Video Europe chooses Leader waveform monitor for new OB truck

Video Europe, one of Europe’s largest and most active equipment and resource hire companies, has chosen Leader’s LV5490 4K/HDR multiscreen waveform monitor as the reference test instrument for its latest outside broadcast and live event production truck. The LV5490 was supplied by Leader European distribution partner Thameside TV.

Designed and equipped by Leeds-based system integrator WTS, the new vehicle is the first in Video Europe’s fleet to feature both 3G-SDI and 12G-SDI infrastructure.

“The truck is specified to cater for two quite distinct markets,” says Video Europe engineer Richard La Motte. “It is equipped with 3G-SDI capabilities for use with Sony cameras in a traditional live broadcast mode. 12G-SDI connectivity is also included to interface with Arri cameras for cinematic projects. We were impressed by the Leader LV5490 as it provides all the test and measurement tools required for both modes. Operational and production staff appreciate the straightforward and easy to understand graphical displays, especially the real-time CIE colour chart and real-time false colour HDR display. We have the LV5490 installed in a vision engineering position on the truck. The HD-SDI output is connected to the router so it can be displayed on any HD-SDI monitor in the vehicle. With our current configuration, the external feed from the LV5490 is simultaneously displayed in the gallery where the producer and director can view the overall production.

“Our investment in 12G-SDI product development is now starting to materialise into real projects, comments Leader’s European Regional Development Manager, Kevin Salvidge. “Many broadcast channel owners are content to sit back and wait for IP standards to be finalised but production service providers have to meet the demands of forward-looking programme-makers. The combination of IP and 12G-SDI provides the ideal platform for 4K/UHD and HDR production. The LV5490 enables Richard and his team to operate with full confidence in both 3G-SDI and 12G-SDI.”

“The ability to handle 12G and 3G-SDI simultaneously makes the Leader LV5490 a very powerful piece of test and measurement equipment,” adds Thameside TV’s Regional Sales Director Chris Margrave-Gregory. “The LV5490’s compact footprint, integrated display and ability to drive a large external monitor also makes it ideal for OB applications.”