The CUSTOMER

The ATP Masters 1000 Series is a demanding schedule of 10 events taking place across the world covering Cincinnati, Shanghai, Indian Wells, Madrid, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Montreal, Paris and Rome, concluding with the World Tour Finals which since 2009 has been staged in our home town, at the O2 Arena in London.

Over 50 broadcasters across the globe take coverage of the series include ABC, CCTV, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sky Sports, CBS, TVE and Eurosport.

The approach

Gravity Media provides broadcast equipment, production facilities, systems integration and scalable flyaway solutions.

The solution delivered by Gravity Media employs state-of-the-art digital flyaway rigs consisting of audio and video routing, distribution, communication, CCU and monitor gallery rigs. These rigs are configured prior to arriving on site and are then integrated with other key elements and installed by specialist Project Engineers.

Supplying up to 80 crew members at any one location, 24/7 technical resources and full operational and logistics support, Gravity Media have provided this type of project management across all ten venues since 2000 for ATP Media.

The broadcast requirements that Gravity Media is responsible for include:

the Outcome

In addition to the work it does with ATP Media at each event, Gravity Media also provides on-site production facilities and equipment to ATP World Tour and ATP World Tour Finals rights holders including Sky Sports.

Dominic Gresset Head of production for ATP Media said “We opted for Gravity Media to provide equipment, facilities and technical support for the Tennis Masters Series and subsequently the Masters Cup because we are confident in their capabilities to create the same broadcast environment anywhere in the world. They have demonstrated their expertise and professionalism time and again throughout the Tennis Masters Series tournaments that have taken place this year”.

THE PROJECT:

To supply multiple Avid Media Composer suites networked to a central Avid Nexis Storage Solution, all installed at a third-party cutting room facility in the heart of Soho, London.

THE APPROACH:

Gravity Media – then branded HyperActive Broadcast – talented team of support staff were called upon to locate a fully supported and serviced Central London location to install all the necessary systems to ensure the production team could put all their creative efforts into producing this fascinating story.

THE OUTCOME:

Starring Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel, the film was nominated for the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films Saturn Award.

THE CUSTOMER

Australia’s leading television Outside Broadcast provider, Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast –works with many of the country’s top producers, including Seven Network, Fox Sports, Granada Media, Fremantle and Foxtel, bringing viewers a range of must-see content like AFL, A League soccer, Australia’s Got Talent and Super Rugby.

THE PROJECT

In 2013 our Australian division needed a new, state-of-the-art, high definition outside broadcast truck. Naturally, it turned to the expert systems integrators at Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – (UK).

Designed by Gravity Media’s UK-based team of Senior Broadcast Engineers, the new OB unit built for Gravity Media Australia was dubbed “HD5”.  Built and integrated at Gravity Media’s premises in Hertfordshire, the systems integration took 14 weeks to complete. The truck build utilised the latest cameras, vision mixers, monitors, routers and glue products available at the time.

THE APPROACH

The OB unit sent to Australia was designed to offer an incredibly flexible production space. Featuring a climate controlled, completely ergonomic & comfortable interior, it was specifically designed to be able to cope with the extremities of the Australian weather. At 13.6 metres in length, the truck was equipped with the latest HD and 3G technology available at the time.

The multi-purpose facility’s production area was designed to be expandable and featured comprehensive vision, engineering, VTR and audio areas. HD5 is capable of facilitating up to 24 x HD multi-format cameras, plus radio cameras and 6 x POV cameras. Its recording capability utilises 7 x EVS and 4 x HD CAM recorders.

The unit was fully equipped with a 64-fader MC56 Lawo sound desk, surround sound and Dolby audio, a Sony 7000 Vision Switcher with 80 Inputs, 36 Outputs and integral DME’s, and an N-Vision 8576 Hybrid (video and embedded audio) router configured for 333 inputs and 540 outputs.

Additional features included 18 production wall monitors with quad splits to give up to 80 pictures, front and rear production desks for up to 10 production staff, front and rear EVS desks for up to 9 operators and extensive networking facilities.

THE CUSTOMER

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, known as TRT World, is the Turkish State Broadcaster. Founded in 1964, it was for many years, the only television and radio provider in Turkey.

Prior to the 1990’s, when commercial TV and radio were introduced, TRT held a monopoly on broadcasting in the country. TRT owns and operates 14 TV channels – of which 5 are HD – and 19 radio stations. Genres covered include general entertainment, music, sports, children’s programming and news. TRT currently has TV channels in Turkish, English, Arabic, Azeri and Kurdish languages.

THE PROJECT

In 2012, TRT World needed two new, high definition Outside Broadcast vans. It awarded the contract for the work to leading broadcast solutions provider and world renowned systems integrator, Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast –.

THE APPROACH

Known for unrivalled technical expertise and innovative broadcast solutions, Gravity Media’s team of systems integrators drew on its vast experience with OB units when completing this project.

The custom-built HD Outside Broadcast vans supplied to TRT World by Gravity Media were designed to be large and comfortable, easily housing a production crew of sixteen.

At 13.95m long, each single, expanding HD vehicle was climate-controlled and featured a standalone 5.1 Audio Mixing Area, Production Gallery and Engineering Control Room.

Each of the units featured equipment carefully hand-picked from among the latest and best broadcast technologies available at the time, Gravity Media selected each component for its quality, reliability, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

OUTCOME

Gravity Media provided TRT with a full broadcast systems service, including project management, design, engineering, installation, commissioning, training and aftercare support.

The team’s experience and careful forward planning meant the two vans were delivered on time, and within budget.

THE CUSTOMER

Prominent Arab television network Al Jazeera is a state-funded broadcaster headquartered in Doha, Qatar. It is owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network, a major global news organisation which in turn, is owned by the government of Qatar. The network has 80 bureaus worldwide and broadcasts to 310 million households in more than 100 countries.

Initially launched as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite television channel in 1996, Al Jazeera was the first independent news channel in the Arab world. The network now offers television channels in multiple languages, including English.

THE PROJECT

Al Jazeera required an upgrade to the technical equipment housed in one of its control rooms, as existing equipment had become obsolete. Following a full tender process, the network selected leading broadcast solutions provider, Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – to carry out the work.

THE APPROACH

Gravity Media’s Systems Integrations division drew on its vast experience in carrying out all manner of studio upgrades when approaching this project. Coupled with the unrivalled technical expertise of its team, an ability to innovate when devising solutions meant Gravity Media was able to quickly and efficiently carry out this upgrade, meeting all client objectives in a cost-effective manner.

The team worked hard to ensure the newly-configured equipment offered producers flexibility of use. Each piece of state-of-the-art kit was carefully selected from among the latest and best broadcast technologies available at the time. Only top-quality, reliable, cost effective solutions were employed throughout the entire upgrade process.

Gravity Media’s expert engineers replaced key items of production equipment in the control room, installing and integrating the following equipment Sony DVS-9000 vision mixer, Pixel Power graphics, 2x Miranda multi-viewer systems, 8x 52” Sony LCD panels, Midas audio mixing console and Miranda iControl monitoring system.

The team also needed to either modify or replace monitor stacks and desk furniture for Al Jazeera. Detailed planning and careful project management allowed the Gravity Media to complete this whilst not disrupting the busy schedule and requirements of what was a working studio.

THE CUSTOMER

O21 Television was established in 1990. Based in Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city, it soon earned a reputation as one of the UK and Europe’s leading outside broadcast facilities companies. Originally part of the ITV Group, it was sold to Gravity Media in 2006 and the O21 brand was further developed. It became well-known and respected industry-wide, the company providing OB facilities for many popular television shows including Champions League Football, Top Gear, Question Time and Dancing on Ice.

Four years later however, an agreement was reached that saw the company change hands once again – and this time, the O21 brand was not retained. Seeking to increase its client base, rival OB company SIS LIVE successfully purchased O21 Television from Gravity Media Group in January, 2010.

THE PROJECT

During the summer of 2007, Outside Broadcast (OB) providers O21 Television contracted the services of leading broadcast solutions provider Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast –. To provide the full systems integration of two purpose-built, state-of-the-art, high definition production units.

THE APPROACH

Drawing on its vast experience across all types of broadcast systems integration, the Gravity Media team was able to provide O21 Television with two comprehensive & comfortable outside broadcast facilities suitable for even the most complex of productions.

Known for its innovation solutions and unrivalled technical expertise, the Gravity Media team carefully selected each and every individual component from the latest, best and most reliable broadcast equipment then-available.

Both OB vehicles – Unit 7 and Unit 8 – were firstly built by renowned outside broadcast truck specialists Smiths of Great Bentley, before being configured by Gravity Media.

As well as offering the very best in reliable, flexible and cost-effective kit, the trucks’ high-quality interior lighting, ergonomic furniture and high-end finishes were allcarefully designed by Gravity Media to create a welcoming and spacious working environment.

A single expanding truck, Unit 7 was fitted out with 20x HD cameras, 2x EVS’s, Calrec Sigma audio mixer and 3.5ME 60-input vision mixers.

The truck featured a two-tier production area with a 60-source TFT monitor gallery.

Unit 8, a double expanding truck, comprised of 24x HD cameras, 12xVTRs, 4 EVS’s, Calrec Alpha audio mixer and 4ME 80-input Sony vision mixer.

Unit 8’s production gallery was designed to be three-tier, with a large 84-source TFT monitor gallery. Large Pro-Bel routers with all sources and destinations available on the router allowed for maximum flexibility, meanwhile the audio desk boasted blue fin technology. Fully capable of 5.1 surround sound audio and multi-track recordings, Unit 8’s large AES audio router gave it impressive audio capabilities.

OUTCOME

Following successful delivery of the OB trucks – completed on time, and within budget and feedback from the client, O21 Television, was extremely positive. Managing Director Rob Hollier said the trucks were among the very best available in the UK and Europe. “They rival anything in the industry”.

He praised Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – for its “attention to detail throughout the entire design”.

Eamonn Dowdall, then-managing director at Gearhouse Broadcast added: “We have consulted at length with industry professionals throughout the design process and we have selected the highest quality and most fit-for-purpose broadcast equipment. As a result we have created outside broadcast facilities which are among the best available on the market”.