Al Jazeera Children’s Channel - 10-camera HD outside broadcasting van

Studio Hamburg Media Consult International (MCI) GmbH has been awarded a contract in July 2007 by Al Jazeera Children’s Channel to build a 10-camera HD outside broadcasting van. It is the first HD outside broadcasting van for the Children’s Channel based in Doha in Qatar.

The vehicle itself is a Mercedes Benz Actros articulated lorry with a 14 m semi-trailer which was extended on one side. There were graphics and slomo operator positions in this slideout. 

A Clear-Com Eclipse-Median Matrix with 32 ports was used as an intercom system since the latest Clear-Com software generation can be flexibly configured and were therefore ideal for use in an outside broadcasting van. 

Al Jazeera Children’s Channel had decided to use a Sony MVS-8000G video mixer with 3.5 levels and 8 DVEs. Everts multi-view monitors and 47”, 42”, 26” as well as 17” Focus displays for monitoring in the control rooms. EVS 2x6 channel slow motion servers were used for all recordings.

The HD-cameras were connected by “Osi Fiber Optics” fibre optic cables for rough production conditions. A Link wireless camera system was also used for transmission purposes. A LAWO mc²66 audio-console with 120 channels were integrated as a central component into the separate sound control room. 5.1 audio processing was possible throughout. 

Particular attention was paid to the air conditioning. On the one hand, the cooling capacity was designed for an average outside temperature of 50°C, while on the other hand, the intake unit for fresh and cool air has to be sufficiently protected against sand and dust contamination. Independent operations are guarantied by two redundant 50kVA power generators.

The van can be operated by a crew of up to 13 people. All the training courses required for the company’s team were given by MCI in Hamburg and Doha.

The vehicle was delivered in summer 2008.