Broadcast Networks to upgrade SBP Italian OB truck for HD

UK-based Broadcast Networks has been awarded a contract by Rome-based SBP to refurbish an existing 20-camera remote production truck vehicle to full HD production capability. The OB trailer, known as OB6 and built by A. Smith Gt. Bentley, has been in constant operation throughout Europe since it came into service three years ago. The contract is to be completed at the end of July 2006 ready for an immediate roll-out in Italy in August. It’s the latest in a busy HD market, with Broadcast Networks contracted earlier this year to project manage the build of a brand new 24-camera OB vehicle (OB20) for SBP through Sony Broadcast (Italy). The existing OB6 expanding side trailer is based on a design by SBP s Technical Director Sergio Nuvoloni. Major new equipment is being installed including 20 Grass Valley 6000 HD cameras, a Snell and Willcox Kahuna HD vision mixer, four Sony HDCAM High Definition VTRs, four HD LSM EVS 6.6.6. XT(2) and a central Grass Valley HD router. A tight deadline has been set for the refurbishment, which also includes the installation of a brand new Studer Vista 8 audio mixer, now an industry standard for live OB productions. Antonio Balsamo, SBP president and CEO, says the production company worked very closely with the BN systems integration team during the build of the brand new 24-camera OB20 at Sony in the UK earlier this year, and their expertise and build quality was second to none.

“We chose to work with Broadcast Networks again as we are confident that once the team completes this project, the vehicle will be ready to roll out on HD productions immediately,” he says. “The team has a lot of experience in HD and it is because of this experience that we know we have the right team on board to ensure a timely completion.