Vivid Broadcast has launched Barra OB, its new custom-built Outside Broadcast truck.
Complementing the company’s traditional OBs and remote production centre, Barra OB is a rigid, 20-camera fully remote truck which “represents a significant investment in the future of live production — combining cutting-edge technology, operational flexibility and measurable environmental efficiencies to meet the evolving needs of broadcasters, production partners and rights holders.”
Rory Springthorpe, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Vivid Broadcast, said: “Barra OB, our new truck, is really unique in terms of the UK market. We listened carefully to clients like Sky Sports and built a vehicle which really serves their needs for remote production and provides a powerful and flexible solution for a wide range of clients. Designed to ensure a connected workflow between those on site and those remote, this compact, single unit contains a best-in-class sound area with the latest Calrec Argo M 48 fader desk, and an incredibly quiet room and space for guarantee and supervisor or trainee positions. Vision and engineers have a large space with six positions and plenty of room, whilst the production area in the centre has excellent sight lines and working areas and can fit into tight compounds but still has a feeling of space.”
He added: “As soon as we debuted Barra OB, it became apparent immediately this was a real step forward, for not only those in the truck but for the whole on site operation, reducing rig times and improving the overall standard of operation. It’s a vehicle which is a really great environment for creating, connecting, and has a fantastic inclusive working atmosphere. The welfare of the crew is always incredibly important – Barra OB has been designed with a unique, silent air con system which just keeps the right temperature, consistently, making it pleasant and comfortable for everyone. I couldn’t be more excited about what it will deliver for clients and for Vivid’s continuing evolution in remote production.”
The vehicle, custom-built with sustainability at the centre, has a large battery system that allows for over eight hours of operation and so enables shore power to be used whilst still providing full power redundancy.
Debuted on 15 March at a Women’s Super League match at Villa Park – in its first few months, Barra OB will continue to be deployed for WSL matches, via Sky’s infrastructure which connects directly to Sky’s Galleries. Alternatively, Intinor encoders can connect directly to Vivid’s Remote Production Centre or via SRT to other remote hubs.
Designed by Project Builders and built by Spectra, full system integration was managed internally by Vivid’s Head of Engineering Peter Daniel, with wiring effort by Mottram Broadcast. Innovations include the integration of control system Buttons which allows a high level of monitoring to engineers on top of traditional control systems, including visibility of fibre levels and monitoring of Instagrid battery solutions deployed around the field.
Designed to support 50p SDR and HDR workflows, the truck is suited to work alongside a wide range of productions from premium sport to light entertainment, whether as a remote production or as a central hub.
The truck is built around industry standard technology including Ross Ultrix FR5 SDI router, RTS ODIN and Calrec Argo-M 48 fader mixer. The Calrec includes full Calrec stageboxes which enable True Control 2.0, allowing remote sound supervisors to fully control the workflow remotely, improving standards and speed of operation.
Using kit which has reduced power and lower heat production, the truck requires less air con and less power to run. Running on only a 63A three-phase power supply, the integrated battery system ensures full redundancy and offers clients the capability to run the truck for over eight hours without mains.
Vivid’s Barra OB’s sustainability credentials include: Reduced HVO fuel consumption through small footprint; Hybrid Power allowing local shore power to be used; Energy-efficient equipment and intelligent cooling to reduce air con loads and Remote integration capability to minimise travel and crew deployment
Staff Reporter
Share this story
