Megahertz To Display New OB Trucks At IBC

Megahertz Broadcast Systems has announced it will be showcasing two new vehicles at its stand during IBC2013.
One will be a traditional uplink truck – to be delivered to NBC – while the other will feature new IP and Ka-band technology.
The VSAT vehicle has been built by Megahertz as a showcase for high-performance IP capabilities. Ka-band IP over satellite requires very low power from the uplink to guarantee secure communications. The demonstration truck uses a maximum 6W uplink through a small antenna, with video, audio and two-way data all encapsulated into the IP stream.
The low power requirements for the uplink mean that the vehicle can be powered by batteries and an inverter for silent operation, with the batteries charged from the engine if required. The vehicle also supports a local network, including WiFi, to simplify all communications between the truck at the news site and base.
The NBC uplink vehicle links via low latency MPEG-4 and DVB-S2 on Ku-band, with redundant TWT high power amplifiers.
Built in to the vehicle is an on-board diesel generator, with sufficient power for production lighting as well as all the vehicle's systems.
"While there is huge interest in fast response IP newsgathering, there is still a large market for the traditional SNG truck, connecting over specialist links," said Steve Burgess, technical director at Megahertz Broadcast Systems.
"Our key message is that we understand all of these technologies because we have been building these systems for more than 35 years.
"The idea of having two contrasting vehicles on our stand at IBC this year is that we can show our visitors the advantages of each," he added.
"We want to move the conversation on from what broadcasters have traditionally bought to what they really need to meet their operational requirements. It may well be that a VSAT truck on Ka-band will give them the quality, reliability and access they require, at a considerably lower capital and operational cost."
www.kitd.com/megahertz
(IT/JP)