Gearhouse Broadcast USA To Unveil New 4K Truck

Gearhouse Broadcast USA has announced that it will debut a new 4K mobile unit at NAB Show 2017. The unit – Columbus – is the first mobile unit based in America to feature a full 4K monitor wall, 'one button' hydraulic deployment, and integrated RF (mast included).

The unit is specifically designed, built, integrated and finished for 4K/UHD sports and entertainment productions. It also employs a virtual management system to control complex signal flow and has a second control room for digital streaming, additional languages, and IMAG.

Columbus is IP-ready and equipped with 24 Boland 4K monitors in the main control room monitor wall – driven either as quad splits or single input 4K monitors from the main router – giving flexibility in HD or 4K. It also features 16 Sony HDC-4300 4K/HD cameras with the capability to add an additional six RF cameras or a further four Sony HDC-4300s. Hitachi SK-HD1200 camera systems will be deployed for applications outside of 4K.

The master systems control (Lawo VSM) gives operators control and flexibility with Wi-Fi tablets available to control and assign sources and monitoring in the various operational areas, including the monitor wall. This facilitates the initial set-up of the unit for production and allows the operators to make changes during production with just one touch, rather than having to re-route video, audio and control features independently.

In addition, Columbus utilises a Grass Valley Karrera K-Frame S-series switcher along with four 12-channel EVS ChannelMAX live-production servers. An Imagine Communications Platinum IP3 router is supported by a Lawo VSM control and monitoring platform. Audio is supported via a Lawo mc2 56 (64 fader) audio mixer and communications are managed using the new RTS Adam matrix intercom. Wireless communication is supported via a Clear-Com Eclipse Delta frame running FreeSpeak II allowing point-to-point 4-wire beltpack usage.

Columbus was built by A Smith of Great Bentley (ASGB Ltd), per the design and under the oversight of Gearhouse Broadcast's System Integrations team in the UK. Its layout features adjustable monitors in the main control room, as well as over-specified air conditioning. Operators have the ability to change level and colour of the interior lighting scheme as well.

John Newton, CEO and Founder, Gearhouse Broadcast, said: "Columbus was developed with the current and emerging needs of the U.S. market in mind, based on our experience here as well as from what we have learned with advanced mobile units in Australia."

Marc Genin, Managing Director, Gearhouse Broadcast USA, added: "We loaded Columbus with powerful video and audio multi-format capabilities, so directors, producers, engineers and operators can work with ease and in a comfortable environment. For high-pressure, live broadcast situations, this truck gives productions the ability to adapt quickly. The mobile unit is automatically deployed and levelled via remote controlled hydraulics with no physical intervention required, and its technologically advanced infrastructure provides every level of service for broadcasters' needs."

Columbus will be at NAB at Gearhouse Broadcast's booth (OE836) in the outdoor/mobile media area between central and south halls.

www.gearhousebroadcast.com/columbus

(JP/LM)