SIS LIVE Bring HD Facilities To Wimbledon 2009

Megahertz (MHz), the UK-based independent systems integrator, has announce that it designed and built three out of the four production vehicles that SIS LIVE used for BBC Sport's high-definition (HD) coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon 2009.
SIS LIVE provided four OB units for this prestigious event, including its revolutionary HD production trailer OB 3, launched last year, alongside the new 'hot' off the MHz production line, OB 7, which had its inaugural outing at this year's Wimbledon. Both vehicles offer the most advanced audio and HD video recording and routing technologies within an ergonomically enhanced production environment.
OB 7 is the second of a new fleet of next generation semi-trailer designs and illustrates MHz's customary attention to creative and technical detail with its choice of best-in-class solutions to fit out this vehicle. As with OB 3, the trailer design and internal materials selection was completed in partnership with MHz's longstanding coach building partner, JS Fraser.
During the design stage it was a crucial consideration to reduce the physical size of the production unit without compromising on the technical capabilities. The resulting trailer is therefore slightly smaller in its operational footprint than OB 3 - providing a single full length expanding side of 1.3 metres for operation. The design offers a combination of flexibility and reliability required for mission-critical live application such as Wimbledon, while offering a comfortable, spacious and stylish environment for clients.
David Meynell, Managing Director at SIS LIVE, said: "We are delighted to have used the most up to date HD OB vehicles built for us by Megahertz to provide the technical facilities at Wimbledon. The use of OB 7 particularly - our newest OB unit which had its first outing at Wimbledon - shows that Megahertz can build a production vehicle that could roll off the assembly line almost directly to a major event. MHz has achieved this by having a clear understanding of our business drivers, and worked alongside our engineering team to deliver the best technical and operational solutions for the job."
In order to best maximise on the internal space, some of the innovative ideas that had been well-received in OB 3 were re-used in this new trailer including, the overall ergonomic use of space, bi-directional glass doors and exterior soundproofed windows that allow natural light into the production gallery without compromising the integrity of the production.
Like its sister trailer, the interior also makes use of new materials including washable fabric wall panels and hard-wearing Corian topped Megahertz custom-designed and built consoles and tables. Energy-efficient LED lighting is incorporated throughout the trailer.
Greg Hoskin, Managing Director of Megahertz, said: "Over the years we have worked closely with SIS LIVE to build some of the most creative and cutting-edge solutions to meet the challenging, mission-critical needs of live event production - and the recent introduction of OB 7 continues the theme by offering the best-in-class technological solutions housed in an ergonomically-drive operational environment.
"Our ability to understand our clients business while drawing on our in-house expertise from 3D CAD design, engineering and coach building to custom furniture design and integral wiring, allows us to deliver turnkey solutions to meet the most demanding client requirements on schedule."
Technically OB 7 has the ability to house up to 16 HD cameras and has two VT areas with six EVS servers and five VTRs. In addition, it has two rows of production desks with a Sony MVS-800 vision mixer and 23" Apple cinema displays housed in the main production stack.
Part of the AZCAR Group, one of the world's largest and longest-established independent broadcast systems integrators, MHz plays a significant role in designing and delivering innovative solutions to the world's leading broadcasters, telecommunication and digital media companies.
(KMcA/BMcc)