At the end of 2014, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) made
several important additions to its news gathering capacities on events such as
processions, parades and marathons. These additions came in the form of a number
of repeater systems, point-to-point microwave transmitters and two specially
modified BMW K1600GT motorcycles.
The repeater systems use the latest modulation technologies and carefully selected
frequencies to relay HD television signals from ground-based vehicles (such as
motorcycles) via helicopter to receive sites located approximately 50km away. The
microwave systems carry multiple HD signals from one fixed location to another.
The bikes, specifically selected for their ability to carry a significant amount of
weight and move at a slow, steady speed, are fitted with the comms and
microwave technology. The three components together make up a sophisticated,
HD, microwave news gathering system, which working in tandem with helicopters
and the SABC’s flagship OB units, can perform these specialised tasks at higher
quality and fidelity than before.
The system replaces the ageing SD systems that the public broadcaster had
maintained for the past decade or so. Recently retired SABC OB General Manager,
Nic Bonthuys, who was still in his position at the broadcaster when the procurement
took place, said of the old system: “It was right for the job in the beginning but
over the years, the results we were getting started deteriorating each time. On the
last Comrades Marathon we really started to get a bit worried. The next Comrades,
with the new technology being put to full use, will show a dramatic improvement,
and this system will be able to do the job well for a good number of years to
come.’
Cosmas Tshabalala, who took up the GM position after Bonthuys’ departure, adds:
“We faced another problem in that the old system was analogue but the cameras
we were using were digital. So we had to convert the footage from digital to
analogue and the end result actually looked worse than it would have if we had had
analogue end-to-end. Now we have digital and HD throughout the value chain and
the results are really amazing.’
The only drawback, Tshabalala jokes, is that they bought these beautiful
motorcycles and have had to pull them apart to customise them for the job. “It was
a bit sad when I walked into the workshop and saw one of the guys taking a
hacksaw to the bike,’ he laughs.
According to Tshabalala, the system has already been put to good use on several
marathons and has received glowing feedback from the producers in question. “One
producer told us that in all his years of working on these events, this is the first
time he experienced next to no break-up. He told us that since he has been
covering marathons, he has never seen images like this.’
For enquiries on SABC OB’s new motorcycles and microwave systems, as well as its
full fleet of outside broadcast vehicles, visit www.sabc.co.za/tvob or call 011 714
2961/ 4300.
