Hessische Rundfunk is part of ARD, and the public broadcaster for the federal state of Hessen. HR is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, and operates regional studios in Wiesbaden and Kassel. To produce its entertainment, sports, and concert events, the broadcaster uses a total of ten TV and radio vans throughout Hessen. This fleet is now to be expanded with an additional SNG production van.
Task:
BFE was tasked with planning and implementing a broadcasting van with four cameras and its own satellite uplink system. The vehicle needed to be able to produce and transmit its own satellite signals. The challenge was to accommodate the various workstations and workflows, despite the limited external dimensions. The order included the integration of all technical components including initial startup and all services.
Solution:
The design was based on a MAN chassis TGM15.250 4x2LL BFE and was produced by a motorhome manufacturer. Using a sandwich design, the structure combines the advantages of a motorhome with the requirements of a broadcasting van.
Eight workstations were fitted into four rooms:
Room 1:Central apparatus room with three 19" racks, separately air-conditioned, and soundproofed from the production room
Room 2:Production room with five workstations, integrated longitudinally into the vehicle
Room 3:Sound control room (separated from the production room for acoustic reasons) with one workstation, with a second possible if necessary
Room 4:Cab with two multifunction workstations and all motorhome benefits such as space, comfort, and separate access doors
Highlights:
The SNG vehicle combines all the benefits of a motorhome, such as an integrated cab and rotating seats, with the requirements of a broadcasting van
Four rooms offering eight workstations and equipment space in a small area
BFE delivered the complete range of services: with extensive consultation before the body construction, complete initial startup, integration, and on-site service
Technology:
Video components
Cameras: 4 x Grass Valley Belden LDK 86 / 1 x Grass Valley LDK 800
Vision mixer: Sony MVS-300
Video monitoring: Sony / Sono VTS
VTR: 2 x Sony XDS-PD2000 / 1 x Panasonic AJ-HPS150
Slomo: EVS / XT3 / X-File
Character generator: Caspar
Digital glue products: Lynx 5000 Series — Lawo Vpro8
System controller: BFE KSC CORE
Clock system: Plura / SPT / UDD25
KVM matrix: G&D / DVICenter DP32
IT infrastructure: Cisco WSC 3850
Audio components
Audio mixer: Lawo MC 36
Audio matrix: Lawo
Audio monitoring: Genelec 1030/1029
Audio effect equipment: Yamaha SPX
Audio editing: Samplitude audio workstation
Intercom and HF components
Intercom system: Riedel / Artist 64
ISDN code: Clearcom 7600
HF system: DVB-S reception with fiber LNB from KA Sat System
SAT technology
KU band: Sat Mission SMP155
HPA: CPI 400W amplifier with redundant design
KA band: Dawson GC Zero 70 KA Band Sat System