Megahertz Keeps ACS Flying High

The nature of ACS’s business in flown, cable and vehicle-mounted cameras and remote heads means that every job is different and its equipment must be flexible. The latest vehicle is built on a long-wheelbase Ford Transit, with coachbuilding handled in-house by Megahertz. Within the confines of a relatively small vehicle Megahertz has provided accommodation for five operators on two desks.

The video system incudes eight fibre inputs of any format up to 1080p at 3Gb/s. Synchronisers and up, down and cross converters are provided. The infrastructure includes a Black Magic Designs 40 x 40 router. Monitoring is on six Sony OLED monitors, and via quad splits onto DVI monitors. Harris Broadcast provided in-vision waveform monitors.

“We have worked with Megahertz for a number of years now and are delighted with the work they have delivered for us,” said Phillip Beckett, managing director of Aerial Camera Systems.

To create the space necessary inside the operational area, deep equipment racks, with equipment mounted on both the front and back, are in use. Careful design maximises the natural airflow through the racks. A roof-mounted air conditioner provides heat and cooling to keep the operators comfortable at all times of the year. There are three CTP Systems talkback units and a Tait radio for digital wireless communications.

“Our long relationship with Aerial Camera Systems has always been rewarding, because their requirements are always unique,” said Steve Burgess, technical director at Megahertz Broadcast Systems. “We were delighted to be able to build this new vehicle for them, to support the increasing use of multiple special cameras at sports and other live events.”

About Aerial Camera Systems
Established over thirty years ago, Aerial Camera System (ACS) is the worlds’ leading specialist camera company, providing innovative and expert camera solutions and aerial stabilised camera systems.  ACS has a unique inventory available for rental ranging from remote heads and compact cameras, railcams and wirecams to tracking vehicles, underwater systems and tethered airships as well as over 20 helicopter camera systems.  With an in-house research and development team the company continues to develop and launch new concepts and products within the field of specialist camera facilities, the latest being its new remote head; SMARThead™.
ACS is part of the Euro Media Group, Europe’s largest provider of television and film facilities in Europe.

About Megahertz Broadcast Systems
Megahertz Broadcast Systems, a KIT digital company, is a leading independent broadcast systems integrator. Its highly experienced engineering team provide a complete service from engineering planning and design through product evaluation and project management to commissioning, training and support. The team is as adept at file-based architectures as it is in traditional broadcast infrastructures. Recently completed projects include outside broadcast vehicles, high definition studios, playout facilities and earth stations, as well as audio visual installations for applications as varied as mosques and the London Stock Exchange.