event at Eastleigh Works, including providing technical services for a BBC South broadcast.
  • Filming with the BBC for the London 2012 Olympics, including the torch relay and sailing events.

Enquire about hiring the OB vehicle

Find out more about external hire