KitPlus | Articles

Keeping it real

by Will Strauss Issue 92 - August 2014 With Sky buying into an immersive video start-up, and the BBC trialling content on an Oculus Rift headset, virtual reality could be about to move from simply sets and studios to a whole new realm. Once residing purely in the realms of science fiction and, latterly, video gaming, it appears that virtual reality...

Submitted by Will Strauss#

Published 01 September 2014

Vision for the future of TV

Issue 92 - August 2014During the Commonwealth Games BBC Research and Development took the opportunity to unveil a range of new trials and public demonstrations as part of its Games showcase. These experiments brought together a wide range of industry partners and are helping to shape BBC R&D’s vision for the future of TV, and included a number of b...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 September 2014

UWP-D11 Review

by Kevin Cook Issue 91 - July 2014 Ever since the new regulations in the UK on radio microphone frequencies were introduced in the UK at the end of 2012, the days were numbered for my trusty old Sony UWP series radio mic system (consisting of the URX-P1 UHF dual-diversity receiver and UTX-B1 transmitter). Whilst super-reliable and excellent quality...

Submitted by Kevin Cook

Published 01 August 2014

The Evolution of TV to the Bus Train and Park Bench

by John Mills Issue 90 - June 2014 A Digital RevolutionSince the not-quite-fully-electric late nineteenth century, Television has been evolving. The first major, modern change to the way people experienced TV was when technology enabled them to decide when they were going to watch the programmes they wanted to watch. VHS recorders and then DVD play...

Submitted by John Mills

Published 01 July 2014

Box to Box

by Will Strauss Issue 90 - June 2014 Specially designed flyaway OB units are being deployed at the World Cup in Brazil to help bring enhanced coverage of the beautiful game to countries around the world. By Will Strauss. Like many journalists I like to put things in boxes, metaphorically speaking, Regardless of how unwise it may be, it helps to est...

Submitted by Will Strauss#

Published 01 July 2014

RTS Thames Valley NAB 2014 Review

by Simon Tillyer Issue 90 - June 2014 A sunny, early summer evening welcomed over 40 people to the annual RTS NAB review on 14th May. This annual get together features a panel of guests, chaired by Dick Hobbs discussing their experiences and thoughts of NAB. The panel consisted of Maya Severyn (Head of Technical Services & Support - Chellomedia), J...

Submitted by Simon Tillyer

Published 01 July 2014

Taming the Thames for Boat Race coverage

by Presteigne Charter Issue 89 - May 2014 Each April teams representing the two oldest universities in England, Oxford and Cambridge, meet on the Thames for one of the toughest challenges in rowing. A very popular event, this years race, which was covered by BBC Sport, saw Oxford claim an emphatic 11-length victory over their old rivals. Leading hi...

Submitted by Presteigne Charter

Published 01 June 2014

Mobility drives more powerful automation solutions

by Philippe Fort Issue 89 - May 2014 The emergence of new distribution platforms presents challenges to radio broadcasters, which must establish the tools and flexibility to offer constantly renewed content on an increasing number of distribution channels. Those broadcasters that find a cost-effective way to meet this demand and effectively deliver...

Submitted by Phillippe Fort

Published 01 June 2014

QSC Sound Reinforcement System Supports Daft Punk, Michae...

Over the past 12 months, London-based audio and lighting equipment supply and rental business Podd Sound has increasingly turned to a QSC WideLine-8 line array for sound reinforcement at the PAs, live webcasts, launch parties and live performances that form a major part of its business. Since last year, founder Mat Pod has worked for some of the ho...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 June 2014

Game Set Match

by Nico Lewis & Jon Ridel Issue 89 - May 2014 Sports events such as the Super Bowl, the Winter Games in Sochi and the Wimbledon Championships are among the most prestigious jobs for broadcast companies. The larger the event, the more viewers it reaches and consequentially, the more complicated and important the communication system becomes. Without...

Submitted by Nico Lewis

Published 01 June 2014

Premier league infrastructure

by Alan Green Issue 88 - April 2014 It is now common practice to cable major sports venues for broadcast operations. It saves time rigging pulling cables in to every camera and commentary position can take a day or more. The efficiency is great for broadcasters it means that the same truck can work at different grounds on consecutive days. As well...

Submitted by Alan Green

Published 01 May 2014

Centralised tapeless workflow at BT sport studios

by Steve Montgomery Issue 88 - April 2014 Part of the former International Broadcast Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London has been transformed into the new home of BT Sport with state-of-the-art production and broadcasting systems for BTs new television broadcast operations. BT sport is a broadcasting station with 24-7 operational c...

Submitted by steve montgomery

Published 01 May 2014

When the going gets tough

by Will Strauss Issue 88 - April 2014 When working in the field, the kit we use has to withstand a fair old battering. And Im not just talking about the cameras, viewfinders and those expensive lenses. While glass still needs protecting, these days so does your laptop, your storage, your memory cards: the lot. They all need bags, cases and toughene...

Submitted by Will Strauss#

Published 01 May 2014

Where no satellite truck has gone before

by Bogdan Frusina Issue 87 - March 2014 For several weeks last year, the world was focused on Rome. Broadcasters from around the world converged on the city to cover the events surrounding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the selection of his successor. Existing cellular towers were overwhelmed with traffic on the key celebration days, when...

Submitted by Bogdan Frusina

Published 01 April 2014

Dick Hobbs reaches for the remote

by Dick Hobbs Issue 87 - March 2014 I spent two weeks of February working in South Africa. I tell you this not to make you jealous although temperatures were around the 30 degree mark in glorious sunshine while those I left behind in England were forming local action committees to watch puddles. Neither am I trying to suggest some sort of superiori...

Submitted by Dick Hobbs.

Published 01 April 2014