Italy’s Global Production discusses four-strong OB van fleet to Infinity
Led by Stefano Bianco, Davide Furlan and Gilberto Steccazzini, Turin-based Global Production now operates a four-strong OB van fleet, including the 24-camera-capable OB5, the 18 HD camera OB3 and a highly compact 8 camera vehicle too.
But it’s in the largest vehicle in its fleet, Infinity, that Global Production truly demonstrates its market-leading capabilities. Developed to suit a wide variety of sports – from skiing to football – Infinity features a 70sqm control room featuring the very latest in broadcast technology.
First of all, it’s important to note that Infinity is a very stylish looking vehicle, featuring dimming LED fixtures, dark walls, and aluminium and alcantara-covered polypan panels.
It also features a total of four expansion wings – three on one side and one at the rear – along with six robotised ‘book style’ hatches on the floor. Meanwhile, a self-levelling structure based on a gyroscopic system ensures an optimal automatic trim.
High-end spec
Grass Valley equipment features prominently, including a Kayak HD300 mixer along with LDK 6000, LDK 8000 and LDX 80 cameras. The wiring is provided by more than 100km of Belden cables, while the matrix, distribution, synchronisation and digital processing are all by Harris. Infinity also features the popular SD7 audio mixer from DiGiCo, while the intercom section is based around a Riedel Artist 128 system.
The main section includes video mixer and cameras controls; just in front is the control section for replay & slow motion, with total of 10 stations. The production control area measures 6×6 m, while the sound area is 2.30 × 2.60m and features Genelec monitoring. Equipment in this area includes 10 EVS slow motion systems and a pair of Blackmagic Design HyperDeck 4K Studio disk recorders.
All video monitors are LG LM series, including six 55” (production), four from 47” (sub director), 16 32” (RVM), one for the audio, and one for the management of the multi-view.
Two machines each with 60,000 BTU automatic changeover run the air conditioning and heating for the various areas independently so as to make that the operation is very comfortable and the equipment perfectly cooled.
A true collaboration
Infinity is the result of a collaboration between Global Production and several other companies who have also taken part in the production of the company’s previous mobile vehicles. For example, the body is by Tomassini Style, while some additional techniques required for the programming of the matrix are by Robit. CRV was responsible for the cabling.
The huge mobile vehicle is able to manage up to 30 cameras with 3G technologies, and it measures 19.50m long at maximum with a shell of 14.60m by 5.90m when all the expansions are open.
Of course, the transition to 4K can be relatively painless because the core of the facility is ready, and the changes to be made will be minimal.