BOT204: Outside Broadcast
Technology
Session 4: OB Video & Audio Systems
13 October 2009
O.B. Box Tricaster
(www.elman.it)

Session 4: OB Video & Audio Systems
 Case study 1
 You have been asked to design a 3-camera flyaway that
could broadcast a lecture from Ravensbourne’s lecture
theatre live in widescreen on Channel 5. Your system
needs to provide a single widescreen SDI output
 Working in two groups, compile a list of the equipment
that you would need to put together this flyaway
 Draw a system diagram sketch of your design
Useful fact: In the USA, a flyaway may be called a ‘de-rig’ 2

Other Notes On OB Video & Audio
 High-speed cameras often needed for slow-motion replays
 Very long or impossible cable runs (which need wireless cameras)
 Most cameras now HD over hybrid camera cables
 Tactical optical fibre used
 Surround sound monitoring in-truck is not optimal
 What is Dolby E & why might it be used?
 Hard to maintain co-timed video & audio, particularly in scenarios
needing multiple truck outputs
 How do co-timing problems arise?
 Heavy use of iso recording. May need separate recording truck for large
events
 Few trucks are equipped with VTRs, preferring to hire what is needed
for each job
3

Next Time …
 OB talkback & comms systems
4
www.talkbackradiohire.co.uk www.hhb.co.uk