KHQ Rolls with ABS for New Mobile Production Trailer
SEATAC, WA — Professional video and audio systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) today announced it has been contracted to design and build a 21-foot mobile production trailer for KHQ, the NBC affiliate in Spokane, Wash. (DMA #73). Scheduled for delivery in late spring, the new trailer will be used to expand coverage of local sports and other live events.
KHQ purchased another production trailer from ABS in 2010, an SD system that upconverts footage to HD. That trailer will be moved to Yakima, Wash. to replace an aging production van, while the new production trailer will be based in Spokane. KHQ provides extensive year-round sports coverage for local high schools as well as Eastern Washington University, the University of Idaho, Spokane Community College and other schools.
According to Paul Caryl, KHQ director of engineering, KHQ's enthusiasm for local sports is built around a solid business model of affordable production, which the station established with its first ABS trailer. "With the original one, we proved we can do low-cost, high-quality productions out of a small production trailer. That is frankly the key to the whole project," Caryl explained. "It's all about being able to do it cost effectively with a small crew but still get very good production values."
The new trailer is a native HD system built around a Broadcast Pix Granite 1000 integrated production switcher, Yamaha digital audio console, RTS intercom, AJA Ki Pro Rack recorder and KUMO router, and Newtek 3Play slow motion instant replay system. It also includes four Sony Electronics HSC-100R digital triax cameras, three equipped with Fujinon 20x zoom lenses and one with a long 55x zoom lens.
"Here we roll again, with ABS proving once again that you can build HD production units that are both budget conscious and powerful," said Mark Siegel, president of ABS. "We are very pleased that KHQ called us to build their new native HD mobile production unit, which will help them provide better local sports programming for their viewers."
"We've just had good experiences with ABS," added Caryl. "They come through and back up the work that they do."
About ABS:
Based in SeaTac, WA, ABS (Advanced Broadcast Solutions) delivers customized, technologically superior solutions for broadcast, corporate, house of worship, entertainment, government, and educational facilities – from design and integration to installation and support services. Since 1982, its experienced technical staff has installed more than 700 systems for clients including GOCOM Media, Cowles California Media, Cisco Systems, Meredith, and Time Warner Communications. For more information, call 206-870-0244 or visit www.advancedbroadcastsolutions.com.
