Megahertz takes two trucks to IBC

One will be a traditional uplink truck which the systems integrator will deliver to NBC.

The other has been built by Megahertz as a showcase for low-cost, high-performance IP capabilities and will feature the latest IP and Ka-band technology.

Megahertz Broadcast Systems technical director Steve Burgess (pictured) said: “While there is huge interest in fast response IP newsgathering, there is still a large market for the traditional SNG truck, connecting over specialist links.

“Our key message is that we understand all of these technologies because we have been building these systems for more than 35 years.

“The idea of having two contrasting vehicles on our stand at IBC this year is that we can show our visitors the advantages of each.

“We want to move the conversation on from what broadcasters have traditionally bought to what they really need to meet their operational requirements. It may well be that a VSAT truck on Ka-band will give them the quality, reliability and access they require, at a considerably lower capital and operational cost.”

The VSAT demonstration truck uses a maximum 6W uplink through a small antenna, with video, audio and two-way data encapsulated into the IP stream.

The low power requirements for the uplink mean that the vehicle can be powered by batteries and an inverter for silent operation, with the batteries charged from the engine if required.

The vehicle also supports a local network, including WiFi, to simplify all communications between the truck at the news site and base.

The NBC uplink vehicle links via low latency MPEG-4 and DVB-S2 on Ku-band, with redundant TWT high power amplifiers.

Hall 11

Stand F20