SIS LIVE Links Up British Army

Broadcast networking suppliers SIS LIVE have delivered a bespoke satellite uplink truck to the British Army to enable its media teams to deliver live HD pictures and other multimedia content.

SIS LIVE operates the largest satellite uplink fleet in Europe. The company's SI and design team to develop the truck for the Army’s Media and Communications branch (AMC), which delivers footage from frontline operations to broadcasters and other media outlets.
The Army commissioned the company to produce a satellite uplink newsgathering (SNG) truck to be flown across the world and relied upon by its media teams to transmit footage via satellite.
AMC specified a vehicle to be used in three roles: as an edit van in all disciplines; as an SNG and as a mini OB van, with the ability to mix and play out live to air on a four-camera shoot.
The SIS LIVE team modified a long wheel base Mercedes Vito truck large enough to meet the requirements for equipment and operational space, yet small and lightweight and so suitable for transport by military aircraft.
SIS LIVE installed a lightweight Ku band 1.2m DriveForce antenna linked to its own Uplink Management System (UMS), which incorporates its automated satellite booking system, uBook, with potential 24/7 access.
The vehicle is fully equipped for extensive editing and multi-function HD play-out facilities, with an iDirect multi-satellite network.
Kevin Capon, Senior Cameraman, AMC, said: "We came to SIS because we wanted a one-stop shop that would design, build and deliver, and provide satellite air time all under one roof.
"The team’s core activity is to support operations such as Afghanistan and Iraq, where it provides material that for security reasons, operational necessity or general sensitivity would not normally be available to the public media.
"We needed ease of use in deploying the antenna and UMS system, as well as a multi-function platform equipped to allow us to work with all the media disciplines used by us: television; stills and the written word, giving complete flexibility of use and 24/7 space segment."
"Geoff Stoker, Head of Projects, at SIS LIVE, and his team used their wealth of experience and have worked tirelessly to provide the Army with a unique vehicle."
David Meynell, SIS LIVE’s Managing Director said: "The British Army came to us because of our proven track record of building reliable, flexible satellite trucks using our award-winning hardware. We have proven countless times that we can design and deliver unique, highly specified vehicles and I am extremely proud that our latest supports the British Army."

www.sislive.tv

(IT/MH)