It turns out that outside the ABC, none of the free to air TV networks actually own an outside broadcast (OB) van. So third parties are subcontracted to film live events. But where do these third parties get their vans from? The answer is both logical and surprising: Sony. The electronics giant has a special branch based at North Ryde where they build and customise trucks for a whole range of companies. At the SMPTE09 show, they were showing off two out of three trucks they’d custom built and designed for TRP.

The main van consisted of four separate sections. Up the front, facing a wall of 12 HD LCDs, is the visual section of the truck. It’s here that all the video feeds from the different cameras are controlled and mixed together. Among the various other technologies in this section are a pair of Bose speakers and an HP Touchsmart PC.

Behind the visual area is the audio section, where a Yamaha deck controls all the audio feeds, and outputs in stereo sound. Nick Buchner, who’s the Senior Product Marketing Manager for Content Creation at Sony was keen to stress that even though Sony actually built the truck, they customised it to the purchasers specifications, which often means using other companies’ products, like the Yamaha deck. It’s for that reason, the van only output in stereo sound rather than 5.1, because it was all that TRP required.

The next section in the van was specifically designed for slow motion replays, which is especially important for horseracing coverage. From this section of the van, controllers can send slow motion replays, directly to the course, to the broadcast and to the horse racing stewards for adjudication of a race. What’s more, they can do it moments after the race has finished thanks to the powerful dedicated servers in the truck. They’ve also got the ability in this section to burn content to DVD immediately.

Finally up the back of the OB van is the engineering section. This is both where all the power behind the van is really held, as well as where all the equalisation of the video happens. It’s an interesting fact that none of the cameras used to film the sport actually does any white balancing or controlling of exposure – it’s all controlled back in the van so all the cameras being used can maintain the same quality.

The smaller van on display at the show – which is for smaller regional races – was just like a reduced version of the main van.

Some of the kit powering the van is pretty amazing – the slow-mo servers alone are worth about $400,000 each. But they’re needed – they render HD video in slow motion at bitrates around 400Gbps, and considering how important slow-mo is to racing, they’re worth every penny. In fact, the whole truck is pretty pricey – TRP’s big truck cost somewhere in the order of $3-4 million to build and customise, including all the special hardware inside. It takes about 6 months for the crew at Sony to actually build the truck, but the overall process of determining exactly what each client needs and the build takes about a year.

And as a guide as to what kind of stuff the vans comprise of, here you go:

28 x HD cameras
76:1 Stabilised lenses
42:1 stabilised lenses
2 x Phantom V10 Extreme Super Slo Cameras
2 x HD PW700 XDCAM Camcorders
8 x EVS XT2
12 x HD XD-CAM Disc Recorders
3 x Gigawave HD Link Systems
8 x Digital Link Systems
HD 3D Graphics, Virtual Graphics and Virtual reality

It just goes to show that even though we reckon our consumer-level kit can be pretty awesome, it’s still miles behind what the people in broadcast get to play with. Lucky bastards!

You’ll have to email the guys at Elite Sim Design to get more info on this (like pricing and release date), but it definitely won’t be cheap. And when you compare the potential price of this to the price of a movie ticket, you’ll probably prefer filling up on Diesel. [Elite Sim via Chip Chick via New Launches]

[PopSci AU]

In fact, the SC830 is so realistic in its motion that it is good enough to train racing professionals. It features a custom USB “Plug-and-Play” hardware interface, high-fidelity motion actuators and knuckles, easy to enter and exit cockpit, adjustable mounting surfaces and a lightweight tubular aluminium framework (I’m sure it also costs a fortune). The SC830 is expected to launch during this year’s CES. [SimCraft via Born Rich via DVICE]

The Virtual GT Racing Simulator has a 500W speaker system, a 4-corner independent suspension, a MasterCraft racing seat, a force-feedback steering wheel, electronic controls, a fully adjustable chassis, a hands-free intercom system, a 42-inch Panasonic plasma TV and a, uh, Playstation 2. Because everybody knows that racing simulators peaked with Gran Turismo 3.

But hey, if you were looking for the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, this is it. I mean, what a deep discount! You’ll practically save money by buying this! That’s how these things work, right? [eBay via BornRich]

On display at various stages of prototype since 2004, the C6W is just now going into official production. More than a mere novelty or an expensive automobile recouping from a horrible toxic waste accident, the C6W’s 6-wheel design promises a number of benefits, including all around better traction and improved absorption of frontal impacts.

The 433bhp C6W will be racing around at 185 MPH when the first models roll off the line in late 2009. [Jalopnik]

If you’re still with us, Pocket Jockey will run you 99 US cents in the App Store. [Pocket Jockey (iTunes Link)]

Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Centre of North America

Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.

Reminiscent of the Mercedes Benz racing heritage of the 1930’s, the Formula Zero Racer is loaded with technology designed to extract the maximum thrust from the electric hub motors, aero-efficient solar skin and high-tech rigid sail.

Each team is allocated the same amount of stored energy and it is left to the teams and drivers to manage the variables to win the race. The winner is determined by total elapsed time combined with the energy efficiency factor.

Spectators at the Mercedes Benz Formula Zero racing Series are treated to a new dimension of racing as the transparent track is visible from all perspectives – even from below!

Designers:
Alan Barrington
George Yoo
Kevin Verduyn

[LA Design Challenge Motorsports 2025]

The first part of the run will be propelled by a jet engine, originally designed for the Eurofighter. After the Bloodhound reached 480kph, propulsion duties will be taken over by an experimental “bespoke” hybrid rocket, during which time the driver will be subjected to 2.5Gs of acceleration force until he hits 1690kph. The whole process will take about 40 seconds, amazingly.Naturally, possible blackouts, horrific crashes and mechanical malfunctions are all in the cards here. Dont’ worry though — according to the Times, he is preparing in the most ludicrous way possible: “He will practice… in a stunt aircraft, flying upside-down over the British countryside.” No date for the run has been set, but we should get a few more details after the Minister Drayson’s formal announcement today. [Times Online]