Hitachi: European Debut for World’s First OB-BOX Concept at IBC2015

In essence, Hitachi’s OB-BOX is a fully featured modular OB facility which is delivered to the customer and then mounted onto a vehicle’s chassis using a proprietary fixing kit. This approach significantly reduces the manufacture and delivery time in any market worldwide since it removes the need to source and ship an appropriate vehicle for each customer. The OB-BOX comes in three different configurations which support four, eight and 12 production cameras. The option of a booth side extension adds further flexibility to unit sizing.  In addition, an ability to connect two OB-BOX units in a cascade configuration adds more versatility and facilitates many different sizes of OB unit up to 20 camera mobile facilities.

Each OB-BOX is specified, designed and manufactured at Hitachi’s Istanbul-based facility to meet the customer’s exact OB needs. The unit provides all of the video, audio, transmission and infrastructure capabilities needed to create a stand-alone outside broadcast facility. The technical specification of the unit is such that it will support any broadcast signal from serial digital to HD and even 4K production. Alongside satellite and fiber connectivity, the units integrate powerful Ethernet connectivity, which provides the production team with internet facilities on site. At the same time, OB-BOX features sophisticated Cloud capabilities, which enable the users to send 4K content back to the broadcaster’s production centre quickly and easily.

Building on its extensive OB vehicle design heritage, Hitachi has ensured that operational staff will feel at home whilst working in the OB-BOX. Attention has been paid to the facility’s internal design, monitor and control systems, air conditioning and weather proofing in order to create a comfortable working space irrespective of external environmental conditions.

“IBC will be the first time that we demonstrate OB-BOX in Europe but already we’re receiving a high level of interest in this versatile and cost-effective OB solution,” commented Cemal Yilmaz, General Manager of Hitachi Kokusai Turkey. “It is the result of a major development initiative at our Istanbul headquarters and the customer response we have seen so far indicates that this elegant 4K OB facility will provide a flexible option in many countries worldwide.”

About Hitachi Kokusai Electric
Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2013 (ended March 31 2014) totalled $93.4 billion USD. Hitachi is focusing more than ever on Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, healthcare and other.

Hitachi Ltd is a major stakeholder of Hitachi Kokusai Electric which is a world renowned manufacturers of innovative, high-performance telecommunication products . Hitachi Kokusai Electric is one of the most significant Japanese companies developing advanced broadcast camera technology.