CTV selects Leader rasterizers for new OB 11 truck

CTV Outside Broadcasts has chosen eight Leader LV 7770 rasterizing multi-SDI signal monitors for its new OB 11 truck. The rasterizers were supplied by Leader’s UK reseller, Thameside TV, which is based in Shepperton.

“OB 11 is one of the largest outside broadcast trucks in Europe,” comments Chris Thomas, CTV head of vision. “It is [the] latest addition to our fleet and can accommodate a crew of 34 people, sourcing from up to 28 live cameras. The truck is 3G-capable throughout and has a large main production suite, a huge VT area plus two additional rooms which can be used for activities such as editing or graphics.

“Seven of the LV 7770 test instruments have been incorporated into the main engineering area where they can be assigned to check the quality of incoming video from up to 28 camera channels. They were chosen on the basis of their excellent quality, functionality and the good post-sales support.

“An additional LV 7770 is housed in the edit suite. The Leader rasterizers enable production staff to check waveforms, vectors and other data on relatively large wall-mounted displays which are much easier to work with than the miniature screens incorporated into most test equipment. OB 11 is certainly not short of wall space. It has higher headroom than our previous big trucks with a quad expander comprising one double that comes out from the top of the roof space plus a concertina that folds out in three different steps.”

Based at CTV’s headquarters in Park Royal, West London, OB 11 was commissioned to work on CTV’s recently renewed cricket contract with Sky Sports. Facilities include a Sony MVS-8000X production switcher, Imagine Platinum IP3 router, Calrec Apollo audio desk, RTS/Telex Omneo IP-based intercom and Axon interfaces. It is future-proofed to allow easy upgrading to 4K if or when required.

This latest order follows the recent purchase by CTV of two Leader LV 5307 7 inch monitor/rasterizers for OB 4.