MHz Delivers HD-Ready DSNG Truck For Public Broadcaster

Megahertz (MHz), an international independent systems integrator, has announced that it has completed the system integration work for the build out of the latest Digital Satellite News Gathering truck in BBC Scotland’s fleet, with an HD-ready infrastructure. The vehicle will be based in Scotland but may be required to operate is various locations throughout Europe.
This project included all aspects of the coachwork and the interior of the vehicle as well as the installation of power, audio, video and the satellite link system.
Designed from the onset with infrastructure for both SD and HD operation, this new truck houses a Panasonic vision mixer, a Mackie audio mixer, Crystal Vision Infrastructure and an Evertz router.
On the roof is mounted a Vertex C150 1.5 meter mobile Ku-band antenna — believed to be the first of its kind to be installed in the UK — as well as a Clarke 12 meter pneumatic mast providing support for lightweight aerials and the radiocam receiver. The truck also provides a fully redundant uplink chain including E2V 400W high powered amplifiers and two encoders/modulators.
"We have successfully completed a number of vehicles for the BBC, providing newsgathering and production facilities for their news operations around the UK," said Greg Hoskin, Managing Director of Megahertz. "Our ability to handle every aspect of a truck build in-house was of great value as it allowed MHz to deliver a single point of contact to the customer for the whole process from start to finish — all within their delivery timescale. As a one stop shop MHz incorporates the coach building and design teams alongside a reputable consultancy service as well as the ability to specify the best-in-class products for the job."
Hoskin continues: "While the design of the DSNG truck incorporates an HD-capable infrastructure as a means of future-proofing investments, it will only be used for SD contributions at the present time."
In addition MHz has integrated a lightweight 100mW DVB-T receiver to provide facilities for radio link cameras allowing live news pictures to be relayed back to the truck.  In busy built up areas, the radio camera’s receive antennas can be attached to the pneumatic mast increasing the range of an already reliable system.
Coupled with the on-board radio talkback system, this enables reporters to provide live 2-way reports using the wireless cameras routed via the truck into the BBC studio, without any restriction on movement or the need for additional cabling. 
The vehicle is built on a long-wheel-based 5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter fitted with a Custom Shore power system plus a 12kVA Fischer Panda on board silent generator. As part of the commissioning process for the uplink system, MHz has also obtained all the necessary registration from Intelsat and Eutelsat to ensure the system is legally certified for transmission purposes.
Further information is available at: www.megahertz.co.uk.
(KMcA/GK)