Ethiopia’s public broadcaster Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN) has chosen Lawo mixing consoles and I/O devices as the basis for new DSNG units with 4K workflow.
Based in Adama, OBN is Oromia State’s leading media organisation, serving a regional audience of 35m people, and viewers nationwide via satellite. OBN chose self-contained Lawo mc²36 mixing consoles for its new newsgathering units, accompanied by Compact I/O units for expanded connectivity and use as remote stageboxes.
Concept, design and installation of the new DSNG vehicles has been carried out by Italian systems integrator Aret Video & Audio Engineering, a long-time Lawo partner active globally. Aret has extensive experience providing sophisticated broadcast projects by selecting, combining, installing and commissioning broadcast equipment for tailor-made, turnkey projects.
OBN’s first DSNG to be delivered is a versatile 12-camera unit with a full 12G workflow, capable of handling a wide variety of live broadcast situations. The unit’s 40-fader mc²36 console and Compact I/O features a layout that maximises internal space while enabling interoperability between production areas – its Technical room, Production and Graphics rooms, and Audio room are all interconnected.
Another DSNG vehicle, suitable for smaller productions and TV reporting assignments, carries four cameras and a 16-fader mc²36. The van features an acoustically insulated audio room – a unique solution given the 4m overall length of the vehicle.
‘Lawo’s console technology gave Aret the ability to design systems for OBN that deliver easy, redundant operation, and highly flexible workflows,’ explains Ralf Schimmel, Director Sales Africa & Radio Partners at Lawo. ‘Thanks to the Madi connection to the video matrix, the audio operators have access to all of the facility’s embedded sources, allowing them to mix and send program audio to the embedder via the Madi connection themselves. To ensure reliability in unpredictable remote locations, all audio sources are also connected directly via the mc² consoles’ built-in analogue and AES connectivity.’
Uniquely, Aret’s approach to building OB vans is ‘end-to-end’, using its own coachbuilding facility, Aret Coachworx. ‘Our capabilities include consultancy, structural design, electrical engineering, air-conditioning, and system design, and each job proceeds from coachbuilding to systems integration, commissioning, training and after sales support,’ says Aret VP,Umberto Asti.
‘All these phases are carried out exclusively by Aret personnel, providing the customer with a single point-of-contact, both during the build and in the future. We keep a full record of every OB van we deliver, including full documentation: drawings, software and firmware releases, hardware inventory for both the broadcast equipment and mechanical components. It’s a big added value for the customer.’
Asti adds that in OBN’s DSNG vehicles, the 4K video workflow is uniquely integrated and extended by Lawo’s audio system: ‘Our equipment’s audio networking and I/O capabilities extend far beyond standard analogue and AES ports. There is a direct Madi connection with the client’s audio embedder, and also a Ravenna connection with the stage box to ensure maximum flexibility. With both satellite antennae and Internet streamers, these vehicles should be a match for any live broadcast situation.’
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