Metrovision Makes It Seven With Vista 5

Manhattan-based
Metrovision Production Group has now wrapped up work on Metro Seven, its latest
vehicle in a growing fleet of mobile production units. Recently making its
official debut at Gerling & Associates’ outdoor booth at NAB 2007, this new
high-definition OB vehicle boasts ten HD cameras with an HD switcher, ten VTRs,
and, at the helm of its audio suite, the first Studer Vista 5 digital console
sold in
North America.

Metro
Seven, a 40-foot straight box truck primarily designed for city use, is an
OB vehicle of many firsts. For example, the truck has a
unique 33-foot sidewall that can expand out to either 40 or 60 inches. Another
impressive feature is that the vehicle can provide seating for a practically
unheard of 18 people.

The
Vista 5 marks the first Studer console for Metrovision,
and, according to Engineer-in-Charge Paul Wolf, it was chosen for good reason.
“We need to be able to do AES digital audio transport, analog and 5.1
surround, and the Studer best combines those facilities in a light, compact
desk that packs a powerful punch,” says Wolf, who has been with the company
since the inception of its truck division in 2000.

Extremely
well-suited for OB unit use, the compact new Vista 5 digital live production
desk can control over 150 channels and be configured to manage more than 1700
inputs and outputs. Highly portable, lightweight and simple to set up, the desk
features Studer’s patented and award-winning Vistonics(tm) user interface,
robust redundancies, extensive snapshot automation, fully configurable DSP and
I/O structure–supporting numerous output formats, including SDI and Dolby(r)
E–and Harman HiQnet(tm) compatibility.

Metrovision’s mobile units provide production
services for a variety of clients all along the Eastern Seaboard, including
coverage of sporting events for networks like ESPN as well as a wide variety of
entertainment and corporate events. “Metro Seven wasn’t designed with any
one client in mind but, rather, who our future clients are going to be and the
expanding level of technology they will be looking for. That was another reason
to go with the
Vista 5, as it allowed our
operators to make the transition from analog to digital very smoothly,”
adds Wolf.