Mobile Unit Snapshot: MU-22 Compact Ku-Band Mobile Production + Transmission Truck

MU-22: The Ultimate Compact Ku-Band Mobile Production + Transmission Truck for Remote Broadcasts

In a broadcast landscape where mobility, speed, and reliability are more critical than ever, the MU-22 emerges as a uniquely powerful solution. Built by TNDV and engineered with both field production and satellite transmission in mind, this 48-foot 3G double expando production truck brings together a robust live production control room with a fully integrated Ku-band satellite uplink—all in one compact, agile vehicle.

Whether you’re covering breaking news, broadcasting a live political debate, producing sports reports from remote locations, or delivering corporate events with limited infrastructure, MU-22 gives you full control from camera to satellite feed—without the need for a separate uplink truck or secondary facility. It’s the ultimate field-ready unit for broadcasters, agencies, government teams, and content creators looking for broadcast-grade flexibility in a single mobile platform.

The MU-22 is 48 feet in road mode and features dual expandable sides, bringing the working bay to 49 feet by 5 feet and allowing a total operational length of 75 feet. At 80,000 lbs GVW, it’s built for heavy-duty deployment while remaining maneuverable for tight lots and urban environments. The power infrastructure supports 3-phase 200A per leg at 190–240 volts, and a 150-foot feeder cable provides flexibility for external hookups.

At the center of MU-22’s production capability is the Grass Valley K-Frame 3G video switcher, complete with a Kayenne 4-stripe, 35-button control panel. Supporting 5 M/E, 64 inputs, and 48 outputs, this switcher delivers the broadcast flexibility needed for multi-angle productions, complex mix effects, and quick-turn live workflows. Operators benefit from built-in FlexiKey and Double Take functionality, along with advanced chroma keying and an integrated image store for clip playout and real-time transitions.

MU-22’s replay system is built for ISO ingest, clip rollouts, and live replays, with a fleet of EVS XT3 servers configured for multiple use cases. The system includes one 8-channel LSM server, one 6-channel LSM server, one 12-channel unit set up as a 4-channel spotbox for dual-user control, plus an EVS X-file3 on a 10G file network and an EVS X-hub3 for media sharing. The truck is wired for three 6-channel and two 4-channel EVS servers, offering flexible replay architecture in a mid-sized unit.

Routing and signal management are handled through a Grass Valley Node 3G router, configured with a 144×144 matrix and 48×48 audio embedding/de-embedding. An integrated 384×384 audio router handles high-density audio paths, and signal synchronization is managed via 16 AJA 3G U/D/C frame synchronizers with embedded color correction. The multiview system offers a 162×18 display capacity, giving operators, directors, and tech teams complete visibility across live feeds, returns, ISO channels, and tally. Tally control is managed through the TSL Tallyman interface, supporting seamless integration across the board.

MU-22’s camera system includes ten Grass Valley LDX 86 WorldCam cameras, five Super XPanders with 7” viewfinders, and a versatile Canon HD/UHD lens kit. The lens inventory covers everything from tight field-of-view shots to wide-angle coverage, including two Canon 80x HDs, two 76x HDs, one 72x HD, four 22x ENG lenses, two 11×4.7 wide-angle models, and a Canon 17x ENG lens. Camera support is provided by five Vinten Vector 75 pan heads with tripods, and three ENG pan head kits. MU-22 is fully wired for 12 CCUs, and Grass Valley LDK 4426 single-mode triax adaptors are available for deployments requiring longer cable runs or fiber flexibility.

Audio production is powered by a Calrec Artemis Light console, featuring 48 faders across 12 dual-fader layers and Bluefin2 processing. The system includes 64×64 analog I/O, 64×64 AES, 384×384 MADI, and 64×64 Dante IP connectivity—making it ideal for AoIP and multiformat environments. The console is integrated with a 64-channel Waves SoundGrid server for real-time audio shaping, mixing, and mastering.

MU-22’s communications system is anchored by an RTS Adam M 176×176 matrix intercom, with support for 64 OMNEO IP channels, 32 MADI paths, 16 RVON channels, and multiple powered PL and IFB lines. With RTS belt packs, IFB boxes, DT108/DT109 headsets, Innkeeper telephone interfaces, and ringdowns for point-to-point talkback, the truck supports fast, reliable communication from anywhere in the field.

But what sets MU-22 apart from most production trucks in its class is its integrated Ku-band satellite transmission system. This fully redundant, built-in uplink setup includes a 2.4-meter AVL Ku-band antenna, dual 125-watt Advantech hub-mount SSPBs, and Ericsson AVP3000 HD encoders paired with RX8200 IRDs. This setup allows for immediate field contribution, backup feeds, or primary network handoffs, all without waiting for an external uplink vehicle. It’s an ideal solution for breaking news, remote press events, or field-based multi-platform streaming and broadcast.

AV support gear includes HMD26 announcer headsets, Studio Tech boxes, MD46 stick mics, MKH416 shotguns, MKH8070 long shotguns, MKH418 stereo microphones, 15” and 21” SDI field monitors, and LED light kits—ensuring your crew and talent are fully equipped for field operations.

The cable infrastructure is equally robust, including 7000 feet of triax, 3000 feet of DT12 audio multicore, 3000 feet of single coax, XLR audio, and multiple fiber runs including TAC-12 and TAC-4. The truck also includes triax and coax looms, audio snakes, and SMPTE-compatible interfaces, supporting a wide variety of venue and field deployment scenarios.

Why MU-22 Is a Game-Changer in Mobile Broadcast

MU-22 is one of the most compact yet powerful mobile production and satellite uplink trucks on the market. With a full Grass Valley 3G core, complete EVS replay, Calrec audio, multiview and tally systems, and a fully integrated Ku-band uplink, it’s ready for deployment at any time, in any location. It’s especially suited for government events, public service broadcasts, crisis response communications, live political town halls, and sports broadcasting where traditional infrastructure isn’t available—or time is critical.

Whether you’re handling live content for national broadcast or creating a reliable backup path for OTT and linear feeds, MU-22 offers end-to-end signal control, contribution, and transmission in one unit. It delivers speed, agility, signal integrity, and redundancy, setting the standard for mobile units designed for today’s dynamic live media environment.

To book MU-22, please contact us at solutions@livemediagroup.com or 833-933-5483.