PortaCastTM Mobile Studio Travels Easily With Production Crews Accepted by Airlines as Checked Baggage!

Mobile Studios, Inc. has responded to a growing need for ultra-portable HD/SD production gear that can be easily transported to remote locations with the release of its new PortaCast™ line of suitcase size mini flypacks equipped with roller-blade wheels and pull-out handles. Five unique PortaCast™ “Paks” for switching/communications, audio mixing/recording, camera shading/engineering and cables are available individually or as a completely integrated PortaCast™ live production system.
The PortaCast™ Director Pak provides switching and communications with audio mixing offered as an option. At the heart of the Director Pak is Panasonic’s AV-HS400 multi-format switcher capable of switching up to eight HD or SD inputs in true 10-bit 525 SDI, 720P or 1080i HD-SDI. A built-in multi-viewer displays all input sources, preview and program on a 17″ Panasonic BT-LH1760 LCD monitor shock-mounted to Mobile Studios’ unique “flip top” case. The multi-functional LCD includes a built-in wave-form monitor and vector scope. Crew and talent communications are provided by a dual channel Clear-Com™ MS-702 intercom conveniently installed below the switcher. All connections to the switcher and intercom are easily accessed through a hinged door on the back of the Pak. An eight input dual channel audio mixer with tone output is optional.

The PortaCast™ Audio Pak includes a full featured twelve channel Soundcraft MPM12 audio mixer with main & subgroup outputs and three aux buses, a Lectrosonics wireless audio system, and phone hybrids as desired.

The PortaCast™ Recording Pak is a true DTE (direct-to-edit) DVR (digitial video recorder) capturing real time SD/HD-SDI video to a 2 TB Removable Raid 1 dual storage unit. It is available with a MOTU V4HD or AJA IOHD SDI converter for recording SD and HD formats including DVCProHD and ProRes422. An audio mixer with 8 inputs is available as an option. The Pak includes space for a MacBook Pro or PC laptop, or alternatively, it can be purchased with a fully configured MacBook Pro or PC laptop with Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere CS3 installed.

The PortaCast™ Engineering Pak provides camera control/shading via customer specified CCU/RCU “Paint Boxes” and a 1 x 8 SD/HD router switch. A Panasonic BT-LH1760 with built-in wave-form and vector-scope provides ultra-hires monitoring and calibration. Fiber multiplexers, VSAT satellite components or recording decks can be added as desired.

The PortaCast™ Cable Pak houses multi-core A/V cable up to 300 feet or fiber cable as desired delivered on Hanay cable reels. Cables are terminated with all required connectors for camera video/control, intercom and auxiliary I/O connections.

According to Mobile Studios President, Rich Rubin, “We developed the PortaCast™ system in response to many requests for compact production gear that could be easily transported to remote locations. Throughout its development, we worked very closely with many field savvy broadcast engineers to select components that offered the highest functionality and production values. The result is a truly revolutionary system that will prove to be a powerful tool for producing news, sports, reality TV, live events and documentaries.”

Each PortaCast™ Pak is completely integrated with overall dimensions less than the 100 pound / 80 inch limitations imposed by the major airlines for checked baggage. The unique mini flypack cases feature heavy duty ATA approved construction with all components shock-mounted to ensure worry-free transport to the most demanding remote locations.

Launch customer for the PortaCast system is Mexico’s television network, TV Azteca. According to Manuel Tovar, TV Azteca’s New Projects Manager, “We were looking for a compact system for remote news gathering and the PortaCast™ system fulfilled our requirements; lightweight, IATA compliant, modular, ultra-portable and affordable. The innovative system gives our “SWAT” team (Strategic neWs-gathering And Transmission) the ability to cover natural disasters, politics and fast breaking stories with few people from remote locations.”

The PortaCast™ system is available in a variety of configurations with options tailored to user requirements. For more information and customized pricing, contact Mobile Studios 877-777-7147, email info@MobileStudios.com or visit www.MobileStudios.com