The challenge

Aerial Camera Systems Limited (ACS), based in the UK, is one of the world’s leading providers of specialist camera & broadcast facilities, including close-up cameras for ‘photo-finish’ & goalside sports coverage, rail-based camera systems, & airborne craft providing ‘eye-in-the-sky’ footage for outdoor festivals & events, stadium sports & feature films. When many of their most important broadcast clients, such as Sky Sports in Europe, began transmissions in high definition, ACS wished to expand their fleet of outside broadcast units to include at least two HD production vehicles, so that they could continue to serve their customers without having to hire in expensive third-party HD OB units. When MHz satisfied their requirements within their tight timescale, ACS subsequently contracted MHz to construct a third HD vehicle, together with a HD control vehicle for the renowned ACS Blimp, a 19-metre dirigible which hangs in the sky over many sports stadiums & outdoor events, & provides an aerial feed from an on-board gyro-stabilised SD/HD cameras.

The solution

The MHz team acted swiftly to fulfil ACS’s first order, delivering the first of the initial two identically specified HD production vehicles within 8 weeks of the order to ensure that it was ready for its debut booking.  Based around Ford Transit 330-MWB vans, the vehicles were custom coach-built by MHz to include 4 remote-controllable Sony HD cameras, high-definition Sony LCD video monitors & a Leitch X75 HD/SD up- & down-converter. The third HD production vehicle was based around a larger Iveco Daily 2.3 HPT van, & featured HD remote-controllable Sony cameras, Sony widescreen & Panasonic HD LCD video monitors, an Evertz Topaz 32x32 HD router, & a high-definition BES 2x24 jackfield. The Blimp vehicle was also custom coach-built from a long-wheelbase Iveco Daily, & includes Evertz video distribution & HD down-conversion hardware, Sony & Panasonic video monitors & a Prospect/Tait radio talkback system for communication with the broadcast centre.

Why MHz?

MHz's reputation for producing OB vehicles within tight deadlines helped to win them the order for the initial two camera vans, & ACS then returned for the third, larger HD production van & the Blimp vehicle, aware that MHz could understand the business potential of offering HD footage from their dirigible-mounted camera & would produce a suitable vehicle on time and within their budget. Phil Beckett, Managing Director of ACS, commented, “We chose MHz as our partners because they have an exceptional reputation for reliability & service. We are absolutely delighted with the way in which MHz was able to deliver the right solution for our business needs.”

Business Benefits

• Quick turnaround:  MHz understands the business implications of missing deadlines & has built a reputation for successfully completing projects within very tight timescales. Time is money & we may be able to save you both.
 

• Operational & business experience, coupled with a custom approach to each project: Our designers & engineers have years of operational & managerial broadcast experience, so our systems are designed for & by broadcasters. We don’t have a standardised, one-size-fits-all approach to design; if you have a unique business proposition, such as ACS’s dirigible-mounted camera systems, our team will recognise what makes it special & tailor their designs to bring out the best in the concept.
 

• HD expertise: Updating existing SD systems for HD-broadcast needn’t be expensive. With experience of HD studio & vehicle construction dating back to 2004, MHz’s engineers can produce cost-effective HD designs to fit your requirements & budget.

•   2 HD camera vans based on Ford Transit 330MB chassis, with Sony remote-controllable cameras, & LCD video monitors, Leitch HD/SD up- and down-converter.

•  An HD production vehicle based on long-wheelbase Iveco Daily 2.3 HPT, featuring Sony remote-control cameras & video monitors, with an Evertz HD router. 
 

•  Blimp HD vehicle based on Iveco Daily chassis, with Evertz video distribution hardware & SD/HD converters, Sony & Panasonic video monitoring, Tait radio talkback system & BES HD jackfield.