Several FOR-A solutions including the HVS-2000 3 M/E 3G/HD/SD video switchers, the MV-4200 multi-viewers and MFR-5000 Series routing switchers as well as FA Series multi-purpose signal processors were used for the coverage.
UAE-based production facility and broadcast service company Media Mania provided the OB truck for the coverage of the Emirates Mars Mission. A host of FOR-A broadcast video and audio equipment played an essential role in covering the launch.
FOR-A gear included the HVS-2000 3 M/E 3G/HD/SD video switchers, MV-4200 multi-viewers, MFR-5000 Series routing switchers, and FA Series multi-purpose signal processors.
FOR-A’s Gear Link virtual control software and TALM tally manager system were used for production control of the Mars mission. Several FOR-A FA-505 and FA-1010 multi-purpose signal processors on board the OB2 provided frame synchronisation of feeds which were delivered all over the world.
“This was a historic event, and we didn’t want to miss any detail or lose the signal at any point,” commented Roland Daou, Managing Director of Media Mania.
“We set out to capture this launch with the highest possible quality while staying out of the way of the engineers and mission crew, which was particularly challenging, given current distancing requirements. We needed to run and install a lot of cables and remote cameras in the UAE control room to keep our crew to a minimum. We knew this coverage had to be nothing less than perfect.”
Media Mania, which has a long-standing relationship with FOR-A, was confident of its equipment.
“With OB trucks, you need to select the gear with the most function, best reputation, and smallest footprint. FOR-A is known for their technology and after-sales support,” added Daou.
The UAE’s Hope probe is the first of three international missions to Mars. The US and China have also joined the race with the Perseverance rover (launched on July 30) and Tianwen 1 (launched on July 23) respectively.
