Mobile Unit Snapshot: MU-14 53’ Single Expando Production Unit

The MU-14 53’ 3G Single Expando Production Truck is the most advanced and highest-capacity mobile broadcast unit in the Live Media fleet. Designed from the ground up to serve the most demanding UHD and HDR production environments, MU-14 represents the pinnacle of mobile engineering, seamlessly integrating immense I/O capability, powerful switching, deep EVS replay support, and full broadcast comms and audio infrastructure. With its unmatched feature set and future-proof architecture, MU-14 is purpose-built for major national and international sports broadcasts, large-scale entertainment specials, and high-concurrency live event coverage.

At 53 feet long with an expanded footprint of 49 feet by 5 feet, MU-14 offers a roomy interior that accommodates large production teams with ease. When deployed, the truck reaches a total operational width of 13.5 feet and stretches to 78 feet in length with the tractor included. With a gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds and a three-phase power draw rated for 190 to 280 volts at 200 amps per leg, MU-14 carries the raw energy and infrastructure to perform under any condition in the field.

Video production inside the truck is anchored by a Grass Valley K-Frame 3G switcher with a Kayenne 4-stripe, 35-button panel. The system offers a formidable 9 mix effects, with 176 inputs and 72 outputs, and is outfitted with advanced features including FlexiKey layering, Double Take transitions, chroma keying, and a powerful suite of DPMs. The switcher includes an onboard image store with movie playback capabilities and supports M/E View, enabling flexible visual workflows and operator customization. A built-in RGB color corrector ensures precision image management during dynamic productions. Supporting the switching backbone is a comprehensive EVS replay system featuring four XTVia 12-channel servers with dual-user capability, an XTVia 6-channel spotbox with Lance Controller, an EVS X-file3 with a 10G file network for lightning-fast file movement, and an EVS Via Xhub to tie all the components together. MU-14 is wired for an astonishing 120 channels of EVS replay, placing it among the most capable mobile replay environments on the road today.

Routing and signal management are handled by an Evertz EQX 3G video router configured with a 518×684 matrix. This system includes 112×128 embedding and de-embedding paths, 18 internal frame syncs, 16×16 RTR fiber I/O connections, and dedicated mux paths linking to companion units and booth locations. On the audio side, the Evertz EMR router delivers 1152×1152 MADI, 192×192 AES, and 96×96 analog mono paths, providing a routing backbone that accommodates high-density channel counts. The truck includes a total of 85 frame syncs, including 45 For-A HDR UDC units with color correction and 40 EVS Neuron HDR units with LUT support and customizable color correction pipelines. MU-14’s massive multiviewer capability offers 304×30 windows, giving directors and engineers unparalleled visibility into every facet of the production.

Camera operations inside MU-14 are supported by twelve Sony HDC3500 UHD-HDR cameras paired with seven Sony HDLA1505 large lens adapters and an extensive Canon lens package. This includes seven Canon UJ111x8.3 Digisuper long lenses with stabilization, two CJ25ex7.6 UHD ENG lenses, two CJ20ex7.6 UHD ENG lenses, and one CJ15ex4.3 wide-angle UHD ENG lens. The cameras are supported by seven Vinten Vector 750 pan heads with HDT2 tripods and four Cartoni Focus 20 heads, offering a robust and flexible shooting platform. MU-14 is wired for up to 20 CCUs, enabling precise camera shading and control across all channels, with additional camera and lens configurations available based on production needs.

Audio mixing is handled through a Calrec Apollo digital surround console featuring 144 faders spread across 12 dual-fader layers. The system includes 148×148 analog I/O, 128×128 AES, 512×512 MADI spread across eight ports, and a 64×64 Dante integration for AoIP workflows. With embedded Waves Broadcast Suite processing, MU-14 offers advanced audio shaping, dynamics, and broadcast mastering features in real time. Communications infrastructure is just as comprehensive, anchored by a 256×256 RTS Adam Matrix intercom with 64 OMNEO channels, 16 RVON IP paths, 64 MADI channels, 12 powered PL channels, and 12 powered IFB outputs. MU-14 is stocked with RTS BP325 intercom packs, IFB belt packs, and a complete headset suite including 20 Beyer DT108 single muff units and 10 DT109 dual muff models, as well as phone interfaces and couplers to support crew and talent communications across the full production landscape.

For AV support, the truck comes with six HMD26 announcer headsets, six Studio Tech boxes, six MD46 stick mics, and a full complement of shotgun and stereo microphones including the MKH416, MKH807, and MKH418. Monitoring gear includes six 15-inch SDI monitors, six 21-inch SDI monitors, and two portable LED light kits. MU-14’s cable infrastructure includes 7000 feet of SMPTE fiber, two 150-foot 6-wire SMPTE looms, 3000 feet of DT12 audio mults, and over 10,000 feet of combined coaxial, audio, and multipair snakes, offering robust connectivity in complex setups.

MU-14 sets a new benchmark in remote production technology. With the highest M/E count, deepest replay channel capacity, and broadest routing architecture in the Live Media Group fleet, it delivers the performance and redundancy expected in the most mission-critical live environments. From UHD sports coverage and multi-stage music shows to dual-stream linear and OTT broadcasts, MU-14 has the power, flexibility, and intelligence to bring elite productions to life at scaleMU-14-Specs_021025.