NEP Germany moves into air freight pods for Servus TV's Formula 1 season production By Heather McLean, Editor
Friday, April 16, 2021 - 10:10
Print This Story
NEP Germany has created a mobile production studio exclusively for its client Servus TV, installed in an extendable air freight container that NEP developed together with Broadcast Solutions
NEP Germany is using a new air freight-friendly container solution to enable its production of the current Formula 1 season for Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.
To have an optimal and quickly operational production solution at the track, NEP Germany has created a new pod that will enable it to transmit signals from trackside to Servus TV, which acquired Formula 1 rights from this season onwards.
Production service provider to the Austrian network, NEP Germany has created the mobile production studio exclusively for its client, installed in an extendable air freight container that NEP developed together with Broadcast Solutions.
Interacting with additional air freight containers that function as set-up vehicles, they are now travelling around the world during the Formula 1 season.
The pod is primarily used to produce interviews and expert talks, which are captured by two wireless camera teams and one EB team around the track or in the pit lane. The configuration is customised specifically for Formula 1 purposes.
NEP Germany's pod accommodates all the essential technical components used for a TV production in an OB van, but in the smallest possible space
New build concept
Matthias Hahn, project manager at Broadcast Solutions, told SVG Europe that the pod was an entirely new idea for the company: We have built flightcase studios, OB vans, hybrid OB vans and mobile studios in containers before, but to integrate a studio in an expandable air fright container is a new concept.
Mark Overkamp, technical director at NEP Germany, explained the background behind the pods: Because of the excessive travelling involved in the production of Formula 1, we needed a highly mobile, transportable solution that could provide all the technology for our productions in the smallest possible space and still make it comfortable to work in.
Together with Broadcast Solutions, with the pod we have developed a solution that, in combination with a sophisticated stagebox concept, optimally supports us in the current productions but also leaves options open for the future.
Hahn commented on the challenges faced by Broadcast Solutions during the build: The main challenges besides the short time for building them (due to the contract from Servus TV to NEP Germany) were of course to integrate all the equipment in the pod. To offer four work places in a space of 14sqm (expanded) was another challenge. You have to keep in mind basic rules for workspace ergonomics plus air conditioning. Having a lot of experience in building mobile production units and being an air conditioning specialist helps a lot to solve those issues.
A further solution to the customers' needs was the interplay between the pod as such and a sophisticated stagebox concept to make set up and working with the complete system as easy and reliable as possible. A further challenge was the interconnection to Servus TVs headquarter in Austria, near Salzburg. The pod is pre-equipped to be managed remotely from Salzburg, said Hahn.
Smallest possible space
The pod accommodates all the essential technical components used for a TV production in an OB van, but in the smallest possible space. With two extensions, the pod can be enlarged from 7.5sqm to 14sqm and offers space for four workstations (1 audio engineer, 1 video engineer, 2 editorial staff), including a central technical rack with 2x 38 RU.
The pod is used to monitor the video and audio signals of the camera teams working on the production, as well as to control the intercom signals and the Motorola radio links. During the productions, the audio and video signals are transmitted directly from the race track via dark fibre to the Servus TV broadcasting centre in Salzburg, where the PGM signal is being created. The in-ear monitoring of the presenters, reporters and camera teams is managed in the pod to avoid audio delays.
The audio signals generated in this workflow are characterised by high heterogeneity. The pod and the WISYCOM transmitters, which realise the wireless network across the track, work with digital audio in the Dante format. The intercom signals are processed in AES67, and further analogue audio signals are coming from the office containers.
To ensure smooth conversion, several Prodigy multi-format converters from DirectOut, housed in stageboxes, convert analogue audio and AES67 to Dante and vice versa. A Yamaha QL1 digital audio console with Dante integration is used to mix the signals in the pod itself, where Riedel's MicroN system works as the main router. For control of the audio and video signals, the Broadcast Solutions control system hi human interface runs in the pod.
Technically and in terms of workflows, the pod is designed to be ready for full remote control from the broadcasting centre in Salzburg.
The system already passed its first baptism of fire on 28 March at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. The next event it will be used at will be the Italian Grand Prix in Imola on 18 April.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Zixi, a leader in live video delivery and workflow orchestration, and Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) today announced a strategic new integration to deliver ...
16/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Cameras Capture Immersive Flight for New Cirrus App
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Leader in Personal Aviation taps URSA Cin...
16/07/2026
XenData Announces LTO Archive Appliances with both File and S3 Object Storage In...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
General-purpose robots and autonomous machines are moving from research labs to ...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and iconic gaming companies, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI ...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
NEP Germany moves into air freight pods for Servus TV's Formula 1 season production By Heather McLean, Editor 
