
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...
02/09/2026
Professional and collegiate clubs, leading vendors discuss current trends in stadium production
On. Aug. 12, the 2026 SVG Venues & Teams Summit explored the ev...
02/09/2026
SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, and Hollywood Park have completed an infrastructure upgrade expanding game presentation and broadcast production capabilities acr...
02/09/2026
Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) has announced a suite of AI-powered workflow applications for broadcasters, content owners, and operators, built on its Video...
02/09/2026
The North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) and the Association of Professional Wireless Production Technologies (APWPT) have announced a partnership to ...
02/09/2026
Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minneso...
02/09/2026
New LED provides enhanced quality control, quicker show prep, detailed productio...
02/09/2026
Combines the Phat Drive with high-voltage valve circuit
The latest pedal from Keeley Electronics combines their popular Phat Mode drive pedal with an all-ne...
02/09/2026
Free version of virtual mixing room plug-in introduced
Lewitt's Space Replicator plug-in provides users with a virtual monitoring environment that aims ...
02/09/2026
Two new mixing & mastering plug-ins revealed
AIR Music Tech have just introduced the Stereophonic Bundle, a pair of processing plug-ins designed to provide ...
02/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz has achieved initial verification of 3GPP Rel. 17 power-saving f...
02/09/2026
Bilbao - 3rd September 2026 -AgileTV, a leading provider of end-to-end TV and vi...
02/09/2026
Why agentic media supply chains need experience design built around visibility, reversibility and human authority
When AI can generate a functional interface ...
02/09/2026
Six-country survey finds 26% of sports fans frequently unable to determine where...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
KOKKEDAL, DENMARK, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 DPA Microphones announces its new 6388 CORE Headset Microphone, a high-performance directional headset designed for dema...
02/09/2026
Pliant Technologies will highlight its CrewCom CXD 32CF 32x32 Dante /AES67 Digital Audio Network Interface, a powerful connectivity solution designed to expand ...
02/09/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced two enhancements to Teatro Pulse, its end-to-end TV service operation...
02/09/2026
Signiant, trusted by the media industry for accelerated content movement for more than 20 years, will showcase the latest evolution of the Signiant Platform at ...
02/09/2026
With a contractual agreement to supply a leading UK sports broadcaster with outside broadcast services for 104 football matches per season over the next four ye...
02/09/2026
IBC2026 will put sport firmly at the centre of the global media and entertainment technology conversation with the strongest sports showing in the event's h...
02/09/2026
PTZOptics will bring a hands-on showcase of intelligent video production to IBC2026 (11-14 September, RAI Amsterdam), with demonstrations spanning new camera te...
02/09/2026
OOONA, a global provider of professional management and production tools for the media localization industry, today announced the launch of OOONA Go, a ready-to...
02/09/2026
EON Media will make its European debut at IBC2026 (September 11-14, RAI Amsterdam) in the show's Future Tech Zone (Hall 14.FT5). The company is launching it...
02/09/2026
Frequency, the engine behind many of the worlds leading streaming television channels, will demonstrate at IBC2026 how integrating intelligence throughout chann...
02/09/2026
On-device AI platform gives broadcasters and content creators purpose-built tools for real-time vertical video production and AI-enhanced sports coverage...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/09/2026
Next-Generation Freeform Control Surfaces Lay the Foundation for AI-Enabled Media Operations
At IBC2026 (Sept. 11 14, RAI Amsterdam, Stand #1.B73), Imagine Com...
02/09/2026
Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, the world's largest theater stage, has modernized its backstage production infrastructure with a comprehensive Riedel solut...
02/09/2026
Women in Media announces that it will host the two-day Reel/Forward in-person conference devoted to navigating today's production scene. Guests can enjoy pa...
02/09/2026
The expanded partnership brings Teradek's Live Production solutions to New Media AV's European dealer and integrator network, opening new opportunities ...
02/09/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, announces a major expansion to its award winning Studio...
02/09/2026
BCNEXXT, the developers of the advanced playout platform Vipe, today announced that premium entertainment brand Foxtel has selected Vipe to underpin playout for...
02/09/2026
SubtitleNEXT helps HOT Telecom's subtitling team keep a cool head with reliable QC capabilities
Profuz Digital, global developer of digital media and local...
02/09/2026
Case Study: Mission Digital Strengthens Battery Safety with Safe-ion
As productions become increasingly dependent on battery-powered equipment, the safe storag...
02/09/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Influenza viruses constantly shapeshift to evade recognition by the immune system. This shapeshifting occurs in critical proteins like hemagglutini...
02/09/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Clinicians often use a medical test called a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to diagnose heart problems, which uses electrodes placed on the chest ...
02/09/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Proteins may look like rigid molecular structures, but inside our c...