Unnoticed by its 3.57 million TV viewers, the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix saw a new development in its broadcast audio accompany the developments racing teams regularly bring to meets. The result of the collaboration between Wisycom, Raycom and Gearhouse Broadcast, Barcelona used a custom design of the MFL Wideband Optical Link – the MFL Fiberbox.

Gearhouse Broadcast has been working with Sky Sports on its Formula 1 coverage since 2012. During this tenure, Gearhouse has been using Wisycom wireless microphone/IFB receivers, belt-packs and transmitters supplied by Raycom to deliver audio coverage for viewers and the crew.

‘It’s important to have clear communication between crew and talent, as well as quality audio so that viewers don’t miss a minute of the action,’ says Ryan Campbell, Project Manager of Formula 1 for Gearhouse Broadcast. ‘Since Wisycom operates in a wide frequency band, it allows all of our wireless handheld microphones, IFBs and other devices to navigate around interference anywhere in the world. To further help keep our IFB channels clear, when this equipment is used with our custom ruggedised MFL Wideband Optical link, we are able to link all our IFB channels over fibre, keeping them in phase to allow isofrequency coverage of a wide area with multiple transmission sites.’

The MFL Fiberbox BX1-4U outdoor RF-Over-Fiber solution provides the functionality of the Wisycom’s MFL Wideband Optical Link in a heavy-duty casing to withstand the rigors of on-location production. For the Barcelona event, six MFL Fiberbox cases were placed around the track to extend the coverage area of the three pods, giving a combined total of 13 MRK960 receivers, also in use at the track. The pocket MPR30IEM/IFB receivers with their true-diversity receivers, lock on to eight channels of IFB transmitting from the three sites.

Wisycom’s MTH400 handheld microphones are used by presenters in the field, in addition to wireless belt-packs for links back to the pods as well as talent lavalier mics. The MTH400 microphones’ Push-to-Talk (PTT) function allows operators to switch output to the main or intercom line and speak off-line with the technical team. This helps to ensure talent is in the right place, properly communicating with the crew, while keeping that communication off-air. For the broadcast, the mics’ audio is then picked up by an audio mixer employing MCR42 UHF Dual Channel Miniature Camera Receiver. Those are then mixed down from six channels, down to two channels of audio and then linked to the MRK960 receivers where they are sent to air.

See also:
Airing the Australian Open
Wisycom gears up for new Sky F1 channel 

More: www.gearhousebroadcast.com
More: www.raycom.co.uk
More: www.wisycom.com