RTVE launches four new high-definition HD-SDI mobile units

The project has been executed through a “turnkey” file including the vehicle and bodywork awarded through a public tender to the integrator Unitecnic.

Spanish Radio Television (RTVE) has acquired four high-definition HD-SDI mobile units for its production centers in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

Seven positions have been arranged on a Renault DTI8 Euro6 semi-rigid truck and an 8-meter-long body: technical control, image control, video server operator, video mixer, production, production assistant and sound control.

The equipment racks are closed with partitions for proper cooling and noise elimination. At the rear of the vehicle there is a platform with a loading area. The truck engine mounts a power unit capable of generating the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the mobile unit. In addition, exterior hatches allow the entry of supplementary air conditioning for both the operating compartment and the electronics.

Each unit has five cameras Grass Valley LDX 82N Elite and pre-installation for a sixth. Grass Valley cradle racks make it easy to swap base stations between mobile units to configure them as four, five or six cameras in an instant.

Some base stations are dual FO/triax. A matrix and distributed multi-display Riedel Mediornet It is the heart of the unit, even with a part of the matrix that can be located at the foot of the stage to exchange video, audio, intercom and data signals there.

Production is done with a video mixer Grass Valley Care with 2 M/E banks and a server EVS XT3 for recording and replays (with XFile for file management). For audio, each unit has a digital audio mixer Calrec Brio 36 channels with its stage box and digital wireless microphone Sennheiser, serie 6000D. Modular electronics complete the installation Lynx Technik and synchronism generators Tektronix.

Each unit is equipped with communications equipment for different needs, among others: wired and wireless intercom matrix Artist/Bolero from Riedel, IP video and audio encoders and decoders Ikusnet of Prodys with outdoor radome and a 4G connection router. The exterior connection panel has inputs and outputs for exterior lines as well as audio and video monitoring.

The units have been designed to be able to work interconnected by fiber optics, uniting the main systems. Video, audio and data signals are shared across the two arrays, so all cameras, microphones and video lines are available on both units. In addition, the audio mixing systems of the two units can also share MADI signals over their own optical fiber.

The intercom matrices have a fiber connection to join both nodes and work as one. With this way of working, RTVE can handle productions that require a high number of cameras and with double simultaneous production: an international signal and an independent personalized signal.

Engineering

In the prior study of the technical solution and in the definition of the main lines of these new mobile units, with the RTVE engineering team The operational managers of RTVE itself have collaborated as well as some specialists from Grass Valley, Riedel, Crosspoint, Sapec and Coel Audio those who have been consulted. The project has been executed through a “turnkey” file including the vehicle and bodywork awarded through a public tender to the integrator. Unitecnic which in turn has had the bodywork company Tecnove for the manufacture of the box, the electrical and air conditioning systems.

During all phases of the project's execution there has been close collaboration between the engineering teams of Unitecnic and Tecnove, and RTVE's own engineering and operational managers. This has allowed, even in the middle of the entire pandemic, to achieve the goal of manufacturing of the four units in a very reasonable time and have a product with a brilliant and versatile technological solution for the varied public service productions entrusted to Radio Televisión Española.

The first two PEL units manufactured, located in Madrid, have already carried out important broadcasts, such as covering the goals in the Angliru and Laguna Negra stages in the recent Vuelta Ciclista a España 2020. For the first time, the two units have worked together in the production of the institutional signal for the 75th anniversary of the UN, celebrated on November 10 at the El Pardo Palace. These days we are in the process of technical training and configuration of the units that will be located in Catalonia and the Canary Islands.

Throughout the 2020-2021 season, these units will be used for live coverage of the women's soccer league, through Teledeporte, as well as customization of the matches of the Spanish women's soccer team.