Megahertz to showcase Olympian vehicle at IBC

Cambridge based Megahertz Broadcast Systems is to showcase a brand new advanced links vehicle built for BBC Resources at IBC 2004.
The vehicle, which will join Megahertz on the stand directly from the Athens Olympics, is based on an 18T Volvo chassis and coach built by A Smith’s Great Bentley. It has an Andrew 2.4 Ku band antenna and two 40” TFT screens, fed from a Kaleido K2 with dual head.
What make this vehicle special are its enormous circuit capacity and the size of its satellite antenna, which give it capability second to none for a single vehicle in the UK.
For instance, it is capable of generating a six channel MPEG multiplex on its dual redundant uplink while simultaneously managing the reception of five satellite feeds from other venues. It can also control the reception of up to six digital radio cameras and process/generate a number of terrestrial contribution links from its roof working platform and two 12m extending masts.
The size, and hence gain, of the 2.4m satellite antenna also makes the vehicle suitable for broadcast quality down linking as well as up linking. This gives it the ability to act as the hub communication vehicle for major events, such as the Olympics, where there is a need not only for multiple outgoing broadcast circuits but also the reception of feeds from SNG type vehicles contributing to the programme.
For the Athens Olympics it will generate all of the outgoing links back to the UK while receiving the incoming feeds from the BBC’s four compact uplink vehicles, which will be traveling from venue to venue throughout the event. The antenna is also equipped with step track that allows it to follow inclined orbit satellites.
Megahertz announced the contract for the complete integration of this vehicle towards the end of last year, and finished the contract in time for its sporting debut at the 2004 European Football championships (Euro 2004) in June.
Frances Jarvis, Managing Director of Megahertz, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this contract especially as this particular vehicle stands in a class of its own in the satellite vehicle category. We always aim to provide our clients with the simplest and most effective solution to their needs. This vehicle’s added capacity size and antenna length make it very flexible and therefore it fulfils a variety of demands placed on broadcasters at special events such as the Olympics.”
(GB)