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The complex technical operation behind Survivor / Expeditie Robinson

The complex technical operation behind Survivor / Expeditie Robinson

door CN Rood

In the programme Survivor (Dutch name: Expeditie Robinson), candidates are tasked with surviving on a desert island in either Asia or the Caribbean. EMG provides the technical facilities during filming in these remote locations, which can be as long as five consecutive months. We spoke to Kees Knepper (Field Support Engineer) about the technical challenge, the use of Tektronix equipment, and the collaboration with CN Rood.

46 pallets of equipment

Kees Knepper, Field Support Engineer, is on site for the duration of the filming to ensure that everything is order, working with his team to manage the technical logistics of operating in a remote location and carry out repairs as needed. He explains: "For our last project in 2023, 46 pallets of equipment were stacked 1.6 metres high and sent to the production location. These included 27 UHD broadcast cameras, more than twice as many lenses, two image mixers and two routers. Because we film the episodes in hard-to-reach places it takes at least a week for any supplies or replacements to reach us.”

Stopping production for a week to wait for what the team need was not an option. Therefore, Kees Knepper opted to setup a local team to carry out any repairs and maintenance that would be required. For 27 cameras, two full-time technicians are needed with a very broad skillset. The technicians needed to be competent problem solvers across everything from power systems and generators to lenses, as well as ensuring there are enough spare parts for the duration of filming.

Kees Knepper highlights the challenge of planning for every eventuality: “Based on experience, we estimate the necessary parts in advance and take them with us. Of course, it may happen that we end up with defective parts that we did not bring replacements for. In that case, we will look for an alternative solution. In the past, we experienced the challenge of a defective input connector on a Tektronix WFM. The service station in Singapore could not help us within a reasonable timeframe, but we were able to get the requested parts via CN Rood. Since the input connector was the same as the AES input (which we don’t use on this particular production) we transferred that connector to the input as a temporary fix while we awaited a new connector, which arrived didn’t actually arrive for three weeks.”

Tektronix MSO for analysis synchronisation and frame interval pulses

Taking stock of equipment across 46 pallets has its challenges, and Kees Knepper pointed out that the Tektronix equipment had to be accounted for. "During the multicamera part of the production, we use two almost identical eight-camera directional installations. One is a semi-permanent installation built in a temporary audio/video direction, and that’s for the purpose of registering the Island Council, the other is a portable directional installation that is built in flight cases. The portable set-up is built for registering the various games that take place on the islands.”

For both circumstances, the team carry a Tektronix / Telestream WFMs (5200). In the remote location workshop, there is a WFM7120 and WFM2300 available and for repair work, there is also a Tektronix MS024 and TBS1202. To use the images from the different cameras interchangeably, accurate synchronisation of frame recording between cameras is essential. A camera makes around 25 frames per second, synchronisation is achieved via a complex video reference signal which ensures seamless transitions when switching between cameras. The Tektronix MSO24 is used to monitor and control these synchronisation signals.

Kees Knepper explains that the MSO24 was purchased for use on the most recent Survivor project: “The MSO24 is used to analyse vertical frame interval pulses and accurate synchronisation between cameras and equipment. What is incredibly convenient is that the Tektronix MSO24 is a compact solution with no vulnerable keyboard or mouse, a battery pack makes it mobile and usable anywhere."

 

Very satisfied with CN Rood and Tektronix

“The cooperation between EMG and CN Rood goes back a long way.” Kees Knepper explained. "To ensure production continuity, we are always looking for reliable equipment. The Tektronix equipment has proven to be extremely robust and reliable in this subtropical climate. As an old school electronics engineer, I am very used to looking for things like delayed time base (DTB) in an instrument. With a new device like the MSO24, I have to search initially, but eventually the controls of this type of modern oscilloscope point the way. I know I can always turn to CN Rood if I have any questions or challenges. EMG and CN Rood have been in partnership for over 20 years, and we’ve never been disappointed!"

 

About EMG

 EMG is an audiovisual partner for national and international (live) sports and music events, entertainment, reality, travel & expedition programmes and daily news and current affairs programmes.  EMG Netherlands has 500 employees and is part of the EMG Group, the European market leader in broadcast services. Besides the Netherlands, the company operates in France, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, the US and Australia. This enables EMG to join forces with sister companies, exchange knowledge and experience and operate flexibly and effectively at a national and international level. Moreover, it gives its clients access to a wide range of potential facilities, services and solutions.

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CN Rood

Degelijk.  Betrouwbaar. Kennispartner.

De CN Rood groep is koploper in kennis en oplossingen op het gebied van test- en meetapparatuur. We onderscheiden ons met een persoonlijke en klantgerichte aanpak. Onze klanten zoeken vaak niet een product, maar een oplossing en wij hebben allemaal de gedrevenheid om mee te werken aan die oplossing. Wat wij het liefste doen: continu bezig zijn met de nieuwste ontwikkelingen op het gebied van test- en meetapparatuur. Nu, en in de toekomst. Want daar ligt nu eenmaal onze passie: het precies willen weten. Zo kunnen we onze klanten optimaal verder helpen.

Wij denken mee, adviseren en begeleiden onze klanten in het maken van de juiste keuze in hun test- en meetapparatuur. Mensen in verschillende sectoren vertrouwen op onze expertise en ons advies. We werken voor overheid, wetenschap, onderwijs, lucht- en ruimtevaart- en auto-industrie in Noord-Europa en de Benelux. Daaronder bevinden zich vele prestigieuze en vooraanstaande organisaties. Vanuit locaties in Zweden, Nederland en België werken meer dan zestig toegewijde professionals aan oplossingen variërend van communicatie-testapparatuur en algemene test- en meetinstrumenten tot apparatuur voor data-acquisitie, logistieke automatisering, aangevuld met consultancy, training en turnkeyoplossingen.

We hebben een historie die teruggaat tot 1938. Onze oprichter, Cornelis Nicolaas Rood, was destijds een pionier in moderne elektronica. Onze mensen bevinden zich ook anno nu graag in de frontlinie van technologische ontwikkelingen. Op onze eigen manier leveren we zo een bijdrage aan belangrijke maatschappelijke vraagstukken. Bijvoorbeeld in energietransitie, quantum computing, medische technologie, de zelfrijdende auto, de auto op zonne-energie, de energie transitie en alle andere deeptech die bijdraagt aan de schonere en betere wereld van morgen.

Daarom letten we ook op onze eigen impact op het milieu en klimaat. Aangezien wij vooral een adviserende functie hebben is onze eigen milieu-footprint gering. Vanzelfsprekend zien we wel toe op een zo duurzaam mogelijke productie van de apparatuur die wij verkopen en zorgen we voor een maatschappelijk verantwoorde bedrijfsvoering. Al onze producten kopen we uitsluitend in bij gecertificeerde fabrikanten die werken met herleidbare en verantwoorde grondstoffen. Gebruikte apparatuur wordt kosteloos opgehaald en gerecycled.

Het zijn maar een paar voorbeelden om duidelijk te maken dat we hechten aan een langetermijnvisie op de wereld om ons heen. Want juist met een geschiedenis van meer dan tachtig jaar kun je goed vooruitkijken. Daarom blijven we ook vooroplopen. Onze brede en diepe technische kennis van test- en meetapparatuur, in combinatie met onze persoonlijke connectie met onze klanten, maken ons uniek in de markt. De CN Rood groep is uw degelijke en betrouwbare kennispartner voor test- en meetapparatuur!

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Dependable. Reliable. Knowledge Partner.

The CN Rood Group is a leader in knowledge and solutions in the field of test and measurement equipment. We distinguish ourselves with a personal and customer-oriented approach. Our customers often seek not a product but a solution, and we all have the drive to contribute to that solution. What we like doing best: continuously working on the latest developments in test and measurement equipment. Now, and in the future. Because that's where our passion lies: wanting to know exactly what is going on. That way, we can help our customers in the best possible way.

We think along, advise and guide our customers in making the right choice of test and measurement equipment. People in various sectors rely on our expertise and advice. We work for government, science, education, aerospace and automotive industries in Northern Europe and the Benelux. These include many prestigious and leading organisations. From locations in Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium, more than sixty dedicated professionals work on solutions ranging from communication test equipment and general test and measurement instruments to data acquisition equipment, logistics automation, complemented by consultancy, training and turnkey solutions.

We have a history dating back to 1938. At the time, our founder, Cornelis Nicolaas Rood, was a pioneer in modern electronics. Even today, our people enjoy being at the forefront of technological developments. In our own way, we contribute to important social issues. For instance, in energy transition, quantum computing, medical technology, the self-driving car, the solar car, the energy transition and all other deep-tech that contributes to the cleaner and better world of tomorrow.

Therefore, we also pay attention to our own impact on the environment and climate. Since we mainly have an advisory function, our own environmental footprint is small. Naturally, we do see to it that the equipment we sell is produced as sustainably as possible and we ensure socially responsible business practices. We purchase all our products exclusively from certified manufacturers working with traceable and responsible raw materials. Used equipment is collected and recycled free of charge.

These are just a few examples to make it clear that we value a long-term view of the world around us. Because it is precisely with a history of more than eighty years that it is easy to look ahead. That's why we stay ahead. Our broad and deep technical knowledge of test and measurement equipment, combined with our personal connection with our customers, make us unique in the market. The CN Rood group is your solid and reliable knowledge partner for test and measurement equipment!

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