Broadcast Networks Delivers openTruckTM for IBC2014

Ross openTruckTM provides a standard yet customizable way to design cost-effective mobile production vehicles that deliver the highest quality video and audio content from sports and other live events. openTruckTM vehicles offer lower-cost production while retaining the quality expected of high-profile broadcast, at a fraction of the cost of traditionally capital-intensive OB productions.  This opens up opportunities for producers to meet increasing viewer demand for multi-platform coverage of local sports and other live events, including non-Premiership football.

“Since its launch at NAB 2014, openTruckTM has generated considerable interest across the US and in bringing it to IBC, we’re confident that the initiative will also be well-received in Europe,” says Nigel Spratling, Marketing Product Manager at Ross Video.  “Unlike the US, production techniques do vary across Europe and indeed from broadcaster to broadcaster, so it was essential for us to work with a systems integrator who understands this market.  Broadcast Networks, with its track-record of designing and building quality live production OB units, is the ideal partner to help us demonstrate the flexibility, simplicity and power of openTruckTM within the European context.“

“Over the last 12 months, Broadcast Networks has been working closely with broadcasters and OB companies across Europe, Middle East and Africa to balance the need for powerful production capabilities against ever-tightening budgets,” says Malcolm Robinson, Director Media and Broadcast at Broadcast Networks.  “We believe that openTruckTM vehicles can pave the way for production companies to strengthen their mobile capabilities with vehicles built to the highest standards against aggressive schedules and delivered at a very attractive price point.”

The vehicle, which has been built at Broadcast Networks’ UK facility, is based on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. It features a powerful Ross production workflow including sophisticated graphics using Ross XPression 3D motion graphics, with a feature-rich Carbonite Vision Mixer and OpenGearTM infrastructure integrated within a Ross Dashboard control and monitoring framework. Dashboard supports complete native control of multiple vendors, enabling users to quickly build unique, tailored custom panels to make complex operations simple.  The production system is completed with an EVS slo-mo replay system and other essential equipment from openTruck partners.

Already creating sales enquiries in advance of IBC, the vehicle will be available to tour on the Ross Video stand 9.C10.  For sales enquiries and to arrange a tour, please contact Andy Newham – [email protected]

About Broadcast Networks
Broadcast Networks is a UK-based Systems Integrator with over 25 years’ experience in delivering solutions to clients the world over, including national broadcasters and global media organisations. From live production systems and OB vehicles, studios and broadcast infrastructure, satellite uplinks to multiplatform content distribution, the company offers totally integrated and innovative solutions. With a highly experienced and knowledgeable team of solution architects and project managers, a flexible approach and a real commitment to customer service, Broadcast Networks works closely with organisations to meet their business and operational objectives and to deliver game-changing ideas.   Learn more: www.bcnet.co.uk

About Ross Video
Passionate about live production, Ross Video designs, manufactures and delivers dependable technology and services that power exceptional live video productions seen by billions of viewers around the world every day. Ross Video’s goal is to make it easy for customers to create compelling news, weather and sports broadcasts, engaging material for sports stadium screens, legislative assemblies, entertainment shows and rock concerts, and inspiring content for houses of worship.
Relentlessly innovating, Ross Video delivers the world’s widest range of products and services for augmented reality and virtual sets, mobile live-event solutions, real-time motion graphics, robotic camera systems, social-media management, production switchers, routers, infrastructure products, video servers, newsroom systems, terminal equipment and more.

Ross products and services are designed to offer the best system integration and unmatched customer choice by both working together seamlessly and integrating tightly with third-party solutions.

Ross Video has offices around the world, and provides outstanding, free-for-life telephone support staffed by technical experts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—even for products bought on eBay. Ross employees are authorized to rent helicopters when necessary.