Denver-based live production company Mobile TV Group (MTVG) has expanded its OB fleet with the launch of 47 Flex – the company’s third Flex mobile unit within its 30-plus fleet. The new truck, along with its sister 45 Flex and 46 Flex, employs Calrec’s Artemis digital audio console, with Audio-over-IP capabilities via Calrec’s H2-IP Gateway technology and MTVG’s new Cloud Control capability.
The three latest Flex units are dual-trailer outfits, with 53ft expanding trailers (to 16ft 6inche wide) for unit A, and 53ft long (8ft 6inch wide) for Unit B VMU trailers. The new dual-trailer units’ infrastructures are all based around the Grass Valley Kayenne K-Frame X IP switcher, an Evertz 384-port Exe 2.0 IP router and an Evertz Magnum control system, to offer 1080p capacity that would require at least a 3000×3000 baseband router. The 47 Flex OB serves the Marquee Sports Network, home of the Chicago Cubs.
‘It’s important that our fleet can service events across the US, acquiring high-quality content that can be distributed over IP using our end-to-end native-IP mobile units, says Mobile TV Group Director of Engineering, Peter Wehner. ‘We’ve been working with Calrec since 2011, which is when we installed our first Artemis console, and have always found its audio systems to be first-class.’
MTVG is also building 48 Flex, which is a 53ft expandable OB unit and will also carry an Artemis desk.
‘The power of the Artemis console, in combination with our H2-IP Gateway solution, is a huge advantage for Mobile TV Group,’ says Calrec Regional Sales Manager, Dave Lewty. ‘It gives the flexibility needed and we’re excited to be a part of this ongoing process for them. By natively connecting all main devices, including the switcher, the cameras, replay devices, multi-viewers and the audio consoles, the OB units provide a powerful competitive edge in the OB space.’
Mobile TV Group predominantly services the US sports markets, with units spread across the country, each run by around 50 engineers. The current count of 30-plus mobile units, including 15 dual-trailer rigs (Unit A and VMU-Unit B) that can run the group’s ‘dual-feed’ production concept – operations for both home and visiting teams from two spaces but with shared technical resources.
More: www.calrec.com
