Abu Dhabi buys Thomson HD OBs
Chris Forrester ©RapidTVNews
| 13-08-2008
Hot on the heels of yesterday’s story that some Arab broadcasters are likely to be transmitting in HDTV next year, comes news that Abu Dhabi Media Co (ADMC) has bought a “fleet” of OB truck each equipped for HDTV. The order was placed in September last year, and worth some €15m. The first pair of trucks have now been delivered.
ADMC is owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayad al Nayhan, ruler of Abu
Dhabi, and is said to be the first media company in the Gulf to make
this investment. The first two vans have arrived following a deal with
Thomson Grass Valley (TGV). TGV has also formed a technology
partnership with ADMC.
“We are proud that ADMC is pioneering a new era of HDTV reporting that
further reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as the media hub for the Arab
world,” said Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, chairman, ADMC.
The first two trucks are very large production centres, based on
articulated trailers with expanding sides. The other two are smaller,
fixed axle units. In each case the production capability is based
around a fleet of LDK 8000 multi-format HD cameras, Kayak switchers and
other Grass Valley infrastructure products. “The delivery of these two
vans with another two to come are further evidence of our commitment to
world class content, distribution and technology,” said Edward
Borgerding, chief of ADMC.
The new vans, which carry between five and eight cameras, also feature
wireless HD cameras, digital sound systems, HD slow motion disk
recorders, HD transmission systems and air conditioning systems that
can deal with extreme operating temperatures during summer. The new
vans will be operational in September, said the company.
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