Interviews with Digital Media Thought Leaders

A TV Production Truck in a Shoe Box

Podcast Video | Posted by Phil Leigh on October 6, 2008

 

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If you would like to learn about an appliance the size of a shoe box that provides most of the production and multi-camera input capabilities of a TV truck, this interview is for you.

The product is the Tricaster from San Antonio-based NewTek. Our interview is with Philip Nelson who is the Senior Vice President for Strategic Development and the appliance is demonstrated by Jim Plant who is the CEO. Tricaster prices range from $5,000 to $12,000.While most of our video podcasts at Inside Digital Media include several video recordings, they are recorded separately and tied together into a cohesive show by use of editing software. For example, there is typically an introduction, interview, concluding remarks, and finally a tip for podcasters or a lead for venture capitalists and investment bankers.  Everything is prerecorded.

More sophisticated techniques are typically used in television. For example, there might be several cameras “shooting” the show from three different angles. The producer can switch from one camera to another with the flick of a switch. Moreover, news and sports are often broadcast live. As anyone who has attended a college football game knows, the TV broadcast crews bring their own truck that contains the required production equipment.

Significantly, NewTek’s Tricaster is capable of doing most of the jobs of a TV truck but, as noted, the appliance is as small as a shoe box and priced at $5,000 - $12,000. The capabilities and low price mean that video podcasters can consider shooting shows that they might never have previously considered. For example, a school play could be shot from several angles and streamed over the Net live and recorded for later playback. The same applies to high school athletics.

While the incremental value of a Tricaster cannot yet be justified for the types of podcasts that I do, I can see the unit adding significant value to those who want to provide live video from multiple inputs with sophisticated techniques such as green screen.

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2 Comments so far
  1. randy clark October 8, 2008 12:09 pm

    We are looking to rent a tricaster at the end of the month…let me know if you know of any in the rental market

  2. Todd Preston October 21, 2008 11:11 am

    For anyone interested in renting a TriCaster from Access Media Group, please visit our web site or call us at 866-890-5315.