Professional Show and One TV launch pre-fitted OB-VAN plan

Today, in the fifth month of 2020, the crisis caused by coronavirus has forced everyone to deeply examine all the procedures of television production, post-production and delivery and one of the most evident results is a decisive acceleration of IP technology to make remote production and from-home operation possible.

The COVID-19 has basically acted as a booster in the television production sector and pushed IP from its semi-static orbit towards a path of very fast approach to the earth even for those who still were cautious.

Typically, remote production allows operators to send only the essential equipment and only a few people from the technical production team to the event venues. This makes it not entirely suitable for many events, such as high-level sports, where the spectacle also requires the presence of some operators on the field and certainly remote cameras are not enough to create the necessary empathy.

In this direction, the companies that build TV mobile vehicles are reacting by adapting and interpreting what could be the demands of future shooting, in different ways.

Half full or half empty?

An interesting example is the one proposed by Professional Show in Padua which, in collaboration with subsidiary One TV, has launched a production model based on pre-set mobile vehicles, to be finalised in a second phase in a very short time based on the needs of customers.

The next ‘prepared’ OB van will be officially available between May and June and a second unit is scheduled for September, taking into account any production ‘complications’ created by the Coronavirus situation. For both units, it is still possible to apply changes and modifications to the operating layout, the interior fittings, the choice of colours and the materials.

This new concept stems from recent successful projects and realisations such as the first 25Gbit full IP 4K HDR OB van on the Italian market (late 2019) and the POD (early 2020), a new concept of mobile gallery, built on ISO expandable shelter and transportable by air. The new OB van type is built on a semi-trailer with three axles with a total weight of 36/38 tons on the ground, a third steering axle, drum brakes and air suspension.

Comfort and choices

Fabio Veggiato, Professional Show commercial director, told SVG Europe: “The project stems from a collaboration between us and One TV and the strong desire to be a reference for the mobile vehicle industry that we can supply in a very short time. Also in this project we have put to good use the great experience as protagonists in the OB van market, commissioning to specialised bodywork Tomassini Style a certain number of pre-fitted vehicles. This is in order to be able to be ready and finalise delivery quickly with the desired finishes, according to needs.

“The working group of Professional Show and One TV then deals with the supply of on-board equipment and the technical realisation and design, under the technical and design supervision of Andrea Gianolli. On board there are two entrances for two different crews and direct access to the technical area, two audio galleries, two separate video galleries and a lounge area can accommodate some elite ‘spectators’.

“The large total open space of 80sqm houses the production and replay etc, and allows separate areas to be kept for the machines and a supervisor station is used to control all the on-board equipment.”

Future proof modus operandi

Experience in planning and realising finished projects in the television industry are poured into the design and allow Gianolli to know how each production is to be faced. So the spaces are calculated and created exactly according to the long direct experiences in the field.

For technical equipment, One TV interfaces with Professional Show in the person of Paolo Artuso, technical broadcast manager. All the on-board systems are calculated to the millimetre, included air conditioning and battery backup that keep the vehicle operational up to 45 minutes without power. The lifting system, expansions and space management make the difference in terms of operation and comfort.

In a second phase, the final customer will choose with which technical segments to fill the vehicle, tailored to their needs, also choosing brands and products according to personal tastes.

From technology to comfort

Andrea Gianolli, CEO of One TV and OB van project director, said: “For me, the devil is in the detail. in fact I have been a user, field production supervisor, designer and builder of these systems for many years. In addition, I have always listened to the requests of all the technical crews, so I know how to manage every aspect.

“There are design choices such as finishes, coatings, ergonomics, insulation, sizing, heating, stabilisation, which allow me to increase comfort and affect the electrical system, air conditioning, the possibility of interventions in case of failure and replacement of devices and much more.

“In practice they seem small details — some secret, some obvious — but in the end they make a big difference. The modularity and the possibility of setting up according to subsequent customisations also allows us to reduce delivery times, reducing the final set-up period and optimising costs, thus fully respecting the customer’s personal choices.

“The project was not born so much for cost savings but to guarantee the customer the maximum return in respect to the investment, very high final quality and ‘livability’, that is 100% usable.”