The broadcast services provider has deployed a compact OB unit that uses just three racks of IT equipment for all processing, routing and monitoring

NEP truck

NEP Australia has launched an OB vehicle – HG 31 – built around a hybrid environment, combining software solutions with traditional hardware.

Software is used for all video and audio processing.

The HG 31 combines a compact, software-driven OB unit working in tandem with off-site production hubs. Production and engineering teams can move between software and physical interfaces as workflows evolve, making it one of the most flexible OB units ever designed, says NEP Australia.

The company says the OB vehicle is a “significant departure from traditional OB infrastructure”. It houses just three racks of IT and networking equipment to handle all video and audio processing, routing and monitoring.

Rather than relying on conventional onboard production infrastructure, all production operations are managed remotely through NEP’s connected hub ecosystem, including the NEP Andrews Hubs in Melbourne and Sydney, and NEP’s Production Hub in Auckland.

HG 31 supplements traditional hardware control surfaces with software-driven touchscreens, enabling workflows onsite synchronised with a full hardware-based mixing board or audio console in remote production control rooms.

“This marks another milestone for NEP in the global development of our software solutions, giving broadcasters the flexibility to scale production processes and configurations up or down as needed, all within a single, easy-to-use platform,” said Dan Murphy, VP of NEP Platform, who is leading NEP Group’s software platform development globally.

“NEP has a proud tradition of combining the best-in-class technology available to deliver the right solutions for our customers. The evolving world of software processing expands this capability, and we’re excited to give customers more freedom to choose the right tools for each production and adapt even more quickly as requirements change.”