NewTek’s Mini LiveMan is the first HD live production vehicle to roll up in the form of a compact SUV and comes complete with a TriCaster 450 Extreme and kit from JVC and SIS Live, writes David Fox.
The Mini Liveman has already been exhibited at Sportel Monaco, events in Germany, and last week at Satis in Paris. It is based on a Mini Cooper SD Countryman, a four-wheel drive compact SUV that is hardly a mini Mini, but is certainly small by OB or even SUV standards.
The TriCaster 450 Extreme is the latest addition to the TriCaster range. The 14-channel, HD/SD portable live production switcher, comes in a 2U rack mount, and can record up to four channels of video from either inputs or outputs.
It includes an integrated live titling editor and HD Live Virtual Sets, with real-time reflections and animated zoom control. It can also stream live in multiple formats including, Windows Media and Adobe Flash (H.264), in any resolution up to HD.
It also offers direct support for any Apple AirPlay-enabled app or device, plus EQ and compressor/limiter capabilities on every audio input and output, seven animation Store Transitions for realtime transitions, motion video effects and audio, and an integrated web browser to access online CDN accounts.
The LiveText 2 multi-definition titling software is included, and runs independently on a computer networked to TriCaster, during a live production. It allows realtime data display, for score updates, times or information change during live productions
There is also a Virtual Set Editor, with the specially designed TriCaster HD virtual sets, allowing users to change the colour and tone of set elements, apply custom logos and artwork directly to the sets, and replace background images with any video or imagery. Custom backgrounds and frames can also be added, and it will do virtual zooms.
3Play replay
Also aboard the LiveMan is NewTek’s new 2RU 3Play 425: a four-input, two-output, slow motion system that can display and synchronize, continuous recording of up to four live video sources at once.
It appears as a network input to TriCaster (via Gigabit Ethernet), creating an integrated system for live sports production with a small footprint (it can also be connected to any switcher).
It has two fully independent playout channels (e.g. one for air, one for arena scoreboard display). It can do interpolated slow motion, with multi-angle switching during live playback, and records up to 30 hours in HD, up to 1080/25p, for immediate replay using a hardware control surface. It also offers instant, in-game creation of playlists and highlight reels with transitions and soundtracks. There is also integrated multi-view monitoring with Heads Up Display.
Monitor and link
The Mini LiveMan uses JVC’s robust new G-series DT-V studio monitors. These offer full HD, using a 1920×1080 panel with white LED backlighting, have 3G HD-SDI inputs including dual HD-SDI loop-through, integrated waveform and vectorscope functions, and an integrated adapter.
Also from JVC is the car’s camera: a GY-HM750E camcorder, with dual SDHC/SDXC memory card slots with simultaneous and relay recording (hot swappable) in HD and SD, a rotary optical image stabilizer and a pre-record (cache) mode.
SIS Live supplied the satellite uplink, and did the vehicle’s integration. It is fitted with its uPod fully-automated, compact, integrated SNG uplink, which enables broadcasters to provide live HD or SD coverage on demand.
It comes in four models: 0.75m, 1m, 1.2m and 1.5m; allows fully automated acquisition, locking on to any Ku-band satellite, with a central booking system, uBook, controlling the complete transmission process. It is simple to operate with full remote control via satellite or IP. It can be removed from the vehicle quickly and easily, and used as a ground mount system. It also packs into trolley cases meeting IATA baggage regulations of under 23kg.
www.jvcpro.de
www.miniliveman.com
www.newtek-europe.com
www.sislive.tv
