Hitachi to showcase new OB-BOX concept

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey will showcase the company’s new OB-BOX concept at BroadcastAsia. Hitachi claims that the OB-BOX offers new levels of outside broadcast (OB) operational flexibility, cost-efficiency and technical performance right up to ultra-HDTV capabilities.

Also at BroadcastAsia, Hitachi Kokusai Turkey will showcase the SK-UHD4000 4K Ultra-HDTV broadcast camera system. First introduced at IBC last September, the camera system provides the market’s most elegant 4K UHD upgrade pathway since it can use the 2/3-inch B4 mount lenses found in conventional HD broadcast cameras. This enables broadcasters to use their existing lenses and shoot video in 4K resolution, while at the same time retaining the easy handling and operability of broadcast cameras currently in use.

The SK-UHD4000 is equipped with a newly developed 2/3-inch MOS sensor, which enables high sensitivity and resolution video images whilst significantly reducing power consumption.

The OB-BOX comes in three different configurations which support four, eight and 12 production cameras. The option of a booth side extension adds further flexibility to unit sizing.  In addition, an ability to connect two OB-BOX units in a cascade configuration adds more versatility and facilitates many different sizes of OB unit up to 20 camera mobile facilities.

OB-BOX – a new and radically different approach to the OB challenge

Newly developed at Hitachi’s Istanbul-based design and engineering facility, OB-BOX is a fully featured modular OB facility, which is delivered to the customer and then mounted onto a vehicle’s chassis using a proprietary fixing kit. This approach significantly reduces the manufacture and delivery time in any market worldwide since it removes the need to source and ship an appropriate vehicle for each customer.

Each OB-BOX is specified, designed and manufactured at Hitachi’s Istanbul facility to meet the customer’s OB needs. The unit provides all of the video, audio, transmission and infrastructure capabilities needed to create a stand-alone outside broadcast facility. The technical specification of the unit is such that it will support any broadcast signal from serial digital to HD and even 4K. Alongside satellite and fiber connectivity, the units integrate powerful Ethernet connectivity, which provides the production team with internet facilities on site. At the same time, OB-BOX features sophisticated Cloud capabilities, which enable the users to send 4K content back to the broadcaster’s production centre quickly and easily.

Building on its extensive OB vehicle design heritage, Hitachi has ensured that operational staff will feel at home whilst working in the OB-BOX. Attention has been paid to the facility’s internal design, monitor and control systems, air conditioning and weather proofing in order to create a comfortable working space irrespective of external environmental conditions.

“At BroadcastAsia, we will demonstrate a range of OB and broadcast system camera technologies which combine to provide market leading technical performance with significant operating efficiency,” commented Koji Yuzawa, General Manager of Hitachi Kokusai Turkey. “From studio productions, right through to sports and other live events, we have developed solutions that combine the highest broadcast quality with real operational cost savings. We look forward to a very busy show.”

Broadcast system camera showcase adds to OB-BOX

Adding further value to its Broadcast Asia technology showcase, Hitachi Kokusai Turkey will exhibit a number of different broadcast camera systems that can be deployed with OB-BOX. These camera systems include the company’s market leading SK-UHD4000 4K Ultra-HDTV camera, SK-HD1500 Super Slow Motion camera, new version Wireless camera systems together with the company’s latest 3 MOS sensor series cameras – the SK-HD1300 and Z-HD6000 – as well as the DK-H100 POV Box camera with robotic pan-tilt system.