Presteigne builds world’s first high definition fly-away

 

Weybridge, 22 February 2005 - Leading UK equipment hire company Presteigne Broadcast Hire is creating Europe’s first purpose-built high definition fly-away unit incorporating the latest MVS-8000A multi-format digital switcher from Sony, a lightweight 34 x LCD high definition monitor stack and a 128x digital matrix. The system is available with either the HDW-F500 or HDW-M2000P HDCAM VTRs and the company’s Sony HDC-950 HD cameras. Presteigne also offers the Sony HDC-T950 camera head for remote recording.

Presteigne, based in New Malden, Surrey, is highly regarded as a high definition hire facility and has dry hired HDC-950 cameras to cover several prestigious live events in the past six months, including the BBC’s HD coverage of the 2004 Last Night of the Proms. The new HD fly-away unit will be available from the end of March 2005.

Mike Ransome, managing director of Presteigne, says his company is building the HD fly-away unit in response to industry demand. “Because we have a reputation in supplying high definition equipment for outside broadcast production, quite a few people have been asking we have got a HD de-rig,” Ransome says. “Companies are looking for a portable production system especially for situations when a full OB truck is not suitable. For example, in remote locations where there are no HD trucks, a limited production area, small camera shoots, or longer term projects. However, we do expect to hire this system to OB companies who have specific projects in mind.”

 

Ransome continues: “We expect demand to come from a number of major sporting events in 2006 that will be recorded in HD, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Football World Cup. In addition, Sky Sports has announced that the Premier League is going to be HD capable next year and certain broadcasters want other events, such as tennis, golf and motor-racing, recorded in HD. Also, with live concerts, because of the sell-though market on DVD, bands want to record in HD. There is also demand from big manufacturers who want the best quality pictures of their products on their exhibition stand and in presentations. HD is a growth market and we are supporting the OB companies who are servicing that.”

At the heart of the new HD fly-away unit is the new Sony MVS-8000A switcher. The MVS-8000A, launched in 2004, is the most compact, flexible and cost effective HD/SD production switcher in the world. Like its predecessor – the Sony MVS-8000 – this latest-generation switcher offers powerful integrated DME capabilities, internal frame store with animation capability, extensive keying possibilities and internal colour correction.

 

Another key part of the Presteigne HD fly-away unit is the lightweight LCD monitor stack, based on 34 of the latest Sony LMD-171W 17-inch widescreen multi-format LCD monitors. The stack, which is easy to transport and set-up, provides a state-of-the-art monitoring of full high definition resolution. Mark Tomlin, Presteigne’s project manager, comments that “We tried to find a solution for a monitor stack to be quickly assembled and flexible in its presentation. We wanted it to have no nuts and bolts and get away from the traditional problem of many individual monitor flight cases. What we have now is a few self-contained monitor flight cases, which hold sections of our monitor stack that, can then be transported, and then set-up in minutes.

Tomlin confirms that the MVS-8000A was chosen partly because of the high regard with which Sony switchers are held: “One of the main reasons we chose the Sony MVS-8000A switcher was that we are already familiar with Sony switchers and people know the way the dials work. It is a good desk and does what it says on the tin, so why change a winning formula?” Tomlin adds that the LMD Series LCD monitors were picked as the best all round solution. “Because it was Sony, we knew the equipment would be reliable. Also, we like the LMD Series LCDs and are keen to use them. Compared to 16:9 CRTs, they are much more lightweight and when using in 4:3 mode you have a usable 4:3 viewing.”