Navy Sets Sail With Metrovision HD

By Ken Kerschbaumer
Navy football this year has found the HD advantage, courtesy of Metrovision’s HD-1 40-foot production truck complete with expando capabilities. “This is one of those trucks that accommodate mid-level clients but have the bells and whistles to do larger shows,” says Gary Shinn, Metrovision Production group director of sales and marketing.
The truck features a full complement of Fujinon lenses, Sony HDC-1500 cameras, a Grass Valley Kalypso production switcher, Studer Vista 5 audio board, EVS replay, and Chyron graphics.
Shinn says the unit can still accommodate up to 18 personnel. “The 53-foot truck is its own animal,” he says. “We fit for those 6- to 8-camera events like concerts or college football.”
The choice to use gear like the Fujinon lenses (including the XA101x8.9ESM super-telephoto field lens, two XA88x8.8ESM telephoto lenses, one HA42x9.7ERD premier-series stabilized telephoto ENG-style lens, one HA22X7.8ERM premier-series HD ENG-style telephoto lens, and one HA13x4.5ERM ENG-style super-wide-angle lens with 2x extender and Digi-Power servo) and Sony 1500 cameras is to ensure that clients don’t feel they are sacrificing quality when they use a smaller truck.
“We have the same equipment as the larger trucks so it comes down to a server issue rather than an equipment one,” says Shinn.
Despite the recent economic downturn, expect more HD from Metrovision. “We’re in the planning stages of a new HD truck that will again be in the 40-foot range and will have bells and whistles,” explains Shinn. “We’re moving forward with new builds and upgrading or SD units to HD.”