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RaceTech HD OB Trucks Receive Rapturous Applause

MHz-Built Next-Generation RaceTech HD OB Trucks Receive Rapturous Applause at First Racing Fixtures

Megahertz (MHz), an international independent systems integrator and part of the KIT digital family, has received tremendous acclaim for its production line for Racecourse Technical Services Ltd (RaceTech), the innovative racecourse services provider. The first two HD production vehicles off the MHz line had their inaugural outings in recent weeks at two of the UK’s most prestigious racing fixtures — the Cheltenham Festival and the Aintree Grand National. All three vehicles were built to provide the production facilities for Racing UK Ltd, the premier independent horseracing broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. The third and final OB vehicle came off the MHz production line last week.

“The Megahertz-built trucks have been extraordinarily successful at meeting our production needs in the field — providing us with an integral component to support the launch of Channel 4 HD Racing at the Cheltenham Festival last month,” said Mick Both, Director of Engineering and Technical Operations at RaceTech. “The vehicles were tried and tested at six race days prior to their big outing at Cheltenham and proved to be a considerable hit with both the customers and production teams alike. At Cheltenham, the truck was fully populated with 13 cameras and worked perfectly to meet the challenges presented by time critical live event production.”

Both continued, “The first vehicles rolled off the production line on time and have proved to be a tremendous operational success at their first race outing. Our overall experience with Megahertz has been truly exceptional.”

The leading provider of horseracing pictures for both domestic and international broadcast, RaceTech was commissioned by Racing UK to build and operate a fleet of three bespoke OB vehicles capable of capturing race coverage, programme coverage, feeds to the stewards and commentators and on-course closed-circuit television production. These new MHz-built production vehicles are replacing three of the company’s existing fleet of six OB units.

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“Our dedicated technical teams worked diligently with RaceTech to provide the most appropriate designs and install the best technical solutions to match the challenging operational requirements needed for live event production,” said Frances Jarvis, managing director of Megahertz. “Our ability to provide the staged delivery of three new HD production trucks on time that matched the customer’s exact needs is testament to the commitment we have to our customers’ business and meeting their operational requirements at key sporting fixtures.”

Steve Burgess, technical director of Megahertz added, “The project teams from both companies worked extremely well together to ensure that the key milestones and project timescale set almost one year ago were hit precisely to the day, right up to the delivery of the third vehicle.”

RaceTech has been at the forefront of the technological development for coverage of horseracing since the company was founded in 1946. Its main aim at that time was to research and develop a photo finish system for the sport and in 1960, the company introduced ‘scout’ cameras to enhance the integrity of the sport by enabling the entire race to be filmed for the first time.

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About Racing UK

Racing UK is the premier independent horseracing broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. The specialist channel was set-up in 2004 and is dedicated to broadcasting more than 650 live race meetings a year with commentary, debate and tipping from 30 of the UK’s top racecourses. Racing UK services more than 45,000 commercial and residential subscribers. Racing UK is available on Sky 432 (UK, NI, ROI), Virgin 536 (UK) or UPC 411 (ROI).

About Megahertz Broadcast Systems

Established in 1982 and now part of the KIT digital family, UK-based Megahertz Broadcast Systems is one of the world’s premier independent broadcasting systems integrators. Their experience covers every aspect of systems implementation from engineering planning, project management, design, product evaluation, commissioning, training, support and IT services. MHz has completed turnkey projects for some of the world’s leading broadcasters, telecommunication and digital media companies. It has constructed sophisticated fixed HD broadcast facilities as well as providing the “best of breed” Outside Broadcast Vehicles.

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Megahertz Broadcast Systems