German broadcaster nobeo has developed the ‘@-car,’ a unique production vehicle purpose built for direct internet broadcasting.

German company sono Studiotechnik designed and installed the technical systems for the the @-car, using a Riedel MediorNet Compact real-time media network, Artist digital matrix intercom, and Performer digital partyline systems for flexible signal distribution and communications.

‘We already use the Riedel Artist system in our 16-camera OB truck, so MediorNet was an easy choice for the @-car,’ says nobeo Chief Technology Officer, Guido Amann. ‘In addition to meeting our specs for size, weight and performance, MediorNet supports all required signals in a single 3U-high box and enables fast configuration. It’s a perfect fit for talk show productions, live TV reports, sports events, press conferences, live webcasts, concert productions, or just for streaming.’

nobeo’s @-car is equipped with a combination of broadcast and IT components for multicamera productions using up to six cameras. Within the traditional TV sector, the @-car serves as a complement to larger OB vehicles. However, the @-car’s capabilities mean that it is valuable as a stand-alone unit not only for web TV and live streaming, but also for any production in which space is limited or where technical requirements are straightforward.

The MediorNet Compact Pro system installed in the @-car supports 12 HD-SDI inputs and four HD-SDI outputs. The unit also is equipped with an Artist 32 digital matrix intercom system and Performer digital party line, along with control panels, beltpacks, and professional headsets from Riedel. sono Studiotechnik also provided nobeo with 100m of Riedel’s Pure XTR-Q fibre-optic cabling. MediorNet users working in the @-car can send any incoming signal to any output – or to multiple outputs . A fibre-optic MediorNet Stagebox situated in the truck or used elsewhere further simplifies cabling.

As social media continues to grow in importance, and the ability to provide video increases in value, small- and medium-sized businesses and events are taking advantage of the @-car allows operators to perform encoding of the signal into diverse streams, as well as file-based recording and transmission of the signal to the internet via IP uplink. Within the 5m truck, two workstations support creation of the final visual signal, augmented by one multifunctional workstation for encoding, uplink and similar operations.