Sony packs punch in Telegenic OB unit

By Kevin Hilton
SVG European correspondent

UK-based outside broadcast operator Telegenic has expanded its fleet with a new high definition scanner, taking its tally of HD vehicles to three. T14 is the largest truck the company runs and has already worked on coverage of the recent Ryder Cup in Ireland.

As is common for OB trucks today the new vehicle has expanding sides, which give room for a large video tape area. This means T14 is a stand-alone unit and does not need to work in conjunction with a VT truck.

Cameras are 20 Sony HDC-1500 HDs, marking Telegenic’s move away from Grass Valley. Eamonn Curtin, Telegenic’s unit manager, comments that the Sony cameras give flexibility of connection, with capability for both fibre and triax. “This means we can use the truck at any venue,” he says.

Other equipment includes a Sony 8000 switcher, HD EVS units and Sony HDCAM in the VT area (although any format requested can be provided ) and a Calrec Audio Alpha mixing console in the 5.1 capable audio area.

Designed as a special events truck T14 has also worked on reality show The Match, for Sky One, and is now being used on coverage of Premier League football.