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BBC OUTSIDE BROADCASTS CAPTURES
THE PRINCE’S TRUST CONCERT IN HIGH DEFINITION

BBC Outside Broadcasts has captured The Prince’s Trust Concert 2004 in High-Definition (HD) for leading independent producer - Clear Channel Entertainment. Produced by Trevor Horn, the three hour live concert involved renditions of all of Trevor’s massive hits: Video Killed The Radio Star, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Crazy, I'm A Cuckoo, Relax, Poison Arrow, Slave To The Rhythm, All The Things She Said, Two Tribes, and Kiss From A Rose. Leading artists performing include: ABC, Art of Noise, Tatu, Lisa Stansfield, Grace Jones and Pet Shop Boys. This is the first major pop music event to be acquired in the 1080-line format by BBC Outside Broadcasts new multi-format truck – Unit 2.

Heralded as the “next big thing” in the broadcast industry, HD has become the format of choice for many overseas co-producers and UK audiences are increasingly expecting the quality pictures HD can provide, even on a conventional 625-line set. Clear Channel Entertainment chose to capture the concert in HD to maximise quality and ensure the format was future friendly. A broadcaster for the show has not yet been confirmed.

Unit 2 is equipped with Sony HD cameras, an HD vision mixer and has full communication, and production facilities as well as full HD monitoring throughout the broadcast chain. Its dual HD/SD systems can be used for HD or SD productions or for simultaneous production in both standards. It is based on the successful type 8 chassis and can easily be parked at central London venues where space has proved limited for expanding vehicles.

BBC Outside Broadcasts staff have extensive experience of working in HD and have managed a number of OBs in HD format, including most recently 'The Last Night at The Proms 2004’, which was shot in HD for the Japanese market.

The concert was mixed in stereo by BBC Outside Broadcasts’ MasterSound unit.
This unit provides an isolated listening environment and powerful high-end tools for superior sound production. BBC Outside Broadcasts’ sound team will lay multi tracks, so the concert can be edited in surround sound by Trevor Horn, post event.

Mark Tugwell says: “There is a clear demand for Music events to be acquired in HD both for enhanced picture quality and for future proofing. Our new multi-format truck combined with our experienced staff enables us to fully meet programme makers requirements and cover music events across the spectrum – from classical to pop, whether parking up alongside central London venues or in a field at Glastonbury.”

Specification of BBC Outside Broadcast’s High Definition unit:

• Sony MVS 800 HD/SD vision mixer with 34 HD/SD inputs
• Facilities for up to 5 HD or SD VT machines
• 38 x colour production monitors including 2 HD monitors
• Power requirements: 3 x 63A, load 30KVA
• Dimensions: L12.0m x H3.73m x W4.7m

Specification of BBC Outside Broadcast’s Master Sound unit:

• 128 channel Stagetec Cantus digital console integrated with Stagetec Nexus digital audio matrix.
• 3 Stage Boxes connected by fibre into the Nexus Matrix giving a total of 96 Stagetec “Truematch” mic level A to D converters.
• Static automation to aid fast turnaround between acts during live coverage, and dynamic automation to aid post production.
• Main monitoring - B&W 803 Nautilus speakers.
• Merging Technologies Pyramix – 64 track high resolution computer-based audio multitrack recorder/editing system.
• Additional audio equipment includes: Waves L2 Ultra Maximizer, Summit Audio Tube Leveling Amplifier TLA-100A, Sony DRE S777 Sampling Reverb, Lexicon 480 Digital Reverb, Yamaha SPX2000, 48 track DTRS (Tascam DA88) legacy system.

-ENDS-
About BBC Outside Broadcasts
BBC Outside Broadcasts, a division of BBC Resources, is the leading outside broadcast facilities provider in Europe, offering a complete range of solutions from scanners and VT units to design of bespoke OB production units. Combining creativity and flair with technical expertise, project management and customer service skills, BBC Outside Broadcasts caters for both small and large scale events across all genres. Key clients include BBC Sport and independents such as North One, TWI and MTV. Further information can be found at: www.bbcresources.com/ob

For further information, please contact:

Georgie Hollett, PR and Communications Executive, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2350
Mobile : +44 (0) 783484 5612
Email : georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk

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