Ross Video openTruck mobile on its way to IBC with Broadcast Networks

Systems intregrator Broadcast Networks has announced a partnership with Ross Video to bring its openTruck initiative to the European market. A high-spec compact production unit, built by Broadcast Networks to the openTruck standard, will feature on Ross Video’s stand 9.C10 at IBC. Ross openTruckprovides a standard yet customisable way to design cost-effective mobile production vehicles that deliver quality video and audio content from sports and other live events.

openTruckvehicles are intended to offer lower-cost production while retaining the quality expected of high-profile broadcast, at lower cost than traditionally capital-intensive OB productions. This opens up opportunities for producers to meet increasing viewer demand for multi-platform coverage of local sports and other live events, including non-Premiership football.

“Since its launch at NAB, openTruckhas 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 a systems integrator who understands this market. Broadcast Networks, with its track-record of designing and building quality live production OB units, is the ideal partner to help us demonstrate the flexibility, simplicity and power of openTruckwithin the European context.“

“Over the last 12 months, Broadcast Networks has been working closely with broadcasters and OB companies across Europe, Middle East and Africa to balance the need for powerful production capabilities against ever-tightening budgets,” said Malcolm Robinson, director Media and Broadcast at Broadcast Networks. “We believe that openTruckvehicles can pave the way for production companies to strengthen their mobile capabilities with vehicles built to the highest standards against aggressive schedules and delivered at a very attractive price point.”

The vehicle, which has been built at Broadcast Networks’ UK facility, is based on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. It features a Ross production workflow including XPression 3D motion graphics, Carbonite vision mixer and OpenGear infrastructure integrated within a Dashboard control and monitoring framework.

Dashboard supports complete native control of multiple vendors, enabling users to quickly build unique, tailored custom panels to make complex operations simple. The production system is completed with an EVS slo-mo replay system and other equipment from openTruck partners.

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