Megahertz delivers two HD-ready camera vans to ACS Ltd

Independent systems integrator Megahertz Broadcast Systems has supplied two identical High Definition capable camera vans to Surrey-based Aerial Camera Systems Ltd, one of the world’s leading providers of camera and broadcast facilities.
The vans, which are based on a Ford Transit 330MWB, will be used to provide specialist camera control for Sky Sports football coverage. The fact that they have been made HD ready reflects the way in which the broadcast industry in general is moving toward this format.
Phil Beckett, Managing Director of ACS, said: “We chose Megahertz as our partners for this project because they have an exceptional reputation within the broadcast industry for reliability and service. We are absolutely delighted with the look and build quality of both vehicles and with the way in which Megahertz was able to deliver the right solution for our needs.”
Each vehicle was custom coachbuilt by Megahertz to include three full height equipment racks, script desk and box seat with internal stowage. The coachbuild also included an isolation transformer, air conditioning unit and overhead stowage area. A custom power distribution system was designed and installed ready for the video and audio system installation.
Both vehicles are capable of handling four remotely controlled cameras either via triax or fibre. Up to three operators can work within the vehicle. All monitoring is also HD capable with three Sony 17” widescreen LCD monitors and their graphics engines, which can process and display both 720p and 1080i formats. Further to this there are two high-resolution 19” LCD monitors, which display assignable sources from two Evertz HD multiviewers. Each vehicle also contains two Leitch X75 multiformat processors that are capable of up and down converting digital video and have internal TSG with both SD and HD outputs. A Hamlet LCD HD waveform monitoring unit is used for quality control.
The vehicle is used purely for video but there is also a simple audio system for talkback, which interfaces with the main production vehicle. A tight timescale was met to unsure that the first vehicle was able to fulfil its first booking - the Community Shield match in Cardiff on August 7. The second vehicle was completed during September and has now been delivered to ACS.
(GB)