OBN chose self-contained Lawo mixing consoles, complemented with Compact I/O units for expanded connectivity and use as remote stagebox solutions.
Ethiopia’s public broadcaster Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN) has chosen Lawo mixing consoles and I/O devices as the basis for its new digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) units that are designed with a 4K workflow. Based in Adama, OBN serves a regional audience of 35m people, and viewers nationwide, via satellite.
For the technical basis of their OB units, both set to 4K standard, OBN chose self-contained Lawo mc²36 mixing consoles, complemented with Compact I/O units for expanded connectivity and use as remote stage box solutions.
OBN’s first DSNG to be delivered is a versatile 12-camera unit of about 12 metres in length with a full 12G workflow, promising a variety of live broadcast situations. This unit, with its 40-fader mc²36 console and Compact I/O, features a layout that looks to maximise internal space while enabling interoperability among the different production areas: technical room, production and graphics rooms, and audio room.
Another DSNG vehicle, suitable for smaller productions and TV reporting assignments, carries four cameras and a 16-fader mc²36. The van features an acoustically insulated audio room.
Concept, design and installation of the DSNG vehicles have been carried out by Italian systems integrator Aret Video and Audio Engineering, a longtime Lawo partner.
Commenting on the choice, Ralf Schimmel, Director Sales Africa & Radio Partners at Lawo, said: “Lawo’s console technology gave Aret the ability to design systems for OBN that deliver easy, redundant operation, and highly flexible workflows. Thanks to the MADI connection to the video matrix, the audio operators have access to all of the facility’s embedded sources, allowing them to mix and send programme audio to the embedder via the MADI connection themselves. To ensure reliability in unpredictable remote locations, all audio sources are also connected directly via the mc² consoles’ built-in analog and AES connectivity.”
Aret’s approach to building OB vans is ‘end to end’, using their own coachbuilding facility, ARET Coachworx.
Umberto Asti, Vice President of Aret, added: “Our capabilities include consultancy, structural design, electrical engineering, air-conditioning, and system design, and each job proceeds from coachbuilding to systems integration, commissioning, training and after-sales support.”
Asti added that in OBN’s DSNG vehicles, the 4K video workflow is uniquely integrated and extended by Lawo’s audio system. “Our equipment’s audio networking and I/O capabilities extend far beyond standard analog and AES ports. There is a direct MADI connection with the client’s audio embedder, and also a RAVENNA connection with the stage box to ensure maximum flexibility. With both satellite antennae and Internet streamers, these vehicles should be a match for any live broadcast situation!”
