Ross Video launches openTruck Europe with Broadcast Networks and Gearhouse Broadcast
Ross Video will bring its openTruck initiative to the European market at IBC in partnership with systems integrator Broadcast Networks. A high-spec compact production unit, built by Broadcast Networks to the openTruck standard, will feature on Ross Video’s stand 9.C10. Also on show on the Hitachi stand 11.D39 is the new OBLite, designed and built by Gearhouse Broadcast’s Systems Integration division.
The new OBLite is a high-spec, compact, energy efficient and flexible fully HD OB trailer designed using Ross Video’s openTruck blueprint, ensuring increased efficiency, video quality and the ability to quickly reconfigure the trailer for different events. The openTruck initiative is designed to maximise physical space, minimise risk and deliver a healthy return on investment.
The openTruck blue-print uses compact, best-in-class broadcast systems from Ross Video that are designed to integrate with other leading technology vendors. This ensures that systems built using the openTruck design will consistently deliver efficient production workflows, uncompromising video quality and rapid reconfiguration from event to event.
“Since its launch at NAB 2014, openTruck has generated considerable interest across the US and in bringing it to IBC, we’re confident that the initiative will also be well received in Europe,” said Nigel Spratling, marketing product manager at Ross Video. “Unlike the US, production techniques do vary across Europe and indeed from broadcaster to broadcaster, so it was essential for us to work with systems integrators who understand this market. We feel that both Broadcast Networks and Gearhouse Broadcast, with their track-records of designing and building quality live production OB units, are the ideal partners to help us demonstrate the flexibility, simplicity and power of openTruck within the European context.“
The vehicle is based on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. It features a Ross production workflow including sophisticated graphics using Ross XPression 3D motion graphics, with a Carbonite Vision Mixer and openGear infrastructure integrated within a Ross DashBoard control and monitoring framework. DashBoard supports complete native control of multiple vendors, enabling users to quickly build unique, tailored custom control software panels to make complex operations simple. The production system is completed with all other essential equipment from openTruck partners.
openTruck’s bigger crew capacity — twice the number of positions normally found in a vehicle of this size — enables broadcasters to condense the high end production power of a large truck within a much smaller vehicle, creating huge opportunities in regional sports, lower tier sporting events and the live-event market.