RTS Supplies 20th MTV EMAs

On 10 November this year, RTS provided intercom and audio systems to the OB trucks capturing the 20th MTV Europe Music Awards at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome.
For the first time, Hilversum-based broadcasting specialist UNITED was responsible for coverage of the event. Capturing images and sounds from four different locations, UNITED employed a staff of over 150 individuals, five OB trucks, six uplink, two downlink and two audio trucks.
"The EMAs are a huge, complicated and prestigious event," recalls Bolke Burnaby Lautier, Manager Operations Sports and Events with UNITED.
"With literally millions of viewers following the event live all over the world on TV and over the Internet, any technical failure could have proved catastrophic."
In all OB trucks deployed, UNITED chose to rely upon intercom systems from RTS.
UNITED's HD-capable OB14 acted as a rolling control room for the whole production.
Central to the communications system was an ADAM (Advanced Digital Audio Matrix) from RTS with a 144 x 144 port configuration, linked to 31 keypanels in (KP-32 CLD or KP-12 CLD) with colour displays alone in the OB14. The system was trunked to a second ADAM frame that supported 28 external panels located within the venue. Six 2W/4W Digital Hybrid Interfaces from RTS as well as RTS TW BP-325 two-channel belt packs completed the impressive array of communications equipment on board.
RTS also provided intercom equipment for UNITED's other outside broadcast vehicles; OB15, OB8 and OB12.
An ADAM digital matrix saw service in OB12 and a RTS Cronus matrix in OB15 with 23 keypanels, eight 2W/4W interfaces and 20 belt packs – in all cases from RTS – serving as peripherals. A further Cronus matrix was at the core of the intercom solution in OB8. Production also included over 180 radios. Split over 21 different channels, these were also tied into the RTS intercom system.
"Technically, broadcasting live is no difference to the recording of a show for a DVD," explains Lautier.
"What adds to the complexity is that we have to produce the show at the same time. This includes coordinating the input from four different venues, the timing of commercial breaks as well as inputs from the individual MTV channels all over the world."
www.rtsintercoms.com
(IT/JP)