NAB Perspectives: Frontline’s King Discusses Smaller Transmission Vehicles, Areas for Growth

In the transmission market, bigger does not mean better. Bigger transmission trailers are costly to keep on the road, leaving companies like Frontline Communications to find new, innovative ways of providing more in a smaller form factor.

International Sales Manager Bob King shows off the NT-5 SNV HD uplink truck.

“Right now, in terms of our business for support , we’re seeing more and more transmission vehicles getting smaller,” says Bob King, international sales manager, Frontline Communications. Gesturing to the NT-5 SNV HD uplink vehicle, which was recently delivered to Peak Uplink in New Castle, CO, he continued, “This one right here [in Frontline Communications’ booth] is probably a nominal size for sports transmission at the moment because you can do [a] fully redundant K-band system.”

In addition to the Peak Uplink truck, King discussed the custom EFP trailer featured in PSSI’s outdoor exhibit area. The transmission vehicle, used primarily for WWE coverage, has Ku-band and C-band capabilities. It serves as a control room with multiple paths out and a multiplexed camera system that connects to a studio, where mixing takes place.

“For large sports like WWE and NASCAR, they want a transmission system that is not necessarily land-based that they can count on at every venue,” he said. “They don’t have to rent individual trucks. That’s a major thing for us.”

King hopes to continue Frontline Communications’ relationship with Mobile TV Group, having recently delivered its third production trailer to the Denver-based company, and expand further into South America beyond its current relationship with Chile Films. With the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics just around the corner, the time is ripe to cultivate business in Brazil, as well as Argentina and Chile.

“Business in Latin America is on the rise rapidly because the economies of Brazil and Argentina have bounced back tremendously over the last three years,” he said. “We [currently] have a free-trade agreement with Chile and Argentina. It’s a growth area.”

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