Lightships selects MRC Link HD for high-flying hig-def in ALDS

The Link HD Wireless Diversity camera system from Microwave Radio Corp. was used by The Lightship Group (Lightships) out of Orlando, Florida, to broadcast live coverage of the Boston Red Sox games and their recent win over the Minnesota Twins to clinch the American League East title. Lightships operates the H.P. Hood blimp which provides aerial coverage of sporting events in the New England area. They will also use the Link HD Wireless Diversity system provided by MRC to broadcast live coverage throughout the 2007 World Series.

“Since our decision to use the Link HD System, our television broadcasts have been flawless,” stated Jeff Vaughn, Flying Pictures Broadcast Manager. “It has been flawless, and I never use that word in this occupation. We had been using another product with limited success. After testing the Link HD package provided to us by AVS (Aerial Video Systems) we decided that MRC’s system was our solution. The product is impressive. The MRC and Link proprietary technology together with the Cineflex gyro stabilized camera system means our clients get the best HD images in the world,” he said.

Lightships Marketing Director, Toby Page, stated, “The system is working brilliantly. We’ve been operating for years in SD, and when we made our initial move to HD we were using a different system. We were having a lot of problems with that other system. Jeff suggested that we move to MRC’s Link HD system, and it has made all the difference. We used to be worried about success at events constantly. Switching to the MRC system has been a great relief. It’s been flawless. It’s one thing that I don’t have to worry about anymore.”

The Link HD Wireless Diversity camera system provides true high quality HD transmission: no down/up conversion. MRC and Link’s proprietary LMS-T technology eliminates latency issues inherent in other systems. Delay is a non-issue at any data rate. Production crews inter-cut cameras freely with no vision or sound delay problems. Diversity receive antennas make the service very robust, even at high bit-rates, giving first class pictures and allowing complete freedom of movement.

The camera and microwave link is provided to Lightships and all their clients by Flying Pictures Aerial Broadcast Services. With globally recognized clients, they are the world’s largest operator of airships. They are the world leader in the provision of aerial filming, surveillance from aerostats, world record breaking aerial adventures and live broadcast facilities from the air. Flying Pictures uses MRC and Link products on all of the Lightships blimps.