TV-Unit’s HD Ü3 starts with mc²90 at Biathlon World Cup.
Hear the ski poles scraping.
The requirements for television audio have considerably risen in the past — not least because the use of multi-channel audio is now spreading increasingly into consumers’ living rooms. The days are past when the TV picture was everything, and the sound was, at best, an associated necessity.
Consequently, the German production company TV-Unit, — when considering the design of its new OB truck ‘HD Ü3’ — put an especially high value on audio. With their decision to purchase the flagship console from Lawo’s mc² series, TV-Unit were the first broadcast service company to install an mc²90 console in a European OB truck, and therefore set a new superlative signal in the industry.
No compromises
TV-Unit’s OB van fleet has been recently augmented by the addition of the HD Ü3, a 16.5 m long truck designed by TV-Unit owner Dietmar Beutelschiess. The requirements for easy interfacing of audio and video equipment were crucial right from the outset.
In addition, the audio control equipment had to be compact and versatile, with as little external equipment as possible, but still offer maximum integration of sub systems such as a comprehensive talkback system and event control. To the project-leading sound engineer Alexander Prüstel it was quickly clear: "This can only be possible by using Lawo’s Nova73 HD router.” This audio matrix is capable of video frame based synchronous switching, and offers integrated signal processing.
The final decision was which console would best suit TV-Unit’s complex mixing requirements. "We wanted as many faders as possible — but also the smallest control surface as possible!" The mc²90 was the only choice; with a massive count of 72 physical faders it beats the industry-standard mc²66 by another 16 faders.
“16 faders can contribute to the perfect success of a complicated sports transmission”, states Alexander Prüstel. "A large fader count enables us to react very quickly to unexpected client requirements, even in live situations. A new input can be immediately assigned to a free fader, without having to switch layers on the control surface”.
Another reason for choosing the mc²90 was the possibility of running two productions simultaneously on a single control surface; this is only possible with a large number of faders.
Not least in the decision to order from Lawo was the favorable experience that TV-Unit enjoyed during preceding projects with the company. Also, this time, the team from Rastatt gave excellent attention to detail during the concept design. "In the tender phase, Lawo performed positively by making useful suggestions and providing excellent alternative solutions for the project design and realization ", says Alexander Prüstel.
Demanding clients
As soon as, right on schedule, the new HD Ü3 truck left Grass Valley’s factory in Weiterstadt at the end of November 2007, it took on one of its first big tasks — the Biathlon World Cup in Slovenia. During this type of event, an OB truck’s audio team is especially challenged. The impact of a bullet or the scraping of a ski pole must virtually creep into the TV consumer’s ear!
To achieve these results, their clients first look at an OB truck’s technical equipment, reports TV-Unit. Not only since the mc²66 — which is a de facto industry standard in this sector — Lawo has gained a reputation with its customers as a premier brand. This, in turn, helped TV-Unit in positioning their new HD Ü3 OB truck in the marketplace.
In the meantime, large mixing consoles such as the mc²90 from Lawo have increasingly become the centre of attraction at important installations. Lawo’s excellent company image in the broadcast sector supports, in a special way, the marketing of TV-Unit’s HD Ü3; this has been confirmed by the positive feedback from their first clients.
But even if TV-Unit first place emphasis on their technical equipment, their clients know that they also need competent people behind the mixing consoles, so that, coupled with top technology, productions result in superb audio quality. And, with TV-Unit, you can count on highly qualified staff as well as fully developed technology.
About TV-Unit
TV-Unit GmbH was founded in 1991 by Dietmar and Karin Beutelschiess, in Weil im Schönbuch, Germany. Today the company operates several digital OB trucks and uplinks (SNG), and provides facilities for Super SloMo and Highlight-Cut.
TV-Unit can be found, both nationally and internationally, at recordings and live coverage of sports events, current affairs shows, business TV, concerts and other events. TV-Unit is a well-known facility provider who, with many others, counts ARD, ZDF and Plazamedia as its clients.
